We use a modified version of the Middle School Public Debate Program’s parliamentary debate format (see the detailed explanation in our Handbook).

A team includes three debaters. (See our Handbook for exceptions to this policy.)

We have two divisions: novice and open. The novice division is for new debaters. The open division is open to all. Coaches decide if teams will compete in the novice or open division.

At every scrimmage and tournament, every team debates on both sides (proposition and opposition) of a topic they’ve prepped ahead of the event, and on one side of an extemporaneous topic for which they have 15 minutes to prepare at the event.

We offer 4 events per year (see our calendar for dates, times, and locations). Invitations are posted and emailed to member coaches at least one month prior to events. Invitations explain how to sign up for events on Tabroom.com.

Our first event of the season is in late October or early November. It is a scrimmage for novices (no awards are given, ranks are not publicly published) and a tournament for open debaters (awards are given, ranks are published, and results count for qualifying for the championship tournament).

The novice scrimmage includes a demonstration debate and two rounds of debate on a prep-ahead motion, followed by a workshop on extemporaneous debate.

Tournaments include three rounds of debate. One motion (topic) is released several weeks before the tournament. During the first two rounds, students debate both sides of the prep-ahead motion. During the third round, students debate an extemporaneous motion. For the extemp round, one team selects the motion from two options while the other selects their side. Teams have 15 minutes to prepare. Round one is randomly paired. Rounds two and three are power matched.

At the end of the day, trophies are awarded to the top five open level teams and speakers. Novices who win all 3 of their rounds earn gavel pins.

Our last tournament, usually in April, includes two divisions: championship and non-championship. Open level debaters qualify for the championship tournament by placing 1-15 as a speaker or a team member at any of the three previous tournaments that season. The non-championship division is open to all novice debaters and all open level debaters who did not qualify for the championship division.

Participation is open to middle school debate teams from all types of schools in Connecticut. Students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 grades may compete. The CTMSDL is an approved activity of the CT Student Activities Conference of the Connecticut Association of Schools. Learn more about starting a team here.