Event Rules and Entry Restrictions

Event Rules

NSDA rules in LD, Policy, 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.

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

NSDA and TOC guidelines in Congressional Debate

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:

Speakers will prep in the speaking room. Each draws three topics and selects one (returning the other two to the topic envelope, if applicable). 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. One notecard may be used during the speech.

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 December NSDA topic
The Policy topic will be the 2016-2017 National Federation of High Schools topic

Prep Times:
LD - 5 minutes
PF - 2 minutes
Policy - 10 minutes

Extemp topic areas will be announced a few days before the tournament when we receive the topics written by Jason Warren of Parish Episcopal School (TX), who also writes topics for many tournaments around the country.

Newman's campus has wireless capability throughout, but NSDA rules restricting access to the internet during debate and extemp competition apply. CX, LD, and PF debaters may use the internet once the round begins for the sole purpose of exchanging evidence and speech documents with other debaters and judges in the room (e.g., email chains and Pocketbox).

 Do your research between rounds, not during. As per NSDA rules, extempers may NOT use our outlets in the prep room to keep their batteries charged.

Multiple Entry Rules

May enter only one event among Policy, LD, PF, and Congress
May enter up to three speech events, but a maximum of two in a pattern
No cross-entries between debate and speech permitted

Entry Restrictions and Deadlines

We have no official limit on the number of students you may enter in any one event. However, our school is a small school, even though we will have access to Upper, Middle, and Lower School classrooms. We may cap some events.

Fees and number of judges required will be assessed as of Friday, December 2 at 3:00 pm Central.

Any drops between Dec. 2 at 3 pm and Dec. 8 at 3 pm will result in forfeiture of original entry fee plus a penalty of $10 per drop. You will be able to process these drops on tabroom.com. Drops after December 2 will NOT alter the number of judges required.*

Any drops after Thursday, December 8 at 3:00 pm will result in forfeiture of original entry fee plus a penalty of $25 per drop. Drops after December 8 at 3:00 pm will NOT alter the number of judges required. These drops must be sent to Greg Malis via email. Schools will not have access via tabroom.com to modify their entry on or after 3pm on Thurs., Dec. 8.*

*Please note that all times shown are for the Central Time Zone.