Winter Debate Clubs at Lasting Impact! are designed to help students stay sharp, grow confident, and deepen their debate skills during their speech and debate season. These clubs provide structured instruction, guided practice, and meaningful feedback in a supportive community led by experienced, knowledgable coaches. Students will strengthen argumentation, critical thinking, and persuasive communication—skills that extend far beyond competition. Whether your student is brand new to debate or preparing for higher-level rounds, our Winter Online Debate Clubs offer a focused, encouraging environment where students from across the country learn, connect, and continue building skills that truly last. Here is the winter line up…
NEW! LD Socratic Circle with Anne and Caleb McClure
LD NCFCA with Ethan Tong
Moot Court Advocacy with Ethan Tong
Get the full descriptions in the SHOP! Want to learn more about what our NEW LD Socratic Circle is all about? Keep reading…
Why Students and Parents Benefit from Investing in an Outside Speech & Debate Coach
In Speech and Debate, we often talk about skills—communication, organization, delivery, argumentation. But behind every great speaker, every confident competitor, every transformed student… there is usually a coach… a coach can be a club coach, mentor, sibling, alumni, even a parent!!
A coach is more than a tutor. More than a teacher. A coach is a guide, a mentor, and often the person who sees potential long before the student sees it in themselves.
Coaching, at its core, is a gift—a gift of clarity, confidence, and growth that lasts far beyond tournaments. Why can a coach be the right fit for you? Why does coaching matter? Read on…
Even students who understand the scale analogy often fall into traps that pull them back toward policy thinking. Let’s identify the most common ones so you can avoid them.
The competitive season is about officially to be in full swing—and whether you’re still searching for the right case, considering a strategic switch, or preparing for the arguments you know are coming, we’ve got exactly what you need.
Today, we’re excited to unveil the Lasting Impact Team Policy Mid-Season Release, a powerful new resource designed to equip debaters with fresh, relevant, and high-quality material right when they need it most.
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of values debate. Maybe you’re a student who worked hard on a case but felt confused about what the judge actually wanted. Maybe you’re a parent judge who felt uncertain about how to evaluate rounds, especially when one student had more evidence but the other had more philosophical arguments. Maybe you’re a coach watching your students drift toward policy-style cases because that’s what seems to win. Read on to hear Henry’s opinion and perspective (bio below)…
In a world overflowing with information, it’s easy for students to lean on shortcuts—summaries, prewritten cases, or someone else’s arguments passed along as their own. But the true value of Speech and Debate doesn’t come from finding the right answer quickly. It comes from learning how to think deeply, critically, and independently…
Henry Chen has been coaching Lincoln Douglas Debate for numerous years. He coaches at Vox Speech and Debate in WA, a club with a consistent record of success at the national level. His students have regularly advanced to outrounds, and in the 2024-2025 season, the NCFCA National TP Championship round featured two teams from Vox.
As a father of three, his passion for the league is also personal; his sons have won National Championships in both Lincoln-Douglas (2022) and Team Policy (2025). This experience as both a parent and a coach informs the philosophy he is passionate about sharing. Professionally, Henry is a User Experience (UX) leader in the high-tech industry…
The Problem: I believe Lincoln Value Debate is currently struggling because students, judges, and coaches default to policy-style argumentation. Debates labeled ‘values’ are indistinguishable from policy debates except for decorative value/criterion statements. Is there more… (keep reading…)
Judging a Speech and Debate round is both an honor and a responsibility. You’re not just ranking performances—you’re shaping communicators. The feedback you give can influence how a student grows, how they see themselves, and how they use their voice in the future.
So, what does it mean to be a great speech judge? It’s not about being the most experienced speaker or the toughest critic—it’s about being attentive, encouraging, and helpful.
The Purpose of Judging
Your role as a judge is to:
Evaluate each performance fairly according to the rules.
Encourage students in their development as communicators.
Equip them with feedback that will make their next speech even stronger.
Each ballot you complete is more than a score sheet—it’s a coaching moment.
What Kind of Feedback Students Want
Most students don’t want generic comments like:
“Nice job!” or “Good eye contact.”
They want specific, actionable, and encouraging feedback.
Here’s what that looks like:
Weak Feedback
Strong Feedback
“Good introduction.”
“Your introduction grabbed my attention right away! Consider pausing before your first line to make it even more powerful.”
“Work on gestures.”
“Your gestures matched your message, but be mindful of repeating the same hand motion—it can distract from your words.”
“Good job overall.”
“You communicated with confidence and passion! Next time, try adding more variation in tone to emphasize your key points.”
✅ Students crave feedback that helps them grow, not just compliments or criticism.
