TOURNAMENT ENTRY RULES

• All entries for both swings are due by Monday, January 4^th, 2020 at 5pm EST via Speechwire.
• All competitors must be undergraduates enrolled at their respective institution.
• Any school may enter an unlimited number of students per event.
• Each student may enter up to 3 events per pattern. However, STUDENTS ENTERED IN DEBATE MAY NOT CROSS-ENTER IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS!!!
• Schools MUST cover their entries as much as possible with qualified judges!

COMPETITION RULES

It is my wish for everyone to have an enjoyable experience at the tournament. To ensure fairness, our tournament will follow will be observed:

1.  AFA-NIET rules and descriptions will govern all AFA-NIET Individual Events. IPDA, NPDA, and NFA will govern IPDA, NPDA and NFA-LD respectively. 

2.  As per new AFA-NIET language, the use of the Internet and/or electronic files are permitted in Extemp.

3.  For open divisions of IPDA debate, please make note of the following rules:

1. Debaters will be presented with five resolutions. Both debaters will alternatively strike two resolutions each, starting with the negative. The 30-minute preparation period begins at the first negative strike.  We will follow the time constraints set forth by the IPDA: 5-2-6-2-3-5-3.

2. During prep time, students are allowed to access any prepared material and/or electronic materials.  This includes access to the Internet. In addition, students are allowed to prep with other students, but NOT COACHES.

3. All preliminary rounds will be randomly preset.  Brackets will NOT be broken in elimination rounds.

4. Topic draw will take place in the competition room. Further info can be found at www.ipdadebate.info

FORMAT OF DEBATE EVENTS

We will be offering open divisions of Individual IPDA Debate, Parliamentary Debate (NPDA) and Individual Policy Debate (NFA-LD).

Due to limited facilities and judges available, we will NOT be offering Junior Varsity, Professional, or Team divisions of IPDA Debate.

DEBATE DIVISIONS

We plan on offering only open divisions in each format of debate.

FORMAT OF IPDA DEBATE

We will be offering an open division of Individual IPDA Debate and open divisions of NPDA and NFA-LD Debate. (NOTE: Due to past limited entries, we will NOT be offering Junior Varsity or Professional divisions of IPDA Debate or novice divisions of NPDA and NFA-LD!

DEBATE AWARDS

1. Awards will be presented to each finalist within their respective divisions.

2. In debate, there will be two elimination rounds (depending on number of entries): Semifinals, and Finals.

3. Sweepstake points are awarded as follows:
   1. 1 points for each preliminary win
   2. 2 points for reaching Semifinal Rounds
   3. 5 points for reaching Final Round

4. In addition, the top individual speakers and top debate schools within across the three debate formats will be recognized.

WARM ROOMS

Our tournament will not have "warm rooms." While we encourage cordial and constructive feedback between judges and debaters, judges should not be obliged to engage in conversation with students. Debaters should not pressure their judges for commentary after rounds. JUDGES SHOULD NOT DISCLOSE THEIR REASON FOR DECISIONS (RFD) DURING OR AFTER ROUNDS!

JUDGING

All schools should attempt to properly cover their entries. If you don't feel comfortable judging IPDA, NPDA or NFA-LD Debate, please note it here when you place your entry so that we can accommodate you. We are fortunate to be placed in a region of many highly qualified judges, educators, and former debaters!

AWARDS

1. Awards will be presented to each finalist within their respective divisions.

2. In debate, there will be two elimination rounds (depending on number of entries): Semifinals, and Finals.

3. Sweepstake points are awarded as follows:
   1. 1 points for each preliminary win
   2. 2 points for reaching Semifinal Rounds
   3. 5 points for reaching Final Round

4. In addition, the top individual speakers and top debate schools within across the three debate formats will be recognized.

WARM ROOMS

Our tournament will not have "warm rooms." While we encourage cordial and constructive feedback between judges and debaters, judges should not be obliged to engage in conversation with students. Debaters should not pressure their judges for commentary after rounds. JUDGES SHOULD NOT DISCLOSE THEIR REASON FOR DECISIONS (RFD) DURING OR AFTER ROUNDS!

