Judge Adaptation
Lay Judge:
What is a Lay Judge?
A judge with little to no judging experience, typically a parent. This type of judge generally does not have a good grasp of the flow or line-by-line, and most likely has minimal topic knowledge.
​
Indicators That You May Have a Lay Judge:
- If they are a parent, they are most likely (not always) a lay judge.
- If the judge says they have minimal topic knowledge
- If they tell you to "speak slow"
- If they explicitly write in their paradigm that you should "defend your points with facts and logic"
- If they say they they will be taking "detailed notes" (most flow/tech judges will refer to the "flow," so the term "notes" indicates a lack of experience)
- If they don't flow at all and simply listen to the debate.
How to Adapt to a Lay Judge:
~ Slow down -- this is so, so important for a lay judge! Speak at a more conversational pace, since the threshold for speed of a lay judge is generally quite low.
~ Try to refrain from using extensive jargon (i.e. the terms "turn," "non-unique," or "delink" may confuse this type of judge).
~ Be careful about running low-probability, mega-death scenarios in front of a lay judge. These judges tend to care more about the truth of an argument, so running something like nuke war, extinction, etc. may not end well.
~ Focus on the overall narrative, or "big picture" argument. Don't get so caught up in the line-by-line.
​
Flow Judge:
What is a Flow Judge?
A judge with a debate experience, typically an average former debater. This type of judge has an understanding of the flow, and will (usually) be able to keep up with an average "debate" speaking pace.
​
Indicators That You May Have a Flow Judge:
- If they say that they are a former debater (with some success on the national level), they are most likely a flow judge (unless they were a top national champion, in which case they may lean more towards a technical judge).
- If their paradigm says something to indicate that they have a fairly advanced understanding of how public forum debate works -- ex. they have preferences for weighing, speed, etc.
How to Adapt to a Flow Judge:
~ You should be able to speak fairly fast, but probably won't want to spread (200 words per minute should be okay for most flows, but of course it varies)
~ Most flow judges care about the line-by-line, so make sure to respond to the nuances of their case. However, make sure you do not sacrifice your overall narrative or "big picture" argument.
~ Public forum jargon should be okay on a basic level (i.e. "delink," "non-unique," "turn," "weighing" should be fine) but be careful about jargon that is more advanced, such as jargon involved with advanced progressive arguments (kritiks, theory) or nuanced framing.
​
Flay Judge:
What is a Flay Judge?
Ah, the dreaded flay judge. This type of judge, as the name may imply, is a mix between a flow and a lay judge (hence, the term "flay"). This judge will be able to flow, but it might not always be the most advanced, accurate flow. These judges are more likely to intervene than a typical flow judge, and may interpret the debate in a less comprehensive way.
Indicators That You May Have a Flay Judge:
- If they say that they are a former debater, but do not have too much to show for it (not a lot of national success).
- The indicators of a flow to flay judge will be somewhat similar, since the line between flow and flay is a thin one.
- Sometimes, flay judges will write about their judging "qualifications" in their paradigm, but these usually wont be things that actually qualify someone as a good debate judge. These "qualifications" might include telling you about their employment, education, etc.
~ Judges that used to do a different type of debate (policy, LD, congress) tend to be flay when judging public forum.
How to Adapt to a Flay Judge:
These judges, in my personal opinion, are the most difficult to adapt to, since they are hard to predict. That being said, there are some things you can do to give yourself the best chance of success:
~ It may be advantageous to talk slower than you would for an average flow judge, just to make sure everything is incredibly clear.
~ Try to refrain a little bit more from jargon. The level of jargon you can use should be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the judge's experience.
~ Try to win on the flow, but also win the narrative debate. Do NOT sacrifice the overall thesis of your case and "big picture" in order to win the line-by-line.
~ Extend your arguments in the back half of the round. Make sure the extensions are consistent, and try to leave no room for the judge to do their own interpretation of the arguments. You may not like how they decide to interpret the round if arguments are unclear to the judge.
​
Technical (Tech) Judge:
What is a Tech Judge?
A judge with a very advanced understanding of the technical aspects of debate. Usually a debate coach or a top former debater, this judge is "tech over truth" (tabula rasa), and will be able to handle almost any type of argumentation and speed. A technical judge will (usually) be able to evaluate theory, kritiks, advanced jargon, weighing, etc.
​
Indicators That You May Have a Tech Judge:
- If they are a top former debater with a high level of national success, they are (generally, but not always) a technical judge.
- If they are a debate coach at a successful debate institution/school.
- Usually, if their paradigm is on the longer side -- mentioning theory, Ks, weighing, and a lot of preferences -- this may indicate that they have extensive experience and an advanced understanding of P.F.
How to Adapt to a Tech Judge:
~ You should be able to speak almost as fast as you want (however, don't spread if they say they don't want you to)
~ Most tech judges care about the line-by-line, so make sure to respond to the nuances of their case.
~ Advanced public forum jargon will be understood by a technical judge, including (usually) advanced progressive arguments (kritiks, theory) or nuanced framing.
~ Recognize that in front of a true tech judge, a conceded link/impact has a 100% chance of occurring
~ A tech judge will be able to evaluate framing, so run as many mega-death, crazy-impact scenarios as you want.
~ Extend the warrant, link, and impact in each speech in the back half of the round.
~ Collapsing is very important for a technical judge. Do not go for everything: just make sure you condense the round and win one/a few main arguments. In front of a technical judge, it is acceptable to collapse on a disad. or a turn.
~ The vast, vast majority of tech judges will only evaluate frontlines in second rebuttal or first summary.
~ Be careful about making new analysis/arguments in the second summary or the final focuses, since they will most likely not be evaluated.
~ Weigh! (You should always be doing this, but it is particularly important in front of a technical judge).
​
"The art of life is a constant readjustment to out surroundings"
- Kakuzo Okakaura
