--- title: Info and Rules | National Prep Group description: Join the National Prep Group to access high-quality debate briefs, collaborate with peers, and enhance your strategies. image: https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/hubfs/Close%20up%20of%20a%20lot%20of%20law%20reports%20in%20library.jpeg --- [![ROUNDNPGlogo](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/hubfs/ROUNDNPGlogo.svg "ROUNDNPGlogo")](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org) - [Meet Our Team](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/our-team) - [About](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/about) - [Submit your Brief](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/submit-your-brief) - [Be an Editor](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/editor-application) - [Info](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/info-and-rules) - [National Case List](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/case-list) [Join Today](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcIrgelLEq3M-55bf4ORKPeY6xwYJpR1B6VqrnViScnbiocg/viewform?usp=publish-editor) Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. Loading... # Rules, Guidelines, and Information ##### If you prefer old fashioned docs [CLICK HERE](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mLu9XLF6mMOlr3O5dCY9OsD-DJ-2S36osww0mblZbsQ/edit?tab=t.0) ![Close up of a lot of law reports in library](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Close%20up%20of%20a%20lot%20of%20law%20reports%20in%20library.jpeg?width=1100&height=734&name=Close%20up%20of%20a%20lot%20of%20law%20reports%20in%20library.jpeg) - How to Join - Quick Rules 1. **\[1\] Join the Case List** The NPG is built on trust, transparency, and accountability.  It can only function if that trust is mutual. Your briefs will  **not be accepted** until you have joined and submitted your case to the national case list. This website will be updated with a restricted link once it is released. 2. **\[3\] Pick Two Cases** Choose **two (2)** cases to brief **per team** (e.g. team Awesome/Debater type their name and email in the corresponding row for *Repeal the Jones Act* and *0.05* *BAC)*. 1. **\[2\] Submit the Form** [*Fill out this form* and](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/join-form?hsLang=en)we will furnish you with a spreadsheet listing the briefs to choose from. 2. **\[4\] Submit Your Briefs** 3. Submit both of your briefs (or one at a 4. time) in **GOOGLE DOCS** format by 5. copying their URLs and pasting into 6. *[this submission](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/submit-your-brief?hsLang=en)[form.](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/submit-your-brief?hsLang=en)* The sooner you 7. submit, the sooner you will be added. 1. **\[1\] You May Not Brief Your Own Case** Pretty obvious reasoning here. 2. **\[2\] Adding Cases to the List** Please adding case(s) that you know are being run. HOWEVER, do not add any duplicate cases as this depreciates the quality of the overall release. 3. **\[3\] Briefs submitted after the deadline will NOT** 4. **be accepted.** Both briefs must be sent by the deadlines written below for our editors to have time to review and send out all the briefs. We may attempt to count your briefs towards the next Cycle, giving you access to a future tournament’s briefs, but reserve the right not to for any reason. ## INVITE YOUR FRIENDS *(and enemies)* *The National Prep Group is larger than any single club and more dynamic than any sourcebook. Last year, members put together over 3,000 pages of original briefs all organized and ready for real rounds. By inviting more people to join, you’re not just growing a group, you’re expanding the range of strategies, case knowledge, and prep you can rely on. The more perspectives we share, the stronger our rounds become.* *![Screenshot 2025-08-13 at 11.51.44 AM](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-08-13%20at%2011.51.44%20AM.png?width=1624&height=1556&name=Screenshot%202025-08-13%20at%2011.51.44%20AM.png)* *## **BRIEF GUIDELINES** **~We will check for quality** ~ It is important to ensure that everyone gets high-quality briefs out of this prep group. Therefore, we will check to make sure each brief meets these quality standards. Considering the editor/time to member ratio, we can’t guarantee every brief is top notch, but each brief must meet these minimum requirements in order to be approved. ## Ethics If the briefs you submit take evidence out of context, power tag, or do anything else unethical, your brief will be rejected. It is crucial that as Christian debaters we seek to uphold the truth because Jesus is the truth (see John 14:6). Thus we take ethics and the truth very seriously and ask you to as well. If you are concerned that something might be unethical, but you are unsure, please contact us, we would love to help. :)   ## Length **20 Card Minimum:** Each of your briefs must have at least 20 cards/pieces of evidence, but more is always welcome.    ## Originality **Sourcebooks/Others evidence:** No sourcebook evidence may be included in the briefs you submit. No including evidence from other people in your submission, unless you have **explicit** permission from them to do so. You need to write your own briefs: don’t plagiarize.   ## Contents **\[1\] Strategy Page:** Each brief is required to include at least one dedicated paragraph directly after the table of contents outlining the background of the case, the background of the status quo, an explanation of the basic arguments, a suggested line in-round, and/or a negative thesis.    **\[2\] Rules:** Please ensure your brief follows the [NCFCA Rules.](https://online.fliphtml5.com/yocdg/awnw/)   **\[3\] Citations:** Must contain at a minimum, author name, some form of short (or long) credentials, date, article title, publisher/website/organization, URL, and access date. Also, please put your initials (or team name) on each card.   **\[4\] Quality:** Make sure the cards have sufficient context and support. Ensure that the evidence is relevant and that your arguments actually prove the negative position (the argument that the tag claims).   **\[5\] Organization:** Arguments must be organized under their respective stock issues (Topicality, Inherency, Significance {ie, Harms/Advantages}, Solvency, Disadvantages), and all cards must be organized under their respective arguments.   **\[6\] Multiple Arguments:** Please distribute the evidence among a variety of stock issues as well as having multiple arguments underneath stock issues. Don’t submit a brief with tons of evidence all saying the same thing. :)   **\[7\] Sources:** Cite credible sources. Government websites, credible news organizations, academic studies/journals, and think tanks are examples of credible sources. Please don’t cite personal blogs etc.   **\[8\] Counterplans etc:** Non-topical counterplans/minor repairs or topical counterplans are allowed, but you must have sufficient support for your counterplan as if you were upholding an AFF burden. If you do include a counterplan (CP), please also include a well-prepped status quo defense alongside the CP in case a team doesn’t want to use the CP. The counterplan must also be competitive in the round. ## **JOIN US TODAY** and be prepared JOIN NOW* *[![ROUNDNPGlogo](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/hubfs/ROUNDNPGlogo.svg "ROUNDNPGlogo")](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/?hsLang=en) The National Prep Group 2026. ###### Quick Links - [Home](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org) - [About](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/about) - [Our Team](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/our-team) - Join Us - [Submit a Brief](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/submit-your-brief) - [Info and Rules](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/info-and-rules) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.nationalprepgroup.org/privacy-policy) [Email natprepgroup@gmail.com](mailto:natprepgroup@gmail.com) Caleb Formo | President (608) 405-2622 --- © 2025.  All rights reserved.*