Debate statistically improves standardized test scores on state testing, SAT/ACT exams, and APs. Boosts are especially significant for ELA/English, social studies, and even STEM (in comprehension/word problems).
Core Skills
Develop research, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills which improve your foundation for a diverse range of subjects.
Academic Opportunities
Improved college admissions chances and scholarships. Opportunities for leadership tiers and nationally (or even world)-prestigious awards to make you a standout applicant.
Letters of Reccomendation
Outstanding students and interns earn positive feedback and letters of recommendation from world-class faculty. These give students a tremendous upper hand, especially for ivy-level schools.
Network
Connect with a community of some of the nation’s most mostivated students, coaches, and future leaders. Many students report becoming more academically motivated after joining.
▼ Can Debate Help with College Admissions?
Absolutely. Debate teaches students how to build persuasive arguments and express their voice with depth and originality, which is exactly what college essays require.
Admissions officers value debate experience because it demonstrates intellectual curiosity, leadership, and resilience.
Nearer to the college admissions cycle, we guide students towards how to leverage debate involvement and achievements in applications in order to become a standout candidate.
▼ How Can Debate Help My Future Career?
According to Fortune Magazine, debate skills are the "single best pre-professional preparation".
Why? Debate pushes students to become articulate, confident thinkers who can lead discussions, persuade audiences, and solve problems under pressure.
Through tournaments, pre-event preparation and team trainings, debaters pick up invaluable skills in interpersonal communication, teamwork, and synergy.
Over time, this process builds genuine confidence--not from memorizing answers, but through weathering challenges and competition together through the power of hard work and a team-based mindset.
This ultimately improves presence, persuasiveness, and confidence from within. These skills are critical in future interviews, presentations, and even leadership positions.
▼ Why Does Debate Build Lifelong Skills?
Confidence
Debate helps you think on your feet, express ideas clearly, and build confidence through recognition.
Critical Thinking
Through real-world topics, debaters down complex issues, evaluate arguments, and make logical, well-reasoned decisions.
Communication Skills
The persuasive speaking and writing skills that debate relies on also enhance performance in many areas of life: academics, career, and relationships.
Leadership & Influentiality
Our debaters (especially older ones) develop the ability to motivate, persuade, and guide younger teammates through strong reasoning and empathy. Over time, students climb our systematic leadership tiers, transforming themselves into better leaders.
Emotional Intelligence
Active notetaking & listening, understanding from diverse perspectives, and responding with respect & insight are all heavily trained during the program.
Networking
Many of our alumni still have numerous long-lasting relationships with talented peers and coaches from their time with us. Some of these connections have even helped throughout their professional lives!
Habits
Debate instills discipline, time management, and resilience, all of which are skills lasting far beyond your time in the program.
Tournaments Matter
▼ What Do Students Gain from Competing in Tournaments?
Competing in tournaments is the #1 way to improve at debate.
Through the unique experience tournaments provide to students, these debaters gain many critical skills--some of the most important are listed below.
Confidence & Public Speaking
Public speaking is America’s #1 fear. Through debate, our students are directly combating this and instead leveraging this to build a spike that will positively impact them for the rest of their lives. Taking from their experience in tournaments where competitors face a time-restricted, pressurized environment, debaters learn to clearly express ideas and speak persuasively in front of any audience.
Quick Critical Thinking
In tournaments, competitors must think on their feet regarding complex issues, identify logical flaws, and back up their points with evidence-based arguments.
Leadership and Teamwork
Preparing for and competing in a team-based setting shows students the power of collaboration and leadership, a skill many alumni leverage in their future careers.
Academics
Students develop advanced research, writing, and organization abilities that empirically improve school performance.
Emotional Resilience
Regular participation in tournaments teach composure, focus, and professionalism even in high-stakes situations.
Networking
At tournaments, debaters often connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and judges, building valuable connections that last far beyond the tournaments themselves.
Recognition
National (or even international) level debate awards are widely recognized by top universities and firms. They yield credibility and prestige to applications and your resume.
Prep for Your Future
As a whole, the debate experience strengthens college applications, boosts test performance, and (coming from Fortune magazine itself) prepares students for lifelong success in any career.
▼ What Top National Tournaments Does Acclive Attend?
Here is a selection of the most prestigious and well-known tournaments our debaters attend:
• USA Forensics Olympiad (USAFO) Open Series [monthly]
• USAFO Championship [annual, Apr.]
• International Olympiad in Forensics (IOF) [annual, global event, Jun.]
• Harvard National Tournament [annual, Feb.]
• Stanford National Tournament [annual, Feb.]
• TOC Digital Speech & Debate Series [semi-annual, Dec./Feb./Mar.]
• Harvard Debate UKTOC International Series [semi-annual, Oct./Nov./Jan.]
• Georgetown University [bi-annual, Oct./Mar.]
• National Speech & Debate Season Opener (NSDA) [annual, Sep.]
• UCLA Invitational [annual, Nov.]
• Northwestern University Invitational [annual, Oct.]
▼ Is It Normal for Beginners to Lose Most Rounds?
Absolutely. Losing rounds is completely normal for beginners and is nothing to worry about. You should be proud of even attending a national-level tournament: this is a journey only a top percentage of the bravest speech & debaters begin.
Debate is a skill-based activity that takes time, practice, and experience to master. Every debater starts somewhere, and early losses are part of the learning process. Even some of our top debaters (now ranked as national champions and beyond) started out with 0-5 prelim records.
The key to improving and eventually winning more rounds is consistency. By constantly developing skills core to the activity (see a full list of top 20 skills in the next drop-down) students build the solid foundation necessary to compete effectively. Only over time, as these skills strengthen, beginners gain confidence, make fewer mistakes, and start winning rounds more consistently.
