What’s the primary determining factor for victory in high-level outrounds?

It’s not …

• Delivery.

• Being more confident than your opponent.

• Outmaneuvering them in cross-examination.

• Research.

• Case construction.

• Refutation.

• Rapport with the judge.

It’s something more fundamental; something that has a profound impact on all those other factors.

A season-ending national tournament is a grueling experience. It will exhaust you mentally, physically, and emotionally. You barely get a whisper of that in early season practice rounds. You feel it in lower-pressure tournaments later in the season. But at nationals, the toll will build over the course of each day until executing the fundamentals that got you to the tournament becomes its own struggle.

In high-level NITOC outrounds, the winner is usually the side with the highest energy level.

Suppose one side is a seasoned senior who has won multiple tournament championships this season. They are a force to be reckoned with. But they’re staying up late and their diet consists mostly of caffeine and sugar. Between rounds, they’re constantly surrounded by others. They are pushing themselves to the limit. They show up to a national semifinal dehydrated and depleted. They’re going on autopilot; making simple mistakes; fumbling through their delivery. The light has gone out in their eyes.

The other side is a third-year competitor who barely earned their last check mark. They are just happy to be competing. They’re getting lots of sleep, drinking water, and eating real food with protein and vitamins. They’re avoiding caffeine and sugar. Between rounds, they are finding time for genuine rest. Each outround, they are surprised to hear that they advanced. How am I beating all these people? They wonder. This isn’t as hard as I expected.

These two competitors face off in a semifinal. Of course, the second one wins.

If you want to win outrounds next week, or even win the championship, please take care of yourself. Give your body the food, water, and rest it needs. Manage your stress. Conserve your energy. And then charge ahead as your exhausted competitors collapse in front of you.

Note from Coach Joseph: This will be the first NITOC I’ve missed in 7 years. Give this tournament your strongest effort - I’ll be rooting for you from the sidelines. Stay strong!