Nothing but speed 4p.pdf - Bernd Hueppe

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Original Source (in German): AgilityLive Sept./Okt. 2019, S. 8 - 15 »One of the most obvious and strongest trends over the past years must surely be the above mentioned balance between speed and skill which Big thanks to has shifted noticeably towards speed.« Gaby Grohovaz (ZA) Bernd Hüppe for translation! Nothing But Speed? „Each course should require a balance of skill and speed.“ FCI Agility Regulations 2018, p. 3 The FCI Agility Rules contain, even in the latest version of 2018, the clear instruction for the judges to balance "skill" (i.e. technical aspects) with "speed" in their course design. T he design of a course, that is are not seen as "should" or "could", as Sporting disciplines can only grow the placement of obstacles but are non-negotiable within the through diversity. Nevertheless trends and the resulting path of the rules. develop arising from specific elements dog, is largely left to each Each judge will develop over time which judges start to copy and adopt judge's imagination. The distance their own signature style, (their own (e.g. go-round) and these then become a between the obstacles has to be a course design hand writing so to non-compulsory but generally accepted minimum of 5 meters (4 in Small) and a speak). That the style differs from Standard element. maximum of 7 meters. These distances judge to judge is overall positive, Ever more speed and less skill Ever increasing speed is One of the most obvious and also created by the strongest trends over the past years entrenched use of must surely be the above mentioned Running Contacts, which balance between speed and skill which is especially obvious on has shifted noticeably towards speed. the dog walk. Course design which allows dogs to Foto: Martin Ritter, Adobe Stock manoeuvre at higher speeds due to greater distances between obstacles as well as partially fewer and less acute changes of direction result in handlers not facing the question how best to handle a sequence (e.g. which type of  cross to use), but rather the fastest way for the handler to reach key positions * AgilityLive AgilityLive 9 »Can the current "If everything seems speed direction continue and - more importantly - under control, you're High Speed on Course: do we even want this?« not going fast enough.” Can we carry the Bernd Hüppe responsibility for (Mario Andretti) higher risk and greater loading (stress levels)? Nothing but Speed? More Speed = higher risk and stress! Do we even want this? Today we therefore have a type of "Speed-alliance " between judges who push the boundaries of what is allowed It is pointless bringing up examples of and based on their own physical Acute changes in direction are not very and not seldom transgress them, and dangerous situations also at slower abilities. Therefore there is a pre- welcome in this group, neither is a those speed intoxicated handlers who speeds, either due to bad course design programmed (a priori) resistance to reduction of speed (for example with a can keep up with the increasing speed, (judge) or bad handling (handler), or any type of speed reduction or even collection cue) which is also seen as sometimes only just, on both technical raising the point that some sequences speed limit within this group. undesirable. skill as well as running ability. Despite will be strenuous on the dog even at the obvious attraction for dogs, handlers medium speeds. Part of these "speed faction" include Favoured on the other hand are for and judges the question still needs to be handlers who are very athletic or are example sequences in which the dog asked, what potential side effects the Top handlers at international strong sprinters, handlers with very fast walk can be used primarily as an increased speed levels have and what the level are able to produce lots of "clear dogs or dogs who don't like to collect, acceleration obstacle with basically next development in this process could rounds" in both Agility and Jumping straight lines to the next obstacle. or dogs with long strides.  be. Can the current speed direction with their exquisitely trained dogs continue and - more importantly - do we even want this? More Speed = Flowing high speed course at higher accident risk + the Czech higher overall stress Border collie on the body ! Championships 2019 with 3 It is obvious that higher speed is straight "turbo- associated with a potentially higher risk accellerators". in accidents involving obstacles (possibly also caused by handling  mistakes), as well as an overall higher burden on the dog's body. It is quite within the course. The fact that the be adjusted downwards with a likely that top handlers will be able to Fotos: Guido Küster, Adobe Stock (2); Parcours: Bernd Hüppe maximum distances between obstacles sheepish grin and a knowing wink. minimize additional stress on their dog's frequently get transgressed in this type Consequences are not considered, as body even at highest speeds by choosing of open course design is a side effect of they are not catered for. the smoothest lines and precise timing, this trend. The choice of words in the FCI rules however the time frame for those Feeling the pressure resulting from the update of 2018 regarding the distance (handling) actions becomes increasingly high expectation of "speed handlers", between obstacles has shown to be smaller. And who can claim to always more and more judges are circum- unfortunate. The purpose had been to have optimal lines and optimal timing? venting and openly ignoring the rules allow more space and better lines for the regarding maximum distances. When dog in the ever more popular "go round" The higher the speed the higher are Many Sports have the measuring wheel reads more than elements, an overall increase of the different disciplines, the effects on the dog's body of even in Alpine Skiing the allowed 220 meters for the total course length had never been the minor fuzzy handling actions - usually Downhill and Slalom course length, the number will casually intention. late cues. are 2 examples. Could this also become an option for Agility? AgilityLive 11 The dogs have become »In some Sport disciplines reconsideration of trends “There is more to increasingly better only happened after serious accidents took place. life than simply trained and faster. Let's hope Agility will be spared.