Competition Rules

Types of Competitions

The Australian Canine Frisbee Association (ACDA) sanctions three types of competitions.

• Local Events. Local events normally have two divisions of Toss & Fetch competition (Novice and Pro). Sometimes they may also have a Freestyle Division.
• Championships Events. Championships events will normally have at least two divisions of Toss & Fetch competition (Novice and Pro). By 2005, all Championships events will normally have at least one division of Freestyle competition.
• National Championships Series. National Championships Series events will normally have at least two divisions of Toss & Fetch competition (Novice and Pro). By 2005, all National Championships Series events will also have at least one division of Freestyle competition.

Divisions

There are three typical divisions at a Canine Frisbee competition.

Novice. All competitions have a Novice Division. This division is the entry-level division for new teams and those that are still becoming competent in making good throws and completing catches. Novices can be confident that they will be competing against teams of similar ability because handlers who have previously won twice in any divisions at any ACDA sanctioned Canine Frisbee competition are ineligible from again competing in the Novice Division. typically, each Novice team competes in two 90 second rounds of Throw & Catch and score points by making catches beyond 10, 20, 30 and 40 metres. It is expected that only some Novice throwers will be capable of throwing beyond 20-30 metres, so if you are not an accomplished thrower do not be concerned. The winners will be those teams that have the highest totals after adding up their scores from all rounds of competition.

Pro. Almost all competitions have a Pro Division. Any team can enter the Pro Division. Handlers who have previously won two or more times in any division at any ACDA sanctioned Canine Frisbee competition are ineligible from competing in the Novice Division and must instead enter the Pro Division. This division is for teams who have previously demonstrated that they are competent in making good throws and completing catches. Each Pro team competes in two 90 second rounds of Toss & Fetch and score points by making catches beyond 10, 20, 30 and 40 metres. The winners will be those teams that have the highest totals after adding up the scores for the two rounds of competition.

Freestyle. Some competitions also have a Freestyle Division. Anyone can enter the Freestyle Division, with all teams competing in one or two 90 second rounds of Freestyle, and one or two 90 second rounds of Toss & Fetch. The Freestyle rounds are scored using the ACDA Approved Freestyle Judging Criteria. During the Toss & Fetch round teams score points by making catches beyond 10, 20, 30 and 40 metres. The scores from the rounds of Toss & Fetch and Freestyle are weighted and then added to determine the winners.

Judging Criteria and Rules

Toss & Fetch. Toss & Fetch divisions of competitions are judged using the Toss & Fetch Judging Criteria originally developed by the USDDN, the sanctioning organisation that organises the annual US Disc Dog Nationals Championships Series, which is the US equivalent of the Australian National Championships Series.

Freestyle. Freestyle divisions of competitions are judged using the Freestyle Judging Criteria originally developed by the USDDN, the sanctioning organisation that organises the annual US Disc Dog Nationals Championships Series, which is the US equivalent of the Australian National Championships Series.

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