National Speech and Debate Tournament

2025 — Des Moines, IA/US

Ian(Kail) Hollander Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team
Occasionally judge Policy Debate

How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?

11-20

Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?

Stock issues
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

4/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

4/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

7/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

4/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

5/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

4/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

8/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

8/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks: I don't like spreading at all, I have a hard time following it and it isn't the method of practice in debate where I'm at. I prefer a slightly fast, but easily understandable pace of speech. I don't value kritiks or debate theory arguments. Just show me why we should or shouldn't pass the plan. Debate jargon is completely acceptable. I value reasoning and analysis over just reading additional pieces of evidence. Anyone can find the right card, it's your job to tell me why the card matters.

Note: if you wish for your pronouns to appear the debaters you judge on text/email blasts, log into Tabroom, click Profile at top, and add them in the Pronouns field.