General & Event-Specific Judging Instructions

Thank you for volunteering as a judge!  

You will be checking in at the tournament at 8:00 a.m. in Judges Lounge. Our league provides complimentary continental breakfast, beverages, and lunch for our judges and coaches. 

Please read through the instructions below and let any of the GGSA officials or your coach know if you have a questions. 

A Headsup: There will be a judges' Parli Zoom training as well as one for Student Congress P.O.s on Friday before the tournament; pay attention to a Tabroom blast and/or talk to your coach for details if you are interesting in attending it.  

FOR ALL JUDGES

Please take a moment to read our Implicit Judge Bias Policy and to take this free, short, online Cultural Competence Course (a helpful accompanying resource: Cultural Competency Training Handout) This course is an excerpt from Adjudicating Speech and Debate, a longer online training course also available for free on the NFHS Learning Center.  

FOR CONGRESS JUDGES

Congress Judge Instructions

How to Complete an Online Debate Ballot Using Tabroom

Presiding Instructions

FOR PARLI JUDGES

Parliamentary Debate Judging Instructions with Ballot & Debate Examples

Written Instructions for Accessing E-Ballots & Video Instructions for Completing a Tabroom Debate E-Ballot

How to Add a Judge's Paradigm

*No oral disclosures--just submit your decision and a written RFD.

*New novice rules: Novice teams have 30 minutes of prep time, with 5 minute constructive speeches and 3 minute rebuttals (555533)

*New rule:  Citations/sources should not be counted in the decision.

*New internet policy: Students may also use the internet, computers and devices but ONLY during prep time.  NO real-time communications or research during the debate is allowed. In the Novice Parli division, debaters may consult with teammates or other debaters at the tournament during prep time.