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!
Dates and Events Offered
| Date | Events Offered | Schedule (Central Time) |
| December 16 | Lincoln-Douglas Value Team Policy Apologetics Biblical Thematic Extemporaneous Informative Open | 5:00pm Debate 8:00pm Speech |
| December 17 | Lincoln-Douglas Value Team Policy Digital Presentation Duo Humorous Impromptu Persuasive | 4:00pm Speech 7:00pm Debate |
| December 18 | Lincoln-Douglas Value Team Policy Digital Presentation Duo Humorous Impromptu Persuasive | 9:00am Debate 12:00pm Speech |
| December 29 | Lincoln-Douglas Value Team Policy Apologetics Biblical Thematic Extemporaneous Informative Open | 9:00am Speech 12:00pm Debate |
| December 30 | Lincoln-Douglas Value Team Policy Digital Presentation Duo Humorous Impromptu Persuasive | 5:00pm Debate 8:00pm Speech |
What to Expect - Students
Each opportunity will include one round to test debate and one round to test speech. All students will be able to enter their assigned competition room(s) to test their video and audio capabilities as well as the functionality of the online platform.
Debaters will have assigned matches and should plan for abbreviated debates. All debaters will be able to test the evidence exchange features, and Team Policy debaters will be able to test the partner-to-partner chat functions.
Speech students will have assigned speaking times and may use as much or as little of their time slot as they want for practice. Speakers are not required to give complete speeches.
What to Expect - Parents
Parents also need practice in order to be prepared! During the check-in process, parents will need to sign up to judge during each round in which they have a student participating. You will walk through the electronic ballot selection process, enter a competition room to test out its features, and complete an electronic ballot. Most importantly, you will help to provide a realistic practice opportunity for our students!
Registration Details
Registration will be open through December 11 at 5:00pm CT.
Limitations
Additional Details
Questions?
Refer to page 25 of the League Handbook for the applicable contact information.
How do parents sign up to judge?
Hi, Andrea. We sent a response via email. Let us know if you have any additional questions!
I am trying to register my daughter for the online practice rounds. In the registration tab, her name does not show up when I click on the student tab.
Hi, Edith. I have forwarded your question to the office at: Office@NCFCA.org so you can receive personal assistance. Please reach out again if you have any additional questions!
I didn't see how parents sign up to judge either. Can you let me know?
Hi, Ashley. Thanks for asking! I've sent your question to the office (Office@NCFCA.org) but am posting here for others as well. 🙂
For online competition:
- At least one parent or designated adult must be available throughout the entire tournament.
- Parents will need to designate at least seven rounds they are committed to judge as part of the check-in process. (The judge registration button on the dashboard is for community judges.)
- It is possible that a parent will not be needed for all seven rounds, but we will need a commitment for the minimum number.
- Within a 2-hour debate time slot, do not sign up for both Lincoln-Douglas Value and Team Policy debate or two Lincoln-Douglas Value debate rounds.
- Avoid signing up for back-to-back rounds when possible in order to have adequate time to complete your ballots.
Parents of competitors are expected to be on call to judge at other times, if needed.
Please reach out at Office@NCFCA.org if you have any additional questions!
- Natalia Rosa, Director of Marketing
Hello and thank you! Just signed up myself and son from my account. Does he need to sign up from his login?
Hi, Maria. I have forwarded your question to the office at: Office@NCFCA.org so you can receive personal assistance. Please reach out again if you have any additional questions!
Which operating systems will be supported?
Hi, Teresa. I have forwarded your question to the office at: Office@NCFCA.org so you can receive personal assistance. Please reach out if you have any additional questions!
We have quite a few competitors in our club signed up for the practice events, but we can't figure out what attire is required for the online practice event. I have told them "tournament attire" unless I hear back that more casual is acceptable for this particular event.
In this update it states, "Each parent and each student must have an independent device. At present, laptop and desktop computers are supported devices; phones and tablets are not. We will continue to explore additional device options and provide updates."
If two students in the same home are competing together in Team Policy, may they share a device for their TP rounds?
Hi, Bree.
This is addressed in our Online Debate Protocols which are located in the Resource Library. I am copying a portion of that below for your convenience.
7. Partners may share a device and/or camera in Team Policy. Teams should consider the advantages and disadvantages of sharing a device versus using separate devices (e.g., the logistics of evidence exchange, internet bandwidth, etc.).
Thanks!
Natalia
Hi, Jennifer. I have forwarded your response to the office at: Office@NCFCA.org so you can receive personal assistance. Please reach out if you have any additional questions!
Hi Jennifer,
They should have received an email from Chrissy Sweetman with several details about the practice tournaments. I have copied the portion about tournament attire below.
Tournament attire is not required but is welcome. Review page 18 of the League Handbook for examples of attire that are not acceptable.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Hi, I'd like some guidance as to whether parent judges should actually evaluate speech portions given in the practice rounds in the ballots? Are we simply testing the ballot system, or will the students use the ballots as authentic feedback? Thanks!