In a typical SPAR round, there are anywhere from 4-6 students within a round. Students will be chosen to debate against each other in pairs of two. Once both competitors are chosen and ready, a coin toss is used to decide sides in the debate (whoever wins the coin toss may choose whether they are affirmative (AFF / PRO) or negation (NEG / CON). Each pair will then be given 3 debate topics by the judge. The AFF will strike one resolution and then the NEG will strike one of the two remaining topics, leaving the pair with one final topic and this is the topic for the debate.

After the final topic is chosen, competitors will have 2 minutes of prep time, to begin writing down their arguments before the debate begins.

• 2 Minutes of prep

• 2 min – AFF constructive speech 

• 2 min – NEG constructive speech 

• 4 min – Grand Cross Examination (All speakers) 

• 2 min – AFF Rebuttal 

• 2 min – NEG Rebuttal 

• Students may not use laptops or phones during prep time 

• There is no preparation time during the debate other than the 2 minutes at the start

• During cross-examination, the debaters should be prepared to take at least a few questions from their opponent or other SPAR competitors in the audience (i.e. judge and audience members not participating in SPAR are not permitted to ask questions). Current competitors will be the ones to call for questions.

• In the closing statement, speakers should extend one or two of the strongest arguments from their case, with a final rebuttal and mitigation of their opponent's arguments, concise and synthesized. No new arguments should be made here.

This guide was created for middle school SPAR, but follows the same basic rules that college SPAR does.

This video explains how a judge will facilitate a round of SPAR.  This was designed for online tournaments, but closely follows how it will work face to face.