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Be Ready for Your First Tournament!

Tournaments represent a big invesment of time and preparation, and we want it to be a great experience for you. Please make sure you're ready by learning about the required preparation steps.

Tournament Prep FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions about competing in tournaments.
  • Does NCFCA provide a printable copy of the rules?

    We have transitioned to using our NCFCA.org website as the official means of publishing all competition rules and guidelines. This change allows for improved navigation, organization, and content presentation options, especially for new families.

    However, we realize that some participants also like to prepare using printed documents. We offer a print-button option on all of our rule pages, but the formatting options are limited and can be cumbersome with some browsers, so here are some tips you can use to save paper and ink if you feel like you need to print the rules.

    Make your own printable pages. You can easily copy the rules you want into a Google Doc and the formatting will be maintained nicely. 

    • This step-by-step guide will show you how to start a Google Doc. 
    • Once you have a Google Doc open along with the website rules on a different browser tab, use your cursor to highlight the section of rules you would like to print and then simultaneously press the keys: CTRL/C (PC) or COMMAND/C (Mac). Note: The process works best if you highlight only one set of rules or one set of guidelines at a time (without highlighting over the break between rules and guidelines).
    • Next, place your cursor in the document and simultaneously press the keys: CTRL/V (PC) or COMMAND/V (Mac). This should make the text appear in your document. 
    • This process will work in a similar way with Microsoft Word and other document options.
    • With the text copied into your own document, you can change the font size and margins to your own preferences. 

    Avoid duplicate content for speech rules by printing the guidelines only once for each event category (limited prep, interpretation, and platform). The guidelines for each speech category are replicated on the appropriate event pages. The exceptions to this are that Digital Presentation has an extra “Digital Presentation Protocols” section, Apologetics includes the topics, and Extemporaneous has unique timing protocols.

    Please keep in mind that our website contains the official copy of all rules. We will alert participants through our affiliate communications emails if we make any substantive changes to rules or guidelines, but it is the responsibility of competitors to follow the officially published rules.

  • What policies and rules do I need to know before a tournament?

    Parents, designated adults, and competitors should read the NCFCA League Policies as well as the event rules for each events they will be participating in.

    We know that for a first tournament, the rules and policies can seem a bit overwhelming, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. If there’s a misstep or a question, our experienced families, volunteer teams, and tournament staff members will respond with grace and understanding. We’ve all been there!

  • Why do we have to check in for tournaments?

    Checking in for a tournament is similar to checking in for an airline flight even though you may have purchased a valid ticket several weeks before. During the process, students affirm the ethics statement, parents confirm contact information, and all participants ensure they are able to access the tournament. It also helps the Tournament Administration verify that all competitors still intend to show up and compete because unexpected no shows are very disruptive to the experience of other competitors, judges, and to the tabulation system.

  • When do we need to arrive?

    Families should arrive with enough time to pick up name tags and debate tents and get their belongings settled before morning announcements and devotions begin. Families are responsible for the information in morning announcements, and our devotion time is an important part of the day and should not be skipped.

  • Where do we get our name tags, etc.?

    There will be a Packet Pickup area designated by signs.

  • What are the chaperone requirements at a tournament?

    Each competitor and at least one parent or legal guardian must be available to actively participate for the duration of each NCFCA tournament for which they are registered.

    Each parent will be designated to serve as a judge or to assist in a tournament staff role. If a parent is unable to participate, he or she may appoint another adult as a proxy, but must ensure that the designated adult meets all criteria outlined below.

    A designated adult:

    • May not be a competitor.
    • Must be at least 21 years old or at least 19 years old if he or she is a sibling of the competitor.
    • Must be prepared to fully participate in the tournament by serving as a judge or in another tournament capacity throughout the event.
    • Must view one Judge Training each season for speech and for debate prior to judging.
    • May only be responsible for students in one family regardless of the number of students in the family.
    • May not be an adult who is already responsible for their own competing children
  • How many rounds do parents need to judge?

    Parents or a designated adult should expect to judge throughout all days of the tournament unless they are serving in a full-time tournament staff role.

  • What do younger children do while their parents are judging?