JUDGING

All schools should attempt to properly cover their entries. If you don't feel comfortable judging IPDA Debate, please note it here when you place your entry so that we can accommodate you. We are fortunate to be placed in a region of many highly qualified judges, educators, and former debaters!

TOURNAMENT FORFEIT RULE

Any debater who is more than 15 minutes late automatically forfeits their round, resulting in a "bye" or automatic win for the opposing debater. Please make every effort to have your debaters appear at their appointed rounds so that our tournament runs smoothly.

ETHICS STANDARDS OF INDIVIDUAL EVENTS, IPDA, NPDA & NFA-LD DEBATE

The Strength In Numbers and LIFE Swing Tournaments will adhere to the rules prescribed by the International Public Debate Association, the National Parliamentary Debate Association, National Forensic Association and the American Forensic Association. Before tournament day, please take time to familiarize yourself and your team to the rules contained within the Constitution and its Bylaws of these four organizations.

PAIRINGS

All four preliminary rounds will be randomly paired. However, brackets will not be broken in elimination rounds.

IPDA COMPETITION RULES

It is my wish for everyone to have an enjoyable experience at the tournament. To ensure fairness, our tournament will follow IPDA rules found within the IPDA Constitution and Bylaws which were last updated on October 2018. To view the constitution, please visit the website at: http://www.ipdadebate.info/constitution--bylaws.html.

According to the IPDA Constitution, “IPDA” or the “International Public Debate Association” is an audience-friendly debate format with great emphasis on persuasion, rhetorical speaking abilities, and inclusivity of interested individuals who are encouraged to debate “regardless of educational background, prior experience, or any other demographics.” The philosophic tenets of the IPDA Constitution are sevenfold, which are inclusivity, lay judging, limited preparation, extemporaneous delivery, rhetorical delivery, and ethos.

It is important to note that IPDA Debate differs from other collegiate debate formats since it encourages lay judging – judges with limited debate experience and training to ensure fairness within debate rounds. Therefore, handouts of the IPDA debate format will be distributed at check-in to all lay judges who request a copy of the IPDA Debate rules.

The IPDA Debate format are as follows:

1. Topics will be announced in-round with 5 topics (2 value, 2 policy, 1 metaphor)

provided for strikes. Negative strikes first, and then turns are taken until one topic

remains to be debated.

2. Debaters will not be allowed to consult any other person during prep time, including coaches.

Per IPDA rules, they will be allowed paper and/or electronic research material, which

may be quoted or paraphrased from notes during the round, but not read directly, as

extemporaneous delivery is required.

3. Time limits:

             Affirmative Constructive                                          5 minutes

             Cross Examination                                                  2 minutes

             Negative Constructive                                             6 minutes

             Cross Examination                                                  2 minutes

             First Affirmative Rebuttal                                        3 minutes

             First Negative Rebuttal                                           5 minutes

             Second Affirmative Rebuttal                                  3 minutes

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE IPDA DEBATE FORMAT

• Competitors will receive their topics at their designated competition room 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACTUAL ROUND BEGINS. (Example: if the first round starts at 9:00AM, then competitors MUST be at their designated rooms no later than 8:30AM).
• Judges are expected to keep time during IPDA & NPDA preparation time. IPDA competitors will have exactly 30 minutes of preparation time following the first negative strike. NPDA competitors will have 15 minutes of prep time.
• IPDA strike sheets will contain a variety of topics ranging from domestic, economic, social, international events to NYC-themed issues.

NPDA DEBATE RULES

NPDA is the National Parliamentary Debate Association. Our tournament will follow the NPDA rules last updated on March 2018.

The NPDA Debate format are as follows:

1. Topics will be announced in-round. A different resolution for each round will be presented to the debaters at a specified time prior to the beginning of each debate.

