League Policies
For online tournaments, competitors should plan ahead for success. See the Tournament Prep Technology Guide for technology-specific considerations. Competitors should decide if they will stand or sit during the round and place any desks or chairs accordingly before the round. Competitors are able to enter the online room before it is their turn to speak but must keep their cameras turned off until their own time slot. Camera should be on during speeches and during prep time for Apologetics and Impromptu. They should think of turning the camera and mic on as synonymous to entering the room at an in-person tournament. Once on, they can introduce themselves by name to the judges and begin promptly. Competitors must mimic the “center stage” of in-person tournaments when possible, generally showing a minimum of the head and shoulders and keeping the camera on at all times. After the speech has concluded and the competitor has thanked the judges, the competitor should turn the camera and mic off.
Competitor technical difficulties, while unfortunate, are accounted for by allowing 15-minute time slots. Speakers experiencing technical difficulties are not eligible for additional time or accommodations, or re-addition at the end of the round. Competitors should keep their cameras on as specified by their event except when experiencing significant technical difficulties. Competitors may contact Tournament Administration for troubleshooting help in the room.