    Children under competition age must be supervised by a parent, or another adult whom the parent designates except during the designated times for supervised Junior Activities. Parents often take turns watching younger children for one another, and young children who are capable of watching rounds quietly can sit with parents who are judging.

  • How will competitors know where to go for their rounds?

    At in-person tournaments, before each round, posting sheets will be placed on walls and bulletin boards around the facility. Speech postings show which competitors will be competing in each room and their scheduled speaking times. Debate postings contain lists of the competitors, who they will be debating, and the room number where the round will take place, as well as showing any teams that will have a bye for the round.

    Additionally, for both in-person and online tournaments, before each round, postings will be accessible through a link from the tournament schedule. (The round will turn red on the dashboard when postings are available.) When competition rooms open, a notification will appear on the platform and be sent via text that rooms are ready, and each competitor will see the join button(s) appear on their dashboard for their competition room(s) for the round.

  • How many times do competitors give their speeches during the tournament?

    During preliminary rounds, competitors will give a speech three times for every event in which they are entered. If they advance to elimination rounds, they may give a speech in a SemiFinal or Final round as well.

  • What are speech patterns?

    NCFCA speech events are divided into two patterns for each tournament and the patterns take place at different times, usually between rounds of debate. Speech Rounds designated with an A (1A, 2A, & 3A) will include the events in Pattern A, and Speech Rounds with a B (1B, 2B, and 3B) will include the events in Pattern B. During elimination rounds, all speech events are run simultaneously.

    • For in-person tournaments, the patterns may vary and can be found at the Information tab for the tournament. 
    • All online tournaments, the following patterns will apply.
      • Pattern A: Apologetics, Digital Presentation, Duo, Informative, and Original
      • Pattern B: Biblical Thematic, Extemporaneous, Impromptu, Open, and Persuasive
  • How many debate rounds will competitors have in each tournament?

    There will be six preliminary rounds of debate for all competitors (except in the event of an odd number of teams which causes some teams to have only five preliminary rounds). Teams with the strongest winning records will advance to elimination rounds. The number of elimination rounds depends on the number of teams entered in each style of debate.

  • How do debaters know if they will be affirmative or negative?

    In preliminary rounds, debaters will have three rounds as the affirmative team and three as the negative team except in the case that they have been assigned a bye for one round. Before each round, the postings will show which teams are debating one another and which team will be affirmative and which team will be negative. Competitors must take care to confirm their side for each round. It is possible they may debate on the same side as the prior round.

  • What is power matching in debate and Moot Court?

    After the first round, teams are matched against another team with the same or similar win/loss record up to that point in the tournament. The details for how power matching works are available in the Tab and Qualifications Guidelines in the Resource Library.

  • What are “breaks” and elimination rounds?

     “Breaking” is the NCFCA slang term for advancing to elimination rounds. The number of students who break—that is, advance to elimination rounds—in both speech and debate is determined by how many competitors competed in the event for the tournament. Students who advance to elimination rounds in a particular event are qualified to participate in that event at the Regional Championship, and they will be recognized during the award ceremony.

    Break announcements generally happen right before each elimination round takes place, but speech break announcements may happen at the same time as debate breaks at the end of morning announcements. The Tournament Director or Tournament Coordinator will announce the names of the students who will be competing.

    As individual names are announced for each event, the audience claps once—a clap we refer to as the forensics clap—so that the next name can be read promptly. When all names have been announced for the event, we take a moment to celebrate with ordinary applause before moving on to the next event.

  • Who should attend the award ceremony, and what should we know?

    Each awards ceremony is a special time of fellowship and celebrating accomplishments within the NCFCA community. All participants are encouraged to attend.

    Tournament attire is required for students who will be recognized, and occasionally debaters who did not expect an award may be recognized.

    As individual names are announced for each event, the audience claps once—a clap we refer to as the forensics clap—so that the next name can be read promptly. When all names have been announced for the event, we take a moment to celebrate with ordinary applause before moving on to the next event.

  • When and how do competitors get their ballots?

    After the tournament, ballots will be available from the Ballots button on the right side of the dashboard just above the Tournament Results button.

  • Does NCFCA provide hotel or lodging options?

    We do not generally offer lodging associated with our tournaments, but in some cases a particular facility may make dorm rooms or other options available. Local clubs may also make some efforts to suggest lodging options. Any information about overnight options will be posted with Tournament Information.

