Intro to Agility

[cheyaut]

Linda, our club usually has two rings, with two judges, to handle more entries.

But I've been to trials that have two rings with one judge. While courses are being run in one ring, the other ring is open for course builders to set the next course. Then that ring will be run, while the first one is changed to the next class. Of course, that does mean having enough equipment to do this, but if you did, say, tunnelers in one while jumpers was running, then the tunnelers changed to regular (if you have enough jumps), etc... basically setting up the run order to not need to use contacts in both rings if possible (unless you do have enough to duplicate in the rings), that will save a lot of time as the trial can continue running while the next class course is being set.

Hope that made sense!

Jessi

[Sharon Nelson]

Sharon,
When will you be adding Intro to the NADAC Title Checklist?  Will you be updating the NADAC rule book any time in the future? 

Me and my Chihuahuas are really enjoying the Intro classes.  Gidget is almost ready to try out Novice Regulars again.  I'm waiting until she gets 200 points in Intro Regulars.  This has been a great addition to the NADAC trials.  If it wasn't for this new class, I might have dropped out of NADAC competition or at least not entered as many classes this past year. 

Great job!

Thanks,

Jan

That is my big winter project is the new rulebook, now that the Hall of Fame is on it's way!

Sharon

[Maureen deHaan]

Had a little down time at work (not really - but I needed a brain break)  I updated my own personal checklist to include Intro - happy to share and happy to let NADAC use it since the original template came from NADAC

Happy to make one for EGC Sharon - just need to know official abbreviations and point markers for titles

[Sharon Nelson]

Had a little down time at work (not really - but I needed a brain break)  I updated my own personal checklist to include Intro - happy to share and happy to let NADAC use it since the original template came from NADAC

Happy to make one for EGC Sharon - just need to know official abbreviations and point markers for titles

Thanks, Maureen!!  It is very appreciated!

Sharon

[Maureen deHaan]

found a small typo here is the corrected one

[Lynn Koeppen]

One of the MANY great things about Intro is that since many experienced handlers skip the walkthrough, those new handlers who do want to walk the course do not have to wade through crowds of others doing the same thing.

The walk through is a very important time for me as a new handler. It would be very helpful to new handlers to be able to ask more experienced handlers questions during the walk through.

[Janice_Shavor]

Watch some of the earlier, more advanced runs and then ask some of the ones who run a dog that runs like yours for a little help.  Some other venues require that all handlers on the walk through have dogs entered in that class.

Also, if you are taking lessons, request a session or 2 cover what you need to do and look out for in your walk through.

[Lynn Koeppen]

Watch some of the earlier, more advanced runs and then ask some of the ones who run a dog that runs like yours for a little help.  Some other venues require that all handlers on the walk through have dogs entered in that class.

Also, if you are taking lessons, request a session or 2 cover what you need to do and look out for in your walk through.

Thanks for the helpful tips. I ask lots of questions, probably too many! 

[danforth]

I have found that I love to ring crew for the Elite runs.  I learn so much about how other handlers run their dogs.  I also see where problem spots are for those other dogs that I might not have seen just doing a walk thru.   Now that we are running in a lot of Elite classes, I really miss being able to closely watch those really good handlers.

Isabel

[Karl Schulzki]

Can we choose which classes have Intro level or do we have to offer Intro in all classes on a weekend?

[Sharon Nelson]

Can we choose which classes have Intro level or do we have to offer Intro in all classes on a weekend?

We originally said that it was an all or nothing status as of Jan. 1 2015, but we are willing to extend that deadline to Jan. 1, 2016.

Sharon

[DougRicks]

Hi
Let me put on a little personal experience with Intro as trial chair, And long time Agility addict. I'm
.  First as trial chair. We embraced and promoted intro for all classes as soon as it came out. At our trial a couple of weeks ago we had as many entries in intro as we did in novice.  And several dogs and handlers had much improvement as they worked thru the shorter and simpler courses. It was also heartwarming to see a couple of senior champions do a little play run at four inches.
.  Intro accounted for over 10 percent of the runs (including egc) and were the difference in making a modest profit and not losing money on the trial. With 500 runs per day, and with 50 or so intro, we went about an hour longer than when we did no intro. Course builders liked that it was a matter of taking off things, like when we took off tunnels and weaves for intro weavers before going to jumpers.
.  As a club that also offers classes, we would hate to not have this level available for our students that are getting ready to compete. 
.  As a judge I have seen how much it can make trials of all size entries have more people involved, and provide a great starting point.
.  And as a handler, as my dog developes to the point of working greater distance, I will be liking the idea of working away on those simpler courses for contacts and my movement and cues.
.  Bottom line, thanks to Sharon for allowing folks to dip a toe in the pool. And for letting others dive in and swim.
Doug Ricks
Extreme Agility team

[Lisa Schmit In The Zone Agility]

Thanks Sharon!!  I appreciate being able to pick what classes we can do intro in.   Honestly, I was not going to offer intro this year because I did not want to have to offer intro in the non- jumping classes.    Now,  I will continue to offer it in. Jumping classes.   

[Sharon Nelson]

Hi
Let me put on a little personal experience with Intro as trial chair, And long time Agility addict. I'm
.  First as trial chair. We embraced and promoted intro for all classes as soon as it came out. At our trial a couple of weeks ago we had as many entries in intro as we did in novice.  And several dogs and handlers had much improvement as they worked thru the shorter and simpler courses. It was also heartwarming to see a couple of senior champions do a little play run at four inches.
.  Intro accounted for over 10 percent of the runs (including egc) and were the difference in making a modest profit and not losing money on the trial. With 500 runs per day, and with 50 or so intro, we went about an hour longer than when we did no intro. Course builders liked that it was a matter of taking off things, like when we took off tunnels and weaves for intro weavers before going to jumpers.
.  As a club that also offers classes, we would hate to not have this level available for our students that are getting ready to compete. 
.  As a judge I have seen how much it can make trials of all size entries have more people involved, and provide a great starting point.
.  And as a handler, as my dog developes to the point of working greater distance, I will be liking the idea of working away on those simpler courses for contacts and my movement and cues.
.  Bottom line, thanks to Sharon for allowing folks to dip a toe in the pool. And for letting others dive in and swim.
Doug Ricks
Extreme Agility team

Thank you, Doug, for a well written response that gives the perspective of club leader, judge, and the exhibitors.

Sharon

[Jeannie Biggers]

I honestly think that clubs that dont offer Intro in ALL classes are missing the boat.... we have offered it in every class at every trial since last April and it has made a HUGE difference in income to the clubs AND getting new people involved in the sport.  It is an amazing goal for instructors to people to be excited about teaching the hardest obstacle of all.. weaves.  When people start playing at Intro they get the bug and actually want to spend more time training on their own to get better and better   It has made it MUCH easier to get people going!  So thanks NADAC for giving us an awesome tool to grow the sport in Montana!