Judge Instructions

Please ensure that Judges receive these basic instructions: 

Judge Code of Ethics

• The National Speech & Debate Association/Utah Debate Coaches Association is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA/UDCA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament, disqualification and other possible legal actions. 

• Judges are to give feedback and rankings on skills and abilities, not on content or opinions. Unless there is something that is completely inappropriate for High School Content, or that a team is acting in a way that is harmful or considered harrassment, then we should remember that the students in Debate must debate each side of the topic, no matter their personal opinions or beliefs. Speech topics are often personal to the students and their own experiences, and we are looking at the skills and presentation, not the content topic...you may give suggestions on maybe how to better present the topic to be more inviting to an audience, etc but not be critical of the. topic itself, unless of course it is offensive and not appropriate for HS students to be presenting. This beauty of this activity is that we can respect everyone's rights to believe and speak about what they want while still understanding and respecting that others' have the same rights and we don't have to agree on everything to appreciate each other as human beings....If a judge feels there may be an issue that they cannot address in a round, then please pause the round and contact tabroom...we can then figure out what, if anything, to do, or discuss a way in which to handle a situation. This is about education and growth, and if we can accommodate that first, we will.

IF ONLINE: Please remember that the video quality of a student’s performance or speech may be impacted by lighting, internet, access to equipment, and other family members’ presence in the home. To ensure a more equitable experience for our participants, please be sure your decision-making process and comments are related only to the content and quality of the presentation or speech itself.

• If a competitor experiences technical difficulties which dramatically impact the judges’ ability to evaluate the first attempted run of the performance in a round, the competitor will be given a total of 20 minutes of tech solution time (the equivalent of two performances) to resolve the technical issues and perform again.

• If at that point it cannot be resolved, let tab know and we can see if there is something that can be done.

• Professional equipment enhancements may not be used. Professional equipment includes professional lighting kits, professional grade camera recording and audio devices, and softboxes. The use of stage lighting is not permitted. Lavalier microphones and ring lights are permitted. Ear pods/headphones with mics would be acceptable and should not be counted against students in any way.

• Judges SHOULD NEVER give them your personal phone number, or email. If you are a debate judge and want to do an email chain, create a separate account. However, with today's climate and the online ability here to send documents and chain through the chat instead, I would highly recommend that route instead for your safety, as well as the competitors'.

• IF for some reason something happens in the round, a competitor's internet cuts out in the middle of the speech or round, please use the contact tab/email to let the tabroom know immediately. We will then work with you and the competitors to ensure the best way to deal with the situation and the round. DO NOT have them join a personal zoom type room to continue the round.