  • How do alumni sign up to judge?

    Alumni should log in to their existing account (associated with their family group).

    • The person type in their profile must be set to adult and the alumni toggle must be activated. This update can only be done by an adult on the account.
    • To be able to choose ballots for rounds they did not register for in advance, they must be listed as an attendee for the Tournament.
    • They can also preselect rounds from the NCFCA judge registration pages on the website using their existing profiles.
  • Which browsers does the tournament platform support?

    • Google Chrome (version 78 and later) for macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu LTS 16.04 and later
    • Chromium-based Edge (version 79 and later) for Windows
    • Mozilla Firefox (version 60 and later) for macOS and Windows Microsoft Surface Pros

    These browsers are not supported (should not be used):

    • Any version of Internet Explorer
    • Any version of Safari
    • Chrome for iOS

    Google Chrome is highly recommended.

    An unsupported browser may appear to be working upon entering the tournament; however, many of the platform’s features (including audio and video) may not work properly.

    Clear the Cache

    Clearing the browser’s cache before the tournament will help a device to interact more effectively with the platform. (Use an internet search to find instructions for how to clear the cache of each specific browser.)

    Restart your Computer

     It can also be helpful to restart your laptop or computer after clearing the cache.

  • What do I need to know about internet security and firewalls?

    Security and Firewalls

    Internet filtering software or other parental control applications could impact successful connection and performance. Because our system uses multiple sources to run the platform, participants might see some functions working, while others do not. For best results, allow or approve all of the following:

    • azurewebsites.net
    • googleapis.com
    • app.chime.aws:443
    • ncfca.org

    Internet firewalls on networked computers may interfere with connecting to the tournament platform. Be sure to test your devices through the connection (WiFi, router, etc.) you will be using during the tournament.

  • Tips for device management during a tournament.

    • Keep devices plugged in whenever possible during the tournament. If this is not possible, be sure that the device is fully charged prior to each competition round.
    • Download any outstanding operating system updates in the day or two prior to the tournament.
    • Cancel or pause any automatic or scheduled updates and security scans that may try to run during the competition.
    • Close email programs, browser tabs, background functions, and other applications not needed for the current round of competition.
  • How can I resize with display settings?

    Devices differ in how they scale display windows, and some devices default to settings that cut off necessary portions of the platform display space. If parts of the display window are cut off from the visible area, or if video panels appear with slider bars, resize the display.

    • For Windows computers, press and hold the [CTRL] key while tapping the [-] key. (Pressing [CTRL] with [+] will reverse the change.)
    • For Mac computers, press and hold the [COMMAND] key while tapping the [-] key. (Pressing [COMMAND] with [+] will reverse the change.)

    Additionally, participants may need to resize components within the platform display window. The slider bar between segments can be dragged with a pointer to change the relative display size.

  • What kind of device do I need for judging at a tournament?

    For both in-person and online tournaments, those who will be judging must have an independent, supported device with a working camera, microphone, and speaker available throughout the entire tournament. For in-person tournaments, you may reserve one of our devices.

    Supported devices:

    • Windows laptop or desktop computers
    • Mac laptop or desktop computers
    • Chromebooks
    • Microsoft Surface Pros

    Devices with limited capability (should not be used):

    • Android phones
    • iPhones
    • Tablets
    • iPods
    • iPads (may be used for in-person tournament judging but not for online tournaments. Functionality may be limited.)
  • What happens in the case of a rule violation?

    When a question about a potential rule violation arises, the Compliance Team will gather information to evaluate the question. In some cases, the Compliance team will need to interview students or judges for more information. If students will be interviewed, a parent or coach will be required to attend the meeting.

    The investigation process helps our staff to educate students about rule issues and relay information to the National Adjudication Team who will evaluate whether any penalty may be necessary to ensure fair competition and consistent application of the rules.

    In the event of a rule violation, a penalty may be imposed, such as a reduction in speech ranking, loss of a debate round, or loss of speaker points.

    In most cases, competitors can correct the situation and continue with competition, even if a penalty has been imposed.

    Parents, designated adults, and judges may submit questions and report concerns through the Contact Tournament Administration button on the Tournament Dashboard or by speaking with a member of the Compliance Team.

