For Coaches

Coach Guide

The NUDL Coach Guide is your one-stop shop for everything you need to run a successful debate team. Find curriculum and lesson plans, the tournament schedule, recruiting and team-building advice, NUDL policies and procedures, and other helpful resources all in one place. Whether you're a brand-new coach or returning for another season, start here for the tools and information you need throughout the year.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1voHeiH44pIemVO2rf-Dvz9ZWmJ1NDhjeLz4IoPdW3R4/edit?usp=sharing 

Join our Google Classrooms for SY 26-27: 

• Novice Policy: https://classroom.google.com/c/ODg0NjM1NzI0MTg0?cjc=q6zayufi

• World Schools: https://classroom.google.com/c/ODg1MjYwNzY2MzY2?cjc=jkzqx7sd 

2026-27 Practice Materials:

• Interest Meeting Slides

• Practice 1: Introduction to Debate & Argumentation

• Practice 2: The Topics

  • Novice Policy : Introduction to the Resolution

  • World Schools: Introduction to the September Motion

• Practice 3: Case Debate

  • Novice Policy: Introduction the Novice Core Files

  • World Schools: Building a Case 101

• Practice 4: Spar Debates

  • Novice Policy: Spar Debate #1

  • World Schools: Spar Debate

• Practice 5

  • Novice Policy: Disads & Off Case

  • World Schools: Introduction to the October Motion

• Practice 6

  • Novice Policy: Flowing for Novices

  • World Schools: The Role of Each Speech

• Practice 7

  • Novice: Spar Debate #2

  • World Schools: Flowing for Worlds + Spar Debate #2

• Practice 8

  • Novice: Introduction to Counterplans

  • World Schools: Introduction to the November Motion

• Practice 9

  • Novice: Cross Examination

  • World Schools: The Ballot (& how to win it)

• Practice 10

  • Novice: Spar Debate #3 + CPs

  • World Schools: Spar Debate #3

• Practice 11

  • Novice: The New Aff

  • World Schools: Introduction to the December Motion

• Practice 12

  • Novice: Impact Analysis + Rebuttals

  • World Schools: Spar Debate #4

• End of Semester 1 Suggestions

  • Debrief the season so far

  • Set goals for Semester 2

  • Make a research/ work plan for winter break

  • Host a team party

  • Host elections for leadership positions (if on a January to January model)

• Practice 13

  • Novice: Intro to Kritiks

  • World Schools: Introduction to the January Worlds Motion

• Practice 14

  • Novice: Negative Strategy

  • World Schools: Researching for Worlds

• Practice 15

  • Novice: Spar Debates #4

  • Worlds: Spar Debates #5

• Practice 16 & Beyond

  • Novice: Practice & Research for City Championships

  • World Schools: Introduction to the City Champs Motion

• End of Semester 2 Suggestions:

  • Debrief the season & celebrate accomplishments

  • Start working on Varsity concepts

  • Introduce next year's Policy resolution

  • Rebuttal Re-do's

  • Elections for next year's officers 

  • End of year celebration/ party 

Additional Practices: 

• Watch and Flow a World Schools Debate

Additional Resources:

• Practice Materials Drive

• SY 26-27 Schedule of Events

• AI and Technology Policy

• Tournament Handbook

• Incident Report Form

• Tournament Registration/ Tabroom Guide

Policy Debate:

• 26-27 Policy Debate Core Files

• Policy Debate File Release Schedule & Argument Limits

• Policy Debate 101

• Open Evidence Project

World Schools Debate:

• World Schools 101

• World Schools Case Outline

• World Schools Speech Outline/ Graphic Organizer

• World Schools Ballot

Debate Lesson Library from NAUDL