October 14, 2025 — Weekly Coach Newsletter
Check out what's new, Coach!
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Check out top resources for Extemp if you're coaching the event for the first time or searching for new resources to share with students.
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Intro to Coaching Extemp » This course takes you through the basics of Extemp and how to coach it. Upon completion you'll be able to:
- Follow an Extemp speech and identify the different parts of the speech, their purpose, and the strategy at play.
- Explain key terms and how they fit in to the structure of the event.
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Implement strategies for success in coaching both in the classroom and at tournaments.
- Build on your initial understanding with additional resources to learn more about coaching Extemp.
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Start Here: Teaching Extemporaneous Speaking » Use this lesson plan collection to teach students to research, outline, and deliver an original speech from memory with limited preparation. Materials are included with your NSDA membership! Use them in full or borrow pieces to supplement your instruction.
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Practice Questions » The best way for students to improve in Extemp is to give practice speeches. We release monthly questions to help teams prepare to compete! Check out the latest set.
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Learn How Champions Prep and Compete » Learning from an expert can be a great tool for beginner and advanced students alike. Our Student Experts Series features videos from three students who each won multiple NSDA national championships. They answer questions about their approach, record their prep process, and break down the decisions behind their delivery. Use these videos in class or at practice or share them with students for independent learning!
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Making Impactful Visual Aids in Informative Speaking
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Join us Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT for an interactive workshop for coaches to learn new and fun techniques for creating impactful visual aids for Informative Speaking. Please bring three pieces of paper, a marker, clear tape, and scissors.
This session is led by Travis Rother, NSDA Membership Coordinator and expert speech coach. He has coached four national champions, 17 national finalists, and 26 state champions. In Informative Speaking alone, he coached the 2020 national champion, 2021 national runner-up, and the 2025 third place speaker.
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NSDA Office Closed October 15 and 16
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Our office is closed part of this week as we gather for strategic work and team building. Responses will be delayed. We appreciate your patience!
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Nominate Students for the Student Leadership Council
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Do you have a student who wants to give back to the speech and debate community? Nominate them for the Student Leadership Council (SLC)! The SLC creates resources and provides feedback throughout the year to improve the NSDA student experience. This is a unique way to influence the organization’s future and an excellent addition to any student’s resume. Nominate an interested student by February 15!
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Freshen up your pre-tournament rituals with speech warm-ups from our community!
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Register for Free Online Scrimmages
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There are six more free, online practices this semester with judges and ballots as part of our Springboard Series. These are ideal practice sessions for speech and debate students who want to build their confidence in competing while also receiving constructive feedback from judges across the nation. Learn more or register »
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Learn from National Champions
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Learning directly from national champions is a great way for students to think about their events differently or pick up new strategies. Encourage interested students to register to attend our next two Champion Q&A sessions to ask their questions directly, or explore past sessions for their events!
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