DAMUS HOLLYWOOD INVITATIONAL ​

    7-9 November 2020

    DEADLINE
    1 Nov 2020
    NO REFUNDS
    ELIGIBILITY
    Policy only
    PLATFORM
    Online through NSDA Campus

    Information

    Welcome to the Seventh Annual Damus Hollywood Invitational! We are excited to host the tournament on November 7-9, 2020.

    Once the tournament space fills, we will start a waitlist for each event.

    Some tournament highlights/changes:
    1. iPad will be given to the top speakers in all divisions of public forum, policy, LD and WSD.
    2. Novice Policy will be limited to reading NDCA Novice Policy Packet. Please email questions if you are unclear on what this policy means.
    3. Coaches will be asked to acknowledge ALL tournament policies and video/audio recording procedures as part of registration. They will also need to get the School Authorization Form signed and individual Media Releases from each competitor.
    4. An Ombudsperson will be appointed to address any concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion at the tournament.
    5. We will be using either NSDA Campus and will have Zoom as back-up in case of emergency.

    ​
    POLICY DEBATE

    Varsity, JV and novice policy debate will be switch-side, cross-examination style, with an 8-3-5 format and 8 minutes of prep time per team.

    Varsity debaters should include your finest competitors. In Varsity, there will 6 preliminary rounds and all 4-2’s up to a full Doubles will break to elimination rounds. There will not be a finals debate, but the winners of the semifinals will be named Co-Champions this year. This will be done in an effort to reduce student time online. There will be a brief awards ceremony announcing the Top 10 speakers as well as the recipients of the Chuck Ballingall Coaching Award and the John Dimitri Student Character Award.

    In the JV division, any competitor in their second year of high school competition is eligible. Middle school experience will not count toward this total so a student may have competed in middle school for 3 years, but if it is only their second year of competition as a high school student, then they are still eligible for the JV division. The JV division will have 6 preliminary rounds, then will break to finals. A brief awards ceremony will recognize the top 5 teams and top 5 speakers overall after preliminary rounds.

    In the novice division, only debaters in their first year of competition may enter, meaning students in the novice division should NOT have prior year’s debate competition experience in any event in high school OR middle school. The novice policy division will have 4 preliminary debates on Saturday and then a brief awards ceremony will be held immediately following Round 4, recognizing at least the Top 5 teams and the top 5 speakers in novice policy.

    The policy topic for the 2020 Damus Hollywood Invitational is as follows:
    Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing.

    While there is no entourage rule, there is an expectation that schools make efforts to put their best judges and coaches in to judge at least 2 rounds.

    In regards to elimination rounds, all judges are obligated to judge the first full elimination round and/or one round beyond their school's best competitive finish. Whichever requirement is later will apply. For example, if your school has a competitor in the octafinals, then your school's judges are all obligated through the quarterfinals. This rule is necessary to ensure the best possible judging for the tournament.

    JV Judging Requirements for Policy Debate
    Only qualified adults are eligible to judge in the JV division. Coaches/Directors are responsible for ensuring that any judges are knowledgeable enough to fairly assess a JV debate round.

    Novice Judging Requirements for Policy Debate
    Adults as well as high school students who are 3rd or 4th year varsity debaters are eligible to judge in the novice division. Coaches/Directors are responsible for ensuring that any varsity debaters are knowledgeable and responsible enough to fairly assess a novice debate round.
    There are no elimination rounds in Novice Policy, but there will be awards given to the top 5 teams and top 5 speakers, including an iPad for the top speaker.

    Novice Evidence Restrictions for Policy Debate
    Novice Policy will be limited to reading NDCA Novice Policy Packet evidence. Please email questions if you are unclear on this policy.

    Penalty for Missing Rounds
    Please note there is a $50 per round penalty for any judges that miss their rounds. Please advise your judging staff that the team will be charged if they do not attend their debate rounds. We discourage judges from missing debates to ensure a high quality experience for all competitors.

    Video and Audio Recording and Card Clipping Policy
    It is an expectation of the tournament that students will accurately represent material read during speeches. In order to ensure compliance students may record their opponents’ speeches. It is the responsibility of coaches to ensure that their debaters and parents understand this tournament requirement and complete the paperwork necessary to ensure compliance with applicable state laws.

    Each coach must submit one School Authorization Form and upload an Image and Media Release Form for each competitor on Tabroom by Nov. 3rd (5pm PT).

    The tournament recognizes the NDCA definition of card clipping and will follow the NDCA’s suggested guidelines for processing card clipping accusations. The NDCA definition and procedures can be found here: https://www.debatecoaches.org/s/clipping.pdf


    Webcam Policy
    Students: Since debate is a communication activity, webcams are ideally always on during a debate. If that is not possible due to a strained internet connection, then at least the speaker’s should be on while giving a speech. Only if turning on the webcam significantly compromises the audio of the speaker should it be left off. In general, there is an expectation that webcams are on while any debate competitor is speaking.

    Judges: Judges must have webcams on while judging a round and a competitor is speaking unless it harms the audio quality of the round, making it very difficult to hear the speaker.

