THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SPEAKERS

ARE THE SPEAKERS WHO PRACTICE THE MOST!

"THE MORE YOU PRACTICE, THE BETTER YOU WILL DO!"

Coach Practice—20 minutes or more a week

All speakers must practice with a coach once a week for 20 minutes during a self-chosen practice time. This means students can work around other activities (theatre, Destination Imagination, Math Team or Quiz Bowl, for example) but must honor their speech practice time and not miss it if involved in other activities. Students should let the coach of another activity or the director of a play know they have a commitment to their speech practice time. On the day of practice with a coach, students are strongly encouraged to arrive twenty minutes early and practice their speech in the hall once before practice with the coach. If a coach has an available time slot, students may practice more than once a week.

Home Practice—an HOUR or more a week

Students MUST practice at home at least one hour a week, ideally the night before practice with the coach, and the night before the speech meet (Friday night). It does not behoove students to practice only with the coach. The coach needs to see improvement. Students improve by practicing at home or with a team member (see Team Member Practice).

Captain’s Practice—once during the season

Students must attend at least one captain’s practice during the season. These are typically after our team meetings on Mondays in February and March, although an individual practice with a captain can be scheduled at any time.

Team Member Practice—as often as possible

Students are strongly encouraged to practice their speeches with a team member at home or in school.

Competition Meet Practice—at least twice every meet

We typically arrive at meets an hour before the first round starts. Students should give their speeches to a wall or another team member at least twice before the first round.