Remember: early losses are stepping stones. In the complex landscape of debate, every round is a learning opportunity. Every champion debater started where you were and built up their arsenal through persistence, practice, and support!
▼ What Skills Should Debaters Develop to Win More Rounds?
We know this is alot to master; at national-level tournaments, debate is a highly competitive activity, and to beat the best debaters must be a jack of many trades. That's why our world-class coaches are here to help you on your journey.
▼ Why Did Acclive Choose These Tournaments?
• Age/grade flexibility (most tournaments cover ES-HS) • Fully online & cost effective, saving travel expenses • Non-school teams allowed enabling flexible & more optimal partnerships • Prestige & recognition; all tournaments selected are elite-class, hosted by top universities or widely recognized and respected • Opportunity levels for recognition achievable based on level of work debaters but in
▼ What Do High-Ranking Teams Receive?
Prestigious recognition and high-quality accolades holding real value for college applications that top universities recognize.
Winners usually receive certificates, medals, and/or qualification points towards major national or international championships.
For example, high-ranking debaters earn bids to the JW Patterson Tournament of Champions or the USA Forensics Olympiad Championship.
▼ My Tournament Is In 3 Days. Any Prep Tips?
• Continuously keep in touch with your partner and collaborate to prepare better materials. Teamwork makes the dream work!
• If you're a 1st speaker: practice your case confidently three times daily in front of a mirror to improve. Dedication drives progress and success.
• Hone your presentation skills. Always show passion and confidence, or you may risk (especially for lay) judges favoring your opponents off speaking skills.
• If this is your first time logging in to Tabroom.com: your login email = your Acclive student system email, your password = "password"
• Prepare a suit, timer, backup device, and two bottles of water.
Road To Ivy League
▼ How Do TOC, USAFO, Harvard, Stanford & NSDA Tournaments Differ?
TOC (Tournament of Champions) • One of the most prestigious national tournaments in the U.S.; invitation-only based on top placements in select qualifying tournaments (qualifiers) • Most qualifiers are online, some offline; the championship tournament is offline as well • Winning is very difficult, and both team members must be from the same school
USAFO (USA Forensics Olympiad) • A global online tournament system which hosts monthly and championship tournaments open to debaters worldwide • Fully online, no travel required, and non-school partnerships allowed • Winning chances relatively higher compared to TOC or NSDA
Harvard & Stanford • Nationally recognized tournaments hosted by elite universities, attracting thousands of top US and international teams • Open registration, fully online (many events), non-school teams allowed • Highly competitive but winning chances higher than TOC due to open registration
NSDA Tournaments • Provides official qualification paths to NSDA Nationals, the largest U.S. debate championship • Fully offline requiring participation in multiple local competitions to advance • Same-school teams required • Travel is required • Winning is difficult due to high competition, especially in specific regions
▼ What Are the 3 Steps to Reach Dream Colleges or the Ivy League?
Under our highly efficient program, motivated students can complete all three steps within ~1 year (countless students have done so). This system saves time and continuously helps debaters optimize their partnerships and approaches to debate.
Step 1: Start
Summary: Guidance from Experienced Students
Acclive is the only club in the nation offering a novice-debater mentorship program (jumpstart). Under our mentorship model, this first step is very easy to achieve.
New students are guided by experienced debaters, creating a much smoother 'liftoff' and alleviating many of the struggles new debaters commonly face.
Step 2: Accumulate
Summary: Regular Practice and Competitions
Once students build a foundation, coaches select promising new debaters to form optimal partnerships. These new partnerships typically compete in 1–2 tournaments per month, including at least one national-level tournament.
Each month, coaches help adjust team pairings until each student finds one or two ideal partners. During this process, students undergo valuable networking, improve their W/L records & speaker points, and gain recognition & familiarity among similarly dedicated, hardworking peers.
Step 3: Rise (To the Top)
Summary: Consistent Tournaments and Awards
Having discovered their optimal-fit partners, students continue to compete in 1-2 tournaments per month, gradually earning multiple awards.
▼ Which Of the 3 Steps Is the Hardest?
The second step is often the most challenging and can be the largest determinant of overall success. During this stage, students work each month with different partners to find their ideal matches and may face difficulties when current partners are not yet the right fit.
This is completely normal, as this process actually helps students develop skills essential to become top debaters: • constant improvement of strategy • resilience • persistence & dedication • dynamic teamwork • quick thinking
Importantly, setbacks are a natural part of growth. Students who remain calm, consistent, and dedicated during this phase often emerge as top debaters and significantly increase their chances of admission to elite colleges. More critically, they gain invaluable lifelong skills that prepare them for success beyond academics.
▼ How to Become a Top-Ranked Debater?
When our top coaches were students, they competed in countless national tournaments.
They lost plenty, but they also achieved significant victories. Persistent dedication/participation (and post-round reflections after good and bad rounds alike) played a key role in improving their overall rankings.
Ultimately, consistency was what mattered most: each tournament contributed to their growth, much like muscle memory functions in sports.
Every round hones skills, builds resilience, strengthens debating abilities. No matter the win or loss or speaker points you received these debaters KEPT ON PUSHING FORWARD!
▼ Beyond Debate: What Else Should You Prepare for Ivy League Applications?
Debate is often called the “pinnacle of the humanities.” Excelling in debate requires mastery of a variety of language arts, research/writing, and communication skills, in addition to leadership/teamwork abilities. The great part is, all these are critical for college and career success. That's why colleges LOVE debate, and simply participating sets you 10 steps ahead of other applicants.
