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🎉 Exciting Announcement: You Are The New Kid on the Debate Block! 🎉
Get ready to be the maestro of eloquence, the guru of argumentation, and the ultimate ringmaster of rhetoric. Your new title? Director of Verbal Acrobatics aka as a Speech & Debate Coach. Suit up, coach – it’s time to turn words into break rounds and kids talking to walls into the new normal.
Below are websites and materials that we hope will help you embrace your new role as a coach.
FORENSICS? WHAT ARE FORENSIC LEAGUES?
Speech and debate is often called “forensics,” but this usage has nothing to do with crime scenes. The term “forensics” in this context comes from the Latin word “forensis,” which means “public” or “to the forum.” In ancient Rome, the forum was a public space for debates and discussions. Over time, the term evolved to refer to public speaking and argumentation skills. In the academic realm, especially in the United States, “forensics” describes activities related to speech and debate competitions. This includes various forms of public speaking, such as declamation, interpretation, and debate events. So, when someone mentions “forensics” in speech and debate, they essentially use an academic term rooted in the history of public discourse and discussion. It’s a nod to the skillful use of language in a public forum, much like the ancient Roman art of persuasion in the forum. Schools with forensics programs generally join local and national forensic leagues so that their students can participate in competitions. There are also invitational competitions (more on that later).
FORENSIC LEAGUES TO JOIN
1. National Speech and Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the paramount public speaking and debate authority, offering the foundational infrastructure for competitions worldwide. It is the torchbearer of this linguistic and argumentative tradition. It has cultivated a platform where youth voices resonate, are acknowledged, and ultimately celebrated. It also has a wealth of resources for new and veteran coaches.
https://www.speechanddebate.org/
2. Florida Forensic League
The Florida Forensic League (FFL) holds the prestigious title of being the official state speech and debate league in Florida. As the authoritative body overseeing these intellectual and oratorical pursuits, the FFL provides a robust platform for students to engage in competitive opportunities throughout the year. FFL offers reduced membership fees for new programs. To join the FFL you will register via SpeechWire. Click the link below to be taken to our membership page, where you will find detailed instructions.
https://floridaforensicleague.org/membership/
3. Catholic Forensic League
Within the state of Florida, we have numerous regional catholic forensic leagues. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the league president, who will put you in contact with your local league representative. The NCFL offers some events that differ from the NSDA. For more information, check out their national website.
https://www.ncfl.org/about.html
INTRODUCTION TO COACHING – PROVIDED BY THE NSDA
From The NSDA Website: Learn the ins and outs of coaching in our new Intro to NSDA Coaching course! This course covers many of the basics of NSDA membership and answers the following questions:
The course is free of charge. It takes roughly 2 hours to complete and will go into detail about the different events offered, team management, and tournaments.
https://www.speechanddebate.org/learn/courses/intro-to-nsda-coaching/
COACHING SPEECH & DEBATE – VIDEO SERIES PROVIDED BY THE NSDA
From The NSDA Website – This video series takes new and prospective coaches through an overview of what coaching a speech and debate team entails. From competitive events to recruiting students to what happens at a tournament, this is a great starting place to learn what to expect as a coach.
Video Breakdown
The video is roughly 48 minutes.