  • What if we have more than one competitor or a parent sharing a device?

    Parents will need to be available to judge throughout the tournament and families will need to plan accordingly. If this will be difficult, please contact the Tournament Director. Speech patterns for online tournaments have been preassigned. This may help families make decisions about which events their students will register to compete in at these events so that students sharing a device do not have speeches in the same pattern.

  • When should I be on camera?

    Competitors should not turn on cameras and mics until more than two attendees are in the room.  

    Debaters should keep their cameras on at all times except when experiencing significant technical difficulties. 

    Speech competitors should not turn on mics and cameras while other competitors are speaking. Cameras should be on during speeches and during prep time for Apologetics and Impromptu.

  • How do we access online competition rooms?

    On your dashboard, Enter the tournament under My Upcoming Tournaments.

    When it is time for Announcements, you will see a Join Room button on your Tournament dashboard.

    Find the Schedule/Postings button on the right side of your screen. The schedule is shown for the time zone on your device. When postings are available, the round on the schedule will change color. You can also find Postings by Category. The postings will show you your debate matches and your speech room speaking order and time.

    When the round is ready to begin, you will see a notification on your dashboard and a “Join Room” button for your competition room.

    You will be able to test your mic and camera before you enter the room after you select the “Join Room” button.

  • What are Regions?

    Regions are assigned by the geographical location of the billing address used at the time of affiliation. Once affiliated, if you would like to reassign to a region other than the one prescribed, please email gro.ACFCNobfsctd@eciffO.

    Reassignment must be processed prior to November 1 or prior to registering for any qualifying competition. Reassignment after initial qualifying competition will not be approved.

  • What are the different kinds of tournaments?

    NCFCA offers a number of tournament opportunities for students to hone their analytical and oratorical skills both online and onsite. Dates, locations, and events offered for each tournament will be posted on the NCFCA website this fall.

    Regional or District Qualifying Tournament

    A regional or district qualifying tournament is a multi-day event open to eligible competitors within their region or district and offers six preliminary rounds of debate, three preliminary rounds of speech, and elimination rounds for both speech and debate. Students advancing to elimination rounds earn an invitation to the Regional Championship.

    National Qualifying Tournament

    A national qualifying tournament is a multi-day event open to eligible competitors from all regions that may include any combination of events, any of which will offer full preliminary (six debate/three speech) and elimination rounds. Students advancing to elimination rounds earn an invitation to their Regional Championship and top competitors in each event earn an invitation directly to the National Championship.

    Regional Championship

    A Regional Championship is a multi-day event open to competitors within a region who have earned an invitation through a qualifying tournament. Top competitors in each event earn an invitation to the National Championship.

    National Championship

    The National Championship is open to competitors who have received invitations through a national qualifying tournament, Regional Championship, or the National At-Large System.

Compliance FAQs

Learn about the process we use to ensure fair competition for all participants.
  • Does NCFCA provide a printable copy of the rules?

    We have transitioned to using our NCFCA.org website as the official means of publishing all competition rules and guidelines. This change allows for improved navigation, organization, and content presentation options, especially for new families.

    However, we realize that some participants also like to prepare using printed documents. We offer a print-button option on all of our rule pages, but the formatting options are limited and can be cumbersome with some browsers, so here are some tips you can use to save paper and ink if you feel like you need to print the rules.

    Make your own printable pages. You can easily copy the rules you want into a Google Doc and the formatting will be maintained nicely. 

    • This step-by-step guide will show you how to start a Google Doc. 
    • Once you have a Google Doc open along with the website rules on a different browser tab, use your cursor to highlight the section of rules you would like to print and then simultaneously press the keys: CTRL/C (PC) or COMMAND/C (Mac). Note: The process works best if you highlight only one set of rules or one set of guidelines at a time (without highlighting over the break between rules and guidelines).
    • Next, place your cursor in the document and simultaneously press the keys: CTRL/V (PC) or COMMAND/V (Mac). This should make the text appear in your document. 
    • This process will work in a similar way with Microsoft Word and other document options.
    • With the text copied into your own document, you can change the font size and margins to your own preferences. 

