Judge Training
Getting Started!
Judge Training and Background Checks
All judges must pass a background check and receive judge training to judge at tournaments. Judge training can be done virtually with the resources on this page or you can attend one of the training events below.
Speech/Congress Events
September 13, 5:30 – 6:30 AHS Room G211
October 4, 6:30 – 7:30 AHS Room G211
Debate Events
September 14, 5:30 – 6:30 AHS Room G211
October 2, 5:30 -6:30 AHS Room G211
Each parent that travels to the tournaments must complete a background check.
It’s easy to get started. Follow these steps:
1. Complete an Asheville City School Background Check
Please click Secure Volunteer and select Chaperone when filling out the form. You will receive a confirmation email once you have passed the background check. Please email that confirmation to Coach Decker at kristy.decker@acsgmail.net. You will receive a SecureVolunteer VERIFIED card from Asheville City Schools in the regular mail after you pass the background check.
2. Create a Tabroom account
Tabroom is the web-based management software for all speech and debate tournaments. This is where you create your “Judge Profile” and manage all your ballots. Create the account now so it’s ready to go.
3. Get trained
NSDA Official Judge Training Course–Every new judge needs to take this course! You will have to Sign Up for an account on NFHS website and “order” the free course.
New Judges
The idea of judging students in Speech and Debate can sound intimidating. But once you get trained and attend your first tournament, the rest is easy and fun!
NSDA Training Course
NSDA Official Judge Training Course–Every new judge needs to take this course! You will have to Sign Up for an account on NFHS website and “order” the free course.
Tabroom Information
Tabroom is a web-based program used for all juding events. Click here to read more about Tabroom and find helpful resources.
Judge Training
Event-specific information and the cultural competency training video.
NSDA Links on one page
NSDA Judge Overview–this has all the links to the above videos in one easy to navigate page for future reference.
Judging Resources
The following links contain information about judging various events.
Judging Speech
Judging Debate
Judging Congress
