Need to know about a competition rule

**Juniorgrade** · 03-07-2004, 10:13 AM

I'm in California. Can a person compete using a piece they used last year, even if they only used it once and it wasn't at state quals? In other words, if they used a piece during the competitive season in 2002-03, can they pull it out to use in state quals this year? The first rule on the cover sheet makes it sounds like you can't, but it could be open to interpretation.

Also, does anyone keep track of what piece you performed in regular competition from a year ago even if you didn't win with it. Do they write this stuff down somewhere. Otherwise, how would someone prove that you had performed the piece last year?

**Ryan** · 03-07-2004, 11:55 AM

No, you can only use a piece that was only used at nfl districts/nats only for the next year if it was used at no other tournament.

**Juniorgrade** · 03-07-2004, 02:22 PM

Okay, I guess I'm a bit dense about your reply. Are you saying it can't be used again this year? And would that only be at Nats? I'm asking about California Forensics rules, too. Thanks for clarification.

**Ryan** · 03-07-2004, 06:32 PM

NFL rules state that if you only use the piece at nfl quals/nats, then you can use it the next year as long as it's not at nfl quals/nats. Most people don't though because it's cheap to carry a piece over from one year to the next regardless of rules. I think California rules are the same.

**kevinTHEpreoccupied** · 03-08-2004, 01:51 PM

do something as long as u can until someone calls u on it... its only illegal if the judge thinks it is. and even if it isnt illegal, if the judge thinks it is, then it is. think about it...

**IE4N6FAN** · 03-08-2004, 04:00 PM

State rules vary but the NFL has published rules pertaining to re-use of material in Districts and the National tournament. The NFL rules only pertain to usage during these two tournament events. The rule states that a student may not use a cutting from a work of literature that student used in District or National competition in any previous contest year. Also, a student entered in two events (District) may not use the same selection of literature in both events. So the rule crosses more than one year; if you used a selection of literature as a freshman, you can not use it again, even in your junior or senior years. The rule applies to the "work of literature" and not just the cutting. As a practical matter this is a small distinction but it is concievable that numerous, totally unique cuttings (no shared content) could be developed from the same work of literature.