Why Your Feedback Matters
Your written comments might be the only coaching a student receives between tournaments. A single thoughtful note can:
Build confidence
Clarify direction
Encourage persistence
Inspire excellence
In short—you have the power to change how a student feels about their voice.
Be Observant and Balanced
A good judge looks for both strengths and areas of growth (GROWS AND GLOWS). Think of it like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich… The bread (GLOWS) holds the peanut butter and jelly (GROWS) together. Try using this simple approach:
Start with praise (bread/GLOW) – What went well? Be specific.
Give one or two suggestions (peanut butter and jelly/GROW)– What could improve? Focus on what’s realistic for next time.
End with encouragement (bread/GROW)– What inspires you about their message or performance?
Example:
“You have a natural connection with your audience. Work on pacing your transitions a bit more evenly, and your delivery will feel even smoother. I loved the authenticity of your message—keep sharing it boldly!”
Practical Tips for Being a Better Judge
Be attentive – Stay engaged, even if you’ve heard the piece before. Don’t text during a speech!
Avoid thinking about what YOU think they might be capable of. – Judge each speech/competitor on their own merit.
Know the rules – Familiarize yourself with event criteria. Base your decisions on the ballot.
Be kind – Remember, they’re learning.
Encourage growth – Your words can motivate excellence.
The Heart of Judging
At its best, judging is mentorship in motion. It’s an opportunity to affirm truth, recognize effort, and guide the next generation of communicators.
Whether a student wins or not, your thoughtful feedback can remind them of something far more lasting: * Their words matter. * Their growth matters. * Their voice matters.
Final Thought: When you step into a judging round (or signing up for an online tournament), you’re not just evaluating speeches—you’re investing in people. And that makes your role one of the most meaningful parts of Speech and Debate.
What makes one speaker unforgettable while another is easily forgotten? What turns a simple argument into a persuasive force that moves judges, stirs emotions, and changes minds? What makes you want to listen, tune out the rest of the world? If you have ever heard my friend, owner/founder of IEW, Andrew Pudewa… there is a word that comes to mind. He’s a fabulous speaker!
The answer is one powerful word: compelling. In speech and debate, some speakers are clear. Others are confident. A few are even memorable. But the ones who win rounds, move audiences, and leave a lasting impact? Those speakers are compelling.
When people think about speech and debate, they often picture structure, rules, and competition — carefully written outlines, well-researched sources, and polished delivery. And while those things matter, there’s another ingredient that sets great speakers apart from good ones: creativity.
Creativity is what transforms a standard speech into a story, a logical argument into a memorable moment, and a routine performance into something alive. It’s what helps you find new angles, take risks, and connect with your audience in ways they don’t expect. It is part of the INTERESTING component in the I-Test!! How can you bring creativity into speech and debate and why does this set competitors apart? Keep reading…
We’re excited to announce that Heather Neumann, founder of Lasting Impact!, will be partnering with NCFCA today for a special Speech Committee Webinar— an opportunity to dive deep into this season’s new speech events: Biblical Presentation and Oratorical Thematic. Pro tip from Heather… “Fully understanding the rules is one of my go-to lessons when assisting students, parents, and coaches, and today you have the opportunity to hear from the speech committee personally about the new events NCFCA is offering. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and get inspired.”
Join the event as we explore the heart and purpose behind these new categories. Together, we’ll discuss:
The unique value of each event and how they can shape well-rounded communicators
A review of the rules and structure for both categories
Inspiration for impactful themes and primary sources to help students craft meaningful speeches
This is the perfect opportunity for students, parents, and coaches to gain valuable insight and get excited for the season ahead!
When: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – TODAY!! Time: 2:00 PM CT Where: Online via Zoom Register here:Click to Register
If you can’t attend live, don’t worry! The event will be recorded and made available on the Resources page of the NCFCA website.
We can’t wait to unpack these exciting new opportunities and equip students to grow in their speaking and storytelling skills. Hope to see you there! If you would like to learn more from Heather or the Lasting Impact! Team schedule a one on one session or a club coaching session today!
Choosing a speech topic doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—you don’t need the “perfect” idea right away. Instead, think of it as a step-by-step journey. Start wide with brainstorming (I do this activity with my students in club, camps, and even one on one coaching calls AND its a WORKSHEET in my Grab and Go Speech Lesson Plans)! The list of ideas gradually narrows and refines your until you land on one that excites you and passes the I-Test. Along the way, you’ll filter out weaker options, gather feedback, and shape your topic into something clear, focused, and powerful. By the end of this process, you’ll have more than just a topic—you’ll have a strong foundation for a memorable and impactful speech. Continue reading the process...
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