Written by Sherry Lin

As we move into the chillier months, debate season is in full swing, and you know what that means: tournament time! Competing is one of the most nerve-wracking parts of debate, but it’s also the very best way to improve. Mock rounds and drills with your friends and teammates are great ways to practice. However, nothing compares to the real thing: facing new teams and trying to persuade unfamiliar judges, putting your hard work in practice. Signing up for tournaments is one of the most important parts of being a debater, and as a Student Coach, I’m excited to show you how PDA makes tournament registration simple and stress-free. This blog will walk you exactly how easy it is to sign up for your first tournament to put your skills to the test!

Step 1: Access your PDA Student Portal

To get started, just head to the PDA Student Portal, which I’ve linked here for your convenience. Once you’re there and logged in, take a look at the menu on the upper left-hand side of the screen, where you’ll see a “Tournaments” section with an option under the drop-down menu called “Tournament Registration.” Click on that, and you’ll be taken to a screen where you can view all the upcoming tournaments that PDA is offering registration for. The portal is designed to make the process easy for everyone, even linking your information to the PDA Parent Portal, where your parents or guardians can monitor your tournament registrations. 

Step 2: Know the Types of Tournaments

Before registering, it’s helpful to understand the different types of tournaments that you’ll see on your list. Generally, PDA students have access to two main types: PDA intramurals and national circuit tournaments.

PDA intramurals are smaller, monthly competitions only open to PDA students. They’re perfect for beginners who want to try out a tournament for the first time, or even more experienced debaters who want to get familiar with new topics or hone their skills. PDA intramurals are supportive and focused on learning, designed to help you gain confidence before moving onto larger tournaments.

National circuit tournaments on the other hand, are open to debaters from all over the country. These tournaments are usually more competitive, where you’ll meet advanced national teams and more experienced judges—a great way to gain more experience at the next level. A good rule of thumb is, if you’re new, to start with PDA intramurals, and work your way up to national circuit tournaments. If you’re unsure of what tournaments fit your level best, PDA coaches and captains are always here to help!

Step 3: Check your Eligibility

When you log into your PDA student portal, you’ll notice that sometimes only certain tournaments are available for registration. Don’t stress! Eligibility for certain tournaments depends on your class level, and your class level is automatically linked to your PDA student portal, so you’ll only see tournaments for which you’re actually qualified to register. 

In general, PDA students in levels ES/MS Rookie, ES JV-Varsity, and MS Novice-JV can register for PDA intramural tournaments, since those class levels aren’t eligible for larger national circuit tournaments just yet. However, MS Varsity-HS Varsity+ can compete in more advanced national circuit tournaments, which will be reflected in the tournaments available for sign-up on your portal.

Step 4: Register for your Tournament

Once you’ve chosen which tournament you’d like to compete in, it’s time to actually register! Click on the tournament name, then “register” to fill out the registration form. You’ll need to enter basic information like your name, your partner’s name (if applicable for your event), and your event type (Debate or Speech), as well as any relevant parent contact information and payment. Double-check to make sure everything’s spelled correctly, as it avoids confusion later. After submitting your registration, head back to the main PDA portal page and click on “My Tournaments” under the original “Tournaments” drop down to confirm that your registration was received by the PDA system.

From there, PDA handles the rest. You won’t have to personally contact any tournament organizers or handle any complicated logistics, but make sure to keep an eye on your email for any updates or crucial information PDA might send out during the weeks leading up to your tournament.

Step 5: Get Ready to Compete!

After you’ve signed up, it’s time for the fun (or, depending on your view, stressful) part: preparing for your tournament. Write your cases and practice your speeches—remember that every tournament, no matter your skill level, is an amazing opportunity to learn something new.

With a few clicks, you’re all set to compete! PDA’s portal system makes signing up for tournaments super simple, so you can focus on gaining experience to grow as a debater, while learning and having fun along the way.