    Spectators: Webcams should remain off.

    Help Form
    If you must speak to the Tournament Director or tabroom staff, please complete the ND Tournament Issue Reporting Form and wait for a response from tabroom - https://forms.gle/9daVrCYtordf9kWg8. Please check your email that was submitted on the form for a response.

    Naming Conventions in Debate Rooms
    Students, judges, and spectators should all name themselves appropriately when in a debate room for the tournament. The naming of each student should follow this format: School – Name – Role (e.g., debater, judge, spectator).

    No Rogue Online Rooms
    Under no circumstances is a judge or competitor to move a debate to an unapproved online space. If there are technical difficulties, then the judge and/or students should notify the tabroom immediately by completing the online form: https://forms.gle/9daVrCYtordf9kWg8.

    Elimination Rounds: Online Flip Through Tabroom
    The tournament will use the online flip function for all elimination rounds. Double Octofinals and Octofinals will allow 7 mins. for disclosure prior to the electronic flip and then will give the winning team 3 mins. to enter their preferred side. If the flip- winning team doesn’t enter their decision into Tabroom within the allotted time, then the opponent’s will get to choose their side. In quarterfinals and beyond, students will have 5 mins. to disclose and 5 mins. to enter their preferred side before their opponent is given the choice.

    FAQ
    What if NSDA Campus crashes?
    • The Tournament Director has a back-up plan using Zoom breakout rooms if necessary. If students or judges are having issues with their rooms, then ONE person in the room should complete the ND Tournament Issue Reporting Form and wait for a response from tabroom in the Campus room- https://forms.gle/9daVrCYtordf9kWg8
    • If the we receive several tech issue forms at once, we will then know that something is problematic with the platform and will issue an immediate email indicating that we know something is wrong and are working on it. Please then stay in the room and monitor your email for further updates from the tournament.
    What if people have tech issues in the room?
    • One person who is present in the room should complete the ND Tournament Issue Reporting Form and wait for a response from tabroom - https://forms.gle/9daVrCYtordf9kWg8. Tabroom will respond to the email provided and/or someone may come to the Campus Room.
    What if there is a missing team or judge?
    • One person who is present in the room should complete the ND Tournament Issue Reporting Form and wait for a response from tabroom - https://forms.gle/9daVrCYtordf9kWg8. Tabroom will respond to the email provided and/or someone may come to the Campus Room.

    ​Entry Price

    Novice/JV Policy and providing a judge $75
    Novice/JV Policy and not providing a judge $185

    Varsity Policy $198 (no need to provide a judge for Varsity Policy as they require experienced adult debaters)

    Registration will not be complete until payment is received.
    Each person in a PF/Policy team would be responsible of providing their own judge, so one PF/Policy team would need to provide two judges, both pay the judge fee, or one of each option.
    ​​     
    NOTE: We will charge set up fees if we have to create tabroom.com accounts for judges. It is recommended you do so on your own.

    Schedule

    Schedules are critical this year and significant consideration has been put into balancing competition with student health during this time. These schedules are subject to change, but the tabrooms will make every effort to adhere to these published schedules. All schedules assume the Pacific Time Zone.

    NOV. 3rd (5:30-6:30pm PT): Campus Tech Check and Training for coaches, judges, and students.
    Here is the Zoom link for the meeting: https://ndhs-org.zoom.us/j/93629815237?pwd=bE9DT0tRZjU3bEh6blcycU5lUGhjZz09
    Meeting ID: 936 2981 5237
    Passcode: 281839

    Varsity Policy
    Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020
    6:45am (PT) Digital Bus Check-in – All Coaches/Judges Only
    7:00am Round 1 Pairings
    7:15am Round 1 Tech Check-in
    7:30am Round 1 Start
    10:00am Round 1 Decision Time
    10:15am Round 2 Pairings
    10:30am Round 2 Tech Check-in
    10:45am Round 2 Start
    1:15pm Round 2 Decision Time
    1:30pm Round 3 Pairings
    1:45pm Round 3 Check-in
    2:00pm Round 3 Start
    4:30pm Round 3 Decision Time
    4:45pm Round 4 Pairings
    5:00pm Round 4 Tech Check-in
    5:15pm Round 4 Start
    7:45pm Round 4 Decision Time

    Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020
    7:45am (PT) Digital Bus Check-in – All Coaches/Judges Only
    8:00am Round 5 Pairings
    8:15am Round 5 Tech Check-in
    8:30am Round 5 Start
    11:00am Round 5 Decision Time
    11:15am Round 6 Pairings
    11:30am Round 6 Tech Check-in
    11:45am Round 6 Start
    2:15pm Round 6 Decision Time
    2:30pm Varsity Policy Awards Ceremony on Zoom – Announce Top 10 Speakers, John Dimitri Student Character Award, and Chuck Ballingall Coaching Award
    3:00pm Double Octofinals Pairings
    3:07 Double Octofinals Disclosure/Tech Check Deadline
    3:10 Double Octofinals Deadline for E-Flip Winner To Enter Side in Tabroom
    3:30pm Double Octofinals Start
    5:00pm Double Octofinals Decision Time

