Attending the national tournament is an opportunity for newer coaches to see the best of the best in competition and learn through both observation and networking with other coaches. For veteran coaches, it represents an opportunity to observe trends of performance styles and to share thoughts on best practices.

Whether or not a coach’s students qualified to nationals, he or she can take advantage of this opportunity. Coaches of qualifiers can still make their judging obligations in rotation with attending clinics. All judging obligations MUST be met. Attending sessions will not excuse judging obligations.

2011 Clinic Workshops

■ Judging Speech
Discuss judging pedagogy and learn the best strategies for writing constructive, meaningful criticisms in speech events. Note: You will have a chance to apply this in a “to be continued” session on Thursday! See Judging Speech Practicum (A2).

■ Judging Debate
Discuss judging pedagogy and learn the best strategies for writing constructive, meaningful criticisms in debate events (Policy, Congress, Lincoln Douglas, and Public Forum). Note: You will have a chance to apply this in a “to be continued” session on Thursday! See Judging Debate Practicum (B2). Practicum is available in Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas only.

■ The Ballot as an Instructional Tool
Examine practical ways of integrating ballots from last weekend’s tournament into teaching, coaching, and learning.

■ Introduction to Lincoln Douglas Debate
This session will cover all of the basics of being a Lincoln Douglas Debate coach. The primary goal will be to give you enough event-specific information that you would feel comfortable helping students get started in LD this fall! Must be taken with Values and Criterion in Lincoln Douglas Debate (G2).

■ Hosting and Running a Tournament
Enjoy a thorough discussion of tournament management including various registration options, scheduling, tabulation software packages, and, of course, concessions.

■ Values and Criterion in Lincoln Douglas Debate
Prerequisite: Introduction to Lincoln Douglas Debate (G1). This is a deep dive into values and criterion—an extension of the introductory LD course that precedes it.

■ Introduction to Coaching Speech
This session will cover the basics of being a speech coach. The primary focus will be to give you enough event-specific information that you would feel comfortable helping students get started in a speech event this fall!

■ Introduction to Coaching Public Forum Debate
This session will cover all of the basics of being a Public Forum Debate coach. The primary goal will be to give you enough event-specific information that you would feel comfortable helping students get started in PF this fall! Must be taken with Introduction to Coaching Policy Debate (F2).

■ Introduction to Coaching Policy Debate
Prerequisite: Introduction to Coaching Public Forum Debate. This session will cover some of the basics of Policy Debate. This session is designed to put resources in your hands that will enable you to continue learning the event as the season begins!

■ Setting up a Joy of Tournaments Account
Participants will learn how to set up their Joy of Tournaments (JOT) account for the first time, and learn the basics of setting up their own tournament Web site.

■ Special Issues: “Speech: The Edge in Life”
As forensic coaches, we know the value of what we do. Class is—as they say—never dismissed. But what are the specific strategies to take what we teach and transfer those necessary skills in practical ways? Students, of course, benefit from merely participating in our activity. However, what can WE do to help a student increase scores on the ACT and SAT, to provide the student guidance in creating an outstanding college application essay, to maximize that student’s potential as a successful writer throughout life? Clearly, we should always be searching for what actually works. And how. Welcome to “The Edge.”

■ Practical Basics of Managing a Forensics Program
Learn practical tips for setting up practices, developing a contest schedule, managing a judge corps, working with administration, and developing a parent booster club.

■ Fundraising Suggestions (SHARING SESSION), Parts 1-2
An expert fundraiser will introduce practical ways of making money for your team. Come prepared to discuss successful ideas that will help you maximize the return on your efforts!

■ Special Issues: “Forensics for English Language Learners”
This innovative look at the linguistic benefits of engaging English language learners in speech and debate will give you the tools to work with a diverse group of students!

■ 2011-2012 Space Policy Debate Topic Lecture
A detailed overview on the space topic, including suggestions for affirmative case approaches. Get ready to hear from an expert from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics!

■ Seeking and Cutting Literary Selections for Interpretation, Parts 1-2
What are the best sources of literature for interpretive performance, and what are the best techniques for cutting selections to forensic-length performance? Learn in-depth strategies for cutting literature for performance in this two-part session.

■ Judging Speech Practicum
Prerequisite: Judging Speech. Participants first learn the basics of judging speech. In this follow-up session, they will practice judge a semifinal round of speech, and discuss the ballot and rationale for ranking with an expert judge.

■ Judging Debate Practicum
Prerequisite: Judging Debate. Participants first learn the basics of judging speech. In this follow-up session, they will practice judge a round of Lincoln Douglas or Public Forum, and discuss the ballot and rationale for decision with an expert judge.

■ The Basics of TRPC and TRIEPC
Learn how tab rooms operate, what the software does, and how to run a tournament using the software. Please come to this session with a PC laptop with TRPC already loaded. To download the software, click here.

■ Speaking Warm-Ups (SHARING SESSION)
Bring your best two or three speech warm-ups to share with the group. You will leave with dozens of new, fun ideas to try on the bus or van on your way to your first tournament in the fall!

■ Running Your Own Summer Institute
What can you do when your students can’t afford the tuition of the big debate camps? Start your own! Learn how to plan a camp schedule that fits your needs, find resources to help students work on the skills they need for each event, and prepare your students for the next season.

For more information, click here.