What is a qualifier, Regionals, Nationals?
NCFCA tournaments come in five different types. First are practice tournaments. These usually are not officially associated with the NCFCA and only last a day. Their sole purpose is as practice, and rarely are awards given or results tabulated. A level higher up are NCFCA qualifiers. Every debater should go to one of these every year, and preferably more. Qualifying tournaments are open to every NCFCA affiliated debater in a given region. Region 6 has a qualifier in each of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky (Ohio, the other state in the region, hosts regionals). Qualifier season runs from January through March each year. Success at a qualifier enables you to compete at the next level of competition, regionals. Regionals is an invitational tournament, which all competitors in a given region who have broken at a qualifier are eligible to attend. The competition is tougher because only the best debaters and speakers are there, but success at regionals will qualify student to nati
