2025 NATIONAL ONLINE FORENSICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

    26 May 2025 - 1 June 2025
    *they are only offering the Nationals topic for LD/PF, so please contact Nadia if you are looking to compete in debate (we would only accept students who have prepared this topic independently)

    DEADLINE
    18 May 2025
    ELIGIBILITY
    ​​Open to middle and high school students
    PLATFORM
    Online through
    forensicstournament.net​ and 8x8

    Information

    Dear Forensics Community,

    Building upon the success of last year’s online championships, National Online Forensics is excited to announce the 2025 National Online Forensics Championships for College, High School, Middle School, and Elementary.   This will be a synchronous video conference national championship tournament. 

    ​National Online Forensics sees a tremendous value in an online national championship that can afford more competitors and programs the opportunity to compete and showcase their skills on a national level.

    Key Points:
    • The tournament will use synchronous video conferencing on the 8x8 platform. Please see the Best Practices section below for tips on how to effectively use the platform.
    • There will be a single championship division for all events.
    •  The Opening Ceremony, most college final rounds, and the Awards ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube.​

    We hope you and your team can join us for a celebration of the hard work our forensics competitors have been doing all season.


    Individual Events
    • Three prelims will be held; elimination rounds will be held as necessary.​
    • Competitors may enter a maximum of four individual events per pattern (​competitors entered in Extemporaneous speaking are limited to double entry).
    • All multiple-entered students are responsible for making it to their other rounds on-time. Any student not checked-in with their judge at the beginning of the round may miss their chance to speak. Judges are obligated to wait for a competitor until 10 minutes before the end of the allotted time for the round. Competitors missing their round will receive last place in the round.
    • Prelim Ranking: Ranks/Decimal/Drop High Rank  
    • Elim Ranking: Total Rank/Number of Firsts in Event/Rank in Elim/Decimal in Elim/Judge Pref in Elim
    • Speaker Points will not be used.
    • Competitors will be recognized with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honors awards. See NOF Bylaws for more information.​
    • ​All competitors in elimination rounds will receive recognition.
    • The top speaker in each event will be recognized as the National Champion.

    Limited Prep Events:
    • Impromptu topics will be provided to each competitor in the Live Video Room (their competition room) chat box.  Judges will need to copy/paste the topics  (provided on the eBallots) in the chat window for the competitors.  
    • Each competitor will receive a different set of impromptu topics. 
    • Extemp questions will be provided through ExtempRoom.com.  More information to be provided. Competitors in extemp should go to the help room with any questions.

    Platform Events:
    • While competitors are allowed to still use electronic Visual Aids, they are encouraged to have them printed on 8.5x11 pages to show to the audience while presenting. 
    • Screen sharing to show a PowerPoint or image is permitted.  Competitors should be familiar with the 8x8 video sharing feature and do so at their own risk. Any technological issues may influence judge ranks. 

    Interp Events:
    • Books are encouraged but not required. Given the nature of the video conferencing system, holding books while performing can block many cameras. Competitors are encouraged to use them to hold true to traditional forensics tournaments but this adaptation is left to the competitors. Judges are instructed not to penalize competitors for not using books. 
    • Competitors may, if they desire, stand up while performing to showcase blocking, but the technology works better sitting in front of the camera. 


    Debate
    • Standard pairing will be used with 2 random rounds followed by 2 High-Low rounds. 
    • In Elims, brackets will be broken to facilitate debating. 
    • Competitors will be recognized with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honors awards. See NOF Bylaws for more information.​
    • Competitors may only enter one format of debate per pattern.
    • Speaker Point Scale will be 100-70
    • Prelim Ranking: Wins/Total Points/HL Points/Z Score/Opp Wins
    • Speakers Ranking: Total Points/HL Points/Ranks/Z Score
    • A 5 minute forfeit rule will be put in place for all debate rounds.
    • ​Debate will use the Nationals topic


    Sweepstakes
    • Top schools will be recognized in the following categories:
      • Elementary, Middle, High School
    • Top 5 individual event speakers will be recognized. 
    • Top Debate speakers will be recognized in each debate event.
    • ​​See the NOF Bylaws for event point values. 


    Student & Judge Fines
    • Changes after the entry deadline: $25 per change (subject to tournament director approval) 
    • Judges: First Missed Ballot - $25 / Subsequent Missed Ballots - $50
    • Judge drops within 48 hours of the tournament will be charged a $150 judge no-show fee.  
    • Judges who submit incomplete eBallots (with little to no substantive feedback) may be charged a judge no-show fee for failing to complete their judge assignment which includes both ranking the speakers along with giving sufficient comments.
    • Delay of tournament fees may be assessed from $20-$100 based on the severity of the delay.
    • Competitor no-shows - $35

    The tournament reserves the right to assign ballots to judges which are scheduled:
    Due to the complex nature of the schedule, judges may be asked to accept ballots in events they did not initially register.  For example, if a judge is signed up to accept debate ballots, but the tournament needs more Impromptu judges, then that judge would be expected to take the Impromptu ballot.  We will do our best to accommodate event requests, but may not be able to do so.

