Please note that the only difference in event participation between Advanced and Novice Classes is the Freestyle Event. The Novice Class does not include the Freestyle Event. 

Advanced Freestyle

This event is offered at the Pro and Advanced Levels only, as described below. Judging will be the same for both divisions, with duration of the performance as set forth below being the differentiating factor.

Judging will use the “C-A-R-D” freestyle judging format, with points awarded in each category on a five point scale in quarter-point increments, with a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 10 points possible. The duration of the performance shall be from 45 to 60 seconds (90 to 120 seconds in the Pro Class), and is measured from the start and stop of the music or other scripted material.

Competitor shall be ready to begin the performance without delay on queue from the announcer, or other designated official. The judge may penalize the competitor for excessive delays entering or leaving the ring, and shall penalize the competitor one-quarter point for each five seconds that the competitor exceeds the performance or overall time.

Should the duration be shorter than the minimum time required, judges will evaluate the performance up to the point of termination, but there will be a three-point deduction in the total score. Should time be less than one-half of the required minimum time, no score shall be awarded.

Any quantity of officially approved discs may be used. Small props and costuming that are in good taste are allowed (and encouraged). All decisions made by the judging staff are final.

The maximum duration of a routine is 60 seconds (1 minutes). Remaining time calls from the announcer of 30 seconds and 10 seconds will be announced. Any quantity of officially approved discs may be used. The judge may penalize the competitor for excessive delays entering or leaving the ring, and shall penalize the competitor one-quarter point for each five seconds that the competitor exceeds the performance or overall time.

The "C-A-R-D" categories for Freestyle Judging:

Catch Ratio (Technical): A percentage score based on the catch/toss ratio shall be converted to points, and rounded to the nearest one-half point. For example; Team A has 26 catches out of 30 tosses during their freestyle routine. A calculator is used as follows; 26 catches divided by 30 tosses = 0.866 or 8.5 when rounded to the nearest half point. Takes and rollers are not counted. Only discs tossed to the dog will be counted.

Artistic Impression (Presentation): The measure of artistic creativity and excellence expressed through ensemble originality, theatrical presentation and notable performance style.

Routine Complexity (Composition): The competitor’s organization of routine structure, disc management, presentation complexity and disc agility skill level, combined with but not limited to the volume and quality of trick movements. An emphasis is placed on trick creativity and variety, not over repetition of a small number of trick movements.

Disc Dog Aptitude (Agility): The training skills demonstrated by the dog’s disc handling and athletic abilities such as speed, strength, stamina level, disc/prey drive intensity, eye-paw coordination, leap-to-disc timing, positive body control and competition field behavior.

In case of a tie, the competitor with the highest combined technical, composition and presentation score shall be the winner; should there still be a tie, then competitors with the greater technical and composition score shall win; should there still be a tie, then the competitors with the greater technical score shall win.

The officiating staff is comprised of respected and experienced members from the greater disc dog community.  Our goal is to create a pool of staff members that represent diversity and integrity. We are proud of our long standing tradition of mixing long time veteran trainers with newer trainers.

Advanced/Novice Distance Event

Advanced and Novice competitors will have three consecutive tosses. The event is not timed. All scoring will be cumulative.

Foot faults will result in a loss of attempt. Dogs may free start across the throwing line. Field scoring zones are in 10 yard increments starting at the 10 yard line. The value of each zone increases by 1 point. 

The field boundary converges in a pyramid fashion from 30 yards wide (zone 1) to 10 yards wide (zone 5). Forward progress of the catch is determined by the front edge of the disc where the dog lands. 

Catches must be made inbounds with 2 paws. Interference by another dog will result in a re-throw. A disc may be replaced if damaged. Only officially approved discs may be used.

In case of a tie in total points, the competitor with the longest throw, as determined by the “farthest forward progress of the catch” as defined above will be the winner.

ADVANCED/NOVICE
OBSTACLE COURSE

The obstacle course consists of six stations that challenge different aspects of a competitor’s throwing skills, in addition to their training of the dog to catch the disc in flight. Course proficiency as reflected in the scoring system therefore requires disc control, accuracy and reliability in the training of the dog for the catch. There are three ways to score points on the course:

1.Clear: the disc completes the toss obstacle challenge.

