AWI EU Rules

Structure and Events

The AWI European Championship consists of AWI Freestyle, AWI Toss & Catch and AWI Open Combined.

AWI Qualifiers in Europe offer the same AWI Open divisions. Hosting clubs may run additional divisions at their discretion.

AWI does not guarantee that every additional division will be offered at every event. Please check the host information.

Qualification

The following rules describe qualification for the AWI European Championship and AWI World Championship.

Registration and Fees

Teams must register and pay for every division they want to compete in. Registration opening and closing times will be announced before each event.

No entries are accepted after registration closes. Late registration is not allowed.

All competitors must sign the injury/illness waiver and full publicity release. After signing, no substitution of canine or thrower is allowed.

Dogs, Safety and Disqualification

Any physically sound dog may compete, subject to the safety rules.

Dogs must be at least one year old for the Open Division. Handlers should use careful judgment with young or uncertain-age dogs.

High jumps, vaults or similar freestyle elements with dogs under 18 months may lead to disqualification.

Bitches in heat may compete, but should be kept away from the field when not playing and walked away from the competition area if possible.

Current rabies vaccination is required. Vaccination against parvovirus and kennel cough is strongly recommended.

Grounds for mandatory or possible disqualification

• Abuse or endangerment of an animal.
• Competing with a dog under one year of age.
• Risky freestyle elements with dogs under 18 months.
• Overly aggressive canine behavior.
• No current rabies vaccination.
• Unsportsmanlike behavior, abusive language or inappropriate challenges of officials.
• Failure to supervise or control the dog safely.

Competition Format and Cuts

Combined means: one Freestyle round and one Toss & Catch round in the preliminary ranking, followed by one additional Freestyle round in the final. Freestyle only is scored only through Freestyle rounds. Toss & Catch only is scored only through Toss & Catch rounds.

Second-round cuts may be greater than 10 at the Tournament Director discretion if time and circumstances allow.

Qualifiers may be adjusted because of time, volunteer availability or weather. Changes should be announced before the event or before a divisional round starts whenever possible.

For compelling reasons, head judges may agree tournament-specific changes together with AWI representatives and hosts. They must be announced at the players meeting and apply only to that tournament.

Tiebreakers

Toss & Catch

A Toss & Catch round lasts 60 seconds and is played with one disc. Dog and handler must be behind the line before time starts.

The announcer counts down 3-2-1-GO. The clock starts on GO. Time calls are given at 30 seconds, 10 seconds, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and time.

For the first two false starts, the countdown is stopped and restarted. On the third false start, time continues to run and the triggering throw is scored like a drop / no catch.

Throws count if the disc leaves the hand before or at the call of time.

The handler must stay behind the line on release. Stepping on or across the line means the throw is not scored.

One backup disc may be brought to the throwing line and must be handed to the line judge before the round. Disc changes do not stop time.

Freestyle Scoring

Freestyle is a timed freeform routine judged on a 40-point scale.

The score consists of Dog, Human, Team and Overall. Each category is scored from 1 to 10 in 0.1-point increments. Dog, Human, Team and the median Overall score are added to determine the Freestyle score.

Catch Ratio is tracked separately and is not added to the Freestyle score. It is used only as a tiebreaker. A difficult routine with a lower Catch Ratio can therefore score higher than an easier routine with a very high Catch Ratio.

Three judges each score one subjective category: Dog, Human and Team. A fourth judge tracks Catch Ratio. The three subjective judges also each give an Overall score. The high and low Overall scores are dropped; the remaining median Overall score counts.

Only moves that begin with the disc in flight and end with a catch are scored. Takes, where the disc is handed to the dog, are not scored. Rollers count if the dog makes a clean catch. Taps and double throws may count if they are cleanly executed, even when one or more discs are intentionally missed by the dog and caught by the handler.

The welfare of the dog is paramount. Excessively high or repeated vaulting does not automatically increase the score and may result in deductions or disqualification.

Freestyle Procedure, Discs, Music and Props

The freestyle field is at least 30 x 50 yd. Entry and exit areas must be used by all competitors. As seen from the judges area, entry is in the left corner and exit is in the right corner.

A leash runner places the leash at the exit gate. Shade and water are available at the entry gate, and water is also provided at the exit gate.

Each competitor is expected to be at the entry gate when they are on deck and next up. Please be ready before the preceding round is finished so the event can flow smoothly.

A routine may last up to 120 seconds. Time starts with the first obvious disc throw. A team must perform at least 90 seconds for the round to count.

After time has started, time calls are given at 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds and time.

Pre-routines are strongly encouraged to stay under 15 seconds.

A maximum of nine discs may be used during a freestyle routine. More than nine discs lead to a one-point deduction in the Human category.

Music must be provided to the AWI sound system staff before the competition starts and clearly marked with handler name, dog name and track number. It should be suitable for a family audience. CD or MP3 player are allowed; cassette tapes are not allowed.

There are no clothing restrictions. Costumes only help the score if they add entertainment value and crowd appeal. If they hinder moves or disrupt flow, they may lower the score.

Costumes must not create an injury risk. Canine costumes should be limited to bandanas or form-fitting coats. Loose, flowing or hanging canine costumes may be disallowed by the head judge.

Props are not permitted on the field. This also applies to pre-routines before time starts. Competitors should consult judges in advance if they are unsure about a costume or possible prop.

Deductions and Interruptions

Deductions are discussed by all judges after the routine and applied only if all three scoring judges agree. The deduction is reflected in the Freestyle category it applies to: Dog, Human, Team or Overall.

Competitors should be made aware of applied deductions as early as possible, and definitely before their next Freestyle round, so they can adjust if needed.

Possible deductions include Contortion: twisting the canine body in a way that could lead to injury while jumping, catching or landing.

Buckle or Slam may also lead to deductions: an unstable landing where a body part other than the feet lands on the ground. Situations like the dog touching the ground with its face while chasing a low throw are excluded.

Starting the routine with more than nine discs leads to a one-point deduction in the Human category.

Players are performers. Conduct when entering, during and after the round can affect the Freestyle score. Inappropriate or unsportsmanlike conduct on the field may negatively affect the score.

If an unexpected interruption occurs, such as a loose dog or debris on the field, the head judge stops time. The team may resume, restart, or redo the routine after the remaining teams.

Nature breaks must be cleaned by the handler. If they happen during a round, time continues to run.

Discs Allowed in Competition

Dog-friendly discs of the listed models and manufacturers are allowed. Smaller pup discs are allowed.

Special requests for dogs with special needs should be reviewed with the AWI Tournament Director or head judge.

• Hero Disc USA dog style models, including 235, 215 and Atom 185.
• Wham-O Fastback models, including Eurablend.
• Hyperflite disc models, including Jawz.
• Dogstar disc models.
• mamadisc models.
• Trixie Activity Dog Disc.
• K9 Disc HBR & SBD.
• Wirbelwind Frisbees.
• DISCaLOT BITEaLOT 230.

Miscellaneous Rules

• All participants should attend the players meeting.
• Only the competing dog, handler, officials and field staff may be on the field during competition.
• No food or treats are allowed on the competition field.
• Only competition discs and the dog may be brought onto the field.
• Dogs may wear standard collars. Shock, pinch or other training collars are not allowed.
• Dogs must be on leash to the on-deck area and when exiting the field.
• Distracting activity must take place away from the competition area.