SMSDDC Rules as of: 9/21/2013
A Disc Dog Combined Championships (DDCC) Event
Goals of the DDCC
rule structure:
To inspire dog handlers to engage in the disc
dog sport for reasons of enjoying the bond between human and dog and encourage
friendly, fun, active, and entertaining outings in the form of an officiated
disc dog competition.
To give competitors of all skill levels an
inexpensive and structured format for multiple games to be played with
competitors’ “field time” maximized to fit into the time limits that the Event
Host and Competition Director have available.
To encourage competitors to keep improving as a
disc dog team and as a disc dog trainer and advance the sport of disc dogging into the future as an easy to access fun sport for everyone with a disc dog.
To have unique but popular variations of simple
to play disc dog games that set the DDCC apart from any other competition
series.
To have awards for all individual games and awards
for a “Points Scored” structure for over-all performance across the games in
all divisions.
To offer multiple divisions that divide the
competitor base fairly into a fair competitive competition for all
involved.
General Rules:
Abide by all local laws, Event Host rules, and
competition rules. Failure to do so may
have you ejected (or arrested by law authorities) from the competition grounds
without any reimbursement of entry fees.
Safety is a priority: Any unsafe acts by a competitor or spectator
determined by the Event Host or Competition Staff will be addressed by a
warning or ejection from the premises depending on the severity of the safety
infraction.
All competitors must have their entries paid and
the Liability and Public Release form signed.
Human Competitors under the “Age of Consent” in the competition’s State
are required to have a parent or legal guardian sign the Liability and Public
Release form for them. Failure to do so
will result in ejection from the competition with no reimbursement of entry
fees.
Once you have paid the entry fees, there are No
Refunds.
Any unsportsmanlike conduct viewed by any
competition official will be reported to the Competition Director. Only the Competition Director, Head Judge, or
Event Host can issue a formal warning or ejection from the competition. If you see any unsportsmanlike conduct report
it to an official immediately so appropriate measures can be taken.
Do not interrupt a judge, timer, or announcer
while they are busy doing their job. If
you need to speak to an official be polite and wait for a break in the action.
Dogs must be restrained at all times. Only dogs competing or in the designated practice
area (if available) may not be restrained.
The Event Host, Competition Director, and Head
Judge have the authority to amend the competition rules at their will if there
is a contingency not covered in these rules.
Including making cuts dependent on scores to advance to a second round
or modifying rules for a round to shorten its length to fit into the event’s
schedule, or eliminate rounds or games entirely to fit into the time or
playable area available.
Weather: The competition will be delayed for
lightning/thunder, storms with high wind gusts, and heavy downpours. We will play in the rain or snow.
Cash prizes will only be offered in the Pro
Division (if at all).
No dogs in heat, as it can distract the other competing dogs.
No food or dog treats on the competition
field. Remove all treats from your
person and pockets when competing. Do
this as a courtesy to all competitors who don’t want their dog distracted while
competing.
Clean up after your dog. If you are a competitor: All poop must be
picked up and disposed of in a trash can no matter where it happens. If your dog messes the competition field in
any manner take care to clean it well so other dogs are not distracted while
competing. Poop bags and cleaning
supplies will be available at the registration or judges area.
During a round time will not stop for a "nature break". You will be responsible to clean the competition field after your round has ended.
A handler may not split divisions. But a dog can be in multiple divisions with
different handlers.
Dog Endangerment Policy: If the judging staff feels you are
endangering your dog’s health by competing with a badly injured or unhealthy
dog, or dangerous actions you take while competing or around the competition
area, you will:
- Receive a warning by the Head Judge to refrain
from the dangerous action. (Lowest level infraction)
- The Head Judge will do #1 and deduct a
percentage of your round’s score for Endangerment while competing (Medium level
infraction)
- The Head Judge will do #1 or has done #1 or #2
already and will disqualify you from the game with no refund, for Endangerment
while competing. (High level infraction)
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct: With, up to, ejection
from the entire competition with no refunds.