For a surer grasp, we also recommend students develop an additional strengths in either STEM or athletics... and of course, maintain a strong GPA in high school.
An online debate academy specializing in both recreational and competitive debate for pre-college students. We focus on rapidly developing top debaters and youth leaders through a faculty of world-class coaches.
▼ What Sets Acclive’s Coaches Apart?
They no less than world class... don't just take our word for it: two members have been ranked #1 in the world by multiple sources, our faculty has accumulated a combined +100 national and international debate champions, and include Harvard-trained experts.
Each coach is carefully selected from thousands of candidates through both debate achievements AND coaching experience. Most ranked among the top 10 debaters in the world during their competitive years.
▼ Why Do Students Learn 2-8x Faster Than In School or Other Clubs?
Here are the top reasons, among others:
Jump Start Program (Saves 1-3 Years for New Debaters)
Most debate clubs require students to attend 5-6 seasons of lessons before their first tournament, and even then, only offer competition opportunities to top students. Acclive encourages competition, and enables students to start competing with confidence as early as
This program was founded by and is uniquely offered at Acclive. Found at no other club in the nation, JSP accelerates your new debater’s learning curve exponentially.
Students can advance through debate levels monthly based on consistent progress and performance. This not only saves 1-3 years in reaching higher debate levels but also provides chances to partner with advanced debaters.
Monthly Leadership Advancement (Saves 3-5 Years)
Experienced debaters can earn monthly promotions to higher leadership tiers. This accelerates invaluable preparation for internships, college applications, and future careers, realistically saving over 3-5 years in real-world leadership development.
World-Class Coaches (Saves 1-3 Years)
Debaters are coached by 100+ national & international debate champions, Harvard experts, and time-tested instructors, enabling them to learn faster while excelling at every stage of their debate journey.
▼ What Makes Acclive’s Curriculum Unique?
Designed by nationally ranked debaters and championship-winning coaches, our curriculum helps students grow from foundational to elite competitive levels fast. Unlike traditional debate programs, Acclive combines: • Comprehensive skill coverage • Real experience via tournaments • Leadership and communication training
This comprehensive system ensures students not only learn how to debate, but also how to think, lead, and succeed at the highest levels and apply their skills to real-world society.
▼ Why Is Acclive Rated #1?
Our most commonly top-rated aspects:
World-Class Coaches: Check out our coaches page… we’ll leave it at that :)
Engaging Team Meets: We make an active effort to curate interactiveness, energy, and enthusiasm in classes while designing curriculum to help debaters grow as fast as possible.
Speedy Growth: Our top students advance through debate levels monthly through consistent progress, persistence, and competition.
Leadership Program: As if top debate achievements aren’t impressive enough, our experienced debaters further extend their experience through hard work, earning promotions to higher leadership tiers in our extensively designed leadership training program.
Jumpstart Program: See the drop-down above (‘Why Do Students Learn 2-8x Faster Than In School or Other Clubs?’)
Cost Effective + Premier Quality Combo: With some of the nation’s lowest prices for top-of-the-class premium competitive debate teams & coaching, debaters & families often compliment the exceptional value.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exclusive High-Paying Internship Opportunities: Exceptional student leaders qualify for exclusive, high-paying internships at Acclive—an opportunity you won’t find anywhere else.
▼ What Internship Opportunities Are Available At Acclive?
Our current internship roles include:
1. Head Debate Instructor
2. Assistant Debate Instructor
3. Curriculum Developer
4. Tournament Coordinator
5. Private Instructor
6. Marketing & Community Outreach Coordinator
7. Administrative & Operations Manager
▼ Who Can Apply for the Acclive Internship Program?
Debaters from Acclive who meet all of the following criteria:
• Experienced in competitive PF debate • Outstanding achievements in major debate tournaments • Recipient of the Acclive Top Leadership Tier Certificate • >= 1 year of verified teaching or coaching experience
Team Levels
▼ How Many Debate Team Levels Are There?
There are ten debate team levels: Bronze, Bronze+, Silver, Silver+, Gold, Gold+, Platinum, Platinum+, Diamond, and Diamond+.
▼ Why Is Reaching A Higher Team Important?
Each new level introduces fresh opportunities, advanced concepts, and more committed peers. This creates an environment for faster growth as students collaborate with more elite debaters, receiving more motivation, push (from coaches and teammates alike), and support. This ultimately improves tournament rankings in addition to more leadership opportunities, which enables debaters to unlock free tournament entries.
▼ How Can Students Quickly Advance to Higher Debate Team?
Our fastest students advance once per month. The key? Persistence, CONSISTENCY and dedication: these debaters attend lots of tournaments, are usually involved in private coaching (adding much advancement to their growth), and thoroughly involve themselves during team meets.
Leadership Tiers
▼ How Many Leadership Tiers Are There?
There are ten leadership tiers: Bronze, Bronze+, Silver, Silver+, Gold, Gold+, Platinum, Platinum+, Diamond, and Diamond+.
▼ What Makes the Leadership Program Extremely Valuable?
Leveraging the debate skills students have picked up, debaters apply their abilities through meaningful real-life scenarios. In this pushes them to:
• Learn how to be an effective team captain • Lead with responsibility and morale • Improve time management • Improve debating skills, which in turn boosts their performance and authority as a team captain
Ultimately, students in the top leadership tier become eligible for high-paying internship opportunities at Acclive. The internship significantly strengthens college applications while also delivering real-world work experience that is valuable on even career resumes.
⭐Note: Our data shows that students who consistently participate in our leadership program develop their debate skills faster than the average student.
