Entry Requirements

Middle school division: 

Students entered into the middle school division must be enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade during the 2020-2021 school year. Competitors and their school must have NSDA membership prior to registering for the tournament.

Open division: 

Students entered into the open division must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2020-2021 school year. Competitors and their school must have NSDA membership prior to registering for the tournament.

School requirement:

All schools registering for the competition must have NSDA membership prior to registration. Any high school, middle school, home school, or virtual school recognized as an accredited public or private school by the state in which those schools compete may join the National Speech & Debate Association. All current nonschool-based clubs and organizations are encouraged to work with the Association and area school districts to create speech and debate programs through their students' schools.

Double entry:

Students may enter in as many speech events as they wish. There are no double entry limits in speech. Students may only enter on debate event. Students may enter speech and debate.

Entry limits:

Each school may enter up to six entries per event. There is a 200 entry cap per event in each division. There will be no waitlist. An event must have 14 entries to be held. We will not combine a MS/Open division to meet minimum numbers. Coaches will be given a short window of time to move entries to different events if an event does not meet minimum entry requirements.

Forms:

There are no required forms for schools or competitors to complete. Schools will agree to this disclaimer prior to registration: "We certify that each registered contestant is a student at this school and will be under the supervision of an adult who is the student’s parent, coach, or school administrator, approved by the school principal."

Fees:

Thanks to the generosity of The Burke Foundation, NSDA member students will have no entry fee for this tournament. 

Student Technology Requirements:

Students do not need a linked Tabroom.com account, but it would be useful so they can directly access their online ballot feedback. Students are required to have access to a microphone, camera, and sufficient internet access to be able to record their performance. Students are encouraged to read the Online Competition Tips Guide for ideas on technology to use, positions for their camera, and how to get best access to their internet. Coaches are encouraged to check out our Technology Resource Fund, presented by The Julia Burke Foundation, which is intended to provide financial support for NSDA member students who lack needed technology resources (webcams, microphones, laptop, hotspots, etc.) to successfully compete in online speech and debate activities.