Video Gallery

We traditionally post the final debates from our tournaments here. Winning teams are marked by an asterisk. Scroll to the end for some funny surprises!

Tournament Finals Archive

Spring Classic 2024 (April 27, 2024)

“There should be a global minimum corporate tax rate.”

Zaylen AFF (Falcon debate club)*

Manu NEG (Lion debate club)

Winter Classic 2024 (February 10, 2024)

“The U.S. should shorten its work week.”
Emily AFF (Dolphin debate club)*
Rae NEG (Dolphin debate club)

Fall Classic 2023 (November 4, 2023)

“The U.S. should raise its restrictions on the use of social media by minors.” (adapted from a quote by Yuval Levin)
Andrew AFF (Polar Bear debate club)
Emily NEG (Dolphin debate club)*

Summer Open 2023 (August 5, 2023)

“The U.S. should significantly increase its regulation of AI.”
Austen AFF (Dolphin debate club)*
Anusha NEG (Tiger debate club)

Speakers League Annual Meet 2023 (June 3, 2023)

“The U.S. should ban TikTok.”
Alan AFF (Ferret debate club)*
Anusha NEG (Tiger debate club)

Spring Classic 2023 (April 22, 2023)

“Books should be preferred over movies.”
Anusha AFF (Tiger debate club)*
Alan NEG (Ferret debate club)

Winter Classic 2023 (February 4, 2023)

“The COVID-19 pandemic is over”
Alan AFF (Ferret debate club)*
Rae NEG (Falcon debate club)

Fall Classic 2022 (November 19, 2022)

“The U.S. should significantly reduce its support for Ukraine.”
Austen AFF (Dolphin debate club)
Ary NEG (Lion debate club)*

Summer Open 2022 (August 6, 2022)

“The U.S. should significantly increase its spending on nuclear power development.”
Alan AFF (Ferret debate club)*
Kai NEG (Falcon debate club)

Speakers League Annual Meet 2022 (June 4, 2022)

“The United States should adopt a universal healthcare system.”
Jayel AFF (Husky debate club)*
Alan NEG (Ferret debate club)

Spring Classic 2022 (April 2, 2022)

“Buy Bitcoin.”
Sumi CON (Dolphin debate club)
Krish PRO (Tiger debate club)*

Winter Classic 2022 (February 12, 2022)

“Any restriction of speech is a restriction upon democracy.” (adapted from a quote by Deeyah Khan)
Srivanth (age 13) CON (Tiger debate club)
Sumi (age 13) PRO (Dolphin debate club)*

Fall Classic 2021 (November 20, 2021)

“The United States has a responsibility to welcome and resettle those who flee oppression.” (adapted from a quote by Ronald Reagan)
Jonathan (age 15) CON (Falcon debate club)
Jayel (age 12) PRO (Husky debate club)*

Summer Open 2021 (August 7, 2021)

“Regardless of their incarceration status, Americans who have been convicted of any crime should retain their right to vote.”
Ryan Eric CON (Polar Bear debate club)
Henry PRO (Ferret debate club)*

Speakers League Annual Meet 2021 (May 29, 2021)

“The U.S. federal government should establish a maximum annual tuition that colleges and universities can charge while remaining eligible for funding via federal student loans.”
James/Jonathan CON (Falcon debate club)
Mia PRO (Firehawk debate club at E.A. Young Academy)*

Spring Classic 2021 (April 10, 2021)

“The United States should adopt a universal basic income.”
Sharon/Sunny/Tracy CON (Polar Bear debate club)*
Neil/Krish/Rayaan PRO (Tiger debate club)

Winter Classic 2021 (February 14, 2021)

“In the U.S., fines should be scaled based on a person’s income.”
Ella/Rishy PRO (Lion debate club)
Aditya/Dhruv CON (Tiger debate club)*

Fall Classic 2020 (November 21, 2020)

“The Electoral College should be replaced by a national popular vote.”
Ella/Jonathan CON (Falcon debate club)
Aditya Dhruv PRO (Tiger debate club)*

Summer Open 2020 (August 8, 2020)

“U.S. public schools should not reopen for in-person teaching until a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 is broadly available.”
Aahyan/Dhruv/Neil PRO (Tiger debate club)
Sharon/Sunny CON (Polar Bear debate club)
These students, aged 11-14, had only 2 1/2 months of experience.

Speakers League Annual Meet 2020 (May 30, 2020)

“From a strictly educational standpoint, online learning is as good, or better, than learning in a physical classroom setting.”
David/Max PRO (Dallas Homeschool Ready Set Debate club)
Anna/Esha/Jaxson CON (Firehawk debate club at E.A. Young Academy)

Winter Classic 2019

“The federal minimum wage should be raised to $15 per hour.”
David/Vincent PRO
Jonathan CON
These students, aged 10-15, had only 4 months of experience.

Speakers League Annual Meet 2017

Using the Public Forum format, teams from Pasadena, South Bay, and Orange County faced off at the Speakers League Annual Meet (SLAM) in Los Angeles on the topic, “Resolved: State-mandated childhood vaccinations are justified.”

Winter Classic 2016

The 2016 Winter Classic was a multi-day Public Forum event in Los Angeles. Here was the final round matchup:

“Public colleges and universities in the U.S. should be tuition free.”
Madison/Trinity PRO
Alyson/Jennifer CON

Speakers League Annual Meet 2016

Teams from Pasadena, South Bay, and Orange County faced off at the Speakers League Annual Meet (SLAM) in Los Angeles on the topic, “Resolved: Gun control does not decrease gun crime.” This video features commentary before and after the debate by guest judge Samantha Weiss.

Other Featured Debates

CHN Expo Demonstration Debate (Summer 2016)

Members of Ready Set Debate were invited to demonstrate Public Forum debate, and had a lot of fun with the topic, “Resolved: Homeschooling should be banned in the United States due to lack of socialization.” It was standing room only! What side would you vote for?

Funny Debate Videos

Debate tournament bloopers (December 2015)

As the Ready Set Debate clubs from Pasadena, the South Bay, and Orange County attempted their first tournament, on the topic “State-issued government ID should be required to vote in California,” some funny moments ensued. Here are some of those, for your enjoyment and amusement!

The Ready Set Debate (Paper) Shuffle (December 2015)

Have your debate materials ready before arriving at the lectern!

Got Koosh? (September 2015)

During the Fall 2015 semester, the Ready Set Debate clubs from Pasadena, the South Bay, and Orange County used a Koosh ball for team activities. Sometimes, the focus seemed to be more on the ball than on the debating.