Resources for Debate Coaches

The bond between a coach and their team is strong with any sport: baseball, football, basketball, and yes, debate too! Debate students don’t get just another coach, they gain a mentor to learn from and grow with. Many of our coaches are students and instructors at local colleges, and they play a vital role in preparing students for success down the line.

Interested in Coaching?

The Ad Astra Debate League is always looking for fun, creative, and knowledgeable mentors to lead a team to victory on the local and national stage.

We are also proud to host guest lectures on a regular basis that welcome academic perspectives to our students to help them prepare for college.

Digital Competitive Debate

Want to volunteer, but think judging isn’t the right fit for you? The Ad Astra Debate League is looking for Zoom Room Managers (ZRMs) during our inaugural season. A ZRM is responsible for the operation and organization of the competition to ensure a smooth event, rather than judging the competitors.

Responsibilities as a Zoom Room Manager include:

  • setting up a main Zoom meeting room
  • creating 5-10 breakout rooms
  • placing students and judges into the correct rooms 15-30 minutes prior to each round

Coaching Tools and Resources

Ad Astra Packet
  1. Elections and Movements
  2. Abolition
  3. T-Policing
  4. T-Enact
  5. States and Federalism (Introductory)
  6. States and Federalism (Advanced)
  7. Civil Rights Movement
  8. Elections Court Packing
  9. Marijuana Policy
  10. Mandatory Minimums
  11. Juvenile Sentencing
  12. Defund the Police
  13. Death Penalty
NDCA Novice Packet

2022-2023 Novice Packet

NDCA Open Evidence
OpenEv
University of Kentucky Digital Speech and Debate Initiative

Open Evidence Project

University of Kentucky Digital Speech and Debate Initiative Policy Debate Curriculum

Digital Speech and Debate Learning

Dartmouth Debate Institute 2020 Lecture Videos -

Lecture Videos

Ad Astra Debate Youtube
Ad Astra Student Harassment Policy

The Ad Astra Debate Foundation is committed to promoting ethical and rational communication behavior as an important part of an activity that maintains a deep respect for freedom of expression. We recognize that the adversarial and competitive nature of academic speech and debate places students, educators, judges, and tournament administrators in the position of either a )having to weigh the merits of competing strategies and/or b) evaluating a performance or speech that is outside of the scope of one’s own held beliefs or world experience and that it may have ethical implications. At the same time, we are committed to promoting respectful discourse, and encouraging the growth and development of all students. Behaviors which belittle, degrade, demean, or otherwise dehumanize others are not in the best interests of the activity because they interfere with the goals of education and personal growth.

All participants should recognize the rights of others and communicate (both verbally and written) with respect for competitors, colleagues, tournament hosts, and audience members. Communication which engenders ill-will and disrespect for forensics ultimately reduces the utility of forensics for all who participate in it, should be avoided, and is subject to sanction. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

Adapted from 2020 Isadore Newman Harassment Policy by Director – Chris Vincent

NSDA Online Speech and Debate Tips

Online Debate Tips

Want to Sponsor a Student?

The Ad Astra Debate League is always looking for generous sponsors, mentors, and donors for scholarship and networking opportunities. We also offer many opportunities for students to compete in a number of debate events at the Collegiate level.