Including serious or repeated infractions to the Safety and/or
Competitive Readiness of any dog in the competition area.
Disc allowed:
Novice Division: Any dog safe
disc with a tall or soft rim, it must be somewhat flat and round and not a
ring. (Novice competitors may also use
training aids such as a lure disc and/or a long line to help in the training of
their dog) All other divisions: A dog safe plastic disc that is a commonly
accepted as a disc dog disc (Hero Disc USA, Hyperflite, and Whamo Fastback
varieties) or a tall rimmed plastic disc weighing under 160 grams that is
deemed safe by the competition’s Head Judge.
If there is a Field Interruption (i.e. a loose
dog running on the field, earthquake) Judges will call “Time out”. Stop your play and get your dog secured as
quickly as possible. Field interruptions
will be handled at the Head Judge’s discretion.
An immediate restart of the round, continuing on from when time stopped,
or a restart later in the run order.
Once time has started, time will not stop for
“nature breaks” or sound system problems.
Continue playing until a judge or timer tells you to stop.
If there is a Time Keeping Error the Head Judge
will determine if an accurate score can be given. If not, the round will be replayed from the
beginning. If needed the Handler and Dog
will be bumped down in the run order for their replayed round.
In all games you will prompted by
announcements. At the beginning of the
game a run order will be announced and posted.
There will be a competitor meeting to go over the rules for each game
before the game starts. You will then
hear, over the sound system, the run order number called. Also, what team is “Up”, “On Deck”, and “In
the Hole”. Always listen to announcements
and be a good sport by being prompt this will help the competition run efficiently.
Run orders for the games will be randomized
after registration is closed. Run order
will not change for the second round.
A “Catch” is a disc thrown by the handler, it
can touch nothing but the dog until it is gripped by the dog’s mouth and completely
controlled by the dog (bitten down on and no longer spinning), and with a (dog)
body part touching the field of play at the same time. It need only be for an instant.
If you are not present when you are called to
the field and miss your round in the run order: you either receive a 0 or DNF
for that round, OR check in with an
official ASAP and explain why you missed your turn. If the head judge determines it does not give
you an unsportsmanlike advantage, you will be inserted into the run order later
so you can play your round. If the round
ends before you check in your round will be scored as a 0 or DNF. At the head judge’s discretion, exclusions to
this rule apply for competitors that are late/absent to their round due to
errand running for the host clubs or competition.
If you want to practice throwing or warm up your dog while the competition is going on, do not be a distraction to the competition field, use designated practice and warm-up areas.
I like to party.
Keep it cool, be safe, be respectful, and jam it out.
Have fun.
Disc Dog Combined Championship
(DDCC) game rules:
Field Set-up:
One safe athletic field or a variety of safe
athletic fields all in close proximity may be used to accommodate the Disc Dog
Combined Championships. Also consider
for each game a 5 yard buffer outside of all the side and end lines for a safety
buffer and competitor tenting.
For Funstyle: A rectangle 30 X 50 yard athletic
field. Field cones can be used in the
four corners as a reference.
For Three Team Relay: A 30 yard long start line and a parallel 30
yard long line at 20 yards. Field cones
can be placed on the ends of the start line and the 20 yard line as a
reference.
For Timed Course: A 30 yard long start line, a parallel 10 and
20 yard line. And the “Zone” is a 7 yard
wide by 10 yard long rectangle that begins on the 20 yard line and is centered
on the field. A lined Throw and Catch
Field will work for this without modification.
Field cones should be placed on the ends of the start, 10, and 20 yard
lines. Soft low profile field cones
should be put on the corners of the “Zone” as a reference.
For Throw and Catch: A lined 30 yard wide by 50
yard long rectangle athletic field that will have every 10 yard increment lined
along the 50 yard length sideline to sideline.
Down the center of the length there is a 7 yard wide zone marked with
two lines going down the length of the field.
