Ask Jim about Debate
|
Breaking Down Barriers: Ask Jim about Debate |
You can submit questions too, just email Jim at hansonjb@whitman.edu
That's difficult because coaches help form a stable foundation for a team; give tips for improving; and more. But, many debaters still do well without a coach. I can think of a number of teams who have done well without a coach.
For those of you who
have coaches who do not actively coach--these tips can be
helpful. But, you should still value all the time and energy that
your coaches do put into arranging trips (its a thankless, long
job), working out team problems, getting money, handling budgets,
and more.
Here's some tips.
1. Talk with other experienced debaters and coaches. Develop ties, learn from these people, encourage them to look at your materials.
2. Talk with judges after rounds. Don't yell, don't put on the pressure--instead, have an honest talk where you try to see their responses to how you speak, your positions, how well you do cross-examination, etc.
3. Go to an institute during the summer. Learn from the best and take home lots of evidence that you can use in your debates.
4. Secure funding for your team. Take a look at the cost document, especially the section on getting money for student government generated funding--just click Cost Committee Document
5. Work smart; work hard. There's no substitute for putting the time in to improve.
6. If you lose a round because of something--change. If you lose another round because of the same thing--kick yourself and change!
7. Get parents to help out. They can get involved, they can judge, they can help watch practice rounds.
8. Believe--keep going for the goals you want to achieve.
9. Join a forensics listserv.
You'll learn so much by reading the ideas others present on these
listserves. Plus--you can ask questions and present your ideas.
To join a listserve, I suggest going to this web site (Debate
Net): http://debate.net/resources/list-form.html