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US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Super Open Freestyle 1. This document identifies the US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Freestyle developed through a consultative process by the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals. 2. Changes to this Judging Criteria can only be authorized by a majority vote of the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals. In fact, it is anticipated that the Steering Committee will occasionally make changes to this Judging Criteria in an effort to maintain criteria that are relevant and represent the best interests of the disc dog community. 3. This Judging Criteria is available for free use in any disc dog event organized by any event organizer throughout the World, provided that the organizers of that event: Do not refer to these Judging Criteria by any other name than the "US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Freestyle". Do not make any effort to secure copyright or to demonstrate any claim to private ownership of the criteria. Do not expressly state or imply that their event is supported or sanctioned by the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals, or is in any way affiliated with the US Disc Dog Nationals, unless express permission to that extent is otherwise granted by the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals. 4. The competition field shall be a rectangular shape with a width of 40 yards and a minimum length of 70 total yards. 5. Teams can compete from either end of the field that they choose. 6. Spectators cannot be permitted to enter the competition field. 7. Only one handler and their dog compete on the field at any given time. 8. This is a timed event with teams having a maximum time limit of 2:00 minutes. Time starts when the first disc is put in flight. Any throws that leave the handler's hand before time expires may count towards the team's total score although the actual catch may not be executed until after time has expired. 9. The only brands of discs allowed for use in USDDN qualifying divisions of competition are the Wham-O Fastback Frisbee disc (Premium Weight, Flex, and Super Flex models), the Hyperflite K10 (Competition Standard, FrostBite models), or the HERO (Type-235 model) and Hero 235 Xtra and the DiscRockr's DogStar Crusher model. However, dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less are allowed to use any type of safe flying disc. 10. The Judging Crew for any division of competition shall consist of four people with one person assigned to judge each of the four scoring categories: Canine, Player, Team, and Execution. Each Judge will identify a score out of 10 using hundredths of a point variations, so that the maximum possible score for a competing team will be 40 points. The Scoring Judges have total discretion for determining scores, and their decisions will not be subject to review or appeal. 11. The Canine Judge will allocate scores up to 2.50 for each of the four Canine Elements. The Total Canine Score will be the total of the four elements. 12.The Player Judge will allocate scores up to 2.50 for each of the four Player Elements. The Total Player Score will be the total of the four elements. 13. The Team Judge will allocate scores up to 2.50 for each of the seven Team Elements. The Total Team Score will be the total of the best four elements only 14. The Execution Judge will calculate the Catch-Throw ratio for the team and multiply it by 10.0 to derive the Total Execution Score. To be counted as a throw (and a possible catch) the disc must be released from the player's hand before the dog attempts the catch. Consequently, takes and intended rollers shall not be counted as either a throw or a possible catch, but all other releases shall be counted as a throw and possible catch. 15. Canine Endangerment Rule - In an effort to promote the safe training and handling of disc dogs, the USDDN has implemented a canine endangerment rule that levies the following point deductions when incidents that increase the risk of injury occur. Deductions will be made to a team's freestyle scores for the following incidents and description: (For the judges to penalize a Player with the minimum points deductions of each penalty 2 of the 4 Freestyle Judges must agree; however, to penalize a Player with the maximum points deductions of each penalty 3 out of 4 Freestyle Judges must agree.) Contortion: Dog squirms awkwardly enough to risk injury while jumping, catching, or landing.(Half (1/2 ) point or One (1) point deduction is allowed per occurrence.) Buckle: Dog's legs touch first then collapse on landing to the point that another part of the dog's body (such as torso or head) also strikes the ground. (Two (2) points or Three (3) points deduction is allowed per occurrence.) Slam: Some part of dog's body (back, chest, head, etc.) strikes the ground before the legs during a landing from a jump, vault, catch, or stall. (Excludes face first skids while pursuing low throws from a running stride.) (Three (3) points or Four (4) points deduction is allowed per occurrence.) Two of the Four judges must agree to give the minimum point deductions and Three out of the Four judged must agree to give the maximum deduction that one of the above penalties have occurred in order for the deduction