Debate it Rules
1 Concern will provide the motions, decide the team pairings, the sides of motion, the dates, venues and times for each debate.
2 Teams will be notified of the date, venue and motion before the start of each round. If the assigned date does not suit, Concern must be notified immediately (with no fewer than 10 working days notice). The school should then contact the other teams to reschedule the debate within the calendar period for that round.
3 Proposing teams will provide the chairperson and timekeeper for each debate until the Semi Final stage.
4 The decision of the adjudicators at each debate is final.
5 Marking sheets are confidential. All queries about the results of the debate should be referred to Concern.
Teams
6 Each team will consist of at least four members (4 speakers, plus substitutes and researchers)
7 Each team will have appointed a captain who will speak twice, firstly to introduce his/her team, and secondly at the end of the debate to sum up his/her teams arguments and to refute those of his/her opponents.
8 Teams and their supporters should treat their opponents, their peers and the venue with respect. Speakers who resort to sarcasm, personal attacks or criticism will be marked down.
9 Calling for points of order or any other form of interruption or heckling is not permitted during a speaker's contribution.
League Phase
10 Concern in conjunction with participating schools will assign the 3 adjudicators for each debate.
11 During the League Phase points are awarded to teams using the points table below.
12 At the end of the League Phase the team with the most points will progress to the knockout phase. If there is a tie for first place, both teams will go through. All second place teams will be entered into a draw to fill the remaining spaces in the Knockout Phase.
Knockout Phase
13 Concern will provide all adjudicators for the Knockout Phase
14 If a team has not arrived half an hour after the assigned start time of the debate they will forfeit the debate and concede the round.
Penalties
Time penalties - each participant speaks for 4 minutes and 30 seconds. The timekeeper rings the bell after 3 minutes and again after 4 minutes and 15 seconds. Anyone who speaks for longer than 4 minutes, 30 seconds incurs a time penalty of 2 marks per 30 seconds or part thereof. Adjudicators should disregard any information that is given after 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
Interruptions – calling for points of order or any form of interruption during a speakers contribution is not permitted.
Sarcasm – sarcasm and personal remarks are not part of the Concern debates and debaters will marked down for their use.
Captain's summation - A captain is not allowed to introduce new information during his summation, new information should be penalised by adjudicators.