▼ How Often Do Students Advance to Higher Leadership Tiers?
Our fastest and most dedicated students advance up to once per month.
▼ Is The Leadership Program FREE?
YES, it is 100% free.
Team leaders' primary goal is to mentor, guide, and partner with new debaters in their first tournaments. As a team leader, all tournament fees are covered for the events in which you serve as a leader.
New opportunities/tasks are announced each month to team leaders, with each offering leadership points and recognition. Each task has limited spots and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
▼ What Does a Team Leader Do?
• Host two Zoom meetings per week with your partner (Zoom is free under 45 mins, just create an account) • Decide on who will be Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 • Divide up prep tasks. For example: who will write Pro/Con cases, who will complete your blockfile • Respond to any questions they may have • Explain rules, the round format, flowing tips, and more
Overall, help your partner improve while serving as a positive role model and representative the of Acclive spirit!
▼ How Do I Advance to The Next Leadership Tier?
Here are some actionable steps:
• Encourage teamwork and mutual support; try to help out your partner in any situation • Aim to win as many rounds as possible in tournaments • Motivate students to actively participate in tournaments; this is the fastest way to improve debate skills. Additionally, more students competing = more free mentorship/team leader tournament opportunities and stronger debate partners, which lead to better competition results • Always be a positive representative of Acclive Academy. A positive community strengthens every individual, and a team mindset has been crucial to alot of Acclive debaters' successes
More statistical-based criteria we also factor in to determine leadership quality are as follows:
• Rounds won in tournaments • A new debater’s return to tournament participation
Referral Rewards
▼ How Easy Is It to Earn Rewards for Referring Friends?
It takes just seconds to begin. The whole process is designed, complete with resources and support, to be as smooth of an experience as possible.
To begin, create your referral link: simply enter your email to set up your referral account. In this account, you'll access referral resources while easily tracking the progress, status, and milestones of all the friends you’ve referred.
▼ Is There A Limit To Referral Rewards?
No limits on referral rewards. Debate is more fun with friends!
Rewards are in cash or Acclive credit. Students who refer multiple new members often accumulate enough credit to attend tournaments or teams free of charge.
▼ How Much Do I Earn Per Referral?
Per referral, you receive $50 in cash OR $100 in tuition credit + $50 in tournament credit. The debater you refer also receives the same credit package as a welcome gift for being referred by you.
The best part is, your rewards rate ($50 in cash OR Acclive credit option) does not decrease/change no matter how many referrals you make!
▼ How Does The Referral Program Work?
Simply send them your personal referral link. We handle the rest from here.
For each of your referrals who successfully joins Acclive, you earn rewards!
▼ When Will I Receive My $50 Cash / $150 Credit?
Once any of your referrals completes their registration, your credit or payout will be automatically added to your account within 24 hours.
▼ Can My Referral Use Their $150 Credit Immediately?
Yes, as soon as they join our program through your referral their credit is valid.
▼ When Does Referral Credit Expire?
Referral credit is valid for one year from the date of issue.
Acclive Credit
▼ How Do I Earn Credit?
The easiest way is through referral rewards (see section above).
▼ When Does My Tournament Credit Expire?
At the end of each season.
Tournament credit is non-transferable and cannot be combined across seasons.
▼ If I'm Not In A Debate Team, Is My Tournament Credit Still Usable?
No, tournament credit is only valid when the student maintains an active enrollment in Acclive’s team program.
▼ Can I Combine Tournament Credit From Previous Seasons?
No, tournament credit expires after 1 season.
▼ When Does Referral Credit Expire?
Referral credit is valid for one year from the date of issue.
No, we don’t require prior experience. Here’s what we’ll evaluate in tryouts : • Attitude & coachability • Professionalism • Engagement • How you perform in a team setting • How you take and apply feedback
Prior debate experience is a plus but not required.
▼ Is the One-Time Tryout for Admissions Free?
Yes.
▼ Are There Any Rules or Expectations for Tryouts?
• Arrive on time • Cameras on • Participants must stay respectful to the coach(es) and other participants • Have blank paper and a pencil ready
During debate tryouts, these will make you stand out: • Take an active role in discussions • Speak louder, faster & persuasively • Be the teammate you’d want to have
▼ How Can I Get Admitted to a Higher Team?
Advanced debate skills may place you on a higher team. These include: • Refutation skills • Argument structure • Interaction levels with arguments made • Logical reasoning • Presentation skills Etc.
Having prior debate or tournament experience (especially awards) increases likelihoods of placement into a higher team as well.
▼ How Often Are Tryouts Held?
Around 2-3 times per month.
▼ What Grades are Eligible for Tryouts?
Students in grades 3 to 12 are welcome to join Acclive if accepted through tryouts.
Grades 3+ are eligible to participate in team meets (group classes) or private sessions based on their preference and schedule.
▼ How Soon Will I Get My Admissions Decision?
If you are admitted, you can expect to receive your decision letter — along with your team placement (e.g., Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond)—within 24 hours via email from admissions@accliveacademy.com.
Since this is may be a new email address for you, please remember to check your spam or promotions folder to ensure you don’t miss it.
▼ If I’m Admitted, What Should I Do Next?
Congrats on being offered a spot on our team! You have 24 hours to accept your placement.
After 24 hours, your spot will be moved onto the next best candidate.
▼ If I’m Not Admitted, How Soon Can I Reapply?
At least 4 months after the date of your last tryout session.
▼ If I'm Admitted, Will I Receive Tournament Credit?
Yes! All new members receive an $100 tuition discount and $50 in tournament credit, usable towards both Acclive League and national tournaments.
