2021 Competition Season

The path toward online competition is underway with practice opportunities! We have learned a lot thus far during our practice opportunities, resolved several technical bugs, and continue to be committed to providing an excellent experience for all of our participants. Below you will find information about upcoming practice opportunities. Click to read more.

Click to view: Online Competition Tutorials

Ready. Set. Go! This week’s update includes vital details to prepare you for a successful launch into the competitive season. The first online tournament begins in just five weeks! Click to read more.

We’re often told that practice makes perfect. In the case of NCFCA online competition, we would propose that practice = prepared. Several no-cost opportunities will be available in December to practice with the brand new NCFCA online competition platform!

Please make EVERY effort to participate! Click to read more.

On Monday, November 16, we will begin accepting registration requests via the tournament information pages on your dashboard for each tournament that has been confirmed to date. Before requesting registration, read the latest Competition Update! Click to read more.

The 2021 NCFCA Moot Court Problem is now available in the Resource Library! If you’re ready to get a jump start, join us for the Online Moot Court Intensive on Friday, November 20 from 9:00am – 4:00pm CT. Click to read more.

In addition to the League Handbook, the highly anticipated 2021 Moot Court Problem will be published in the Resource Library next week! You will also find the 2021 Moot Court rules, ballot, and scoring guide. Click to read more.

How will digital presentation work online? Will families with poor internet capabilities be at a disadvantage or possibly excluded? May debate partners communicate during the round? How will prep time work for partners? In this week’s competition update, we are answering more FAQs from your submissions! Click to read more.

Competition Update: Online Rules Posted!
You will find online debate rules, online general speech rules, and online event-specific speech rules to read, study, and apply! Search the keyword “online” or toggle “Online Competition” in the Resource Library for easy access. Click to read more.

“But what about…”
When you begin to read the rules and protocols, you may find yourself distracted by “BWAs.” You have been taught to anticipate arguments and to think through topics from all angles! Let me encourage you to jot down your thoughts and questions as you read so you don’t lose them, but to stay focused on the content at hand. Sometimes we miss information or details because our minds are racing ahead. Director of Forensics, Chrissy Sweetman, provides valuable information in our latest Competition Update. Click to read more.

We recognize that the uniqueness of the upcoming competition season raises a lot of questions. This week’s competition update provides a smattering of information designed to address a few FAQs. Click to read more.

The details below were originally outlined in communication from Director of Forensics, Chrissy Sweetman, on September 18, 2020.

The 2021 competition season will kick off with online national qualifying tournaments. Every region will have three opportunities to participate in national qualifying tournaments according to the schedule below, and the number of invitations to the National Championship will remain the same. Moot Court competition will be hosted online on separate dates, eliminating the need from last year to limit speech events for moot court competitors.

January 6-9, 2021: National Open 1A “East Regions” (Regions 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
January 13-16, 2021: National Open 1B “West Regions” (Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12)
February 3-6, 2021: National Open 2A “Even-Numbered Regions” (Regions 2, 6, 8, 10, 12)
February 10-13, 2021: National Open 2B “Odd-Numbered Regions” (Regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11)
March 3-6, 2021: National Open 3 “All Regions” (tentative, see explanation below)
March 10-13, 2021: National Open 3B, IF dividing the third National Open is deemed necessary
February 8-9, March 1-2, and April 5-6, 2021: Moot Court “All Regions”

Click to read more.

The NCFCA team and our COVID Task Force continues to monitor and assess the situations around the country as we look forward to the season. As of today, the working plan outlined in June is still our goal for the season. Please watch for updates each month in the newsletter and on this page. We appreciate your prayer and patience as we continue to navigate uncertainty while actively planning for another exceptional season of preparing Christian young people to be ambassadors for Christ!