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Debate2v2
Policy Debate
Team policy debate with deep research, plan texts, disadvantages, counterplans, and kritiks. The most research-intensive event.
Time
8 min constructives · 5 min rebuttals
Prep
8 minutes per team (NSDA; some circuits use 5)
Format
2v2
Round structure
1AC / 1NC
Case presentation and multi-off negative strategy.
2AC / 2NC / 1NR
Block strategy, impact turns, and cover all offense.
Rebuttals
Collapse, extend, and weigh. Line-by-line plus big picture.
What judges look for
- Strategic coherence across speeches
- Evidence comparison and card quality
- Impact calculus and uniqueness debates
- Theory and procedural clarity when raised
- Efficient time allocation
Ballot criteria
Argument qualityCritical
Warrants, uniqueness, links, impacts.
EvidenceCritical
Card quality, comparison, and application.
StrategyHigh
Coherent offense and collapse decisions.
CX / DeliveryMedium
Clarity under speed; strategic questioning.
Practice tips
- Rebuild 1AC structure weekly; cut fluff cards.
- Drill 2AC blocks against common DA shells.
- Practice CX that sets up 2AC extensions.
- Flow both sides of practice rounds obsessively.
Common mistakes
- Spreading without impact explanation
- Dropping entire offcase positions
- Inconsistent plan text
- No uniqueness for DAs
Drills for this event
ResearchSpreadingTheoryKritiksPlan texts