Calif. Coast District Qualifier

for the 2026 National Tournament

Main

NSDA RULES: Tournament Operations Manual

PLEASE NOTE, THIS TOURNAMENT IS ONLY FOR SCHOOLS IN THE CALIFORNIA COAST DISTRICT. AS PER NSDA RULES, IF YOU ARE NOT LOCATED IN THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF THE CALIFORNIA COAST DISTRICT, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REGISTER FOR THIS TOURNAMENT.

2026 California Coast NSDA District Qualifier Invitation

Dates & Locations:

• Speech, Debate, & Congress: Bellarmine College Prep (March 21–22)

  960 West Hedding Street, San Jose, California 95126-1215

  Campus Map

• Congress: Notre Dame San Jose (March 28)

• Big Questions: Online via NSDA Campus (March 29)

Important Schedule Changes

• No Friday rounds!* Debate: Saturday 3/21 and Sunday 3/22

• Speech: Sunday 3/22 only

Compliance & Procedures

Review the Tournament Operations Manual. NSDA National Office rules are strictly enforced; failure to meet registration or financial requirements will result in disqualification.

Registration Requirements

1. NSDA Fees: Students and schools must have $0 balances with the NSDA.

2. Accounts: All competitors must have a Tabroom account linked to an NSDA account.

3. Points: Students must have at least 25 NSDA points prior to registration.

4. Single Entry Letter of Intent: Required for all double-entered students. Entry preferences must be noted on Tabroom.

   • Constraints: No double-entering in two Extemps or two Team Debates.

   • Team Rule: Students in both individual and team events must attend Nationals in the team event unless both qualify individually.

5. Entry Limits: Max 4 entries per event. Total entries are limited by your "Chapter Strength" (on record 7 days prior).

   • Bonus: If you have 2 entries in every event, you may claim 2 additional bonus entries (max 4 per event).

Fees & Payment

• Cost: $25 per student (Duo/PF/Policy teams are $50).

• Payable to: California Coast District (NOT Coast Forensic League).

• Deadline: Fees must be paid via check, cashier's check, or personal coach's check before competition begins.

Judging Requirements

• Policy/PF: 1 judge per entry.

• LD/Speech: 1 judge per 2 entries.

• Note: We aim for 2 judges per debate prelim and 2–3 per speech prelim. If you have extra judges, please enter them or refer them to the district committee for hiring.

Materials

• Interp: Must have the original source (book/manuscript), not just the cutting.

• Prepared Events: Manuscripts are highly encouraged for use during potential protests.

Questions?

Please contact Mariel Cruz or any district committee member.

Sincerely,

Your California Coast NSDA District Committee

Mariel Cruz, Chair

Kyle Hietala, Xavier Liu, Karen Cruz, Charles Schletzbaum