Speech Tiebreaks

Preliminary Round Tiebreakers (Speech)
When determining who advances from prelims to elimination rounds, the order is:

1. Lowest Total Ranks:The sum of judges' ranks from preliminary rounds (truncated to the smallest section size if necessary).
2. Reciprocals (Rank Reciprocals):If ranks are tied, the sum of the reciprocals of the ranks is calculated. A lower rank (1st) gives a higher reciprocal value (1.0) than a 2nd place (0.5), favoring contestants with more 1st place finishes.
3. Judge Preference:If tied entries met in prelims, the ballot from that round is used.

Finals Tiebreakers (Speech)
If ties occur in the final round to determine tournament champions, the system shifts to:

1. Rolling Cumes:Sum of ranks from prelims + finals, removing the one worst preliminary round.
2. Final Round Ranks:The ranks within the final round.
3. Final Judge Preference:Preference based on the final round panel.
4. Final Reciprocals & Points:Reciprocals and points from the final round.

Key Notes for TFA Speech:

• Rank-Based: Unlike debate, speech relies almost exclusively on ranks to break ties
• Overtime Penalty: In all speech events when student who exceed the allotted time limit (plus 30-second grace) this forbids a judge from ranking a student 1st in that round.
• Forfeits:Students must start performing within 60–75 minutes of the round's scheduled start time, or they may be ranked last (or a no-show) by judges.