For parents and guardians
Judging
You don't need debate experience to be a great judge.
Every tournament depends on volunteer judges. We’ll make sure you know where to go, what to expect, and how to judge confidently before your first round.
I’m Judging a TournamentThree steps
Before your first tournament
Step 1: Set up Tabroom
Create your account, link it to Myers Park, and make sure you can receive electronic ballots.
Step 2: Complete Judge Training
Complete the recommended judge training before judging for the first time.
Step 3: Learn your event
Once you know what you're judging, spend a few minutes learning how that event works.
Event guides
What are you judging?
Your Tabroom assignment shows which event you are judging. Each guide below is a short, plain-language page on how that event is judged.
Public Forum Debate
Two teams of two debate a current topic. Judges choose the winning team and award speaker points.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
One student debates another on a question of values. Judges decide which debater made the stronger case and award speaker points.
World Schools Debate
Teams of three debate prepared and impromptu motions. Judges score each speech for content, style and strategy, and decide which team won.
Congressional Debate
Students debate bills and resolutions in a mock legislature. Judges score individual speeches and rank the strongest legislators in the chamber.
Speech Events
Prepared, interpretive and limited-preparation speeches, performed one after another in the same room. Judges rank the speakers and write feedback for each.
Other events and advanced training are on JudgeTraining.org (opens in a new tab).
First-time judge?
You are qualified to judge.
Students should be able to persuade an attentive member of the community, and that is exactly who you are. Prior speech or debate experience is generally not necessary.
Each tournament still sets its own judging rules. Some require a particular training course or certification, a minimum age, or limit which events a parent may judge. Where a tournament has a requirement, it applies. If you are not sure, ask us.
Your job in the round
- Listen carefully
- Take notes
- Follow the round
- Evaluate the arguments presented
- Decide which side or student did the better job presenting and answering those arguments
On the day
Tournament day
- Check in with the tournament or judging desk when you arrive.
- Keep your phone nearby for Tabroom notifications and pairings.
- Open or start your ballot promptly.
- Confirm the competitors and sides before the round begins.
- Take notes during the round.
- Make your decision based on the round you heard, not your personal opinion of the topic.
- Give students useful, respectful feedback.
- Submit your ballot promptly so the tournament can stay on schedule.
Questions before or during a tournament?
We would much rather you ask than guess.
judging@mpspeechanddebate.com