Reminder:  students must register as league members before they’re eligible to compete.
Logos Forensics Association
1 Peter 3:15 / Proverbs 27:17

Equipping Leaders For Christ

Christian School Speech & Debate

League Rules

  • School Membership

    School membership application and dues must be submitted to the league office prior to competition.

  • Student Membership

    Individual student registration is required and must be submitted prior to competition in any sanctioned league tournament.  Student dues should be paid by the school via card or check.  An invoice with all participating students will be provided to the school’s billing office, including any late additions. The student registration form is available on the league website.

  • Member Hosted Tournaments

    For a tournament to be considered sanctioned under the LFA, the following conditions must be met.

    • Speech:  A speech tournament must include at least a minimum of 2 preliminary rounds.  *Out rounds are optional.
    • Debate:  A debate tournament must include at least a minimum of 4 preliminary rounds.  *Out rounds are optional.
    • Tournament hosts have the option to host both speech & debate, “debate only”, or “speech only” tournaments.
    • Tournaments must have at least 2 participating schools.
    • Tournaments must be open to all regions for competition.
    • Tournament dates must be submitted a minimum of 4 weeks in advance to allow time for posting and registration.
    • Tournament attire:  All competitors must adhere to the LFA Dress Code.
      • Competitors must dress both modestly and business professional.  This includes but is not limited to:
        • Gentlemen should wear either suits, or sport coats with slacks; collared shirts and ties; and dress shoes.
        • Ladies should wear dresses, skirts, or suits; tops with a modest neckline; and dress shoes.  Lengths of dresses, skirts, or suits should cover the knees when standing.
        • Failure to comply may result in penalties under “professionalism” on the competitor’s ballot.

  • League Hosted Tournaments

    In addition to the member hosted tournament rules above, league tournaments also implement a Judge Requirement Rule as follows:

    • Each debate team and/or speech competitor is required to have a judge available for at least 2 competition rounds per tournament.  For the season championship tournament, this requirement is increased to at least 3 preliminary rounds and 1 out round.
      • This could entail any combination of speech or debate rounds.  If a student cannot provide a judge the school may opt to have “alternate judges” on hand to avoid any penalties.  Should a competitor fail to provide a judge (or have a committed judge be a “no show” during the debate) that competitor’s team will face a forfeit for that round.  Parent(s) of debate only students may be asked to judge a speech round as one of the “required rounds” should the need arise, and vice versa with speech only parents.  A judge orientation will be available online and at the tournament.
      • Failure to meet minimum requirements will result in an individual or team forfeiture. The coach is responsible for selecting which individual or team will forfeit the round.
    • Example Tournament Structure:
      • Opening Tournament
        • Debate=4 prelims + 1 out round / Speech=2 prelims with limited events
      • Virtual Tournaments
        • Debate=4 prelims / Speech=3 prelims
      • Championship Tournament
        • Debate=6 prelims + 3 out rounds / Speech=3 prelims + 1 out round for all speech events
    • Lastly, competitors are required to read each event’s rules and adhere to the respective guidelines (see below).

Event Rules

*Effective 2022-2023 season:  All monologue, persuasive and open interpretation speeches must be new for the current season.  Competitors may not reuse any given speech from prior years.
*Addendum to be added for Impromptu speech effective 10/14/24.
II. Content
C. During preparation time, the competitor may not use any electronic media or other sources to prepare the speech. During preparation time, the speaker may write notes on a blank notecard but cannot write notes on the prompt slip. During speaking time, the competitor may use the prompt slip as a reminder only while speaking. Competitors cannot use any physical note cards prepared during preparation time. (This is an impromptu speech not a prepared speech).
*Addendum to be added for Speech Rules effective 2/3/25.
The LFA League is adding an addendum to its speech rules. Please Read.

The use of a speech in multiple categories within the same tournament will not be allowed. Students will need to decide which category best fits his or her speech selection.
Please note the distinction between Monologue and Open Interpretation is the number of characters in the speech itself.
• Monologue is a single character speech.
• Open Interpretation should involve more than one character.
Please review the additional rules that pertain to each event prior to competition to ensure that you are within league regulations.
Please contact the LFA office should you have any questions at 209-575-2009 or [email protected].