to be applied. During or after each freestyle round, the contest director will inform all contestants that received deductions for the above incidents so that they may have a chance to correct their freestyle performance. Teams that incur six or more deduction points during the course of any one day contest will be disqualified. The following table summarizes the maximum scores a team can achieve using the US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Freestyle: Total Canine Score = Total Player Score = Total Team Score = __ Catches / ____ Throws x 10 = TOTAL SCORE = 16.National Qualifier Eligibility: * The canine must be a minimum of 18 months old (beginning of 18th month) to compete in the National Qualifier Division. For those dogs where age is not definitively known, the handler should rely upon their Vet's assessment of age & utilize the first of the month as the "anniversary" date. US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Super Pro Toss and Fetch 1.This document identifies the US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Super-Pro (Toss and Fetch) adopted by the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals. 2. Changes to this Judging Criteria can only be authorized by a majority vote of the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals. In fact, it is anticipated that the Steering Committee will occasionally make changes to this Judging Criteria in an effort to maintain criteria that are relevant and represent the best interests of the disc dog community. 3. This Judging Criteria is available for free use in any disc dog event organized by any event organizer throughout the World, provided that the organizers of that event: Do not refer to these Judging Criteria by any other name than the "US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Super Pro Toss and Fetch". Do not make any effort to secure copyright or to demonstrate any claim to private ownership of the criteria. Do not expressly state or imply that their event is supported or sanctioned by the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals, or is in any way affiliated with the US Disc Dog Nationals, unless express permission to that extent is otherwise granted by the Steering Committee coordinating the US Disc Dog Nationals. 4. There is no minimum age for Qualifier Eligibility in this, USDDN Super Pro Toss and Fetch division. 5. The Super-Pro division will utilize a random draw to determine initial running order. The Second/Final round competitors will be in "reverse to first" order. The National Qualifier Event Hosts will have the option to maintain the same running order for both rounds if compliance would negatively impact the health/safety of the competitors or the timely completion of the event. 6. The Super Pro winners will be calculated by addidng together the scrores from two (2) rounds. The National Qualifier Event Hosts will have the option to restrict the second round to the top 10 teams from Round One, if the number of competitors in the division are not conducive to timely completion of the event. 7. A dog may only compete at National Finals ONE time in this division. If a dog qualifies with different handlers during the season, the teams must determine who will accept the invitaton to National Finals and notify the Championship Coordinator of the decisions. 8. The Auxillary dogs definition is applied equally to the Super Pro Divsion - no limit of dogs may be designated "Auxillary" per handler however, the dog/handler must finish in the top 5 PLACES at the event to be designated an auxillary dog. 9. The competition field shall be a rectangular shape with a width of 40 yards and a minimum length of 70 total yards. A five (5) yard wide Challenge Zone has been created down the center of the field, extending from the 10 yard line to the 50 yard line. 10. Teams can compete from either end of the field that they choose. 11. Spectators cannot be permitted to enter the competition field.. 12. Only one handler and their dog compete on the field at any given time. 13. The thrower is restricted to the use of a single disc. 14. The only brands of discs allowed for use in USDDN qualifying divisions of competition are the Wham-O Fastback Frisbee disc (Premium Weight, Flex, and Super Flex models), the Hyperflite K10 (Competition Standard, FrostBite models), the HERO (Type-235 model) and Hero 235 Xtra or DiscRockr's DogStar Crusher model. However, dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less are allowed to use any type of safe flying disc. 15. This is a 90 second timed event. If the disc has left the thrower's hand before time is called, the throw will be scored if caught. 16. The handler and their dog must both be behind the throwing line before time can commence. The thrower must always release the disc from behind the throwing line. The thrower may move freely about the field at other times. The dog only has to behind the throwing line on the first throw. 