This document provides tips for debaters to maximize their effectiveness in competition. It suggests establishing eye contact and a firm handshake with judges to make a good first impression. Debaters should find out what experiences and expectations judges have in order to meet and exceed them. Storytelling, using tags, and demonstrating ownership of the round are other recommended strategies. Maintaining accuracy, establishing rapport with judges, and believing in one's ability to win are also emphasized.

1. HEARTS &
MINDS

2. 7 SECONDS
Eye Contact = status
Eye Contact = 3 seconds
Smile with your eyes
Choose your first 12 words wisely
Move 10% quicker

3. JUDGE EXPECTATIONS
 UIL experiences
 “Tab”
 Ks are fine vs I love Ks
 Old school – Case, DAs, T
 I debated in High School – where, TFA/UIL/TOC, how long?
 College Debater – What event? How long? Where?
 Watch them flow (or not) as you debate
 To Meet and Exceed their expectations, you must probe to find
out what they are.

4. THE HANDSHAKE
Extend your hand first
Eyes Meet and smile at moment of contact
Equitable tilt for judge, Dominant tilt to
opponents
2 – 3 pumps
Medium firm, no wet fish
Fingers curve under
Web-to-web

5. ASK PARADIGM
 It means you care.
 People change.
 It reminds them.
 It demonstrates that you know the etiquette.
 It locks them into what they say.

6. OWNERSHIP
Loud volume = dominance
Mark your territory by walking the room =
dominance, confidence
Podium = status
Gift giving = host
Speak as if your win has already
happened.

7. RAPPORT
Ask a tiny favor before asking for the ballot: “Can I
move this desk closer to the plug?”
Find a commonality: “We had a long drive too.”
Eye time = win
Include the judge in your banter with partner via
eye contact
Refer to your partner by name in speeches: “Selena
asked during crossfire about their author and…”

8. STORYTELLING
Powerful, Persuasive, Flowable Tags
Sloganize your case
Animated, Energetic, Dynamic
Plan an amazing first sentence
Plan an amazing last sentence
Poster child
Know your story

9. PEN TIME
Stomp on tags
Tags worth flowing
The pen hover
Road map matches content
Your tags and labels are thought control

10. ACCURACY
Pronunciation
Grammar
Abbreviations
Times
Citations
Ethics

11. POWER OF THREE
Three adjectives
Three examples
Three contentions
Three voters

12. BODY TALK
Power pose before round
Nod while your partner is making key points
Pop-up Crossfire, or quietly hedge it the last 2
seconds of time
Head tilt your opponents’ confusion

13. MECHANICS
Sit to match the ballot, Pro/Aff to judge’s left
Never let anything obscure your face
Tech before the round, not during
Ask to write the resolution on the board
Repeat your side at every conclusion

14. ZEN
 Debate to win, not to not lose.
 Believe that you are winning. Force the judge to disappoint
you. Never signal it even in tone or posture.
 Deserve to win in the weeks before you ever walk into the
round.
 Wins are purchased with work, some are more expensive
that others, go to the tournament with full pockets.
 Shake your ponytail and move on.
 Put your dirt in their end zone.