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Common questions

What is SuperDebate?

SuperDebate brings people together to discuss a resolution from opposing sides, listen carefully, and compare the arguments. You can attend events, join a club, practice skills, or take part in an online round.

See how it works

What makes SuperDebate different?

One flexible debate format connects club meetings, practice, and competition. A round has an agreed speaking order and time limits, with judging based on arguments rather than personal agreement. The event page explains how that particular event works.

Understand the format

Do I need debate experience to join?

Beginners are welcome. You can watch before speaking, read the first-debate playbook, and ask the host which roles are available. Check the event instructions for any preparation or participation requirements.

Prepare for your first debate

Is SuperDebate free to use?

Creating an account and building your profile are free. Some in-person events and showcases require a paid ticket. Check the event page for admission prices and what your ticket includes.

Browse events and admission

How can I get started with SuperDebate?

Choose a first step that suits you: watch a recording, attend an event, join a local club, or work through the beginner course. You can create an account when you want to participate in features that require one.

Choose a learning path

What can I do without an account?

You can read the public guides and browse public events, clubs, topics, and recordings. Features such as joining a club or submitting a ballot require signing in. Event registration and ticket requirements are explained on each event page.

Watch a debate

How many people can take part in a round?

The Standard Debate format accommodates one to five speakers on each side. The organizer chooses the team sizes, speaking order, and timing for the round. Audience capacity and the number of competing seats are separate event settings.

Read the format guide

How do I join a debate event?

Find an event and follow its registration instructions. Some events require a ticket, and admission does not always include a competing seat. Read the available roles, preparation requirements, and arrival details before registering.

Find an event

How do debates work?

Speakers build a case, question the other side, and respond to the main disagreements. The host explains the resolution, speech sequence, timing, and feedback plan before the round. Follow the schedule for your event rather than assuming a fixed duration.

Follow a round step by step

How does debate scoring work?

The default judging ballot covers arguments, evidence, clarity, and persuasion. Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 and weighted equally, giving a total out of 20. Organizers can configure a different ballot, so check the criteria and result rules for your event.

Understand the scorecard

What are Community Points?

Community Points recognize participation on the platform, such as contributing arguments and engaging with other people’s ideas. They are separate from judge scores and do not decide who wins a debate.

Do I need to prepare topics?

Preparation depends on the event. Some rounds announce the resolution in advance; others introduce it at the meeting. Check when the topic and side are assigned, how much preparation time you have, and whether sources or notes are allowed.

Use the preparation checklist

What if I lose?

Ask for specific feedback and choose one improvement to practice. A useful question is: “Which objection needed a better answer?” Thank the other side, reflect on the deciding issue, and use what you learned in the next round.

Find a skill to work on

What debate formats and lengths are there?

SuperDebate uses one flexible Standard Debate format. Team sizes, speech lengths, preparation time, and the number of speeches can vary. Read the event schedule or review the online room settings before joining; a short practice round and a live showcase need different plans.

Check what can vary

Can I find someone to debate right now?

Look for an available online round or create a room and invite someone. An open seat or a match depends on other people being available; creating a room does not guarantee an opponent immediately.

Set up an online round

Can I watch recorded debates?

Public recordings are available without an account. Open Watch to find a debate with a published replay. A past event may not have a recording, so look for an available video rather than assuming every event can be watched.

Browse recordings

How do online video debates work?

Create or join a video room, review its topic and round settings, and check your microphone and camera. The host manages participation and the speech sequence. Check the room’s recording status before speaking and confirm any recording plans with the host.

Create a video room

What technology do I need to participate?

For an online round, use a supported browser with a stable connection and a working microphone. A camera, headset, and quiet room help people follow you. Test your setup before the start time and tell the host if something fails.

How do virtual debates work?

An online room brings participants together with video, a speaking timer, and host controls. Review the room settings and the host’s instructions for speaking, questions, and feedback. Keep a backup way to contact the host if your connection drops.

Review online room options

Is my personal information secure?

The privacy policy explains what information SuperDebate collects and how it is used. Review the information you add to your public profile. If you have a privacy question or need help with your information, contact us.

Read the privacy policy

Can I use SuperDebate on my mobile device?

You can browse guides, events, clubs, and public debates on a phone. For a live round, test your browser permissions, audio, camera, and connection in advance. A larger screen can make it easier to see the timer and follow your notes.

How do I start a club?

Choose a focus, confirm the first meeting, and create a club with a clear description and location. Set visibility and membership access separately, then invite a founding group. A club’s member limit is configurable; there is no universal 100-member cap.

Build your club launch plan

How do I become a judge?

Learn the scorecard and submit an application for platform-wide judging. An admin reviews applications before granting judge access. Event-specific judging follows the instructions on that event page; audience voting is a separate way to participate.

Try the ballot and apply

Can I host events in my city?

Confirm a suitable venue, a host and backup, speakers, and a judging or feedback plan. Publish clear registration and arrival instructions. A club can help you bring people back for recurring meetings.

