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:
| Canine Elements | ||
| 1. Prey Drive | During the entire routine consistent focus and concentration must be sustained. | 2.50 |
| 2. Retrieval | The dog's ability to track, chase and catch discs, while demonstrating a variety of retrieval options (dropping discs away from the player, at the player's feet, and handing them to the player). | 2.50 |
| 3. Athleticism | The canine must execute control and consistency while leaping and landing, during standing, running, flipping and/or vaulting maneuvers. | 2.50 |
| 4. Grip | Before, during and after the moment of catching a disc, the canine must exhibit consistent commitment with adequate focus. | 2.50 |
|
Total Canine Score = |
10.00 | |
| Player Elements | ||
| 5. Field Presentation | The routine must demonstrate planned movement around the playing field, incorporating a variety of throws of different lengths thrown in different directions. | 2.50 |
| 6. Release Diversity | A diversity of throws must be demonstrated by the handler with variations in the grip and release, including a minimum of 3 different releases. | 2.50 |
| 7. Disc Management | Releasing and replacing of all discs must be engaged in the seamless and consistent manner with no breaks. | 2.50 |
| 8. Rhythmic Team | Transitional movement must be designed with smooth transitions between maneuvers and segments. | 2.50 |
|
Total Player Score = |
10.00 | |
| Team Elements | ||
| 9. Two Different Overs | 2 different over the body elements. | 2.50 |
| 10. Two Different Vaults | 2 different vaults utilizing two different stance positions. | 2.50 |
| 11. Multiple Segment | 1 multiple segment with a minimum of three consecutive throws in rapid secession. | 2.50 |
| 12. Dog Catch | 1 dog catch with the disc in flight. | 2.50 |
| 13. Team Movement | Coordinated team movement i.e. spin together, weave under legs, etc. | 2.50 |
| 14. Passing Segments | Consecutive throws where the dog passes close to the player at least twice in a straight line. | 2.50 |
| 15. Zig-Zag Segments | Four consecutive throws where the dog catches in a Zig Zag in front, beside, or behind the player which includes 4 turns of at least 90 degrees. | 2.50 |
|
Total Team Score = |
10.00 | |
| Execution | ||
| Execution Score |
__ Catches / ____ Throws x 10 = |
10.00 |
|
TOTAL SCORE = |
40.00 |
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.