Timekeeping
ALL speech events call for timepieces facing the students.
Speech Overtime Penalty
There will be a large timer in each speech room which will be turned toward the competitor during the speech. With the ability to see the timepiece when speaking, the competitor will now receive a 1 rank penalty if his/her speech is overtime by 15 seconds or more. This overtime penalty is for EVERY speech event.
Competitors should be aware that the 14 seconds of “grace” before a penalty is assessed is a Grace-period for the Judge to stop the timer. Keeping your Speech within the event time limit will allow plenty of time for the judge to clap after your speech and still stop the timer.
In each speech room there will be a head judge. The head judge is responsible for supervising the time, managing the room, and in some limited prep events, distributing the topics.