FRONT RANGE AGILITY TEAM

Docs

USDAA Scorekeeping

General

To run the score table efficiently requires 3 people.  It is possible to get by with 2, but things go much more smoothly with 3.  The FRAT scorekeepers box contains a manila folder for each class.  This folder starts the day containing the blank scribe sheets and should end the day containing the scribe sheets, ‘blue sheet‘ and score sheet.  At the end of each class put the signed ‘blue sheet’ and the scribe sheets in the correct folder.  At the end of the day take down the posted score sheets and put them in the correct folders.

Person 1

  • Receives the scribe sheet from the scribe sheet runner
  • Enters the standard course time (if applicable) and calculates time faults
  • Totals up the points or faults
  • Checks off each run in the score table catalog when the scribe sheet is received
  • Passes completed scribe sheet to Person 2

Additionally, Person 1 is responsible for:

  • Checking any illegible scribe sheets with the scribe and stopping the action in the ring if there seems to be anything wrong with the sheets.
  • Finding out where the scribe sheets are for any dogs listed in the catalog for which no scribe sheet shows up at the table.

Person 2

  • Before the first dog runs, enters the information at the top of the score sheet such as Class Name, Standard Course Times for each jump height, Class Start Time.
  • Visually verifies the information on the scribe sheet
  • Transcribes the data
    • Dog number
    • Dog name
    • Points or faults
    • Time
    • Q if qualifying

  From the scribe sheet to the score sheet for posting

  • At the end of each jump height, marks placements, reads placement info to Person 3 to enter on ‘Blue Sheet’.
  • At the end of the class, reconciles  # of scribe sheets with # of entries on score sheet and # of dogs checked off in catalog by Person 1.  Files scribe sheets.
  • At the end of the class, reconciles placements and Qs on score sheet with entries on ‘Blue Sheet’.
  • Writes Class End Time, # of Dogs and signature on top of score sheet.

Person 3

This is by far the easiest role at the score table and a good place for a trainee scorer to ‘get their feet wet’.  If there are only 2 scorers, this role can be handled by Person 2.

  • Enters all Qs and placements on official results form which goes to the USDAA office.  These are referred to as ‘Blue Sheets’, but they’re not all blue!
  • Gets dogs name, score, time and placement (if any) from Person 2
  • Gets dogs USDAA number from catalog
  • At end of class, reconciles with score sheet
  • Writes start and end times, # of dogs entered, # of dogs qualified at top of sheet
  • Has judge review and sign, files in correct folder in scorekeepers box.

Head Scorekeeper

  • Ensures all of the above gets done, often assumes the role of Person 2.
  • Ensures the table has a catalog marked with the scratches.
  • Ensures the scribe sheets for scratches are pulled before each class (a good scribe knows to do this but it’s the score table that suffers if the scores end up on the wrong dog’s sheet!).
  • Ensures that the judge has given the SCTs, scoring basis, gamble value, etc. etc. to the score table before each class.
  • Protects her scorers from the competitors (can I leave my treats on the table? Why didn’t I qualify? What’s my score? Could you just hold my dog for a second?  Where are the restrooms?  Is this where I check-in?  Where are the workers drinks?)

If a competitor disputes their score consult the judge ASAP, but without interrupting a run, as the greatest chance he will remember is soon after the run.  This happens most often if someone has done the gamble and for some reason not received credit for it. Or if a person believes they ran clean but has a fault recorded.

Scoring Methods

There are 3 basic methods of scoring utilized in USDAA.  They are listed below, the method of scoring impacts the score table as it dictates the type of score sheet used, standard (blue) or accumulator (red).

Faults then time

Under this scoring method, the dog is assessed faults for mistakes made and the winner is decided based on who has the least faults.  Time is used to break ties.  Classes scored in this manner are:

Standard agility – All levels

Jumpers – Advanced and Masters always; Starter/Novice is sometimes scored this way, at discretion of judge

Grand Prix Regional

These classes are recorded on the Standard score sheet. 

Points then time

Under this scoring method the dog accumulates points.  The highest points scored wins. Time is used to break ties.   Classes scored utilizing this method are:

Gamblers – All levels

Snooker – All levels

These classes are recorded on the Accumulator score sheet.

Time Plus Faults

Under this scoring method the dog is assessed faults for mistakes made and these are added to the dog’s time.  The lowest combined score wins.  Classes scored utilizing this method are:

Steeplechase

Pairs – all levels

Jumpers – Starter/Novice is sometimes scored this way, at discretion of judge.

These classes are recorded on the Accumulator score sheet.

Filling out the score sheets

Standard

Filling out the standard score sheet is very simple, the faults are pre-printed on the top row of the sheet, enter the scribe sheet data below the appropriate number of faults.  Clear rounds go top left, Eliminations bottom right. 

Accumulator

On the accumulator sheet the scorer fills out the points across the top, then slots the dogs’ scores in as appropriate.  A good way to try to organize things for Gamblers and Snooker is to get all the qualifying scores on the top section of the score sheet.

Snooker

  Since 37 is the minimum score in Gamblers to Q, I always write 37 in the rightmost box of the top line.  Typically the maximum score in snooker is 51, so I write this in the leftmost box of the top line.  If the snooker course utilizes 4 reds the maximum score becomes 59, consult the judge regarding how many reds may be taken. 

Gamblers 

The judge will tell you how many points are needed in the opening to Q.  This is calculated by taking the highest point value obstacle (5 or 7) and multiplying it by the first digit of the opening time (4 if 40 seconds, 3 if 30 seconds). So, in 1-3-5-7 scoring system with a 40 second opening, the points required would be 7x4 = 28.  To Q the dog must achieve this plus the gamble, typically worth 10 to 20 points.  If the gamble is worth 20, the minimum points to Q would be 48.  I would put 48 points in the middle of the top row and make it standout in some way (bold it?).  This way, all the potential qualifiers will be on the top line to the left of the 48.  Remember, it is possible for a very fast dog to accumulate a ton of points, win the class, and not qualify.  A slower dog with less points, but that did the gamble, might qualify and place lower.   

Time plus faults classes

In these classes it is usually best to get a few scribe sheets in before labeling the score sheet, as you need an idea of what the fastest times might be.  So if you get some scribe sheets with times around 35 seconds, I would mark top left as ’<30’ seconds, then go up from there.