« Are there natural increasing its speed.” limits or is this Bernd Hüppe unstoppable? (Mahatma Ghandi) Nothing but Speed? Rule changes and change of thought at judges' level  So, why limit speed? ● more frequent use of "Turning for safety and load even at high speeds. Training and even breed would have to jumps" (approx. 180 degrees turn) follow this trend and doping could Looking at other types of Sports Contact elements with rubberized surface possibly become an increased point of (Formula 1, Ski Jumping / Flying etc.) it All this would already be possible at which are slip proof even in wet discussion. In some Sport disciplines becomes clear that in the battle for ever present on a voluntary basis. conditions have become standard. Frame- reconsideration of trends only happened higher speeds and world records setting less tires have resulted in the gratifying after serious accidents took place. Let's Currently judges feel no particular limits early on to reduce risks is sensible. resurrection of an almost discarded hope Agility will be spared. pressure to reduce speed but they do feel In Agility especially the judges will be Fotos: Alex Bereuter (2); Parcours: Bernd Hüppe obstacle. The number of flips/ the expectation of the "speed faction" for playing a key role in this. They however fast running courses. In the age of FB and summersaults inside tunnels (especially Option 2: Rule changes usually react quite touchy at any attempts due to wet paws or wet tunnels) has Another option would be to regularly set Co judges' stiles and preferences are to restrict their course designs. thankfully decreased, even if the opinions boundaries. This would entail for FCI to transparent and easily checkable. Thus it of the full-grip tunnels are still divided. give clear signals, which could then be may well be possible that some judges will How should this work? keep their popularity in mind when Further development of form fitting followed by National bodies. tunnel bags has led to higher stability of designing courses (= chances to be invited Sticking to the existing maximum the obstacle, even at high speeds and The FCI Agility Commission has in the to judge large international events) and distances would already act speed heavy dogs. Equally positive from a safety past unfortunately never been seen as Many handlers can't keep up with their dogs will design particularly open, wide and limiting. Further elements for a moderate aspect for high speeds are the latest soft actively giving direction for the framework anymore and would perhaps be quite happy about flowing high-speed courses. speed reduction would perhaps be ... versions of long jumps and walls. of Agility, but has limited itself to react to a second, somewhat slower discipline. ● a reduced use of straight tunnels The obstacles are already As part of the discussion on obstacle acutely arising problems. A basic ● frequent changes in direction rather much improved safety/dog health more and more speed- discussion how to encourage desired than (almost) straight lines When asking the question what happy handlers are demanding changes to developments and discourage less However, without accidents (which may What is a "skill course"? ● strong changes of direction after the obstacle themselves (viz wider Dog desirable trends early on has never taken hopefully never happen) as obvious proof particular dangers a "high-speed-dog" is place, applications and suggestions on the dog walk (this will have a Walks, larger tunnel diameter, wider of the dangers of high speed , such change exposed to on a course, one tends to In Alpine skiing we know the speed guaranteed protest action by the distance between poles in the weaves) or those points were blocked. in thought will probably be excruciatingly immediately focus on the obstacles. events (Downhill Skiing and Super-G) ever increasing group of RC-fans), their use (e.g no strong bends of the slow. Thankfully much has been achieved over and the technical events (Giant Slalom as well as the past years in the design of obstacles tunnels, no acute angles at jumps to avoid Option 3: Change of thought and Slalom). Each discipline is governed shoulder injuries). at judges' level Option 4: "Skill courses" as by clear parameters which strongly define the speeds of the different events. In The third option would be a serious re- second Agility discipline These demands for higher safety and to Alpine Skiing the duality of speed and think within the judging community of A last option would be the introduction of skill is securely anchored/cemented, some reduce health risks may have the best Turning Jumps in those judges who are aware of their "skill courses" (see the explanation below) skiers will compete in several disciplines, intentions, however, there is a real danger a course could responsibility in the further development as an obvious juxtapose to the common to shoot oneself in the foot, as straighter while some are specialists. reduce the overall of the Sport and who would have to resist speed courses. These could be started at speed somewhat. tunnels, wider dog walks and straighter the driving force of the "speed-faction". any time as individual actions, provided In the past years the development in lines for jumps would increase the speed This would have to be seen as a long term organisers and judges could agree on Agility has clearly moved towards the and therefore increase the risk further. project, which would have to be certain frame work parameters. These "Downhill + Super-G" assisted by encouraged at various judges' meetings or would not even require a change of the according course design (distance  What options are there judges' discussion groups. rules and regulations. between obstacles, lack of tight turns, ...). for the future? Option 1: Doing nothing If nothing gets done and the no intervention into the development of Agility is taken, the strong internal dynamics will continue. Further pressure for speed courses will result in the increased bid for maximal speed. The author: Bernd Hüppe has been in Agility »The concept of "skill courses" should for 29 years, still active handler (Vice-World not at all be seen as a general plea for shorter Champion Team 2015), conducting handling distances and slower courses, it's simply one seminars in many countries, International FCI-Judge (judged in more than 20 countries, of the possible options for the future.