Credit is automatically recorded under each student’s profile in the student system.
Through the Referral Rewards Program, you can earn additional credit: for every new friend you refer, you earn an additional $100 tuition credit and $50 in tournament credit. There are no limits on how much credit you earn via referrals.
▼ When Does My Tournament Credit Expire?
At the end of the season.
To earn additional credit, see the Referral Rewards section.
Team Meets
▼ What Is the Attendance Policy?
Students are expected to attend all scheduled team meets &/or private sessions, and arrive on time unless they inform Acclive otherwise.
The only exception is excused absences, defined for "illness, family emergencies, or pre-approved events." Please notify us in advance as possible or with proof afterwards by emailing Admissions@accliveacademy.com.
Debaters with more than three instances of tardiness or absence in the same season are disqualified from the current season’s homework credit, level advancement, and leadership opportunities.
▼ What Should I Bring to Team Meets?
You will need reliable internet and a working camera & microphone.
▼ I Can't Attend A Team Meet. What Do I Do?
Email admissions@accliveacademy.com with your name, meet time and reason for absence.
If you need to request a recording of the session, inform us (and include it in your email) at least 24 hours before the scheduled session.
▼ Do I Receive A Make-Up for A Session I Can't Attend?
If you are unable to attend a session, no make-up sessions will be provided. Students are responsible for completing any missed assignments or practice work, and class slides and homework materials will be available in your online course for review.
▼ What Takes Place During Team Meets?
Here's a sneak peek of what our teams meet regularly to do: • Participate in live, interactive drills to train core debate skills • Analyze a wide range of debate topics & supportive concepts • Improve researching abilities on current, world-relevant issues • Refute, interact and create involved arguments & contentions • Develop advanced debate strategies for tournament day • Build connections with teammates and potential future tournament partners • Stay informed about prestigious national tournaments, tournament proceedings, and their registration processes
▼ How Many Debaters Are In Each Team?
While there are multiple teams per level, most teams (and thus team meets) have 6-12 students.
Debate is a group activity, where students benefit from a shared experience. This group environment encourages engagement, idea exchange, and networking, with many teammates becoming future tournament partners.
▼ Are Recordings Available If I Miss a Meet?
Yes, please request it via email at least 24 hours before the live session.
▼ Do Debaters Have Homework?
Yes.
▼ Why Does Homework Matter?
Improvement doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and the best way to improve at debate is through application. Our homework is carefully designed do just that while being enriching, engaging and creative. Crucially, it’s designed to develop skills FAST.
Whether it’s practicing writing using strong evidence, analyzing ideas logically, or thinking critically, our assignments help debaters grow into confident, thoughtful communicators prepared for higher level debate and academic work.
Additionally, students receive feedback on a portion of their weekly assignments, yielding detailed suggestions to help them improve further.
Our fastest-growing students combine assignments + tournament participation for optimal growth speeds.
Private Coaching
▼ Why Is Private Coaching at Acclive a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity?
Spots for Acclive's private coaching have historically always in high demand. Why?
Our private coaches include the worlds #1-ranked debater. Working with them, students have seen staggering up to 8x growth in just weeks of training.
The benefits they reap definitely don't stop at debate. Top debate skills are extremely respected by elite universities & high schools, recognized as a hyper-valuable skill by employers, and statistically improves career prospects.
Just a summary of the opportunities include: • (Limited spots) train with the world's #1 debater • Improve faster, write better, think sharper, argue smarter, speak clearer & stronger, and win bigger • Breakthrough growth - up to 8×faster results • Flexible scheduling that fits your schedule • Receive $50-100 in tournament credit • Scoring 90+ on 14 private assignments = $50 Acclive cash • 1-2 students per coach; personalized growth
▼ What Are the Advantages of Private Coaching with a World-Class Coach?
• Curriculum is personalized to YOUR strengths and weaknesses • Up to 8x faster growth • Gain insider knowledge from a coach who consistently wins at the highest levels • Customized, immediate feedback to correct mistakes • Tailored assignments • Confidence building using the mindset and preparation habits of elite debaters
▼ What’s the Difference Between Team Meets and Private Coaching?
Our top students leverage a blend of team meets and private coaching.
Team meets are designed to provide a collaborative, high-energy environment where students can practice real debate rounds, group drills, and engaging exercises. These sessions focus on group learning, teamwork, and improvement through interaction. Students get the chance to test their arguments in live settings, learn from others’ strategies, and build communication and collaboration skills essential for real tournaments.
Team meets are great place for debaters to gain confidence and practical experience while interacting with a variety of teammates and debate styles. Debaters also practice real-time responses, crossfires, and strategy coordination–necessary, crucial skills only fit to be developed in a group environment.
Private Coaching, on the other hand, offers personalized one-on-one training that focuses on the student’s specific needs, goals, and areas for improvement. Every session is fully customized to the individual, allowing the coach to target advanced techniques, refine delivery, improve argument structure, and strengthen critical thinking.
The addition of private coaching to team participation allows for faster progress, as a specialized coach can directly address weaknesses, build advanced strategies, and provide detailed feedback to you that’s impossible in larger group sessions. Private coaching is ideal for debaters preparing for upcoming tournaments, looking to reach higher levels quicker, or aiming for elite-level skill development.
Together, both team and private coaching styles complement each other: team meets help students apply their skills in an interactive setting that debate thrives in, while Private Coaching helps debaters perfect those skills individually for maximum results.
▼ How Many Coach Tiers Are There for Private Coaching?
Three, with tier 1 being the top.
