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Re: Toruney length

To follow up and agree with erik...

first, 6 round tournaments run in the same amount of time as 8 round
tournies used to about 10 years ago when I was debating.  Whether good or
bad, tournaments now allow more time for rounds because of preparation
time before rounds and decision time after the round.  Also, the movement
toward straight power instead of lag power influences tournament length.
Perhaps these things contribute to better debate, thus improving the
learning experience.  That, however, is another issue.

The problem with 7 or 8 round tournaments is down time between rounds and
the late nights.  When we beging debates at 8 or 8:30am  and end at
midnight (yes, that happened last year a couple times, once later), then
that decreases the pedagogical value, since debaters are oftened
undernourished, stressed, etc.  physically, the 8 round tournaments take a
toll...  it used to be much easier.

second. lexis/nexis makes for 24 hour  schedules as it is.  many teams
have
people up all night (literally) on lexis cutting cards.  When tournaments
run into the later hours because of more rounds, then people eat, then go
back to the room and get on the 'puter to cut cards, it makes for a
distinct lack of rest (for those of us that don't have extra folks along
just to cut cards all day and night).

third, 7/8 rounds tournaments also affect the quality of judging.  I know
that I am not as sharp of a judge if I am dead tired.  (not that I am
sharp to beiging with).  But if I am judging that many rounds, my
effectiveness decreases because I am tired.  I get sleepy, I don't pay s
close attention, and so on.  Other coaches and judges have expressed
similar feelings to me.

fourth, longer tournaments make for tiring trips home.  If we get done
very late at night and then have to drive for 6-12 hours, that is a
problem.  too often coaches and TAs are dead tired because of long
tournaments.  longer tournaments merely exacerbate that problem.

fifth, longer tournaments also take time away from graduate studies.  many
grad students don't have enough time to do their studies as effectively as
they can, so keeping tournaments shorter can help them too.

sixth, as mentioned before, academic and teaching responsibilities suffer
if tournaments run longer.  Going to fewer tournaments is a way to solve
that, but then again... perm:  do both.  Go to fewer tournaments that have
6 rounds and not 7/8.  fewer tournaments only doesn't solve some of the
other issues.  sorry.  :)

I used to be an advocate of more rounds...  but I really like 6 round
tournaments -much- better now.

Krueger

On Thu, 10 Jul 1997, Erik Andrew Cornellier wrote:

> 
> Quickie
> 
> I am what could be called a debate junkie, and I have no problem with 6 round
> tournaments.  In fact, I can only see positives in it.  One of the few things I
> don't like about debate is the physical exhaustion that comes with lack of food
> and sleep.  Shortening up the tournaments would open up time for these
> important functions.
> 
> 
> erik
> 

Michael Krueger
Asst. Dir. of Forensics
Middle Tennessee State University
Http://www.mtsu.edu/~debate
(615) 898-2273

Berry, Buck, Mills, and Stipe in '87

It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.
References:
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