    To ensure timely pickup of ballots, all judges should wait in the Standby Judge Room until dismissed or they have picked up a ballot via e-mail. This will ensure judges are not missing ballots pushed to them during the tournament.

    ​
    Official Rules
    For more information about National Online Forensics Tournaments, please consult our by-laws: 
    ​National Online Forensics (NOF) By-Laws


    Competitor Logistics / Best Practices
    • All competitors must have a verified text number or email saved on ForensicsTournament.net  Email is preferred. 
    • Coaches can save and verify competitor contact details from the Student Roster page. 
    • Competitors will receive a text/email with their ePostings information. Postings will be sent approximately 15 minutes prior to each round.  
    • The ePostings will have a link to a Live Video Room where they will perform.  Click that link to go to your round.  No logins or passwords are required.  Judges will be in the same Live Video Room to listen and rank the round. The tournament will be using 8x8 video conference room software.
    • If multiple-entered, students should go to each room before competing and type in the chat window that they are multiple-entered so judges are aware. Request to compete early and leave promptly to join the next event.
    • ​​Please do not immediately start to talk when entering a Live Video Room. Another student may be performing.  Please wait to be recognized by the judge(s).
    • Students should remain in the Live Video Room as audience members and have video on, as much as possible. 
    • Students can, if it fits their particular setup, sit while performing.  Judges are instructed not to penalize students for sitting while speaking since the particular tech setup may work better while sitting. 
    • Students are also encouraged to use a mic/headphones since audio quality is much better than with an external mic.  Judges are instructed not to penalize students for having mics/headphones on.
    • We recognize technological limitations create some challenges for certain events.  But we trust in the ingenuity of the forensics community to adapt to the online environment.  Some students may have better quality video, lighting, sound, etc…  We will all try our best.
    • If a student’s internet connection drops or audio quality is poor, they will be required to call into the video conference room and give their speech with audio only. While not ideal, it will ensure all student’s speeches are listened to by a judge.  You can get the dial-in information from the info icon in the bottom right of the screen. 
    • Request help by going to the help room and communicate promptly if any issues arise. 


    Judge Logistics / Best Practices
    • All judges must have a verified phone or email saved on ForensicsTournament.net. Email is preferred.
    • Coaches can save and verify contact details from the Judge Roster Page
    • Judges will receive a text/email with their eBallot link.  Judges should click on that link within 5 minutes of receiving it to indicate that they have “picked up” their ballot.  
    • On your eBallot you will have all of the competitors listed in that round along with a link to a live video room. Click that link to go to your video conference room. Competitors who are multiple entered, will have that listed adjacent to their name. Please be flexible in accommodating double entered competitors.
    • ​Your eBallot has fields where you can add your feedback to the student. Feedback can be added while they are performing and added throughout the competition until the awards ceremony.  The eBallot also has a timer to make it easy to time each speaker.  
    • If a judge’s keyboard is loud they are encouraged to mute  audio during performances but please leave the video feed on so competitors can receive your visual feedback.
    • Judges are instructed not to penalize students for sitting while speaking since the student’s particular tech setup may work better while sitting. 
    • Judges are also instructed not to penalize students for having mics/headphones on since audio quality is usually much better using a mic/headset.
    • Judges are also instructed not to penalize students for lighting, video/audio quality, video background to the extent possible.
    • If a judge’s internet connection drops or audio quality is poor, they will be required to call into the video conference room and listen to speeches with audio only. While not ideal, it will ensure all student’s speeches are listened to by a judge.  You can get the dial-in information from the info icon in the bottom right of the screen.
    • For Impromptu/Extemp/IPDA/NOF Parli, the eBallot will have the quotations/questions listed on it under prompts - or in the case of extemp, the prompts will be provided by the tournament prior to the start of the round and competitors will arrive after their designated prep period.


    FAQ
    • Where is the Extemp Prep Room? ExtempRoom.com
    • How will I get my impromptu prompt/quotation? The judge will have the impromptu prompts/quotations on their eBallot. When it’s your turn to speak your judge will copy/paste the prompts into the chat window in the Live Video Room.
    • How will we strike IPDA topics? The judge will have all five IPDA topics on their eBallot. At the start of the round go to your Live Video Room. The judge will copy/paste the resolutions into the chat window.  Each team will strike as normal.  Turn off your audio/visual feeds in the room during prep. 30 minutes later the round will commence.
    • Where will we prep for NOF Parli? Each school has access to practice rooms through ForensicsTournament.net.  Please use those rooms. 
    • What about poor internet connections? In order for the video conference to work,  Internet connections should be at least 6 Mbps.  Check internet speed here.  In the event of a poor Internet connection, each Live Video Room has an option to “call in” via phone. While there will be no visual, competitors can still present the audio portion of their speech.