• Tier 3: Expert Coaches. Multiple-time national champions with proven success. Ideal for students seeking faster skill development and strong competitive results. • Tier 2 – Master Coaches. Nationally ranked top debaters and former elite competitors with numerous championship titles. Perfect for students aiming for breakthrough growth and consistent advancement. • Tier 1 – Grandmaster Coaches. World’s top 1-10 debaters, global champions and legends in debate history. This is a lifetime opportunity to learn directly from the best in the world.
▼ How Many Students Are in Each Private Session?
1 to 2 debaters.
▼ Can Students Request Specific Coaches for Private Sessions?
Yes! Students are encouraged to request coaches who best match their goals, learning style, or preferred experience.
Acclive’s private training system allows students to work one-on-one with their preferred coach--be it a state champion or the world's #1 debater-- for personalized feedback, tournament prep, and advanced skill development (waitlist obliging). Thus, placement is based on coach availability and student needs.
▼ Can I Use Referral Credit Toward Private Coaching?
Yes, referral and class credit is accepted. Note however that tournament credit is not applicable to group coaching.
A debate tournament is a structured event where students compete in multiple debate rounds (usually consisting of both preliminary and elimination rounds), to determine winners for prizes and recognition.
For more tournament guidelines/details, please refer to our policy document. This is signed by all debaters/their legal guardians when completing the tryout form as well as upon your first login to the student system.
▼ What Was Attending Tournaments Like Before the Pandemic?
Before the pandemic, prestigious tournaments were available exclusively in-person. Attending them often required significant investment into travel expenses, lodging, partner coordination, planning, missed school days, meals, and other costs. These could total several thousand dollars for just one tournament. As a result, most debaters could only attend a very limited number of tournaments each year, slowing their growth and experience.
▼ What Are Debate Tournaments Like Today?
Online tournaments have become increasingly popular, attracting competitors from all locales around the world. These events have become just as prestigious as their in-person counterparts, and sometimes even more so due to higher participation.
In each round, two different teams compete in a virtual tournament room with a judge present to evaluate and determine the results according to official rules. Students join their assigned rooms on time, follow predetermined procedures, and prepare to begin their debates efficiently, just as they would in an in-person tournament.
▼ Are Online Tournaments Prestigious?
Yes. Both online and offline tournaments can be highly prestigious. Achieving a high ranks in either of these formats is a strong advantage when applying to top colleges.
For example, the annual Stanford Invitational Tournament hosted by Stanford University (now held fully online) attracts thousands of students from around the world annually. Winning an award at such a distinguished event significantly enhances a student’s college application.
Before the pandemic, attending the Stanford tournament often required families to spend several thousand dollars on planning, transportation, and lodging. Now, students compete for just a few hundred dollars, enjoying the same level of competitive prestige and national recognition all from the comfort of home.
▼ Why Are Online Tournaments A Smarter Choice Than In-Person Versions?
• Affordability. Cutting away travel, lodging and coordination costs result in a fraction of the expenses compared to an in-person tournament. • Time efficient. Debaters save hours (or even days) of travel and packing, enabling them to focus on training and improving skills. • Global competition pool. Debaters compete with top candidates worldwide without leaving their own home, gaining international exposure and experience. • Just as prestigious as in person tournaments. • Online tournaments usually have much more flexible schedules and schedule options than in-person tournaments. Students can then balance or work around schoolwork, other ECs and debate tournaments more easily. • Increased opportunity. On average, debaters can now participate in more tournaments per year thanks to lower costs and reduced travel time.
▼ How Much Are Fees for Online Tournaments?
Online tournaments typically cost ~$100-$300, with most falling between $100-$200. The most prestigious tournaments may go for up to $400. This covers all fees, including tournament entry, judge fees, registration, and coordination.
This contrasts to online tournaments whose fees can quickly go into the lower thousands. With online tournaments, participation has become more affordable, time-efficient, and highly effective for skill development. Students can quickly gain valuable experience without disrupting much of their school or personal schedules, while also saving thousands of dollars in expenses.
▼ When Do Debate Tournaments Usually Occur?
Typically during the weekend, such as on Saturdays or Sundays.
Specific schedules vary by tournament. Some begin on Friday evening and continue through Saturday daytime, while others are held only on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For instance, the USA Forensics Olympiad's monthly Open tournaments are scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings to accommodate participants globally, whether from North America, Asia, Europe, & beyond. This ensures convenient timing for debaters around the world.
▼ What Do Students Gain from Competing in Debate Tournaments?
Competing in tournaments is the #1 way to improve at debate.
Through the unique experience tournaments provide to students, these debaters gain many critical skills--some of the most important are listed below.
Confidence & Public Speaking
Public speaking is America’s #1 fear. Through debate, our students are directly combating this and instead leveraging this to build a spike that will positively impact them for the rest of their lives. Taking from their experience in tournaments where competitors face a time-restricted, pressurized environment, debaters learn to clearly express ideas and speak persuasively in front of any audience.
Quick Critical Thinking
In tournaments, competitors must think on their feet regarding complex issues, identify logical flaws, and back up their points with evidence-based arguments.
Leadership and Teamwork
Preparing for and competing in a team-based setting shows students the power of collaboration and leadership, a skill many alumni leverage in their future careers.
Academics
Students develop advanced research, writing, and organization abilities that empirically improve school performance.
Emotional Resilience
Regular participation in tournaments teach composure, focus, and professionalism even in high-stakes situations.
Networking
At tournaments, debaters often connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and judges, building valuable connections that last far beyond the tournaments themselves.
Recognition
National (or even international) level debate awards are widely recognized by top universities and firms. They yield credibility and prestige to applications and your resume.
