by Emily Rose | Oct 21, 2015 | Coaching, From Novice to Intermediate, Soapbox
“In it to win it” is not a sufficient goal. And most debaters can’t differentiate between preparing to win and making winning the priority. Of course, competition is good. It’s a refiner, a strainer, a purifier. It sharpens your skills, weeds out bad...
by Emily Rose | Oct 14, 2015 | Coaching, Soapbox, Technique
We ring in the first practice tournament of the year proudly, with two hours of sleep, double the cans of Redbull, and frantic crash-prep sessions with a coach. We coordinate colors with our partner’s pocket-square, or shoes, or skirt. We try out new cases, brush them...
by Emily Rose | Sep 17, 2015 | Coaching, Technique, Top Drills
Not to be ornery, but when a dentist pokes a drill into my mouth and assures “this will only hurt a bit”, I cringe. And then I grip the chair, inhale deeply, and try to find that inner happy place of dental bliss. I know his use of the drill is going to improve my...
by Rebecca Frazer | Sep 16, 2015 | Coaching, Soapbox, Tournaments
Picture us both holding a mug of tea, sitting on a comfy couch, and having a nice chat about your fears and insecurities. You share with me—as many, many students have—that “judges are out to get me: they just hate me for no reason.” Then picture me, ever so kindly,...
by Clare Downing | Aug 24, 2015 | Coaching, Technique
Dear Aggressive Female Debater (Katherine), Unfortunately the battle you have ahead of you will take a bigger armory than just verbal ethos. You need to have non-verbal credibility on your side as well. Debate rounds are won and lost in the margins. Oftentimes there...
by Clare Downing | Aug 14, 2015 | Coaching, Technique
Dear Aggressive Female Debater (Katherine), I was you once. The frustration of being perceived as angry, bitter, or mean is one that I am familiar with. You are a round peg in a square hole. Chances are, you’ve tried to soften your image and have received ballot...
