Oh, No, Scissor Steps Steal the Show!

(Part 5 of the Beyond Trophies Series)

Physical blocking for a speech is a lot like selecting a tie.  The ideal tie perfectly complements your overall look, without attracting undue attention to itself.  On the other hand, the less than ideal tie is conspicuous, sometimes even obnoxiously distracting.  The most effective blocking is like that ideal tie, appropriately complementing and supporting your message without distracting from it in any way.

Simon says?
Unfortunately, “distracting-tie” type blocking sneaks into otherwise excellent speeches at times, and great speakers get upstaged by their own feet: a speaker pauses, drops eye contact with the audience, adopts a look of concentration, and telegraphs to the audience that he’s thinking, “Now I walk here,” as he awkwardly maneuvers from one invisible X on the floor to another.  Sometimes I get the idea that a speaker must be simultaneously playing a game of Simon Says and just heard someone say, “Simon says, ‘Stop talking and take one giant step to the left,’” or worse yet, “’Simon says, ‘Take three giant scissor steps to the right.’”

The point of movement is to enhance and reinforce your message; if your movement distracts your audience instead, they will miss part of your message.

No Distractions
Aim to make your steps so natural that your audience won’t even consciously realize you’ve moved to a different spot.  They will later be able to picture where you stood when you made a particular point, but you don’t really want them to remember how you got there.   In general, it looks most natural for you to turn your body in the direction you’re moving--as long as you keep your face turned toward your audience, maintain eye contact, and keep talking as you walk normally.

As a judge, I've noticed, ladies, that it’s nearly impossible for speakers to walk normally in heels that are too high.  You can solve this problem before it shows up on your ballot if you either practice walking in your shoes, or (and this option is probably more fun) use this as an excuse to go shoe shopping for lower heels.  Just remember that if your ankles or knees are wobbling, those stylish shoes will be stealing the show, and your audience will miss your message.  A 5th & Below ranking on a ballot that says, "Gotta love those shoes!" could make you feel even sillier than you might look earning it.

Overall, everyone, your blocking--ties and shoes, too---are not meant to steal the show, but instead to play supporting roles, so your message can take center stage, where it belongs.  

Next: What about when less than honorable debating wins the round?  Also coming up--quite possibly the most important thing I have to share--What Ballots Must Add Up To.