Event Rules

NSDA rules in LD, Policy, World Schools, Extemp, HI, DI, OO, POI, Info, and Duo.

Special clarification about novice divisions in debate: Please read the link to "Definition of a Novice". It outlines how this tournament determines eligibility for any of the novice divisions.

Special clarification about Duo:  We offer Duo Interp, not Duo Reading.  Thus, no binders permitted.

Special clarification about World Schools: We will permit hybrid teams. World Schools teams comprise of 3-5 individuals. All members of the team must attend a secondary diploma-granting institution. However, hybrid teams (where team members do not attend the same diploma-granting institution) are permitted provided that all team members attend schools that would be in the same NSDA District if their school were an NSDA member.

NSDA rules in PF with the noted modification on the Invite page about the coin flip.

NSDA rules in Congressional Debate. However, the timing rule of max of one hour on any single piece of legislation only applies in the preliminary sessions.

Evidence-related challenges in debate events will be handled by the judge(s). The tab room will not intervene.

CFL rules in OI and Dec

LHSSL rules in IMP: Each is given three topics and selects one. Each has a total of seven minutes to prepare and speak on the topic. The time used to select the topic will count towards the seven minutes allotted. 30 seconds grace period. NO notecard may be used during the speech. If speech events get merged with Dowling, then we will adopt the Iowa rules in IMP: 3 minutes of fixed prep time. Maximum of 5 minutes of speaking time with a 30 second grade period.

Please check the appropriate, official websites for additional clarifications or ask the tournament directors.

The LD topic will be the November-December NSDA topic
The PF topic will be the November-December NSDA topic
The Policy topic will be the 2020-2021 NFHS topic

Prep Times:
LD - 5 minutes
PF - 3 minutes
Policy - 10 minutes

We will adopt NSDA rules regarding access to the internet during debate (except for WSD) and extemp competition. CX, LD, PF, and Congress debaters may use the internet once the round begins to retrieve evidence or find new evidence. CX, LD, PF, and Congress debaters may use electronic messaging for the sole purpose of exchanging evidence and speech documents with other debaters and judges in the room (e.g., email chains). In NO event may a competitor communicate with someone outside of the competition or prep room except for submitted a help ticket to the tournament staff. Per NSDA rules, World Schools debaters may NOT use computers in the round other than to access the virtual competition room.