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UFO & USDDN

US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Freestyle

(These Judging Criteria were adopted in Steering Committee Meeting No. 27, except as specified)

	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.
	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.
	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.

The competition field shall be a rectangular shape with a width of 40 yards and a minimum length of 70 total yards.

Spectators cannot be permitted to enter the competition field.

Only one handler and their dog compete on the field at any given time.

The competition disc must be "standard premium weight Fastbacks (including Flex Fastbacks)", and teams can use up to a maximum of ten (10) discs during a freestyle routine. However, dogs with a shoulder height of 15 inches or less are allowed to use any type of safe flying disc. (Amended in Steering Committee Meeting No. 36)

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. (Amended in Steering Committee Meeting No. 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, a 5 point penalty will be deducted from their total score out of forty points. However, the application of this rule cannot result in a score lower than zero.

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.

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.

Judgement

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.

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.

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.

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.

The following table summarizes the maximum scores a team can achieve using the US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Freestyle:

Canine Elements:

Prey Drive

2.50

During the entire routine consistent focus and concentration must be sustained.

Retrieval

2.50

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).

Athleticism

2.50

The canine must execute control and consistency while leaping and landing, during standing, running, flipping and/or vaulting maneuvers.

Grip

2.50

Before, during and after the moment of catching a disc, the canine must exhibit consistent commitment with adequate focus.

Total Canine Score = 10.00

Player Elements:

Field Presentation

2.50

The routine must demonstrate planned movement around the playing field, incorporating a variety of throws of different lengths thrown in different directions.

Release Diversity

2.50

A diversity of throws must be demonstrated by the handler with variations in the grip and release, including a minimum of 3 different releases.

Disc Management

2.50

Releasing and replacing of all discs must be engaged in the seamless and consistent manner with no breaks.

Rhythmic Team

2.50

Transitional movement must be designed with smooth transitions between maneuvers and segments.

Total Player Score = 10.00

Team Elements:

Two Different Overs

2.50

2 different over the body elements.

Two Different Vaults

2.50

2 different vaults utilizing two different stance positions.

Multiple Segment

2.50

1 multiple segment with a minimum of three consecutive throws in rapid secession.

Dog Catch

2.50

1 dog catch with the disc in flight.

Team Movement

2.50

Coordinated team movement i.e. spin together, weave under legs, etc.

Passing Segments

2.50

Consecutive throws where the dog passes close to the player at least twice in a straight line.

Zig-Zag Segments

2.50

Three consecutive throws where the dog catches in a Zig Zag in front, beside, or behind the player.

Total Team Score = 10.00

Execution

Execution Score

____ Catches / ____ Throws x 10 = 10.00

TOTAL SCORE = 40.00

US Disc Dog Judging Criteria for Toss and Fetch