Prep for Your Future
As a whole, the debate experience strengthens college applications, boosts test performance, and (coming from Fortune magazine itself) prepares students for lifelong success in any career.
Jumpstart Program
▼ Is Tournament Participation Required?
No, but it’s highly recommended to attend at least two national tournaments per season. This helps debaters grow faster and provides the opportunity to advance into a higher debate team.
▼ When Can New Competitors Start Competing?
Regardless of experience, new debaters in grades 6 & above can start competing right after joining our program. With the Jumpstart Program, new competitors are paired with experienced debaters to receive comprehensive guidance. This covers from pre-tournament preparation all the way to every single debate round, providing a beginner-friendly and easy transition into competitive debate. Elementary students can begin competing after one season of training.
▼ How Do I Register for Debate Tournaments?
Registration for tournaments in the following month is sent the month prior via email. This goes for both Acclive-hosted and national tournaments, giving students plenty of time to plan in advance.
Please remember to register as soon as registration opens. Early registration = better partner matching for debaters and a smoother time for our staff. Coordinating schedules and partnerships requires careful planning, so registrations after the deadline (also provided in the email) will not be accepted.
▼ When Will Tournament Registration Open?
Around a month prior to the tournament.
▼ When Is The Tournament Registration Deadline?
The registration deadline is around two weeks before the tournament.
▼ When Will Partnerships Be Released?
Partnerships are released approximately one week before the first day of the tournament.
▼ What Kind of Tournament Support Is Provided?
Your fees cover: • Prep support: 300 pages of topic analysis, 200+ cards, frameworks, and more • We handle registration & all necessary communication with tournament hosts • All entry, judging, individual, and organizational costs • Partnerships/pairing • Example pro and con cases (available upon request) • 2x Group coaching sessions to for live questions, strategy discussion, and any tournament-related help (*nationals only)
▼ How Do I Receive Premium Tournament Support?
If you want premium tournament support, better preparation, and faster improvement, upgrade to premium private coaching with the world’s top debaters.
Private coaching is a lifetime train with the world's best debaters. Please see the 'Private Coaching' section above to learn more.
PF Debate is a team debate format where two teams of two students each argue for or against a predetermined resolution. Winning PF rounds requires a unique combination of logic, evidence, and persuasive speaking.
▼ Why Is Public Forum the Most Popular Debate Format?
• Teamwork. Attending speech & debate tournaments are rewarding, but can take hard work. In individual debate/speech formats, students must brave all of it on their own. However, every public forum debater has a partner, making the effect of both preparation and successes multiplied. Many of our debaters report PF to be more fun due to partnerships! • Usefulness. The wide audience PF was created to cater towards (apparent in the debate format’s name, ‘Public’ Forum) makes its lifelong benefits stronger than other formats. • Accessibility. PF was designed to have a lower learning curve than more technical formats such as LD or Policy debate, making it suitable for beginners while still challenging top students. • Time Efficiency. In Policy debate, for example, each round lasts 3 hours– more than 3x the time of a Public Forum round. With PF, debaters gain more experience in a shorter period of time.
Crossfires are live questioning periods between debaters on both teams.
One crossfire usually lasts 3 min., and can be used to clarify points and challenge arguments.
▼ How Long Is A PF Debate Round?
A typical round lasts ~40-50 minutes total.
▼ What Is a Resolution in PF?
The resolution is the debate topic that teams argue for or against. PF debate topics usually focus on current real-world policy issues or events.
▼ How Do Teams Prepare for PF Debates?
The most important and common preparation includes researching on the topic, writing cases, building blocks, and practicing speaking or cross-examination skills.
▼ Any Prep Tips 3 Days Before a Tournament?
• Continuously keep in touch with your partner and collaborate to prepare better materials. Teamwork makes the dream work!
• If you're a 1st speaker: practice your case confidently three times daily in front of a mirror to improve. Dedication drives progress and success.
• Hone your presentation skills. Always show passion and confidence, or you may risk (especially for lay) judges favoring your opponents off speaking skills.
• If this is your first time logging in to Tabroom.com: your login email = your Acclive student system email, your password = "password"
• Prepare a suit, timer, backup device, and two bottles of water.
▼ How Important Is Strategizing in PF?
Strategy is extremely important. Teams decide which arguments to prioritize, how to respond, and how to maximize paths to the ballot.
Developing strategies can be difficult for newer or less experienced debaters, although it can be crucial to successful rounds. Our private coaches are the top experts in this field, and many of our top debaters have gone through extensive private coaching to build their strategization skills.
Tournament Topics
▼ How Are Debate Topics Selected At Acclive?
Topics follow the official Public Forum debate resolutions used nationwide, ensuring that students train on and prepare for the same resolutions as top national competitors.
In team meets, coaches may also incorporate practice topics on timely global or ethical issues to sharpen research and argument-building skills.
This hybrid approach keeps learning relevant, challenging and useful year-round.
▼ What Areas do PF Debate Topics Usually Cover?
While not exhaustive, there are five major areas PF debate topics cover: • Global affairs & diplomacy • Economics & policy • Environment • Technology • Social, societal & political Issues
▼ What Are Examples of PF Topics Regarding Economics & Policy?
