Clean Run Magazine - February 2010 - 50

They can think clearly under pressure. “T-Cup thinking” is terminology defined by the successful 2003 England World Cup Rugby team to describe the requirement to be able to make the right decisions at the right time, no matter what was going on around them. This element of the handler profile is about the ability to operate in the moment, being ready to react to the unexpected and make the right handling decisions (and corrections) at speed when needed, even when under extreme pressure. Timing All good handlers have excellent timing. Like the good comedian they know how long to hold a position (a silence) and when to move on to the next obstacle (set-up line), staying in the moment long enough to be sure their intentions (the joke) have been understood before moving on (wait for the response and then get on with the next joke). Good timing can be learned with practice and is an essential tool for the strategic agility handler. Many sports have developed exercises designed to develop the athlete’s spatial awareness and peripheral vision and in my training I have adapted some of these exercises for the agility handler. They can be good fun, especially when it goes wrong to begin with; however, with practice you can see a visible improvement in the way the handler is able to negotiate a given sequence of obstacles with the dog. This leaves me with my final comment for the time being on handling in general. While as trainers we have to adapt and adopt our training advice to match the physical capabilities of the dog and handler, both are capable of more effective movement if the right technique is identified and implemented for them. What’s Next? Now, having mapped out at a high-level blueprint of what is demanded of the perfect agility dog and handler, I had to work out how to create a training approach to achieve the desired outcome: improving performance at every level from beginner to expert. We will look at this in the next article. D References Lowri Davies, BVSc, MRCVS, CertVetAc (IVAS), CCRP). Lowri runs the Smart Vet Clinic in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom, www.smartvetwales.co.uk. Additional Recommended Reading Sports Training Principles, Frank W. Dick Coaching Science: Theory into Practice, McMorris and Hale Winning! Sir Clive Woodward • • • Steve Croxford has been involved in competitive agility since 1986. He has competed at the highest level both in the U.K. and internationally, and during the early 90s, won a series of British national titles with his Border Collie bitch Kai. Steve, who has been training others professionally since 2004, runs the successful PACE Agility training venture with his wife Yvonne. Steve’s agility career embraces agility training seminars and judging both in the U.K. and abroad, and he still competes regularly at the national level. Steve has been the manager of the successful national Agility Team since 2001. Earning titles is difficult. Keeping track of them doesn’t have to be. Manage your competition results with Agility Trial Journal The original, best, easiest, and most affordable software! Track points and titles. Analyze performance varying period, judge, trial location, etc. Manage multiple dogs, multiple venues. Automatic calculation of Q-Rates, YPS, Double/Triple-Q’s, MACH, Masters, and Lifetime points. Download a free 30-day evaluation copy at www.FlatCreekStudios.comCopyrig © ht © 2004 -2009 Flat Creek Studios, Inc. sales@FlatCreekStudios.com Clean Run | February 10

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Clean Run Magazine - February 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - February 2010