The winter season marks the start of scrimmages for NDB mock trial. From November to January, JV and Varsity members participate in scrimmages to test their content and improve their courtroom presence.
On November 9th, JV and Varsity traveled to Saint Ignitious High School in San Francisco, competing in a round robin tournament against multiple schools.
“Scrimmages are the most helpful thing in preparing for competitions. You don’t really know what it’s going to feel like to be addressing a judge, or asking your questions in real time . . . all those sort of little details that come with being in trial. Scrimmages really help you perfect those,” explained Vice Captain and varsity prosecution attorney Rose McNally.
Eight days later, the team competed against San Mateo, utilizing what they learned from the last scrimmage to enhance their performance and material.
“It [the scrimmage] really helped me in performance. I was definitely more confident in what I was doing and I had it memorized this time, which I felt like was a lot easier,” reflected varsity defense attorney, Elizabeth Scott.
For mock trial students, collaboration is essential both inside and outside the courtroom. While the activity may appear individual, attorneys rely on constant communication, such as passing notes and reviewing the case packet during witness testimony to catch errors. Outside of trials, students meet every Monday and Wednesday to revise and practice based on judge feedback and what occurred during scrimmages.
“We definitely collaborate a lot during practice to make sure that we’re ready for our next scrimmage, and then go over whatever we think needs to improve in,” said JV attorney Kelly Broderick.
Despite being a rookie on the team, Broderick explained that the scrimmages have made her more confident and given her profound experience.
On December 1st, the JV Mock Trial team participated in its third scrimmage of the season against Santa Clara over Zoom. Competing virtually required team members to adapt their delivery, timing, and communication to an online courtroom format.
“I feel like as a team, we did really well, and . . . this scrimmage, was a little bit more difficult just being as it was on Zoom and . . . so I think that affected my performance, but I think that I did well with my material,” shared Brodrick.
Just on Sunday, JV had their last scrimmage of the season before competitions in January. It was hosted by NDB against Abraham Lincoln High School from 2-4:30.
“I think the scrimmages have really helped me . . . learn what the trial is gonna be like when it comes time to do actual competitions. It helps you, . . . prepare and make edits to my statement I won’t be able to make when it comes time for competition. And lets me see different points of view,” explained JV rookie pretial attorney Lucaina Stevens.
While more scrimmages lie ahead, these events will guide them into competition season, which begins at the end of January.
