The reverse spin is used in situations where the handler wants to create an approximately 90° turn without a side change. If a basic forward or lateral send followed by a shoulder pull is not likely to create a tight enough line for the dog, then a reverse spin can be used. 8 9 3 3 4 4 2 2 1 A reverse spin may not be appropriate here. The red path shows the dog's desired line if using a pull. If the handler chooses a reverse spin instead, the dog's line from #2 to #3 may be too tight, causing a run-out at #3 as shown by the orange path. verse spin late. It should be started at least one stride before the dog's takeoff point. This means the handler will have rocked back (which is motion away from the dog's line) and be continuing to rotate by the time the dog takes off, so the dog is much less likely to read a rear cross. 1 In this sequence a reverse spin is appropriate to tighten the dog's line from #2 to #3 as shown by the red path. If the dog goes wide from #2 to #3, he will likely not be on the correct line from #3 to #4 as shown by the orange path. 10 * Movement: If the handler does not use the proper footwork, many times she will spin in place. This can cause several problems: 1) The handler does not have an opportunity to get ahead of the dog and will often be even with the dog's line as he lands; 2) The dog could read a rear cross because there is no direction of motion from the handler; and 3) There is no line of motion for the dog to follow as he is landing so the dog does not have as much information on which line he should run as he is descending from the jump. * Inappropriate for the sequence: If a tighter turn is not needed, then a reverse spin may not be appropriate. In many cases, it's possible that the reverse spin may cause the dog to miss the next obstacle because the line is too tight. See Figures 8 and 9. Sequences Use the sequences in Figures 10 through 14 to practice reverse spins. 4 3 5 1 2 Do a reverse spin at jump #3. Good luck and most of all have fun! D July 14 | Clean Run 15