    Avoid duplicate content for speech rules by printing the guidelines only once for each event category (limited prep, interpretation, and platform). The guidelines for each speech category are replicated on the appropriate event pages. The exceptions to this are that Digital Presentation has an extra “Digital Presentation Protocols” section, Apologetics includes the topics, and Extemporaneous has unique timing protocols.

    Please keep in mind that our website contains the official copy of all rules. We will alert participants through our affiliate communications emails if we make any substantive changes to rules or guidelines, but it is the responsibility of competitors to follow the officially published rules.

  • How do Compliance Teams decide on penalties for rule violations?

    The Compliance Team at a tournament doesn’t actually decide on penalties. Their job is to receive, document, and communicate information as queries arise. Once they have completed their investigation, the information is presented to the National Adjudication Team for review. The National team determines if a rule has been violated and whether or not any penalties will be assessed. This protocol ensures that the penalties are applied uniformly throughout the league.

  • How do Compliance Teams decide what to investigate?

    Contrary to popular myth, Compliance Teams do not roam the halls of a tournament looking for rule violations. All Compliance actions begin with questions (referred to as queries) which come from other tournament participants. Sometimes the questions are simply about whether something is covered in the rules or about what a rule means, and most of these questions are answered from our published competition and judge guides.

    Of course, some questions are about whether the words or actions of a competitor violated a rule. In this case, the Compliance Team must rely on statements, interviews, and documents to gather information about a situation they did not personally witness. Most “calls to Compliance” arise from the fact that Compliance Teams need to gather information to answer a question.

  • How do Compliance Teams incorporate grace into their processes?

    First and foremost, those who work in compliance are exhorted to think the best of all parties involved in a query. Not only is this part of our stated policy in the League Handbook, but it is a major part of training our Compliance Teams. Everyone involved is expected to discipline themselves to assume the best about the motives of any individual who presents a query, and to assume the best about the intentions and motives of competitors whose actions or words are questioned, even when a competitor is ultimately found to be in violation of NCFCA’s rules or policies.

    We encourage competitors who find themselves to be subjects of a compliance query (along with their parents) to join us in assuming the best about the motives of those who may have initiated the query. It is especially important to remember that it may not be a fellow competitor who raised a question about the competition round—it could be a judge, observer, or a concerned parent. Assumptions about accusations and motives run the risk of being misplaced and false.

    If there is reasonable doubt about whether a rule violation has actually occurred, grace always prevails. The investigation will either be closed with no further action, or the team may be asked to follow up with the competitor(s) to explain the concern that was raised so that everyone moves forward with a better understanding of where actions may have been questionable and how to best avoid future issues that may actually violate a rule.

  • How do Compliance Teams view queries about possible rule violations?

    First, Compliance Teams truly treat queries as questions. They are trained to focus on whether an NCFCA rule or policy has been violated. They do not view queries about rule violations as disputes between competitors, and they do not attempt to adjudicate between competitors. Judging between competitors is left up to the judges. In other words, once a query is submitted it is treated as a question regarding the competitor’s words or actions versus the rules and policies of NCFCA—not as a question of competitor(s) versus competitor(s) or parents or judges or observers (any of whom may bring a query).
    In summary, NCFCA Compliance does not try to simulate a court of law or try to decide what would have been a better or more fair outcome in competition rounds. They could not hope to succeed with such goals from second-hand information or in the short window of time available to keep the tournament moving. Judging is left to the judges.

  • How does the process of a compliance meeting work?

    When the Compliance Team needs to meet with a family, they will call or text each competitor’s parent or designated adult to set up the meeting. (They do not contact competitors directly.)

    The team will let the adult know whether the question concerns debate or a specific speech event but will reserve all other discussion about the question for the meeting when all parties are present.

    They will do their best to schedule the meeting at a time that seems least disruptive to a competitor’s schedule while also taking into account the time needed to gather information without disrupting the overall tournament schedule.

     

    The meeting will begin with the Compliance Team members introducing themselves and briefly explaining the role of Compliance and the fact that matters discussed in the meeting will be treated confidentially.

    They will present and explain the question and the related rule(s) that led to the meeting.

    The team members will ask any necessary questions to gather information.

    The competitor(s) and adult(s) will also be given the opportunity to ask questions and communicate any additional information that they believe is relevant to the question.

