Spotlight On: AAC Snooker

The Agility Association of Canada (AAC) is the largest agility association in Canada. AAC offers a range of agility levels and events for different skill levels.

The AAC is a member of the International Federation of Cynological Sports (IFCS), and works closely with other agility organizations around the world to promote the sport and ensure consistency in rules and standards.

This post focuses on Snooker (our favourite!), inspired by the billiard game: obstacles used, levels, and possible titles.

The objective of AAC Snooker is to "demonstrate the handler’s strategy and the dog's versatility and obstacle discrimination skills... to accumulate as many points as possible in the opening and closing sequences."

GENERAL RULES

Snooker is split into two portions: opening period and closing period.

The objective of the opening period is to accumulate as many points as possible by first completing a red jump prior to attempting an obstacle of choice. Each red jump can be completed only once and you must attempt at least three jumps. Obstacles of choice are assigned identifying numbers, equaling their point value. Obstacles of choice may be combinations (example: 5A and 5B) and may be unidirectional (must be performed as specified), bidirectional (must be performed as specified or reversed), or multidirectional (may be performed in any order and direction).

During the closing period, you must attempt to complete as many of the numbered obstacles (starting at 2, ending at 7), in numerical order before the time runs out.

The game ends when the time runs out or if any of the above rules are not followed (example: completing an obstacle of choice without completing a red jump first).

The dog with the most number of points is declared the "winner."

To qualify:

• Earn minimum number of points in the the dog's level, division, and category during allowed time. Completion of closing sequence is not necessary for qualification

Level	Time Allowed	Regular: Open & Medium	Regular: Mini	Veteran & Junior Handler: Open & Medium	Veteran & Junior Handler: Mini
Starters	60 sec.	37 points	35 points	32 points	30 points
Advanced	60 sec.	37 points	35 points	32 points	30 points
Masters	55 sec.	40 points	38 points	34 points	32 points

LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

LEVEL	FAULTS	PRE REQ
​Starters	All Starters Standard class faults shall apply except refusals shall not be faulted Opening sequence: weaves may be reattempted without fault	N/A
​Advanced	All Advanced Standard class faults shall apply except refusals shall not be faulted Opening sequence: weaves may be reattempted without fault	2 Starters Q's under 2 different judges
​Masters	All Masters Standard class faults shall apply except refusals shall not be faulted	3 Advanced Q's under 2 different judges

POSSIBLE TITLES

TITLE	STARTERS Q'S	ADVANCED Q'S	MASTERS Q'S
Masters Snooker Dog of Canada (MSDC)	2 under 2 judges	​3 under 2 judges	4 under 2 judges