Techniques for managing stuttering under pressure
These come from speech-language pathology, not a debate coach's guess. They can help you feel more in control in a round, but they're not a cure and they're not required — plenty of debaters compete well without ever using them. Working with a licensed SLP will always go further than a webpage.
Start a phrase with a softer, more gradual voicing instead of pushing hard into the first sound.
In a round: It can reduce tension right at the point where blocks often happen — the very start of a speech, a tag, or an answer in cross-ex.
How to practice: Take a relaxed breath, let air start moving before the sound does, then slide into the first word instead of hitting it.
Guided easy-onset breath
Go at your own pace — stop whenever.
Breathe in4On the release, ease into: "Our first contention…"
Nothing here is medical advice, and none of it replaces working with a licensed speech-language pathologist. If your tournament offers accommodations, use its official process — these tools are for your own practice.