Coaches

Coaches are the foundation of any successful debate team or league. There is absolutely no substitute for hard working and committed adults providing the bedrock for competitive speech and debate.

Recognizing this, a core goal of our program is to support BDC-affiliated teachers, parents, and supporters by providing them with accessible instructional resources, training, and professional development opportunities.

The BDC offers free consultations to new and learning coaches. Please reach out to bluegrassdebate@uky.edu to schedule a consultation.

Classroom Curriculum

The BDC has developed a complete 12-week debate curriculum that features weekly lessons, planned activities, and handouts. The course will allow coaches and teachers the ability to offer debate instruction with little to no background in debate.

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Professional Development

The BDC offers an asynchronous 6-week professional development course for new debate coaches. The course features weekly topic resources, activities, and assessments. A certificate of completion is available upon finishing the course.

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Public Resources for New Public Forum Debate Coaches

The following is a collection of resources from across the internet to help coaches successfully start debate teams and coach new debaters. These resources are focused on Public Forum Debate (PF). Occasionally the rules for PF will change slightly. View the current rules here: https://www.speechanddebate.org/competition-events/

Free Resources for New Public Forum Debate Coaches

The following is a collection of resources from across the internet to help coaches successfully start debate teams and coach new debaters. These resources are focused on Public Forum Debate (PF). Occasionally the rules for PF will change slightly. View the current rules here!

Free Resources for New Public Forum Debate Coaches

The following is a collection of resources from across the internet to help coaches successfully start debate teams and coach new debaters. These resources are focused on Public Forum Debate (PF). Occasionally the rules for PF will change slightly. View the current rules here: https://www.speechanddebate.org/competition-events/

Organizing & Managing A Team

Intro To Public Forum Debate

Public Forum Debate Videos

PF-Debate Evidence Packets

Elements of PF Debate

Instructional-Specific Tools

Already experienced in coaching? Volunteer with the BDC to help us assist more educators!