Clean Run Magazine - March 2010 - 18

Skills Checklist/Performance Profiling Having identified the key agility components we now have to draw these up into tangible skills and techniques to measure performance objectively. I have developed my own system of performance profiling to help with this. This started off as a simple skills checklist and has developed into a more sophisticated tool. My method of performance profiling runs to many pages and goes into a lot of detail. It is the culmination of a many hours of work and is still evolving, and I hope, improving all the time. I am going to spend some time explaining one element of my agility performance profile. When I help instructors to develop these profiles I usually encourage them to create their own version. I don’t do this because mine is a big secret, but because they gain a greater understanding of what making a profile is all about by developing their own. By using their own descriptions and checklists for a particular skill, they should know exactly what they mean and what they are trying to measure. This helps a great deal when imparting critical feedback to students. My skills checklist contains some of the following headings • • • • Jumping style Weaves Contacts Competition capability Each of these categories is split down into a further level of detail; for example, “Close Control” has some of these headings • • • • Body language/coordination Verbal/directional commands, visual cues Simple turns: pivot turns, left and right turns Complex turns: front cross, rear cross, pull-through, push-through, and so on • • • • Handler Dog Close control Distance control Under each component I have broken down what I am looking for with each skill and have a picture in my mind of what each skill looks like when performed correctly. In sports-science terms, this could be described as the “technical model.” In some sports the technical model has been developed in great detail and includes diagrams of the skill being performed, descriptions of the movements, and split-times for world-class performances. (Examples can easily be found using Internet search engines; try looking up athletics, 100 meters, world record.) A Better Way TM From occasional aches to discomfort caused by everyday activity, Herbsmith Comfort Aches provides a natural option. This unique combination of herbs has gentle and harmonizing properties, making Herbsmith Comfort Aches the ideal alternative for managing discomfort and supporting the normal healing process. Herbsmith Comfort Aches is a must for any dog household. Keep a bottle of this amazing formula on hand for everyday or occasional use. Herbal Blends Also Available for:  Seasonal Allergies  Anxious Behavior  Health of Athlete  Joint Support  Immunity ™ Comfort Aches Visit www.herbsmithinc.com for more information or to ﬁnd a retailer in your area. Herbsmith formulas are also available at www.holisticanimalsupply.com or at www.cleanrun.com 18 Available in tablets and powder . Clean Run | March 10

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Clean Run Magazine - March 2010

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