Field cones should be used on all line intersections, soft low profile
field cones should be used on the inside of the field
For Long Distance: A 30 yard wide by 110 yard long field is
needed. Low profile field cones can be
used as catch markers. There are two
ways this field can be set up. It is the
option of the Competition Director and/or Event Host to decide which one to
use, but only one or the other will be used for each Championship.
Method #1, Polar Distance: A start line that is 7 yards long is drawn
perpendicular to the length of the field with hash marks on each end (Where
field cones should be placed) and a hash mark in the center. All throws must come from in between the
start line’s outside hash marks. Catches
are measured by a linear scale from the center hash’s intersection with the
start line to the middle of the catch marker.
Method #2, Gridiron: A 30 yard by 100 yard field is lined and
hash-marked like an American Football field.
Field cones should be placed at the ends of the start line. All throws must come from in between the
cones. Catches are scored by the yardage
of the center of the catch marker on the gridiron.
Divisions offered:
(as of 2014)
Novice Division: For any handler who has not won a DDCC Novice Division Over-all. New for 2014 ---->If a handler that has previously won a DDCC Novice Over-all, then at a subsequent DDCC competes in all of the Pro Division games and finishes (with all of their dogs) in the bottom 20% of Pro Over-all scores against teams that also played all the games, and 13 months have past since the win in the Novice DDCC, you may apply for re-eligibility in the Novice Division. If you think you meet all these stipulations, or will before the next DDCC you plan to attend, send an email stating your case for re-eligibility into the Novice Division and it will be reviewed. Contact Us Re-eligibility will not be determined at registration at a DDCC. you must Contact Us and be approved prior to the DDCC you plan on re-entering the Novice Division.
Senior Division: For any handler over 50 years of age. ID Required.
Pro Division: Open to any handler. Bigger trophies, better prizes, and the chance of being the 2014 Show Me State Disc Dog Champion!
All divisions play the same games
and amount of rounds with the same rules and scoring.
A handler can not split Divisions. They must choose one division to compete in with all of their dogs for each DDCC. A dog can split divisions with different handlers.
Funstyle:
Round #1
Teams will have 90 seconds in the Novice
Division, and 120 seconds in the Pro Division to demonstrate an entertaining
disc dog routine. No score deductions
will be made if a hander ends their round with less than 30 seconds
remaining in their round.
You may have no more than 7 dog safe discs on the field of play.
We will play music as you perform your routine,
we ask that you provide it in the form of a CD or a player that we can plug
into our sound system with an 1/8” (3.5mm) stereo jack. (If you bring a player to the sound system operator. Have the volume turned up all the way and have the settings set so the display will not lock or time out. Please bring your music to the sound system operator when you are called
“In the Hole”. Retrieve your music CD or Player after
you have cleared the field and tended to your dog.
When it is your turn to play and the previous
competitor has their dog off the field and restrained and all their discs picked up, you may
release your dog and take the field.
Time and judging will start when the first disc
throw is made. You may ask the sound
system operator to start your music any time after the judges are ready or they
will start it when you begin. After your
music starts we ask you do not take more than 15 seconds to begin your routine.
You will receive time notices through the sound
system letting you know your time remaining until “Time” is called and judging
will stop.
Costumes are allowed for handlers and/or
dogs. A costume should not aid in the
throwing or catching of a disc. Any
costumes or articles brought on the field should not leave any trace behind on
the competition field and you must collect all your discs and clear the field
in a timely manner or a score deduction or an unsportsmanlike conduct will be
called by the judging staff.
Execution Judge:
will determine a score between 0.0 and 10.0 by concentrating on the Dog
during the routine. Speed, Athleticism,
Drive, Control, and Catch to Throw Ratio are the judged criteria here.
Handler Judge:
will determine a score between 0.0 and 10.0 by concentrating on the Handler
during the routine. Disc Handling
Skill, Disc/Field Management, Difficulty of the Routine, Flow, Timing and Setting the
Dog For Success are the judged criteria here.
