Ariana Arvanitis, September 12, 2019.
Nothing explains elimination day better than "a random hotel I was dropped off at" because that is pretty much what it is! Most elimination rounds do not happen at the high school where the preliminary rounds occurred. Instead they take place at the "tournament hotel" which is the hotel that the hosts of the tournament recommend all the competitors stay at. Don't fret if your team does not stay at this hotel though. Everyone is welcome to the debates that happen there.
Despite that you may feel tired from two days of debating and pressured from the high stakes these rounds feature (because if you lose this one then you're out of the tournament), elimination day is arguably the most exciting day of a debate tournament!
To help you navigate this day, I've compiled my best tips and tricks below:
1. Don't Stress It: One of the most important things to remember throughout the elimination debates is to try your best to keep stress to minimum. I know that is easier said than done, but here are a couple of encouraging phrases to keep in mind. These will serve as a constant reminder that even though some stress is inevitable, there are ways to ensure debating is more fun than stressful, especially your novice year since it's a period of exploration and growth.
2. Flip Wisely: Before each elimination round you will be asked to "flip". All this means is you will have to flip a quarter, one team will call "heads" or "tails" while it's in the air, then if the team that called it in the air calls correctly and the quarter lands on that side, they choose which side to defend in the debate. Be sure to talk with your coaches and teammates before the round about whether you think it's more strategic to be affirmative or negative so if you win the flip, you can have that decision already made, maximizing prep time for everyone.
3. Let the Audience Motivate You: Every novice's first elimination debate will likely be the first debate they have with a huge audience watching, and if you're one of those people who are scared of public speaking, know you're not alone! My biggest tip is to use the positive energy radiating from the audience to motivate you to debate your best. If people are watching you, it is because they think you're a competitive team and that there is something to learn from you. Just be yourself, that's what they're there to see anyway!
4. Ask Your Teammates for Help: Your teammates are definitely allowed to help you out before your big elimination round. If you need someone to highlight a few cards for you or you're looking for someone to cut you a new card right before the round, there is no one better to ask than a teammate who is not debating. On our team before elimination rounds, the girls who are not debating always assist the team that is debating. It's an excellent way to save time during the round by preparing as much as possible beforehand, and it allows you to toss strategy ideas back and forth between your teammates as they may have different ways of going for an argument that could be helpful for you to know.
5. Keep Track of Your Belongings: Make sure you know where your backpack, computer, computer charger, flow paper, and pencil case are at all times. This will alleviate some stress so you're not scrambling for flow paper or a pen right before your round.
6. Stay Hydrated and Nourished: While at a debate tournament, it's challenging to think about anything besides debate. Most debaters forget about their piles of homework, long flight back, or even basic necessities such as eating and drinking water. After extensive research, I believe this is due to the body's increased production of adrenaline at debate tournaments. Adrenaline is known as the "flight or fight" hormone that provides your body with an extra surge of energy when it characterizes the situation you're in as "stressful". Since you are preparing to "fight" or "take flight", your body eliminates anything that has the potential to get in the way of your performance or main mission, such as being hungry or thirsty. Regardless, it is critical that you stay hydrated by drinking water and/or Gatorade, and that you keep yourself nourished by eating healthily. Some vegetables and protein will be beneficial in keeping you focused on the task at hand and ensuring you do not physically exhaust yourself.