Tournament Expectations - DCHS Policy Debate students must compete in a minimum of four (4) tournaments in the regular season, two in the first quarter, and two in the second quarter. 

Attire

• Students must wear professional clothing to tournaments

• No jeans, flip flops, shorts, sweatpants, or leggings.

• Imagine something you might wear to church, a wedding, or see a news anchor on TV wearing.

• If you do not have access to professional clothing, please let me know!

Attire should not be a barrier to effective and successful competition. Please communicate any concerns regarding tournament attire to Mr. Dunlap.

Participation

• Debate is a co-curricular activity.

• You will participate in class during the school day and tournaments and practices outside of school/on weekends.

• All other policies follow the student handbook and KSHSAA guidelines

• Students must sign up for tournaments 2-3 weeks in advance. This is to give all parties involved ample time to plan. Students withdrawing from a tournament must find a replacement for their spot after the drop date has passed. This is because the entry fee will have already been paid.

• Students failing to find a replacement or not showing up for a tournament they signed up for may receive a lower grade in the course.

• Students are expected to participate in after-school practices for the duration of the season and are required to practice during the week of a tournament, specifically, they must schedule a supervised practice round during the weeks that they are participating in tournaments.

• Students are expected to have all materials for their tournaments (Surface and charger, laptop and charger, water bottle, pens, flow paper, flash drives, etc)

Behavior

• While at a tournament you represent DCHS. You should behave in a mature & professional manner at all times. You are a guest at the schools we visit.

• Students are subject to KSHSAA sportsmanship expectations while at tournaments.

• Section 1 - General Regulations (apply to grades 7-12)

  • Art. 1: SPORTSMANSHIP is a general way of thinking and behaving. The following sportsmanship policy items are listed below for clarification:

• Be courteous to all (participants, coaches, officials, staff, and fans).

• Know the rules, abide by and respect the official’s decisions.

• Win with character and lose with dignity.

• Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team.

• Exercise self-control and reflect positively upon yourself, your team, and your school.

• Permit only positive sportsmanlike behavior to reflect on your school or its activities.

• No alcohol or tobacco products are permitted. This includes vaping! Violations will result in a discipline notice, suspension of traveling privileges, and a phone call home for someone to come get you. 

• On overnight trips, curfew is 10:00 p.m., lights out at 11:00 p.m. Violations of curfew result in the suspension of traveling privileges and a call home. (KSHSAA Rules)

• Students should not exercise public displays of affection in rounds, during travel, or at tournaments. 

• Inappropriate language, conversations, or jokes on trips is not allowed. This includes abusive remarks to other squad members or to other teams. Major violations will result in exclusion from tournaments. 

• Students should behave appropriately during assemblies. Applaud respectfully for recipients and pay quiet attention to the proceedings. Do not make inappropriate remarks towards other students, coaches, or judges. 

• Students are required to attend and work any Dodge City Debate Tournaments that we host. It is a required assignment for a grade. If there is a conflict with that date, students need to tell the teacher IMMEDIATELY, so that some alternative assignments can be put into play. 

• It is the student’s responsibility to meet the required tournament assignments. This means that students need to carefully work out their schedules in advance and make plans with the teachers/coaches if there are potential problems.

• The coach has the responsibility and right to make coaching decisions, which can include but are not limited to tournament choice, competition events, and competitors. If a student is unable to compete at the highest level they are capable of, the head coach reserves the right to remove them from the competition. If this choice is made because of the actions of the student, their grade can and will be affected.