Toss & Fetch Judging Criteria

In Canine Frisbee^® events worldwide, Throw & Catch competition is viewed as the best way for new and emerging teams to demonstrate proven skills as a Canine Frisbee team.

ACDA have adopted the following Judging Criteria for Toss & Fetch for use in sanctioned competitions. These Judging Criteria are very simple and also provide the opportunity for Australian Canine Frisbee teams to compare their competition performance against other teams throughout the World. These Judging Criteria were originally developed through a consultative process by the USDDN, the Organizing Committee that coordinates the annual US Disc Dog Nationals Championships Series.

What You Need To Know

Teams consist of one handler and one dog and must use an ACDA approved competition disc.

Teams compete one at a time from their choice of end on a rectangular shaped field that is 25 metres wide. Before time starts both the handler and the dog must be completely behind the throwing line. After receiving permission to start from the Line Judge, time will commence when the dog crosses the throwing line.

Only successful catches made by the dog before the disc makes contact with the ground score points. In order to score points, the dog must catch the disc while they have at least one paw within the specified competition field. Dogs that make a catch in mid-air with all four paws off the ground and while executing an obvious leaping effort score an extra half point. Points are scored as summarised in the following table:

Each throw made by the handler must be released from behind the throwing line. If, at any time during the motion of throwing before the throw has left the handler’s hand, any portion of either of the handler’s feet are over, on, or touching the throwing line that throw will be signaled as a foot fault by the Line Judge, and the throw will not score any points.

Teams have 90 seconds in which to make as many throws as possible, but only the “best five” scoring throws contribute to a team’s total Toss and Fetch score. Once a team has successfully made five catches the handler is welcome to continue making throws in an effort to improve their team’s score. 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.

Toss & Fetch Judging Criteria

If you want to know all the rules, then here they are:

1.        The competition field shall be a rectangular shape with a width of 40 yards and a minimum length of 50 total yards.

2.        Teams can compete from either end of the field that they choose.

3.        Spectators cannot be permitted to enter the competition field.

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

5.        The thrower is restricted to the use of a single disc.

6.        The competition disc must be a disc approved for competition use by ACDA.

7.     This is a 90 second timed event.

8.     The handler and their dog must both be behind the throwing line before time can commence.

9.     After receiving permission to start from the Line Judge, time will commence when the dog crosses the throwing line.

10.     Only successful catches made by the dog before the disc makes contact with the ground score points.

11.     In order to score points, the dog must catch the disc while they have at least one paw within the specified competition field.

12.     Dogs that make a catch in mid-air with all four paws off the ground and while executing an obvious leaping effort score an extra half point.

13.     The points scoring opportunities are summarized in the following table:

14.     During the 90-second time limit handlers are able to make as many throws as possible, but only the “best five” points scores contribute to a team’s total Toss and Fetch score. Once a team has successfully made five catches the handler is welcome to continue making throws in an effort to improve their team’s score.

15.     Each throw made by the handler must be released from behind the throwing line. If, at any time during the motion of throwing before the throw has left the handler’s hand, any portion of either of the handler’s feet are over, on, or touching the throwing line that throw will be signaled as a foot fault by the Line Judge, and the throw will not score any points.

16.     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.

17.     Although this is a single disc event, teams where the dog is susceptible to damaging discs may bring extra discs with them to the starting line. At any time during their 90 seconds a thrower may inform the Line Judge that they will be exchanging discs in order to ensure that the handler does not use a disc that has a broken rim, tear, or other type of damage that may substantially impair the flight of the disc or potentially injure the dog. To exercise this option a handler must hand the disc that they have been using to the Line Judge before taking hold of their replacement disc. Time does not stop during this exchange. The handler has total discretion for deciding if and when such disc exchanges will take place.

18.     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, points will be deducted from their score equal to the number of throws that had been made by the handler before the nature break took place. However, the application of this rule cannot result in a score lower than zero.

19.     If an interruption occurs during competition that is beyond the control of the competitor (ie, 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 Judges.

20.   One or more Scoring Judges will assess the points scored by each throw and the total points scored by each team. The Scoring Judges have total discretion for determining scores, and their decisions will not be subject to review or appeal.

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