How to Actually Get Faster at Spreading (Without Sounding Terrible)

Let’s be honest. Everyone wants to spread faster.

But most people do it wrong. They just try to talk faster, start slurring, drop words, and suddenly no one, including the judge, knows what they’re saying.

Speed in debate is not just talking fast. It is talking fast while still being clear enough to flow.

That is where drills come in. If you actually stick with them, they work.

Here are three of the best ones: the pen drill, the watermelon drill, and the backwards reading drill, plus how to use them correctly.

First, what good spreading actually is

Quick reality check: If the judge cannot flow you, your speed does not matter.

Good spreading means:

• Clear words

• Controlled breathing

• Consistent pace

• Easy-to-follow structure

The goal is not to sound impressive. The goal is to make it impossible for your opponent to keep up.

The Pen Drill (feels dumb, works really well)

How to do it

• Put a pen or pencil in your mouth horizontally

• Bite down lightly

• Read a card out loud

You will sound ridiculous. That is normal.

Why it works

It forces you to over-enunciate everything. Your mouth has to work harder, so when you take the pen out, speaking clearly feels much easier.

How to use it properly

• 2 to 3 minutes with the pen

• Then immediately 2 to 3 minutes without it

• Repeat a couple times

What to focus on

• Fully pronouncing words

• Not rushing

• Keeping a steady rhythm

Biggest mistake

Trying to go fast during the drill.

Do not. This is about clarity first. Speed comes later.

The Watermelon Drill (fixes mumbling fast)

How to do it

Say: “Watermelon" in between each word of any speech doc you have on hand.

Start slow, then speed it up.

Then switch to reading without "Watermelon," while keeping that same exaggerated mouth movement.

Why it works

A lot of debaters barely move their mouth and end up mumbling quickly.

This drill forces you to:

• Open your mouth more

• Separate words clearly

• Avoid blending everything together

Biggest mistake

Sounding robotic.

You still want rhythm. This is about controlled exaggeration, not just overdoing it.

The Backwards Reading Drill (hard but very effective)

How to do it

Take a card and read it backwards, word by word.

Example:“economic growth solves poverty”becomes“poverty solves growth economic”

Why it works

You cannot rely on memory or flow. You have to focus on every single word.

That means:

• No autopilot

• No skipping words

• No slurring

It builds real control.

How to structure it

• 2 minutes backwards reading

• 2 minutes normal reading

• Repeat

Biggest mistake

Stopping because it is frustrating.

It is supposed to feel hard. That is why it works.

How to actually improve

If you want real progress, do not just randomly do drills. Use a structure:

Step 1: Slow and clean

Use the pen drill. Speak slower than you think you should. Make everything clear.

Step 2: Add speed gradually

Take the pen out and increase your pace while keeping the same clarity.

Step 3: Add difficulty

Use the watermelon and backwards reading drills to push yourself.

Step 4: Practice like a round

Read full cases, include transitions, and simulate speeches.

Things that matter more than you think

1. Breathing

If you run out of air mid-sentence, you are going too fast.

Take quick, controlled breaths.

2. Signposting

Even at high speed, judges need to know where you are.

Use clear phrases like:

• on case

• next contention

• their second argument

If everything blends together, clarity drops immediately.

3. Do not drop warrants

Going fast does not mean skipping explanation.

A fast but shallow argument is still weak.

4. Consistency matters more than bursts

Being fast for 10 seconds does not matter.

You need to stay clear and fast for the entire speech.

Simple routine

If you keep it simple, this works:

10 to 15 minutes a day

• 3 minutes pen drill

• 3 minutes watermelon drill

• 3 minutes backwards reading

• 3 to 5 minutes reading normally

Consistency is what actually makes the difference.

Final thought

The best spreaders do not sound like they are trying too hard.

They sound controlled, confident... And human!

That is the goal. Not just faster, but smoother, clearer, and much harder to beat.