What is a judge?  What do they do?

A judge at a speech and debate tournament judges rounds of competition.  Each tournament hosts many rooms of competition, sometimes as many as a hundred.  Each room needs a judge.  Judges judge a variety of different events and see many different students.

What do judges judge?

Judges are usually engaged to judge one of three categories: individual events (speech), debate, or congress.  Judges do not often move from one division to the next.

How do judges judge?

The answer to this question varies from event to event.  On this website, you will find primers for each of the events Southview hosts.  Once you learn what division you are judging, read the primer.  It will provide detail on how to judge.  Also, tournament directors hold brief meetings at the beginning of a tournament to explain and review rules.

How many judges do teams bring?

Teams bring judges based on how many competitors they bring.  Usually, the ration works as follows:

I.E.: one judge for every five competitors

Debate: one judge for every two competitors

Congress: one judge per session

At district tournaments, judging requirements can be higher.  Remember, if we cannot fulfill this requirement, the students cannot compete.

What should I judge?

We encourage parents to judge the events in which their children participate to learn more about it.  You may, however, choose to judge whatever we need you to judge.  If you wish to see performance that you will judge based mostly on theatrical criteria of excellence, judge speech.  If you wish to think critically, judge debate.  If you wish to see how teenagers would handle the nation, judge congress.  Before the tournament, the coach will let you know what judges the team needs.

How do I travel to the tournament?  And where do I stay if judging for two days?

You may drive yourself to the tournament or ride the bus with the team if we are using one.  If you will drive, go to the team portion of the website to download the tournament information sheet.  It will give you the address of the tournament location.

If you are staying overnight, the team will happily provide you with lodging in the hotel where we stay.  To save costs, we may room you with another judge or a coach, but we will happily pick up the tab.

What can I expect when I arrive at the tournament?

If you arrive with the team, the coach will take care of registration.  If you arrive separately, find the coach or the registration table.  Each tournament is different, but you should see a flow of students, judges, and coaches moving to a registration table.  Look for that table.  Tell the workers there that you are a judge for Southview.  Then, find the coach.  You should be able to find him or her nearby.  If you have trouble, find the judges’ lounge.  The workers at the registration table will direct you to it. 

The judges’ lounge is your headquarters for the tournament.  Tournament directors like judges to stay in the lounge when they are not judging.  In that way, they can find you when they want to call you to a room.  The tournament should provide snacks and drinks for you.

When the tournament directors are ready, they will address all the judges.  They will explain the rules of judging, make any special announcements, and assign first rounds.  You will be ready to judge!

How do I find my room?

The tournament directors will find you in the judges’ lounge and give you a ballot.  This ballot will direct you to a room.  Take the ballot and report to the room.  The directors should provide maps for your convenience.

What do I do after the round has ended?

When the students have finished competing, thank them and dismiss them.  You may now complete your ballot.  Be complete with the ballot, but try to be prompt.  The tournament cannot afford a great deal of time.  We like to balance complete feedback with an efficient tournament.

Once you have finished your ballot, take it to the tabulation, or “tab,” room.  The directors should have told you the location of this room in the opening meeting.  When you submit the ballot, they will check it for completeness.  Then, you may return to the judges’ lounge to wait for the next round.

How many rounds will I judge?

We never know for sure, but you will probably judge about three rounds a day.  You may sit out a round.  The tab room will not know this until the tournament is running.  Since you may sit out a round, bring something to occupy yourself during that “dead” time.

May I leave early?

We realize that your time is precious, and we try to take as little of it as possible.  As soon as the directors know that they will no longer need your services, they will release you.  If you must leave early, let the coach know ahead of time, and s/he will make arrangements.

May I watch rounds if I am not judging?

You may only watch rounds if you are released for the day.  The directors may need you at a moment’s notice for a round, and if you are watching one, they will not be able to find you.  Judges who have disappeared into rooms to watch rounds have sometimes delayed entire tournaments.  Sticking to the judges’ lounge when you are not judging helps the tournament run efficiently and reduces delays.

What will I do for food?

All tournaments provide snacks.  Some provide full meals, free of charge.  If they do not provide meals, judges take advantage of the concessions.  If you are concerned, ask ahead of time.  Feel free to bring your own food or drink if you wish.

If you have any other questions, please contact Coach Alex Clarkson.  Thanks for judging!