What are "Points"

Points offer students and coaches recognition for their participation in speech and debate. Points are numerical values earned through competition and service activities. For example, high school students receive six points for winning a debate round and three points for losing a debate round. 

Coaches earn points alongside their students: A coach receives 100% of the points their competitor earns. As students reach point benchmarks, they also earn distinction by advancing through higher degree levels in our Honor Society.

To learn more about Points and how they are calculated for various events, visit the NSDA Points Entry Page

What are "SERVICE" points

Middle and high school students can earn points for using their skills in service of others.

• • Students can earn up to 20 service points per day and a maximum of 200 points per year. If an advisor or coach with designated permissions deems an activity as eligible for service points, they may enter them as they would points for competition.

  • Each approximate hour of activity should be treated as two points.

  • Points are entered in increments of one and fall under two categories—speaking (for an audience of five or more adults) and non-speaking.

Service Point Guidelines (from the NSDA Unified Manual)

1. Audience: An audience of at least five people must be present for each service speaking activity. For non-speaking service activities, an audience is not required. 

2. Disallowed Activities: Students may not record points for service activities done: 

1) as part of a classroom requirement; 

2) for competitive performances, whether at a summer institute or as part of a contest;

3) as work, or for financial compensation of any type. 

3. Theatre performances may be entered as speaking service. Each hour of performance of fraction thereof for an audience of at least five people should be treated as two points. 

4. Record Points: Send an email to lcspeechdebate@gmail.com detailing service activity. Include anything necessary to demonstrate your participation.

Examples of activities that are eligible for Service Points (from the NSDA Unified Manual)

• Coaching middle or elementary school students prior to a tournament 

• Judging a round of middle school competition

• Judging a round of novice competition (Degree of Excellence and above)

• Participating in reader’s theatre, one-act, or a choral reading group

• Giving a speech at a political rally

• Volunteering at a homeless shelter

• Doing a demo debate for new students on the team

• Recording an episode for a podcast

• Participating in a panel discussion or public debate

• Volunteering to help at the ballot table at an after school tournament

• Volunteering at a summer camp for middle or elementary school students

• Working at a team fundraiser 

• Speaking as part of a religious service

• Log into your NSDA Account. 

• You will see two tabs—one for Profile and the other for Points. The Points tab is for review of your existing points. 

• Select the Profile tab. Next to your total points is a button that reads "Add". Once you select "Add", a series of boxes will appear for you to add the name and date of the service and points requested (2 pts per hour served). 

• Email lcspeechdebate@gmail.com to let coaches know you have submitted a request for approval of service points and why your activity qualifies per the standards above.