kav timer.

overview

kav timer is a comprehensive debate timing application designed for national speech and debate association (nsda) events. built for judges and competitors across multiple formats including extemporaneous speaking, congress, and parliamentary debate.

challenge

debate competitions require precise timing across various formats, each with unique time structures and speaking orders. existing solutions were fragmented and lacked cross-platform synchronization.

• managing complex timing rules for different debate formats
• real-time synchronization between judges and competitors
• intuitive interface usable under competition pressure
• cross-platform accessibility on mobile and desktop

solution

developed a unified timing platform with real-time synchronization and format-specific presets:

• multi-format support: pre-configured timers for extemp, congress, parliamentary, and more
• real-time sync: websocket-based synchronization across all connected devices
• speaking order management: automated tracking of speaker rotations and time allocations
• cross-platform: responsive design optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop

impact

kav timer has transformed timing management for debate tournaments:

• adopted by multiple nsda-affiliated schools and tournaments
• reduced timing errors and disputes during competitions
• streamlined judge workflow with automated speaker tracking
• enabled remote judging capabilities through synchronized timers

key features

multi-format timer suite

kav timer provides four specialized timing systems: classic timer for customizable speech events, debate timer for multi-format competitive debates, congress po for full parliamentary procedure management with session hosting, and extemp timer for extemporaneous speaking with prep time tracking. each module is purpose-built for its specific use case with tailored controls and displays.

customizable presets

the classic timer features preset configurations for common speech formats including extemp preset, 10m30s speech, poetry/prose, congress, tfa impromptu, and nsda supplemental events. users can customize speech time formats, signal points at specific intervals, grace period options, countdown displays, and save/load custom settings for repeated use across competitions.

professional debate timing

the debate timer supports all major competitive formats including public forum, world schools, lincoln-douglas, policy, big questions, and extemporaneous debate. each format includes pre-programmed speech segments, prep time tracking, and role-specific timing sequences that automatically advance through the round structure.

segment-based round management

during active rounds, the timer displays the current segment (e.g., constructive aff), segment number, and large readable countdown. prep time trackers for both sides remain visible in the corner, with intuitive controls for starting, pausing, and navigating between segments. the clean interface ensures judges and competitors can focus on the debate without distraction.

flexible speech timing

the classic timer provides a minimalist interface with large, gold-colored digits for maximum visibility. speakers can save individual runs or entire sessions for later review, enabling practice sessions to be recorded and analyzed. this feature supports competitive preparation and improvement through detailed time tracking.

extemp speaker scheduling

the extemp timer automatically calculates and displays the complete speaker schedule, showing call-to-table, draw, release, and speak times for up to 7 speakers in a round. the system tracks which speaker is currently preparing or speaking with real-time status indicators, ensuring smooth tournament flow and eliminating manual scheduling errors.

collaborative congress sessions

the congress parliamentary procedure (po) module enables presiding officers to host sessions with shareable join codes, allowing participants to connect and view real-time round statistics including total speeches, total questions, and speech/question ratios. participants can see speaking and questioning orders organized by representative, while the po controls session flow with single, double, and triple tap signals. the system includes speech transcription capabilities, enabling competitors to review their speeches and improve their performance through detailed analysis of their arguments and delivery.