Head Judge: will determine a score between 0.0
and 10.0 by judging the team’s routine As a Whole, weighing the team’s performance
against the Head Judge’s experience with Funstyle/freestyle knowledge.
Round #2
Same as first round, then 1st and 2nd round
scores added together for a total.
Or, if time prohibits a full 2nd round for all
competitors a round of 4:20 Funstyle will be played and the 1st and 2nd round
added together for a Funstyle total score.
This decision will be made by the Competition Director. See 4:20 Funstyle rules below.
Tie-Breaker for
Funstyle:
If there is a tie for an award or prize in Funstyle
a 4:20 Funstyle round will be played by the tied teams until a winner is
determined.
To determine run order in the tie breaker a game
of chance will be played by the involved teams officiated by the head judge
(like a coin toss or something) the winner will have the choice of the run
order of the tie breaker. The order will
not change until the tie breaker is solved by a sudden death elimination
process.
4:20 Funstyle Rules:
All Funstyle rules apply except those negated by
the rules below
4 disc limit
You have 20 seconds to perform your best
Funstyle sequence of tricks or trick.
Handlers can NOT pick a disc up off of the
ground. If they do, it is a 0.0 score
for the round.
We will not need your music. We’ll rock it out for you.
Scoring will be the same as a regular Funstyle
round with a maximum 30 points for the round.
This will be added to your first round score for a total. Or determine the Tie-breaker.
Three Team Relay:
This event is played at the SMSDDC but is not
part of the overall scoring.
This may be a one or two round event, it is up
to the Competition Organizer and the time available.
Teams of three handlers each with their own dog
will try to get the shortest time to complete three 20 yard throw and catches.
Teams will determine a throw order and tell the
timer before the start of the round, and they must keep that run order
throughout the round.
Time starts when the Timer and Field Judge are
ready and the first handler’s disc or dog cross the start line.
Handlers will attempt getting a catch past the
20 yard line in their run order until they complete 3 catches, have all dogs,
discs, and handlers behind the start line then time will stop. Times will be measured to the hundredth of a second. Fake attempts at a 20 yard throw and catch to
advance to the next Handler in run order
will be deemed as unsportsmanlike conduct and the team will receive a DNF (Did
Not Finish) score.
All handlers, discs, and dogs must be behind the
start line while another handler is attempting a throw and catch or a False
Start, or Field Infraction will be called and that throw will not count and it
will be the next handler’s turn.
If a handler’s foot is touching or past the line
at the release of the throw a Foot Fault will be called and that throw will not
count and it will be the next handler’s turn.
The Handler currently playing may come across
the start line after the throw has been released.
During a catch all the dog’s paws must be, or
land after a mid-air catch, completely past the painted line to be counted as a
20 yard catch.
Shortest time wins, or if two rounds are played
the shortest combined time wins.
Tie-breaker: Only if a prize or medal is contention. If the Time or Combined Time is .1 of a second or less a tied teams will flip a coin to see who decides which team goes first, then choose a run order, and go into a timed twenty yard catch single throw elimination until one team beats the other team or teams by >.1 of a second.
Timed Course:
Teams will have up to 60 seconds to complete
three throw and catches and then retrieve the last disc (in play) caught by the
dog, the dog, and themselves back behind the start line to stop time. Two rounds will be played and the shortest
combined time wins.
Throw direction will be determined by the Time
Trial Head Judge.
Time will start when the Timer and Field Judge
are ready and the dog or disc cross the line.
One catch must be past the 10 yard line.
One catch must be past the 20 yard line.
One catch must be in the “Zone”, a 7 yard wide
by 10 yard long rectangle zone that extends away from the center of the 20 yard
line.
The catches may be made in any order. The Timer and Field Judge will keep you
abreast on what catches you need to complete your round.
Competitors may not use more than 4 discs.
During a catch all the dog’s paws must be, or
land after a mid-air catch, completely past the painted line to be counted
past the 10 or 20 yard line.