« 2 x AWC, 2 x EO), until 2016 Vice-President Bernd Hüppe of the FCI Agility Commission Nothing but Speed? Maybe more than one discipline is possible... Summary  Guidelines for course design l After 2 obstacles with (almost) straight In the past years we have to recognise lines a compulsory turn of at least 90 an increasing speed orientation in for a "skill course" international Agility. There is a tendency Could Agility not also benefit from an degrees additional more technically oriented in course design towards speedy lines l At least 2 "Turning-jumps" (at least l Reduction of the distance between (many straight tunnels, few acute changes discipline to the existing speed courses? 180 degree turn) obstacles to 6 meters of direction...) and distances between Even if, for various reasons, the speed- fans will immediately gather counter l Max 2 long tunnels (5-6 meters) with The above are merely examples to obstacles at the upper limit of what is arguments, could this not open new at least 90 degree curve show the direction in which a skill permitted - and sometimes already avenues in Agility? These would be new course could be conceptualised. The considerably beyond. More and more l Only 1 short tunnel (3-4 meters), types of courses with somewhat different requirement of the judges to design a courses surprisingly have a total length of straight, only used once design elements in addition to the flowing course does not change between exactly 220 meters. :-) Basically a modern l Compulsory turn off the dog walk of a speed and a skill course. course design with flowing and smooth current courses, not a substitute. 90 degrees, either left or right (this will As with current speed courses, there lines is something very positive for the level the playing field between 2 on - will always be skill courses that will be dogs, but in combination with higher 2 off and Running) nicer to run and those that will not be as speed the risk of accidents and the overall With increasing popularity of the running contacts the Dog Walk has become an "acceleration device". stress on the dog's body will increase. We have to ask ourselves already today Example of a in which direction Agility should develop "Skill Course": nice. In either case however it is expected One could award titles in both divisions, in the years to come. Doing nothing is the The distance that the risk for the dog and the stress on but also a "combination-title". The latter easiest but also most dangerous option, as between the body will be reduced, due to the would be the most valuable of all, as it it will be - besides other undesirable side obstacles is a reduced speed. reflects the balance between speed and effects - just a matter of time that serious maximum of skill. Of course there will be attempts to accidents could happen. 6 meters (right), downgrade skill courses with utterances The greatest responsibility will lie with and despite this, the course is along the lines of "boring", "not enough New Target Groups? the Agility judges as simply respecting flowing action", "no fun for the dog and the existing distance rules would slightly (extreme right). spectators", "dogs can't get going", etc. reduce the average course speed right It is conceivable that this would open Again a comparison to Alpine skiing: Is now. With few additional elements in new prospects in Agility or at least reach the traditional Night-Slalom in course design (e.g. fewer straight tunnels, target groups which are not drawn Schladming (AUT) with approx 50 000 stronger changes of direction...) the top towards the tendency for increasing speed. enthusiastic spectators a flop only because speed could be lowered without negative The concept of "skill courses" should not it isn't a speed event? It will soon become consequences on course flow or at all be seen as a general plea for shorter apparent that it will rest upon the judge to attractiveness. distances and slower courses, it's simply design a flowing skill course, but it will one of the possible options for the future. Waiting for changes of the Agility also depend upon the handler to find the Fotos: Guido Küster, Privat; Parcours: Bernd Hüppe A second discipline would help to take out Regulations will not be so helpful as even correct line and run the dog on it. some pressure of the further development now more and more frequently existing Skill courses would also be attractive when speed is not the one and only regulations are not respected (without any for those teams where either the dog or element in the focus any more. sanctions) and rule changes in the past the handler or both are not competitive mostly were late and just adapting in on speed courses. There could be a variety details, but not pointing the way. of show formats of only speed courses, or This is a request to everyone whose The concept of skill courses is neither a only skill courses or a combination of heart is beating for Agility to think general plea for shorter distances and both. It is to be expected that specialists and consider which direction Agility slower courses nor a solution for the will develop who, for various reasons, will should be taking. described speed problems, it's just an only compete in one type of event, but Or maybe which different directions? additional option for Agility in the future. there will also be those who will become "All-Rounder". Bernd Hüppe 14