Plan a debate event

How do rankings work?

Judge scores describe competitive performance. Community Points recognize activity on the platform. They measure different things: posting more often does not itself improve a debate score or decide a competitive result.

How do invitations work?

Open the invitation and check the club or event details before accepting. Use the instructions in that invitation; links can expire or require signing in. An invitation to attend is different from an approved speaking seat in a live room.

All questions

A practical guide

Public Forum debate

Build an evidence-supported position together and make it understandable to someone hearing the issue for the first time.

Choose a debate format

At a glance

Teams: Two speakers per side
Preparation: Research an announced resolution
Questioning: Crossfire
Scope: School-format overview

Follow the argument.

These stages explain the main work of the round. They are a reading aid, not a complete speech timetable. Use the organizer’s rules for the actual sequence and timings.

01
Present both cases
The teams explain why the resolution should be supported or opposed. Give the audience enough context to evaluate your reasons.
02
Question and respond
Crossfire gives opposing speakers time to ask and answer questions. Listen, make the question specific, and allow an answer.
03
Focus the decision
As the round progresses, identify the central disagreement. Explain why your evidence and reasoning resolve it in your favor.

Choose for the experience you want.

Preparation, teamwork, and questioning shape different experiences. Check the event instructions for eligibility, costs, speaking places, and the ballot.

Team structure

Public Forum

Two speakers work together on the same side of a resolution.

SuperDebate

Team size and speaking assignments depend on the host.

Questioning

Public Forum

Crossfire is part of the format’s questioning sequence.

SuperDebate

Cross-examination is a dedicated speech type; follow the organizer’s turn rules.

Preparation

Public Forum

The published resolution gives teams a subject to research.

SuperDebate

Check the event’s topic-release schedule and permitted sources.

Understand the SuperDebate ballot

Put one skill to work.

Choose an exercise below for a practice session. These are suggestions for learning, not additional tournament requirements.

Exercise 1
Explain the background
Give a listener two sentences of context before your claim. Remove jargon that does not help them decide.
Exercise 2
Check a source together
Find the original research or reporting. Note what it establishes, what it leaves uncertain, and the date.
Exercise 3
Practice a focused exchange
Ask one question, let your partner answer, then use a follow-up to test the answer. Swap roles.

Use the first-debate playbook

Check the details.

Does the topic always change monthly?

Do not assume a universal topic schedule. The Texas Forensic Association currently describes a two-month cycle, while other organizers may publish a different calendar. Check the resolution for your specific tournament.

Is crossfire the same as cross-examination?

Both test arguments through questions. Crossfire uses an exchange between opposing speakers; cross-examination follows the questioning roles set for that period. Read the event rules for who participates and how turns work.

Can these skills help in a community debate?

Yes. Explaining context, evaluating sources, and answering questions are useful in other formats. Confirm the host’s rules and whether you are joining as a speaker or audience member.

Review upcoming event roles

Sources and rules

This is an introduction. The host’s published rules govern your event.

Follow the argument.

These stages explain the main work of the round. They are a reading aid, not a complete speech timetable. Use the organizer’s rules for the actual sequence and timings.

Present both cases

The teams explain why the resolution should be supported or opposed. Give the audience enough context to evaluate your reasons.

Question and respond

Crossfire gives opposing speakers time to ask and answer questions. Listen, make the question specific, and allow an answer.

Focus the decision

As the round progresses, identify the central disagreement. Explain why your evidence and reasoning resolve it in your favor.

Choose for the experience you want.

Preparation, teamwork, and questioning shape different experiences. Check the event instructions for eligibility, costs, speaking places, and the ballot.

Team structure

Public Forum

Two speakers work together on the same side of a resolution.

SuperDebate

Team size and speaking assignments depend on the host.

Questioning

Public Forum

Crossfire is part of the format’s questioning sequence.

SuperDebate

Cross-examination is a dedicated speech type; follow the organizer’s turn rules.

Preparation

Public Forum

The published resolution gives teams a subject to research.

SuperDebate

Check the event’s topic-release schedule and permitted sources.

Understand the SuperDebate ballot

Put one skill to work.

Choose an exercise below for a practice session. These are suggestions for learning, not additional tournament requirements.

Exercise 1

Explain the background

Give a listener two sentences of context before your claim. Remove jargon that does not help them decide.

Exercise 2

Check a source together

Find the original research or reporting. Note what it establishes, what it leaves uncertain, and the date.

Exercise 3

Practice a focused exchange

Ask one question, let your partner answer, then use a follow-up to test the answer. Swap roles.

Use the first-debate playbook

Check the details.

Does the topic always change monthly?

Is crossfire the same as cross-examination?

Can these skills help in a community debate?

Yes. Explaining context, evaluating sources, and answering questions are useful in other formats. Confirm the host’s rules and whether you are joining as a speaker or audience member.

Review upcoming event roles