Event Matchmaking: Which Students Go Where?

One of the trickiest jobs for a coach is deciding where students should compete. Some kids walk in the door already knowing they want to do HI or Oratory. Most don’t. They just know they like to perform, or research, or argue with their siblings. The question becomes: how do you match each student with an event that fits their strengths, challenges them to grow, and helps your team balance across categories?

Start With the Student, Not the Event

It is tempting to fill gaps in your roster first: “We need another Informative” or “Nobody’s entered Prose yet.” Resist that urge. 

​

Begin with the student in front of you:

• What are they excited by? 

  • Provide event descriptions and ask them to rank the categories in terms of most to least interested.

  • Ask them what other creative or competitive activities they enjoy.

  • See if they have any goals or skills they want to build with speech.   

• What skills do they already bring? 

  • Are they already trained or gifted in certain areas that would benefit their speech (i.e., dancers and gymnasts might be fantastic at duo blocking, tutors or babysitters might be great at educating and informing, social activists or debaters might be natural at persuading or being passionate, etc.)

• What kind of energy do they have?

  • Personality types should play into casting as well. There are certain categories that are usually more “high energy” or “aggressive” and others that are more “introvert-friendly” and “approachable.” Neither of these labels makes the category easier or harder, but it might make it more or less enjoyable for certain types of students.

Shortlist a set of categories for them:

What are the top 3-5 categories you could see the student understanding, enjoying, and competing in?

If the student has a clear preference, you might weigh that more heavily. But you should always remember that your job is to encourage them to grow, and put them in positions to succeed - and sometimes that means not agreeing with their self-assessment or desires. 

​

When you start with the student, the event feels like an opportunity instead of an assignment.

Balance Across Categories

Once you know your students’ inclinations and have a shortlist of categories for each, then look at balance. 

A well-rounded team spreads across Interpretation, Public Address, and Limited Prep. 

​

This matters for team competitive success, but it also matters for morale. If everyone piles into the same category, rounds get crowded and kids feel like they’re competing against their own teammates every weekend. 

Encourage balance so your students have the best chance to shine.

Compete Stronger, Sooner

Good event placement also accelerates growth. When a student lands in an event that suits their personality, they usually get competitive faster. 

​

Success builds confidence, and confidence opens the door to experimentation later. 

​

Sometimes the fastest way to get a kid to try a “stretch event” is to first let them do a “comfort event.”

Use Matchmaking as a Teaching Tool

Talk openly with your students about why you are recommending certain events. 

​

Frame it as an experiment, not a permanent label. Encourage them to set goals: “Let’s try Oratory this season to build structure and research skills, then see if you want to add POI next year.” 

​

The process itself teaches students to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, and long-term growth. It also reinforces the portability and compounding power of the skills they are learning.

Practical Tips for Coaches

• Run Event Auditions: Give each student a chance to try out short samples of different categories before committing.

• Pair Veterans with Newcomers: Place new students in events where older teammates can mentor them.

• Revisit at Midseason: The first placement is not the last. Be open to moving students if something clearly isn’t working.

• Celebrate All Categories Equally: Students should feel as much pride in a 1st place from a small category as in a 1st place in a large one.
   

The Takeaway

Event matchmaking is both art and strategy. Start with the student, balance across the team, and keep the process flexible. The goal is not just to fill every event, but to help students find a space where they can compete strong, build confidence, and grow into the kind of performers and thinkers speech is meant to create.

​