For a “Zone” catch all the dog’s paws must be,
or land after a mid-air catch, past the 20 yard line and one paw in or touching
the other three lines of the “Zone”.
All throws must come with the handler behind the
start line or a Foot Fault will be called and that throw will not count, but
the handler can move freely in-between throws.
If the three catches are not completed in 60
seconds, time will be called and the team will receive a DNF. (Did Not
Finish) All teams with a DNF in either
round will finish behind any team that had a score in both rounds for Time
Trial awards. However completed catches
are tallied for placement and Over-all scoring in DNF rounds.
Tie Breaker for Timed
Course:
If the final times of Timed Course of two or
more teams that are in contention for awards or prizes are within a tenth of a
second of each other it will be considered a tie.
The tie breaker will be a one disc timed throw
and catch until a winner is decided by being one tenth of a second faster than
the other/others; AND a Zone catch time will beat a catch in all other areas of
the field, a catch past the 20 yard line will beat a 10-20 yard catch, any
catch not past the 10 yard line will be scored as a miss.
Foot Fault rules apply.
To determine run order in the tie breaker a game
of chance will be played by the involved teams officiated by the head judge
(like rock, paper, scissors or something) the winner will have the choice of
the run order of the tie breaker. The
order will not change until the tie breaker is solved by a sudden death
elimination process of one team beating the other or others by >.1 of a second.
Throw and Catch:
Teams will have one disc and 60 seconds to make
as many throws as they can but only their best 5 scoring catches will count for
their round’s score. Teams will have 2
rounds that will be added together, highest score wins.
A 50 yard long by 30 yard wide field will be
lined, with each 10 yard increment lined laterally and a 7 yard wide “Zone”
marked down the middle of the field (lengthwise).
Handlers may choose to throw from either end of
the field in each of their rounds
Handlers may bring an extra disc to the line to
be held by Foot Fault Judge to swap out mid round. To swap discs you must hand the disc in play
to the Foot Fault Judge and they will hand you your spare disc.
Time will start when the judges are ready, the
dog and handler are behind the start line, the Timer will give a “Ready, Set
,Go” and time will start. If the dog,
disc, or handler cross the line before “Go” a Restart will be called for. Time remaining will be called in
increments. If a final throw is made by
the handler before the “T…” sound in “Time” is called, and time expires
mid-flight, that throw will count.
If the handler steps on or is standing on or past the start line
while making a throw it will be called as a foot fault and that throw will be
scored as a missed catch. The handler is
allowed to move anywhere on the field after the throws but must touch behind the start line before the next throw. (This means, if a handler is running back to the start line after retrieving a disc trying to beat the clock for a final throw, they must touch the ground behind the start line to re-establish themselves behind the line before that last second throw is released.)
Throws must be caught with a paw in or touching
the sidelines and endline or the catch will be scored as a missed catch.
A catch in the 0-10 yard area is 1 point.
A catch in the 10-20 yard area is 2 points.
A catch in the 20-30 yard area is 3 points.
A catch in the 30-40 yard area is 4 points.
A catch in the 40-50 yard area is 5 points.
A catch with a paw landing on a lateral line, or
the dog straddling a lateral line will be scored to the zone closest to the
Throwing Line.
A catch with at least one paw touching either
lengthwise line, or inside the 7 yard wide Zone’s lines is worth an extra
point.
Tie Breaker for Throw
and Catch:
If there is a tie for a prize or award a sudden
death one throw “throw off” will be played.
A single throw on the Throw and Catch Field, highest score wins. This will be played in single elimination
style until all placements for awards and prizes are decided.
Foot fault rules apply.
A game of chance (like a coin toss, but not
necessarily a coin toss) will be played by the tied handlers and the winner
will determine the run order.
Long Distance:
Teams will get 2 rounds of 4 throws or 90
seconds, whichever comes first, to complete a throw and catch, in which, the
longest catch in each round will be measured then the rounds added together for
a total distance score. Longest total
distance wins.
