Tourney Life

Before you come:


  • Practice, practice, practice, practice

  • Figure out what you’re going to wear. Double check the tourney’s dress code. Professional dress adds to the attitude of excellence you’ll notice at a tourney.

  • Arrange any lodging needs.

  • Pray. Pray that the tourney directors will get everything done, pray for everyone’s traveling safety, and pray for yourself and the rest of the competitors to use this opportunity to grow in becoming effective communicators who can be used by God.


When you arrive:

  • Please check in at the registration table.

  • At this tourney you’ll be given a schedule, your name tag (which you should always wear while competing), and a map of the church.

  • Check to see where and when announcements will be given. Be there promptly!


The competition:

  • At the end of announcements, the tourney director will tell you where you can find the“postings.”


For debate: Postings will tell which two teams are debating each other, who’s Aff and who’s Neg, and which room you’ll be in for that round. There will be a new set of postings up for every round.

At the end:

  • When all rounds are completed and the ballots have been tabbed, the top debate teams/individuals are announced.
  • Make sure you stay for this part of the tourney- even if you don’t think you’ll among the top debaters. One never knows the outcome! You will need to be in your tourney attire for this part of the day as well.
  • At the end of the announcements, you will be given an envelope that contains your ballots.
  • Please don’t open your envelope and read your ballots until you are out of the building and in your car.

Miscellaneous tips:


  • Bring bottled water!

  • It is perfectly acceptable to go in and out of rooms during a debate or speech round as long as you do it in between speakers. Please do not enter a room or leave if some one is speaking.

  • Don’t visit with friends in the hallways. Talking should only be done in the student hang-out area. You’ll disturb the judges and competitors if you’re talking right outside their doors.

  • Don’t just visit with the friends from your town. One of the most exciting things about speech and debate tourneys is meeting homeschoolers from other states. Make new friends.

  • Be prompt. When the postings are up and it’s time for the next round, go directly to your room. Don’t stay and chat for a few minutes, run to the bathroom, etc.

  • Remember that the judges are your friends. These people are giving their time to help you become a better communicator! Please look at any negative comments as your “homework.” What they’ve told you is what you need to be working on. Be appreciative of the nice things they say as well.

  • Please be patient! Tourneys are notorious for running late. There are many parts to a tourney, and they have to all work together. Often they don’t. Use these delays to make new friends or to find ways to serve your tourney hosts.