    ​Entry Price

    One speech event and parent is judging $80
    One speech event and parent is opting out of judging $160

    Two speech events and parent is judging $110
    Two speech events and parent is opting out of judging $190

    Three speech events and parent is judging $140
    Three speech events and parent is opting out of judging $220

    One PF event and parent is judging $85
    One PF event and parent is opting out of judging $210

    One LD event and parent is judging $110
    One LD event and parent is opting out of judging $260

    Parent Judges: First Missed Ballot - $25 / Subsequent Missed Ballots - $50
    *please accept all ballots within 5 minutes or wait in the standby room when you don't get one to avoid these charges

    Judge drops after the registration deadline will be charged a $150 judge no-show fee on top of the opt-out fee. 
    Changes after the entry deadline: $25 per change (subject to tournament director approval) 
    Delay of tournament fees may be assessed from $20-$100 based on the severity of the delay.
    Competitor no-shows - $35

    Registration will not be complete until payment is received.

    Schedule

    Click here to view:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Aqp8Or0n77Vnk_k9h1qbEUY5Q1_ZSP1PPjV4GcWqcGQ/edit?usp=sharing​

    ​​Although the tentative schedule lists the start and end times, please keep in mind that there are various factors that may arise during a tournament that can cause rounds to be delayed. Therefore, if you are signing up for this tournament, please make sure you do not double book yourselves on these dates. Keep your schedule open and DO NOT leave the tournament without notifying the GSA chaperones first.

    Drop Fee

    All changes or student drops after the deadline will be charged a $20 nuisance fee for each change or drop.  Judge drops after the registration deadline will be charged a $150 no-show fee.

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

    Contact Info

    Victor Rivas Umana
    Contact email:  [email protected]
    Nadia Budiman 
    Contact email: [email protected]
    Or [email protected]

    Registration Form

    ​
    STUDENT INFORMATION
    ​    Suggested attire for the tournament can be found here.

    Competitor Guide 
    Judge Guide 
    Tournament Best Practices 
    ​
    PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
    Your email address will be the one included when we send the logistics email.
    EVENT SELECTION
    • If double entered, students should go to each room before competing and type in the chat window that they are double entered so judges know they will be coming back
    • For tournament purposes, any 6-8th grader is considered middle school, regardless of how their school categorizes them.  So, if a school considers a 6th grader an elementary student, our tournament would consider them in middle school.
    • Please contact Nadia if you are looking to compete in PF/LD as they are only doing the Nationals topic.
    ​JUDGE PROVISION
    • If you are signing up to judge, you must be available for the entire tournament schedule of your child's division (eg. if your child is competing in middle school, you need to be present for the whole middle school tournament.​
    • Judges will receive a text/email with their eBallot link.  Judges should click on that link within 5 minutes of receiving it to indicate that they have “picked up” their ballot.
    • Judges are obligated to be on standby for each round. If you do not get a ballot, please go to the help room and wait there in case you get called to cover for a no-show judge. This tournament is very strict in using fines for enforcing punctuality and judge presence, so make sure to follow all their rules to avoid getting charged.
    • Judges who do not accept their assigned ballot will be charged a $20 no-show fee for the first offense. Each subsequent no-show from the judge will warrant a $50 charge. Judges can avoid this fee by coming to the judge standby room for their ballot assignment; sometimes e-mails delay delivery for any number of reasons that are outside the control of the tournament staff.  By coming to the standby room, judges can be messaged their ballot directly so that they aren’t marked as having missed the round.
    • Judge drops after the registration deadline will be charged a $150 no-show fee.
    • Judges who do not write sufficient feedback to the competitors will be fined per round. Unsatisfactory ballots will be determined by the tabulation staff.​​
      ​See good ballot examples here​​
    First time judging?
    This is a great collection of short videos that one of the leagues have put together to learn each event: click here.
    Or click here to find other training and certification programs.
    Or watch our Youtube playlist here.
    Next, we found this judging guideline from the platform that we will be using.
    Also, if you are using eBallots for the first time, check out how they work on this link here.
    ​    ​There are also these training cards available that include a summary of each event's rules and comments.​

    *Judges changes after the deadline will be charged a $25 judge nuisance fee. Judge drops after the registration deadline will be charged a $150 judge no-show fee.  ​
    TOURNAMENT UPDATE REGARDING JUDGE BALLOTS:
    1. We will need to begin implementing a fine for blank/nearly blank ballots.
    2. Oral Critiques: No ballot may be returned without a written reason for decision. Oral commentary is not considered a substitute for the written ballot.
    3. Judges who are unfamiliar with events may be removed from the tournament at the discretion of the tournament staff, and fines may be applied.
    4. A good concept in writing a ballot is the compliment sandwich (write a compliment, add some constructive feedback, and end with another compliment).  It is frustrating for students to receive a speech ballot that says, “Great job!” with a 5th place ranking and with no actual useful feedback.
    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

Email (preferred)

For more info email us at: [email protected]

Locations

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

Cupertino: 20432 Silverado Avenue Suite 211, Cupertino, CA 95014

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

​​​​Dublin: Loving Tree Academy, 6693 Owens Dr, Pleasanton, CA 94588​​