How does it work?
UKDDA Key Values
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Promote - We want more people to talk about Disc Dog (dog frisbee) as an activity to have fun with their dogs and bust commonly held myths - you can enjoy this sport safely
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Engage - We want those people to #dodiscdog and get involved safely - either by playing, instructing or judging - No matter what background, age, sex, gender, breed, ability, without detrimental cliques and a zero tolerance approach on bullying.
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Develop - We want to develop our own UK style of play and keep up to speed with relevant processes so we are comparable to other international disc dog organisations, but do so with a forward thinking difference, with us being eventually represented as an ‘approved activity’ to allow us to do the first two better!
Base rules
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These rules apply to all competitors, instructors and judges.
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To allow players to compete SAFELY - a “License to compete” will be issued by a local UKDDA training school instructor. This does not mean they are particularly skilled, but are proficient enough to work in partnership with their dogs with no extra risk to safety as opposed to any other approved dog activity which has 5 key elements and comparable to the GCD awards.*
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*Please contact your local instructor for more information.
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Is the dog over 18 months for FreeDisc and JumpDisc / 15 months for ThrowDisc. These may be lowered to 15 months/12 months retrospectively and then so marked FOR TRAINING SHOWS ONLY. Requirements from the dog may be made less impactive unless the dog involved has otherwise had Vet sign off.
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Can the handler assure the trainer the dog is physically sound enough to compete?
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Is the handler aware of basic dog to dog and dog to human interaction etiquette? Disc is a high arousal activity so awareness of space requirements from these dogs is essential and must know not to make contact with them without handlers permission.
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Can the trainer be reassured that the handler will not use ANY harsh handling/aversive methods to train, compete or otherwise with their dogs.
(Can include but not limited to: electric shock/stim, spray collars/devices, prong/pinch devices, choke (half or full), slip, or other devices designed to cause pain, fear or severe discomfort including verbal and physical reprimands/moulding.)
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Can the trainer be reassured the handler will not place the dog in a position of unacceptable risk when competing?
If all of these are answered “Yes” then a license may be granted, or a provisional for training shows only.
Become an Approved Instructor
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2) To become an approved UKDDA instructor you must of either:
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Be part of an approved training organisation (IMDT, COAPE, PACT, ADPT, IABTC) or equivalent in line with UKDDA values:
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AND
Shown 6 months or more serious commitment to the activity and non aversive training methods as an Founding Instructor and be recommended by a member of of one of the above. This is saved only for EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY, where you would be the only Instructor in a region at the time of applying.
OR
Passed the Instructor Assessment - categorized as:
Approved Instructor for Competition Standard (95% pass) (Level 3)
Approved Instructor for Pre Competition Standard (85% pass) (Level 2)
Approved Instructor for Foundations Standard (80% pass) (Level 1)
Not Ready (79% or below)
Judging
Anyone who is an approved instructor for Competition Standard may act as an UKDDA judge but no conflict of interest should be risked. Judges will need to be outsourced from at least a 20 mile straight line to ensure this is not the case.
COMPETITION RULES
BASE RULES
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RINGS MUST BE NETTED and be 30 x 30m. 20 x 20 may be allowed for TRAINING SHOWS ONLY.
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NO DOG WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASE, or has otherwise suffered infectious disease in the last 30 days should be brought to a disc competition.
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NO DOG SHOWING SIGNS OF UNEXPLAINED OBVIOUS PHYSICAL UNSOUNDNESS should be brought to a competition.
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NO AVERSIVE TRAINING EQUIPMENT IS TO BE ALLOWED ON SITE
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DISCS MUST BE SHATTERPROOF, NOT DONUT STYLE and THE APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR THE DOG. (examples include HeroDisc USA, Hyperflite, Trixie, FrisbeEscape, EuroDisc, CZechBlack)
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Surfaces must be relatively forgiving and non slip and suitable for high impact exercise.
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HANDLERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPETE:
- No dogs in the front row of spectators/3m buffer zone between audience and netting
- Silent thumbs up instead of applause
- Quick scan of the arena for obvious dropped food
- Manned entry/exits
- Use of food in the ring
UKDDA FREEDISC
Competitors will need between 5-8 discs to compete, or 2 or more if just a training show.
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Will be judged by AT LEAST THREE JUDGES
Judge 1: will be looking for Creativity of Moves for that individual partnership. Moves allowed include throws and catches that would be considered safe for that dog and handler team as an individual partnership by most reasonable people. General tricks may be used to start a FREEDISC routine but the first throw starts the timer. They have up to 15 points they can award at their discretion.
Judge 2: will be be calculating the amount of ‘successful catches’ :
-A air catch (out the air) will gain 5 points as a base. Height of catches does not add points, this is to prevent injury.
-A take may be given 2 points (out the hand). Height of catches does not add points, this is again to prevent injury. Depending on level of the class entered, there could be a limited of takes that could be utilised in a routine.
-A tap may be given 1 point (if the disc hits the floor but does not fully settle on both sides).
Judge 3: Will need to be an a member of another dog sport community and will soley be judging on audience appeal and can award up to 15 points for this.
Length of routines:
Class A: Up to 30 second routine (up to 5 takes)
Class B: Up to 60 second routine (Must of won out of Class A- 3 takes)
Class C: Up to 90 second routine (Must of won Class B twice to win out -1 take)
Class D: Up to 120 second routine (Must of won Class C three times to win out - No takes)
The aim of the game is to collect as many points as possible.
TWO MORE GAMES ARE ALSO IN DEVELOPMENT - THROWDISC AND JUMPDISC
To see an example of UKDDA in action please watch this: