Tournament Forfeit Rule

Many tournaments struggle to run on time. For our tournament to run on time, we will need assistance from everybody: judges, competitors, coaches, etc.TLDR – as soon as you get a tab blast, immediately head to your room and compete as expeditiously as possible.

For competitors in Debate events, there is a 15 minute forfeit rule in effect.If you are not in your round ready to debate by 15 minutes after the posted round start time, you will be forfeited by tournament staff.

For competitors in Speech events, competitors must have checked in and begun to perform in all rounds they are registered in 60 minutes after the start time of the round.For example, those competing in Pattern A R2/Semis, which begins at 12:30 pm, would need to have shown up and begun performing by 1:30 pm. All performances should end and ballots should be submitted 10 minutes after this forfeit time -- by 1:40 pm. Judges will be instructed to rank last any competitor that does not arrive and begin performing within this timeframe.

Judges – you must arrive at the room 5 minutes prior to the posted round start time and begin the round as soon as possible. Submit your ballot immediately once the round ends. Do not wait for all speech competitors to begin the round: start with who you have. We will be fining and replacing judges who are late to a round and reserve the right to terminate the contracts of hired judges who do not report to round and facilitate competition in a timely manner.

Coaches – relay these rules to your students.Once a forfeit is entered, it is a final decision. Forfeits will not be reversed, even if your student shows up immediately after a forfeit is declared.