2.Catch: a catch outside the zone.

3.Zone: a catch in the zone.

On the first five stations, points are awarded for managing the disc around or through the obstacles (5 points), the catch of the disc by the dog while in flight (1 point), and for accuracy of the catch zone (1 point). The sixth and final station is scored between 2, 3, 4 and 5 points, with four defined zones spaced with centers at 45, 60, 75 and 90 feet, respectively.

Click on Pictures to see detailed Obstacle Course Maps

RULES ON THE COURSE:

· Toss must be from inside the throw box; both feet completely within the box and no leaning out.

· There is only one toss per station permitted, except for #6, where one “mulligan” is allowed.

· If the competitor’s foot touches or crosses over the throw box line it is a foot fault, resulting in a one (1) point penalty.

· At the grasp of the disc by the dog, any two paws must be in the zone for accuracy point.

· All Zones are ten feet square (10’x10’) except for the 5 point zone in the “Free 4 All” station. (station #6), which is 10 feet in diameter.

· Distance from the Throw Box line to the middle of the Zone in Station’s one through five is 45 feet.

· The dog can be in motion at the time of the toss, but must be within 25 ft of the trainer at disc release.

·A replacement disc is allowed if necessary. Obstacle Stations in order are the Skip Plate, Hoop Tree, Hyzer, Tunnel Vision, Single Hoop and “Free 4 All”

OBSTACLE COURSE MATCH PLAY

Obstacle Course open match play is open to all competitors, regardless of level competing in the other classes. Open Match Play will consist of six (6) total stations per round, except in the final round, which shall be twelve stations (6 stations performed twice).

Should the number of entrants not equal a power of two (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, etc.), then a drawing shall be held to determine the competitors who will receive a bye in the initial round. (For example, 51 competitors are entered, 13 competitors will receive a bye in the first round, with the remaining 38 competing to determine who will proceed to the second round. The second round will then be a total of 32 competitors (13 + 38/2).

Should any player forfeit a round, the opposing player shall advance to the next round automatically. The format is a single elimination tournament. The winners from each round will advance until only 2 players are left to play the final round. The winner of the final round wins the match.

In match play each station is a separate competition and the contestant you are playing against is your opponent. The player with the highest score on an individual station wins that station, the player winning the most stations wins the match. Scoring will be kept as Up, Down or All square. Note that it is not necessary to play all the stations if a team is up more points than there are stations left to play.

If any round or the match ends in a tie (i.e., all square) after six 6 stations of regular play, play will continue in “sudden death” at station 6. 
Obstacle Course rules will apply for scoring each station.

The Obstacle Course Match Play Championship is a separate award.

ADVANCED/NOVICE SPEED DISC

Competitors earn points based on the time it takes to complete one disc catch in three different zones.

· Zone 1 is a square 10’x 10’, whose center is 15 yards from the throw line
· Zone 2 measures 10 yards deep and begins 20 yards from the throw line
· Zone 3 measures 10 yards deep and begins 30 yards from the throw line

Teams are allowed the use of only three discs; no replacements are allowed. Zone catches may be completed in any sequence. Time will begin on a call of “set-go” by the official timer. The dog must be behind the throw line for the start. After the start the dog may be anywhere on the course to complete the challenge.

Trainers may leave the throw box to retrieve any disc from the field, but throws to the dog must be made from the throw box. Forward progress of the disc is determined by the front edge of the disc where the dog lands. Two paws in the catch zone for the completion.

Interference as deemed sufficient by the judge will result in a total restart. The time stops when the final disc caught breaks the throw line boundary, whether by the dog’s return or the competitor’s toss (if retrieved from the dog in the field).

The event is worth 10 points, which may be earned if the competitor completes the class requirements within 15 seconds. The clock shall be set to measure seconds in integers only, see timing/point scoring spreadsheet below the course layout map. Teams who exceed the course maximum time of sixty (60) seconds will be awarded one (1) point for each zone completion occurring within regulation time. In case of a tie in total points, the competitor with the fastest overall time will be the winner. Foot faults will be a 1 point deduction.

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