Each debater is allotted 4 minutes of preparation time, to be used at the discretion of the speaker. Judges keep track of both speaking and preparation time and should provide time signals. While it is the affirmative burden to prove these issues, only negative challenges should be considered during the debate, and the judge should strive to remain impartial. If the affirmative case is not within the resolution, the affirmative must loose the debate. The topic for NFA Lincoln-Douglas Debate is selected each year and remains in force until the national tournament in April.
Debaters conduct significant independent library research in constructing their arguments.
Speakers must take extensive notes outlining their opponent's arguments as well as their own. Judges usually do not reveal their decisions to debaters until ballots are released at the conclusion of the tournament. Large tournaments often feature multiple elimination rounds.