Lincoln Douglas Debate Rules

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (most sections adapted from NSDA rules and regulations)

1. Resolution: The resolution will be one requiring a value judgment. The tournament will use the current Lincoln-Douglas topic for the month in which the competition occurs (June). Refer to www.speechanddebate.org/topics for the current topic.

2. Entries: Each contestant will debate both sides. No substitution is permitted once the tournament has begun.

3. Order of Speeches:

Affirmative Constructive ....................................... 6 minutes

Negative Cross Examination .................................. 3 minutes

Negative Constructive .......................................... 7 minutes

Affirmative Cross Examination ............................... 3 minutes

Affirmative Rebuttal ............................................. 4 minutes

Negative Rebuttal ................................................ 6 minutes

Affirmative Rebuttal ............................................. 3 minutes

Prep Time ........................................................... 4 minutes per debater

4. Timing: A timekeeper is an option but isn’t required. If no timekeeper is used, debaters may time for their opponent or the judge may keep time. Prep time for each debater is four minutes.

Technology Rules and Considerations:

1. Debaters and judges are asked to enter virtual rooms twenty (20) minutes prior to the round’s designated start time. This ensures that rounds can begin on time even if there are technical difficulties. If all participants are present and ready, rounds may be begun early at the judges’ discretion.

2. Debaters and judges are encouraged to keep video cameras on as much as possible during the course of the round.

3. Debaters and judges are to keep themselves muted while not speaking.

4. To accommodate inevitable technical issues, each team has a total of fifteen (15) minutes of “Tech Time”. At any time during the round, if a debater experiences connectivity or other technical issues, the round can be paused as that debater's team runs Tech Time. The round is paused until the technical issues are fixed or until that team runs out of Tech Time. If a team runs out of tech time, the round is continued if possible, or else that team concedes the round.

All rules are subject to change to ensure a realistic and effective online Lincoln Douglas Debate format. For questions regarding these rules, please contact s4talincolndouglas@empowerexpression.org.

(4/28/20)