Week 1: Building Foundations
Day 1: Introduction to Coaching
- Overview of coaching speech and debate
- Understanding the role of a coach
- Setting goals for program development
Day 2: Building a Successful Program
- Strategies for program organization and management
- Recruiting and retaining students
- Establishing team culture and community
Day 3: Fundraising and Resource Management
- Exploring fundraising strategies for speech and debate programs
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Maximizing resources for program sustainability
Day 4: Curriculum Development
- Designing a comprehensive curriculum for speech and debate classes
- Integrating standards and educational objectives
- Selecting appropriate materials and resources
Day 5: Running Your Program as an After-School Club
- Effective strategies for managing after-school club activities
- Balancing academics, extracurriculars, and competition
- Engaging with school administration and support staff
Week 2: Advanced Coaching Techniques
Day 6: Individual Events Coaching
- Techniques for coaching interpretation, platform, and limited preparation events
- Providing feedback and guidance on performance and delivery
- Developing effective practice routines
Day 7: Coaching Debate Events: Part 1
- Introduction to debate formats (Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum)
- Understanding debate theory and argumentation
- Coaching strategies for debate preparation and competition
Day 8: Coaching Debate Events: Part 2
- Advanced techniques for debate case construction and rebuttals
- Analyzing evidence and research strategies
- Preparing students for tournament success
Day 9: Lab Visits and Special Sessions
- Opportunities to visit lab groups and classes for specific event training
- Guest lectures and workshops by experienced coaches and educators
- Occasional access to the national-caliber staff of the regular camp sessions
Day 10: Resource Sharing and Final Reflection
- Sharing of classroom resources and materials among coaches
- Reflection on key takeaways and insights from the clinic
- Development of action plans for implementing new strategies and techniques
Levels of Experience: The program is designed for beginning to intermediate level coaches, ranging from those with no prior experience to a few years of experience. Participants must be post-high school and at least 18 years of age. We cannot accept high school students or minors for this program.
Conclusion: The Two-Week Speech and Debate Coaches Clinic at Stanford University provides a comprehensive and immersive learning experience for coaches seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in speech and debate coaching. Through structured discussions, hands-on activities, and access to experienced coaches, participants will leave the clinic equipped with the tools and resources to build and lead successful speech and debate programs.