17. After receiving permission to start from the Line Judge, time will commence when the dog or the disc crosses the throwing line. 18.When a dog makes a catch it is scored where the dog lands with their trailing paw, (the paw closest to the Foul Line). Only successful catches made by the dog before the disc makes contact with the ground will score points 19. There is an out of bounds side lines and a catch must be made within those left and right sidelines. In order to score points, a dog only needs to make a catch with at least one paw landing ON or INSIDE the side lines for the catch to be good.. 20. Dogs that make a catch in mid-air (with all four paws off the ground) score an extra half point. A mid-air catch is called when the dog breaks stride or visibly leaps with all four paws off of the ground. If there is any question if it is up or down the call is called down. 21. Dogs that make a catch with any paw landing in the Challenge Zone (5 yard wide bonus stripe) earn an extra half point whether the catch is on the ground or a mid-air catch. In order to score the bonus, a dog only needs to make a catch with at least one paw landing ON or INSIDE the Center field lines Note: The Challenge Zone begins at the 10 yard line and ends at the 50 yard line. Any catches made past the 50 yard line will score as a 40 yard catch in accordance with the type of catch (mid-air/ground) however; they will not receive any challenge bonus points. 22. If a dog lands on any of the 10-40 yards lines with their last trailing paw then ON the LINE is the NEXT ZONE. 23. The points scoring opportunities are summarized in the following table. Note: If a dog lands on any of the 10-40 yards lines with their last trailing paw then ON the LINE is the NEXT ZONE..
24. During the 90-second time limit handlers are able to make as many throws as possible, but only the "best five" points scores contribute to a team's total Toss and Fetch score. Once a team has successfully made five catches the handler is welcome to continue making throws in an effort to improve their team's score - the maximum score is a 25.. 25.Each throw made by the handler must be released from behind the throwing line. If, at any time during the motion of throwing before the throw has left the handler's hand, any portion of either of the handler's feet are over, on, or touching the throwing line that throw will be signaled as a Foot Fault by the Line Judge, and the throw will not score any points. 26.Any throws that leave the handler's hand before time expires may count towards the team's total score although the actual catch may not be executed until after time has expired 27. Although this is a single disc event, teams where the dog is susceptible to damaging discs may bring extra discs with them to the starting line. At any time during their 90 seconds a thrower may inform the Line Judge that they will be exchanging discs in order to ensure that the handler does not use a disc that has a broken rim, tear, or other type of damage that may substantially impair the flight of the disc or potentially injure the dog. To exercise this option a handler must hand the disc that they have been using to the Line Judge before taking hold of their replacement disc. Time does not stop during this exchange. The handler has total discretion for deciding if and when such disc exchanges will take place. 28.If, during the allotted time, a dog takes a nature break on or off the field, time will be immediately stopped and will not resume. Handlers will be immediately required to thoroughly clean any affected area of the field. Teams will not be disqualified for such an infraction, but in addition to forfeiting the remainder of their time, points will be deducted from their score equal to the number of throws that had been made by the handler before the nature break took place. However, the application of this rule cannot result in a score lower than zero. 29. If an interruption occurs during competition that is beyond the control of the competitor (i.e., not a nature break), time will be suspended as quickly as possible by an indication from any of the field judges. The interruption will be dealt with (field cleared, offending interruption severely chastised) and the competitor will be allowed to continue with the rest of the round. Time will start immediately where it was suspended, and the canine may start anywhere on the field. Additionally, the competitor can be given the option to start the round over, but only with the support of the majority of the Judges in order to avoid interruptions that in the Judges' opinions were intentionally caused by someone wanting to provide the competitor with a restart opportunity. As the interruption may have occurred early in the round, the competitor may choose to take their new round immediately. If the interruption occurred in the second half of the round, the competitor may elect to move to the end of the order and start the round over after their dog has rested. Time will be suspended for all unforeseen distractions or interruptions that occur on the field and that may directly, or indirectly put the canine competitor at risk of injury or that hamper a team's ability to compete fairly. The decision to halt a team's round will be made at the discretion of US Disc Dog National Field officials. 30. One or more Scoring Judges will assess the points scored by each throw and the total points scored by each team. The Scoring Judges have total discretion for determining scores, and their decisions will not be subject to review or appeal. February 23, 2009: The USDDN Steering Committee has approved the following for implementation in the 2009 National/International Qualifier Season. For more information brose the USDDN homepage |