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Debate Timer

Run an editable ordered debate queue with separately named constructive, cross-examination, rebuttal, and rationale slots, plus reversible segment advances and private daily history instead of resetting one generic timer by hand.

Privacy: your files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.

How to use

  1. 1.Start with the editable eight-slot 1v1 template or replace segment names and seconds for the round you are practicing; editing resets the current local round.
  2. 2.Press Start for the current segment, Pause when practice stops, and use Advance segment to move one tested queue slot at a time.
  3. 3.Undo an accidental advance, review private daily segment history, and export PNG or CSV only if you need a portable record.

About Debate Timer

Debate Timer is a browser-local practice aid for rounds where a single countdown cannot tell you what comes next. Instead of repeatedly resetting one generic timer, it keeps an ordered queue of named segments. The included starting template is the current Coolidge 1v1 format: an affirmative constructive, cross-examination, negative constructive, another cross-examination, affirmative and negative rebuttals, then affirmative and negative rationales. Each slot has its own visible name and duration. Start the round, watch the current slot count down, pause when practice stops, and advance exactly one segment when a speech or cross-examination ends. The result is practical for classroom drills, tournament preparation, coaching, judging practice, and any structured speaking exercise that benefits from an obvious sequence.

The default is intentionally a template rather than a claim that every debate works the same way. The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation publishes its updated 2025-2026 1v1 ordering as five-minute constructives, two-minute cross-examinations, and four-minute closing speeches. DebateUS independently describes how debate formats use distinct constructive, cross-examination, rebuttal, and preparation segments with event-specific timing. This tool records the eight Coolidge slots as a named, externally evidenced starting schedule, but every label and duration is editable. Edit a segment for a different school, event, policy format, public forum drill, or personal practice plan. Applying an edit resets the current local round so an old remaining time cannot silently belong to a new schedule.

The timer's behavior is built as a tested queue rather than a loose list of buttons. One active slot has a saved remaining duration and a timestamp anchor. When a segment finishes or you intentionally choose Advance segment, the next slot receives its own full configured duration. When the final slot advances, the round reports completion at 00:00. Undo segment restores the complete earlier snapshot, including the prior current slot, remaining time, and daily count. That makes an accidental advance reversible without guessing which duration to put back. Browser callback timing can be delayed in a hidden tab, so elapsed time is calculated from the saved anchor rather than treating each interval callback as one second. This is a local practice design; it does not promise official timing accuracy while the device is suspended.

Every advanced segment creates a small record under the device's local calendar day. The history answers a modest but useful question: how many structured segments did you complete in a practice day? Export CSV creates one Date and Segments advanced row per saved day. Export PNG makes a natural 1080 by 1350 image with the daily total and recent days, containing no URL or participant names. The exporter uses native Blob and canvas APIs in the browser. There is no account, upload queue, cloud calendar, remote coaching service, or participant tracking. The schedule and daily history stay only in this browser under the tool's local storage key. Another device starts empty, clearing browser data removes the record, and unavailable storage is disclosed rather than treated as a hidden backup.

This tool does not decide a tournament's official order, preparation-time bank, speaker eligibility, judging result, or rule interpretation. Those facts vary by event and the published competition rules control. It is also not a substitute for an official tab room or a coach's instruction. Use it as a transparent local queue: restore the documented 1v1 template when that is appropriate, edit every slot when another format applies, start and pause deliberately, use Advance segment when a turn ends, undo an accidental transition, and export only the private daily history you decide to keep.

Methodology & sources

Debate Timer stores a bounded local queue under counter:debate-timer. Its default eight-slot schedule follows the published 2025-2026 Coolidge 1v1 sequence, but all labels and durations remain editable. One active segment uses an elapsed timestamp anchor; advancing moves one slot and records a device-local calendar-day count, while undo restores the complete previous snapshot. It deliberately excludes claims of a universal debate format, official event timing, prep-bank administration, and judging.

Frequently asked questions

Is the included schedule universal?
No. It is an editable 2025-2026 Coolidge 1v1 starting template. Debate formats and tournament rules vary, so set the slots that apply to your event.
What does Advance segment do?
It records one completed local segment, moves to the next named slot, and restores that slot's own configured duration. After the final slot it marks the round complete.
Does this replace an official tournament timer?
No. It is a local practice aid and does not administer prep time, eligibility, judging, or event-specific official rules.

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