SCJFL General FAQ

Yes. Students may watch rounds. The SCJFL rounds are open to audiences. Some people may feel this is ―cheating‖ or ―unfair‖ because a team that is observing may end up competing against a team they observed, and thus, may have heard their arguments and anticipated answers for those arguments. Scouting, as it is referred to sometimes …

Are students participating in a tournament allowed to go watch rounds when they are not competing? Sometimes tournaments are flighted, meaning there is a round 1A and a round 1B. If a student is not debating until round B, can he or she go watch a debate during the other hour?  Read More »

Even if you never serve as a judge, it will help your child if you participate in one of the judge trainings. If for no other reason, then you will at least understand what your child’s critic is going to be asked to do, in order to issue a decision. At tournaments, after students go off …

What if I don’t feel comfortable judging?  Read More »

Any child who participates in these forensics activities is successful. They say that public speaking is feared more than death. Thus, a child in these formative years who is willing to take on this skill-set is automatically a winner. The focus of our league is to provide competition for students so that they may learn …

What if my child isn’t successful? Read More »

The league asks host schools to provide the top students with trophies. The cost of these trophies is usually recouped with the registration fees and snack sales profits. League schools are encouraged to acknowledge all of their students who have participated in a tournament in some way. Some schools do certificates of participation at the end …

Will my child win an award? Read More »

If your coach is not available because he or she is helping to run the tournament, then you should go to the ballot check in table and explain the problem. They will then explain the problem to TAB. The TAB will then decide if the board needs to convene and issue a decision about the specific …

What should I do when there is a problem? Read More »

Coaches will be helping the host to run the tournament so parents are greatly needed to help keep the teams in order. Please see coaches for how you can specifically help out at tournament. Many parents wish the coaches could be 10 observing their child in round, and giving them immediate feedback. However, this may not happen if the …

How can I help out at the tournament?  Read More »

Topics and events are listed on the website calendar.

Different schools may have different policies. But most schools ask that students wear suits or similar ―business formal‖ attire.

One way is to encourage great sportsmanship. Also, you can talk to your child about the different issues in the news. Discuss these subjects informally and allow your child to voice his/her opinion. Offer your own viewpoint and point out where your child’s reasoning seems weak. If you observe your child in round, then please be …

How can I help my child to succeed in debate?  Read More »

The league leaves lunch arrangements up to the host school to coordinate. We ask that the host school include the different lunch (or dinner) options in the invitation to help the participants to know what to expect, so they may plan accordingly. Most schools will provide a snack stand and a meal option of some sort …

Will there be lunch at the tournament? Read More »