• Resolved: The U.S. should implement a universal basic income. • Resolved: A wealth tax is an effective tool to reduce income inequality. • Resolved: The benefits of free trade outweigh the harms. • Resolved: Government subsidies for fossil fuels should be eliminated. • Resolved: The federal minimum wage should be replaced by state-based wages. • Resolved: Automation benefits the economy more than it harms employment. • Resolved: Rent control does more harm than good. • Resolved: Tariffs do more harm than good to domestic economies. • Resolved: Universal healthcare is beneficial to the U.S. economy. • Resolved: The U.S. should reform its tax code to favor middle-income families. • Resolved: Corporate monopolies pose a greater threat than government overregulation. • Resolved: Student loan forgiveness does more harm than good. • Resolved: Government regulation of cryptocurrency should be expanded. • Resolved: Public transportation investment should take priority over highway expansion. • Resolved: Labor unions are more beneficial than harmful to the modern economy.
▼ What Are Examples of PF Topics Regarding the Environment?
• Resolved: Nuclear energy is essential to combating climate change. • Resolved: The U.S. should ban single-use plastics. • Resolved: Climate change poses the greatest threat to global security. • Resolved: Developing countries should prioritize environmental protection over economic growth. • Resolved: Geoengineering should be pursued to mitigate climate change. • Resolved: Carbon taxes are the best policy to reduce emissions. • Resolved: The benefits of space exploration outweigh the costs. • Resolved: Governments should prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels. • Resolved: The global community should focus more on biodiversity conservation than economic growth. • Resolved: Ocean conservation should be prioritized over land conservation. • Resolved: The Paris Climate Agreement is effective in combating climate change. • Resolved: Genetically modified foods do more good than harm. • Resolved: Water scarcity poses a greater threat than food scarcity. • Resolved: Governments should ban private ownership of endangered species. • Resolved: The global community should adopt strict limits on carbon emissions by 2030.
▼ What Are Examples of PF Topics Regarding Technology?
• Resolved: Governments should regulate artificial intelligence development. • Resolved: The use of facial recognition technology does more harm than good. • Resolved: The benefits of social media regulation outweigh the harms. • Resolved: The right to privacy outweighs national security concerns. • Resolved: The spread of misinformation on digital platforms is the greatest threat to democracy. • Resolved: The benefits of automation outweigh its harms. • Resolved: Artificial intelligence should be banned in military applications. • Resolved: Digital surveillance is a justified means of maintaining security. • Resolved: The U.S. should prioritize cybersecurity over space exploration. • Resolved: Online education provides better access than traditional schooling. • Resolved: The government should break up major technology monopolies. • Resolved: The use of predictive policing technology should be prohibited. • Resolved: Internet access should be considered a human right. • Resolved: The rise of AI art benefits society more than it harms artists. • Resolved: Governments should ban deepfake technology.
Tournament Rounds
▼ How Many Rounds Are in a Debate Tournament?
Most tournaments have 4-6 preliminary rounds, depending on the size of the event.
Each team should be prepared to debate on both sides (pro and con) several times.
After all prelim rounds are completed, qualification-only elimination rounds begin. Only a top percentage of top teams qualify for elims, with most tourneys hosting 2-3 elims total.
▼ What Are Preliminary Rounds?
Preliminary rounds (or “prelims”) are rounds that all teams participate in.
After all prelims are complete, total win-loss records and speaker points determine which teams advance to elims.
▼ What Are Elimination Rounds?
Elimination rounds are single-elimination debates; once a team loses, they have no more rounds moving forward.
Common elim rounds include octofinals (top 16 teams), quarterfinals (top 8), semifinals (top 4), and finals (top 2).
▼ Can Debaters Use Notes or Evidence During Rounds?
Yes. Debaters may use printed or digital notes and evidence, but they must properly cite sources when referencing evidence.
Misrepresentation or accessing the internet during rounds is strictly prohibited.
▼ Can Coaches Help During a Round?
No, once the round begins, coaches and teammates cannot assist. All preparation and responses must come from the debaters themselves (or their partner).
▼ What Happens in Case of a Tie?
No debate round ends in a tie.
When multiple teams have tied prelim records, speaker points, opponent strength, and head-to-head runoff rounds are used as tie-breakers.
▼ Do All Teams Debate the Same Number of Rounds?
Yes, during prelims, all teams have the same number of rounds. Only those who advance to elims debate additional rounds.
▼ Are Elimination Rounds Judged Differently?
The debate/round format is the same, however typically more technical/'tech' judges (often experienced coaches or national-level debaters) are assigned to adjudicate elimination rounds.
▼ Can a Team Be Eliminated After One Loss?
Yes, in elimination rounds, a single loss removes the team from the tournament. This is unlike prelims, which are record-based.
Tournament Rules
▼ What Are the Rules in a Debate Tournament?
Each round must follow the standard PF format and time limits. Teams must only use pre-prepared materials and are not allowed to access the internet nor communicate with external individuals/sources beyond their own partners during rounds.
Tournaments may also have additional rules specific to their event.
▼ What Is the Code of Conduct for Debate Tournaments?
Debaters must exhibit professional and respectful behavior to the tournament hosts, opponents, judges, and staff throughout the entire tournament process.
▼ How Much Time Does Each Speaker Get?
In Public Forum debate, each constructive speech is 4 minutes, rebuttals are 4 minutes, summaries 2 minutes, and final focuses 2 minutes.
Judges usually give a grace period of a few seconds, but going significantly over time may result in speaker point deductions or other penalties.
▼ Are Debaters Allowed to Interrupt Each Other's Speeches?
No. During speeches, only the assigned speaker may talk.
Crossfire periods are the only times when both sides can communicate live back and forth.
▼ How Are Winners Determined?
There are many factors which influence the round decision. Some judges may focus on speaking strength and other judges will evaluate based on successfulness of arguments & refutations.
As a whole, judges will decide based on argument strength, refutation skills, speaking skills, and weighing. After the tournament ends, debaters receive RFDs (written reasons for decisions) with feedback on each round.
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