Divisions for this game will also be divided
into Men’s and Women’s Sub-Divisions.
Time will start when judges are ready and the
dog or disc cross the line.
Your dog may run past the start line before the
throw, but must return behind the start line to reset the throw and catch
attempt.
If the handler steps on or past the start line before releasing the thrown disc it will be called as a foot fault and that throw will be
scored as a missed catch. The handler is
allowed to move anywhere on the field after the throws.
Be a good sportsman and make your throws in a
timely manner to help the competition in running efficiently. Time remaining will be called in
increments. If a final throw is made by
the handler before the “T…” sound in “Time” is called, and time expires
mid-flight, that throw will count.
There is no out of bounds in Long Distance.
Catches are marked at the center of the disc
where the dog first contacts the field the instant the requirements of a
"Catch" have been met. (See General Rules for description of a
"Catch")
Tie Breaker for Long
Distance:
If the longest catch totals in any division are
within .5 yard, (2'6"), it is considered a tie.
If there is a tie for an award or prize a sudden death single throw
"Throw Off" will be played. A
single throw on the long distance field, longest throw (by more than .5 yard)
wins. This will be played in single
elimination style until all placements for awards and prizes are determined.
Foot fault rules apply.
A game of chance (like a coin toss, but maybe
like, "guess how many fingers I have behind my back") will be played by the tied handlers and the winner will
determine the run order.
Over-all rules:
Each Division will have an Over-all Champion and
Runner-up determined by a possible score of 30 points coming out of each game
and all the team’s games Over-all scores added together for an Over-all total
Funstyle Over-all points are determined for each
team by dividing the two round Funstyle total by 2.
Three Team Time Trial, doesn’t count for
Over-all scoring.
Timed Course Over-all points are set so a 26
second two round total is worth 30 points.
Over-all score decreases as the two round total reaches 120 seconds where
the Over-all score will be 10.5 points. For
teams that get a Did Not Finish (DNF) in one or both of their rounds: they will
receive 1 Over-all point for the 10 yard catch, 1.5 Over-all points for the 20
yard catch, and 2.5 Over-all points for the Zone catch in that DNF round.
Throw and Catch Over-all points are determined
by taking the team’s two round total and dividing it by 2.
Long Distance Over-all points are determined by
two different formulas separate for Men and Women to make Over-all scoring as fair
as possible for the weaker sex to compete against the men. (If that offends you: First of all, thanks for reading the rules. You're awesome! If you really want to let me have it, Contact Us and let me know how you really feel. Smooch!) For all
Men a two round total of 180 yards will be 30.00 Over-all points for Men. For all Women a two round total of 140 yards will
be 30.00 Over-all points. Over-all
points then decrease down to 0.00 Over-all points for no scored yardage.
No game will ever bring more than 30 Over-all
points to a team. If a team scores more
than 30 Over-all points in Timed Course or Long Distance the Over-all point overage
will be subtracted in that so the highest Over-all score from the game is 30.00, and
that same amount also subtracted from all competitors in that division’s
scores. (If this changes any Over-all scores to a negative number that score will be
changed into a 0.00.)
Tie Breaker for Over-all
Champion and Runner-up:
If the Over-all score is within .2 of a point, a
tiebreaker will be required to determine placement for Champion and/or
Runner-up.
A game of chance (like, "Guess how much that big trophy costed.") or
another will be officiated by the head judge.
The winner will get to pick the run order, or the tie breaker game
(Funstyle round tiebreaker, Timed Course tie breaker, Throw and Catch tie
breaker, or Long Distance tie breaker) the second place game of chance handler
will get to choose the option left, be it run order or tiebreaker game. The game will played in the same run order by
single elimination until the Champion and Runner-up order for the division are
determined.
Good Luck, and Dog
Speed
Thanks for enduring the rules page. It's all very simple to play, and it will be
explained well at the competition too.
See you there.
Adrian Custer
St. Louis Disc Dogs Competition Director
