04 - Maverick Debating and Forfeit Policies

We want you all to be aware of ourMaverick Policy and our Forfeit Policy for our partnership debate events, specifically.

Please review these policies and make any adjustments before the registration window closes on September 8.

We want to highlight two specific things:

1. An “emergency” is defined as an unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance that arises during the tournament (e.g., sudden illness, injury, or family emergency).

2. Pre-existing or foreseeable obligations—including but not limited to SAT/ACT testing, tutoring sessions, athletic practices or competitions, fine arts rehearsals or performances, and scheduled appointments—do not constitute emergencies and are not valid grounds for maverick requests.

Maverick Debating Rules

• A "debate team" entry in Policy and Public Forum Debate is a two-person partnership.

• "Maverick" entries (one person) are not allowed to enter prior to the tournament - an entry must be composed of two persons.

• Both partners must be present at the start of the first round or the entry will be dropped.

• During the tournament:

• Maverick teams will forfeit the round unless the coach of record informs the appropriate Event Tab Helpline of the maverick status and provides a reasonable explanation.

• If a team becomes a maverick due to an emergency, the entry may be "maverick" no more than 2 debates. The maverick can win the debate (i.e. the debate should happen and be decided on the merits - it is not an auto-forfeit).

• A team cannot go maverick a third time - they will be removed from the tournament.

• If a team has 2 maverick rounds, they are not eligible for elimination rounds.

• Mavericks will not be permitted to debate in elimination rounds.

Forfeit Policy

• Forfeit times – Any debater arriving later than 10 minutes after the posted start time will be at the risk of forfeit by the tab room. Any debater experiencing what they believe to be a legitimate delay should make every attempt to communicate with the tab room if they are going to be late.

• If an entry forfeits twice due to late arrival, they may be removed from the tournament.

• If a debater becomes unable to debate due to an illness or serious emergency during the tournament, please see Maverick Debating Rules (above).

• An entry that forfeits 2 debates is not eligible for elimination rounds.

• An entry that forfeits for a reason other than illness or serious emergency approved by the tab room may be removed from the tournament.

• Speaker points in forfeit situations will be averaged.