Opinion Archives

Algorithm of the Take – How a Slick Foundation Hides Intangible Skills

July 30, 2022 2 Comments

What is a Take? In disc dog we do this thing called a Take – a Take is a “throw” made to the dog that

Disc Dog Opinion: What Is a Vault?

August 8, 2021 No Comments

Ron Watson lays out the basic nature of the disc dog vault and discusses some of the defining aspects of this freestyle trick.

Disc Dog Opinion: What Is a Multiple?

August 7, 2021 2 Comments

Ron Watson discusses the disc dog Multiple trick in Freestyle, laying out some definitions and keys to the trick.

Disc Dog Opinion: Your Score is More About What You Didn’t Do on the Field than What You Did

August 4, 2021 No Comments

In dog frisbee, the rule for judges is you can only judge what you see. It is almost a mantra. This is true. But there is something embedded in that rule that often gets forgotten. That which you didn’t see on the field also affects the score. Understanding this as a player can lead to more score and better performance and stronger routine development.

Patrons Q and A | On Stereotypes of Disc Dog Play

December 4, 2020 3 Comments

Ron Watson answere a Patrons question on stereotypes of disc dog play and their effects on individuality, growth, and performance.

On the Aesthetics and Performance of Disc Dog Shapes and Flatwork

November 23, 2020 No Comments

A discussion on the aesthetics and performance of disc dog shapes from a comment on the Pawsitive Vybe Disc and Dogs Blog.

The Purpose and Value of Recognizing Shapes in Disc Dog Freestyle

May 22, 2020 No Comments

Shapes are created by the position and movement of dog, handler, and disc. And shapes can be created by the dog, the handler, and the placement of the disc. Shapes are a fact of disc dog freestyle.

When the dog leaves the handler for a catch, that tends to create a line. When the dog is away from the handler and moves across the field to make a catch, as in a Zig Zag or Around the World, that tends to create a Shape.

Hidden Athleticism of Interior Movement | On Separation

May 9, 2020 1 Comment

Separation in interior movement is one of the more interesting and overlooked aspects of the game. Separation can be defined as the distance between the hand and the disc at the time of catch. It is a key aspect of assessing difficulty and mature play.

The Hidden Athleticism In Shapes and Flowing Flatwork

April 26, 2020 No Comments

Flatwork, Flow, Shapes, Throw Placement and Flight, and Release Diversity all require and can demonstrate athletic ability. How these skills are demonstrated or performed may or may not have an impact on Athleticism and Showmanship.

How to Get Better at Disc Dog Freestyle

November 9, 2018 No Comments

Success in this game is much more about the things you do between the tricks, the little things that are not tricks at all and are often hidden are far more important, than the tricks themselves. If your stuff between the tricks, your set up, position, flatwork and team movement are off your trick will be hard to pull off or fall flat before it happens.

On Flatwork: The Xs and Os of Preferred Movement

November 1, 2018 No Comments

At Pawsitive Vybe we look at the dog’s directional movement and direction of play through a clockwise and counter clockwise lens. It’s a bit “brainful”,

On Disc Management: More Than Picking Up Discs

October 31, 2018 No Comments

Handling and managing the discs while they are in the dog’s mouth, before they fall out and hit the ground is a key element of Disc Management, and I don’t think it is on many Player Judges’ radar. I don’t think it is in any rulebook (UpDog, maybe, excluded… Go Jack!), but it is a fact of Disc Management, nonetheless.