    Monday, Nov. 9, 2020
    7:45am (PT) Digital Bus Check-in – All Coaches/Judges Only
    8:00am Octofinals Pairings
    8:07am Octofinals Disclosure/Tech Check Deadline
    8:10am Octofinals Deadline for E-Flip Winner To Enter Side in Tabroom
    8:30am Octofinals Start
    11:00am Octofinals Decision Time
    11:15am Quarterfinals Pairings
    11:20am Quarterfinals Disclosure/Tech Check Deadline
    11:25am Quarterfinals Deadline for E-Flip Winner To Enter Side in Tabroom
    11:45am Quarterfinals Start
    2:15pm Quarterfinals Decision Time
    2:30pm Semifinals Pairings
    2:35pm Semifinals Disclosure/Tech Check Deadline
    2:40pm Semifinals Deadline for E-Flip Winner To Enter Side in Tabroom
    3:00pm Semifinals Start
    5:30pm Semifinals Decision Time
    Co-Champions Awarded Based on Results from Semifinals

    JV Policy
    Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020
    6:45am (PT) Digital Bus Check-in – All Coaches/Judges Only
    7:00am Round 1 Pairings
    7:15am Round 1 Tech Check-in
    7:30am Round 1 Start
    10:00am Round 1 Decision Time
    10:15am Round 2 Pairings
    10:30am Round 2 Tech Check-in
    10:45am Round 2 Start
    1:15pm Round 2 Decision Time
    1:30pm Round 3 Pairings
    1:45pm Round 3 Check-in
    2:00pm Round 3 Start
    4:30pm Round 3 Decision Time
    4:45pm Round 4 Pairings
    5:00pm Round 4 Tech Check-in
    5:15pm Round 4 Start
    7:45pm Round 4 Decision Time

    Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020
    7:45am (PT) Digital Bus Check-in – All Coaches/Judges Only
    8:00am Round 5 Pairings
    8:15am Round 5 Tech Check-in
    8:30am Round 5 Start
    11:00am Round 5 Decision Time
    11:15am Round 6 Pairings
    11:30am Round 6 Tech Check-in
    11:45am Round 6 Start
    2:15pm Round 6 Decision Time
    2:30pm JVCX Awards Ceremony on Zoom - Announce Top 5 JVCX Speakers
    3:00pm Finals Pairings
    3:07 Finals Disclosure/Tech Check Deadline
    3:10 Finals Deadline for E-Flip Winner To Enter Side in Tabroom
    3:30pm Finals Start
    5:00pm Finals Decision Time

    Novice Policy
    Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020
    6:45am (PT) Digital Bus Check-in – All Coaches/Judges Only
    7:00am Round 1 Pairings
    7:15am Round 1 Tech Check-in
    7:30am Round 1 Start
    10:00am Round 1 Decision Time
    10:15am Round 2 Pairings
    10:30am Round 2 Tech Check-in
    10:45am Round 2 Start
    1:15pm Round 2 Decision Time
    1:30pm Round 3 Pairings
    1:45pm Round 3 Check-in
    2:00pm Round 3 Start
    4:30pm Round 3 Decision Time
    4:45pm Round 4 Pairings
    5:00pm Round 4 Tech Check-in
    5:15pm Round 4 Start
    7:45pm Round 4 Decision Time
    8:00pm Novice Awards Ceremony on Zoom – Announce at least Top 5 Teams and Top 5 speakers

    Drop Fee

    Drop fees will be the same amounts as the entry fee PLUS any fees the tournament charges us for late drops. Drop requests should be made to Victor and Nadia.

    Please do not drop out last minute to avoid being charged these fees.

    Contact Info

    Victor Rivas Umana
    Contact email:  vrivasumana@tgsastaff.com
    Nadia Budiman 
    Contact email: nbudiman@tgsastaff.com
    Or info@tgsastaff.com

    Registration Form

    ​Before you proceed with registration, you must fill out, sign, and reupload this required release form.
    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FORM
    Max file size: 20MB
    STUDENT INFORMATION
    PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
    Your email address will be the one included when we send the logistics email.
    EVENT SELECTION
    ​JUDGE PROVISION
    ​You can only provide a judge if your child is competing in Novice/JV Policy.
    Signing up a judge without having a Tabroom account will result in us charging you for the set up fee. You can do this easily on your own by going to tabroom.com. It takes two minutes.

    First time judging? Click here to learn how to do it! Or watch our Youtube playlist here.
    TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!

School year Hours

M-F: 3:45 pm - 8:30 pm 
Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Telephone

510-270-8480
510-470-0531
​510-890-6665

Email (preferred)

For more info email us at: info@tgsastaff.com

Locations

Fremont: 200 Brown Rd #201, Fremont, CA 94539

Polygon Academy (Cupertino): 1025 S. DeAnza Blvd, San Jose, CA-95129

Morning Light Education: 6690 Amador Plaza Rd, Suite 230, Dublin, CA

Aborn Institute: 2804 Riedel Road, San Jose, CA 95135 

Loving Tree Academy: 36601 Newark Blvd, #83, Newark, CA 94560