Practice Sessions Taking Shape

The organisers of the summer practice session (reminder: 1-3 July!)have asked for our coaches' input as they are working on the training schedule for the sessions. We have promised to deliver to them top-notch coaching proposals that will appeal to you (and other debaters, we hope).

But, debaters being what they are, we cannot be certain what you would like to do without asking you first. Please think very hard of the answers to the following three questions:

1. What debating techniques / skills / know-how do you think you lack?
2. What kind of training do you think is being held back by our current coaching techniques?
3. What kind of techniques do you think would work best?

You will understand that your answers to the above will help us, too, develop better coaching methods. Although we do not promise to adopt every single proposal, we do want to have a look at them, because coaches can miss a lot by only talking to one another.

[Lightsabre combat, for those of you considering a proposal, is not an option.]

Send your proposals to Virginia, and the more carefully considered ones will be forwarded to the organisers. In making proposals, bear in mind the following three points:

1. Time, which is a major problem in weekly coaching, is slightly less of an issue in the Sessions. Some things that we can't do on Saturdays WILL be possible there.

2. Be creative. Some of the schools don't train the same way we do, but most use many of the same techniques as we do. Try to propose things that will be new for you and everyone else.

3. Speak out. If you have a good idea, we could use it to help you become better debaters, and you will be credited with it. If you have a completely stupid idea (unlikely), no one will ever know. It is definitely worth a shot.