    When all information has been communicated, the Compliance Team will ask the family to remain in the room while they leave to relay the information to the National Adjudication Team.

    When the Compliance Team returns, they will communicate the information they received from the National team. The information they convey will fall into one of three categories.

    If the determination is that no rule violation occurred, the query will be closed, but the team may also have some educational advice to communicate regarding best practices going forward.

    If more investigation is necessary, the Compliance Team will ask further questions and/or tell the family that they will contact them if they need any additional information. The team will let the family know (usually via text) when the matter is resolved.

    If the National Adjudication Team determines that a rule violation requiring a penalty has occurred, the Compliance Team will explain which rule was violated, how that decision was determined by the National team, and what penalty will be applied.

  • What is the purpose of NCFCA Compliance Teams?

    The purpose of the Compliance Team at a tournament is to receive, document, and communicate information with integrity and grace.

     

    Compliance Teams

    Receive questions from judges and affiliates regarding possible rule violations

    Gather and document information about questions and communicate that information to leadership for the purpose of accurate and just decision-making

    Communicate information to families during family meetings
    Handle the Debate Evidence Review process when judges ask to see evidence following a debate round

  • Who is the National Adjudication Team?

    The National Adjudication Team is composed of various league leaders with recognized expertise in the areas of speech, debate, and/or compliance processes. The Chair of the National Adjudication Team determines which members should be involved in determinations for specified tournaments and/or specific situations and ensures maintenance of appropriate documentation for the entire team.

    Tournament Directors act as the liaison between a tournament’s Compliance Director and the National Adjudication Team to evaluate potential rule violations and applicable next steps of penalties or education. The assigned Compliance Team communicates those decisions to the families.

  • Who can initiate a compliance query about a rule violation?

    Any adult participant at a tournament can submit a question to Compliance. Competitors are required to have a parent or coach submit a compliance query on their behalf in an online tournament, and at an in-person tournament, a parent or coach must be present with them. This means that an adult must always be involved with the submission of a compliance query.

  • What should I do if the Compliance Team wants to meet with me?

    First, try to relax. We know that can be hard, but worry doesn’t help, and it only clouds your ability to think with clarity and grace.
    Second, choose to assume the best about the people and the process. Look at the experience as an opportunity to further refine gracious communication skills as you converse with the volunteers on the Compliance Team who are trying to achieve an accurate assessment of the situation. Answer and ask questions with integrity and grace. Trust that the Compliance Team members are thinking the best about you and your motives, and remember that they are simply trying to ensure the integrity of competition for all involved with the tournament.

  • What if a query involves the child of a Compliance Team member?

    If a query involves a competitor who is a family member or has a close relationship with the Tournament Director or someone on the Compliance Team or National Adjudication Team, the family member or close relation does not participate in evaluating the query in any way except in their role as a parent, designated adult, or coach to the competitor.

  • What is a Debate Evidence Review?

    The Compliance Team may text and/or call a competitor and parent/chaperone to let them know that a judge has requested to see one or more pieces of evidence from a particular debate round. This call from the Compliance Team does not mean that a rule violation is implied; Compliance is simply the department that facilitates evidence requests for judges at the tournament. Competitors should do their best to arrive promptly at the designated area with their evidence, keeping in mind that the judge who requested the evidence is likely waiting for the evidence in order to complete their ballot.

  • What should a family do if they feel a competitor has been misunderstood or wrongly penalized?

    Within the time constraints necessary for tournaments to progress in a timely manner, mistakes and misunderstandings can certainly happen. However, trying to further investigate a question after the tournament is even more difficult and would be prohibitively time consuming for our leadership teams. Therefore, we do not allow for the appeal of any compliance decisions after a tournament.
    While we do not allow appeals, tournament participants are welcome to write to us with any concerns they have regarding a compliance query or how it was handled. Our National staff members and our National Adjudication Team take the questions that affiliates send very seriously, and those inquiries help us do better as we go forward. Questions may be directed to our Director of Forensics at gro.ACFCNobfsctd@scisneroFforotceriD

  • What if I have a question not covered here?

    If you have an additional question that you would like to see answered here, please email your question to our Director of Forensics at gro.ACFCNobfsctd@scisneroFforotceriD.