2. Debaters will not be allowed to consult any other person during prep time, including coaches. Per NPDA rules, they will be allowed paper and/or electronic research material during their prep time, which may be paraphrased from notes during the round, but not read directly, as extemporaneous delivery is required.

3. The topic of each round will be about current affairs or philosophy. The resolutions will be general enough that a well-educated college student can debate them. They may be phrased in literal or metaphorical language.

4. Time limits:

             Prime Minister Constructive                                   7 minutes

             Opposition Flex Time                                             2 minutes

             Opposition Leader Constructive                             8 minutes

             Government Flex Time                                           2 minutes

             Member of Government Constructive                    8 minutes

             Opposition Flex Time                                             1 minute

             Member of Opposition Constructive                       8 minutes

             Opposition Leader Rebuttal                                   4 minutes

             Government Flex Time                                           1 minute

             Prime Minister Rebuttal                                          5 minutes

NFA - LD DEBATE RULES

“NFA - LD” is Lincoln-Douglas Debate of the National Forensic Association. We will use the most recent rules and bylaws within the NFA Constitution.

The NFA-LD Debate format are as follows:

                 1. For an open division of NFA-LD Lincoln Douglas Debate, the rules are:

                                    a. The 2020 – 2021 resolution shall be used.

                        b. All preliminary rounds will be randomly preset. Brackets will NOT be broken in elimination rounds.

                        c. Time limits: 6-3-7-3-6-6-3 with 4 minutes of flexible prep time.

d. All participants in NFA-LD are advised to visit the NFA website and familiarize themselves with the NFA-LD by-laws.

                 2.  NO disclosure in debate rounds.  Please turn in ballots before offering any oral critiques.

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION

Registration for the tournament will commence on-line at Speechwire on Tuesday, October 20^th and will continue until the deadline on Monday, January 4th, 2020 at 5PM EST. As stated before, emailed entries will not be accepted. You will have an opportunity to confirm your entries at check-in on Sunday morning at 8:00am EST AT OUR ZOOM REGISTRATION & TAB ROOM.

TAB ROOM

The tournament tab room will at a specified conference chat room on Zoom. Any questions about schematics can be directed to the tab-room staff. However, judges may direct all complaints, grievances, and all serious matters to me. You will find me either at the tab room or at registration.

TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES

IF YOU ARE MAKING A PAYMENT EITHER BY CREDIT/DEBIT CARD OR BY CHECK, YOU CAN SEND US PAYMENT VIA YOUR PAYPAL INVOICE. DETAILS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE COMING DAYS NEAR TOURNAMENT DAY.

ALL FEES MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO OR AT REGISTRATION, UNLESS PRIOR ARRAINGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE!

1. The following entry fees shall be assessed separately per swing:
   • School fee                             $20 per school/per swing
   • I.E. slot                                  $8 each/per swing
   • IPDA slot                               $25 per debater/per swing
   • NFA-LD slot                           $25 per debater/per swing
   • NPDA slot                              $35 per team/per swing
2. Fees for uncovered debaters will be assessed as follows:
   • Every uncovered debater = $40 per debater/per swing
   • Every uncovered IE slot = $40 per slot/per swing
   3. Fees will initially be calculated on Monday, January 4^th at 5PM EST. Late adds/drops will be as follows:
      • Add/drops on Wednesday, Jan 6^th & Thursday, Jan 7^th $50 per change, plus entry fee
      • NO MORE ADDS ALLOWED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20^TH !!!!
      • Drops at registration on  Friday, Jan 8th: $100 per drop, plus original entry fee
      • Drops at registration on Saturday, Jan 9^th: $100 per drop, plus original entry fee
      • ABSOLUTELY NO ADDS ALLOWED ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY!!!
   4. Each judge covers 2 debaters OR 5 IE slots. Therefore, teams with excess debaters will be charged “uncovered slots” for every debater that is not covered by a judge. So please make every effort to cover your entry. Schools are responsible for entering their judges as the right judge type when calculating fees.
   5. Judges who fail to pick their ballots will render their students ineligible for elimination rounds.