Vaulting Vocabulary and Nomenclature

One of the problems with talking about disc dog stuff is the lack of a common vocabulary. We have developed a common vocabulary and nomenclature at Pawsitive Vybe for vaulting and it’s relatively simple.

Nomenclature

Nomenclature is a system of principles, procedures and terms related to naming.

Type of Throw >> Type of Vault >> Part of Body is, generally speaking, how we name our vaults. So we wind up with a term like Butterfly Reverse Back Vault. That is a Reverse Vault (flipping off the obstacle), off the back of the handler using a Butterfly throw. A Cross Body Back Vault is a back vault that crosses our body from left to right, or vice versa.

This nomenclature, the system for arranging terms in a name, is not quite perfect, there are exceptions, but it’s a good start and better than having a completely random or personal naming system. Here are some terms for describing various vault types:

  • Backwards – from the opposite direction
    A Backwards Back Vault would be a Back Vault where the dog goes from front to back instead of from back to front as a normal Back Vault is performed. The “Hike Vault” is an example.
  • Reverse – a Flipping Vault
    The dog flips off of the handler’s body. A Reverse Leg Vault would have your dog flipping off of your leg to catch a disc.
  • Cross Body – from Right to Left
    Linear Vault where the dog crosses the handler’s body from left to right or right to left.

Vocabulary

  • Obstacle or Platform – the part of the body that is used for vaulting.
  • Target – the disc
  • Set Up – distance and orientation for the start of a vault
  • Release – the throw

These are not completely standard outside of Pawsitive Vybe they may or may not be understood. We believe it is important to try to standardize the naming system and vocabulary so we can easily communicate and understand disc dog concepts.

Related Articles

Patron’s Choice: Vaulting Principles | Disc Dog Vaulting Defined and Definitions

To vault in disc dog freestyle is to leap off the handler’s body to catch a disc in flight. A defining aspect of competitive disc dog freestyle, the Vault is a simple operation with a great many physical expressions and variations. This book aims to explore and uncover the principles and concepts of the vault and to deliver sound understanding of all aspects of the skill to players and judges for success, style, and safety’s sake.

Throwing With Intent

Throwing with Intent is throwing a disc to your dog with the intent to make them look good. Throwing the disc to promote a big leap, to hit the dog in stride on the run or throwing a disc that your dog is going to flip for 10 yards away, is the sign of a mature handler.

Responses

  1. So basically you have two verbal cues top and rebound for the vault and then the type of vault the dog does is dictated by yor body, the placement of the disc (where you throw it) and the cued direction with the disc?
    What is the verbal que for an over? is it simple over?

    thanks

    1. I have 3 Verbal Cues:
      Top
      Linear VaultVault over me in a straight line to get the target – Back Vault, Leg Vault
      Stall
      StallJump on the Obstacle and Wait for the target – Back Stall, Foot Stall
      Rebound
      Rebound – Jump up and flip off of obstacle to get the target – Reverse Chest Vault

      The position of the handler’s body helps to tell the dog what direction we are going and what part of the body is the vaulting platform.

      We use Hup!, Hup Over! and Over! to cue overs.

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