Jump Box Drills

25 Dec 2005Steve Schwarz

In a belated response to a request on the AgileX email list a few weeks ago for Jump Box Box/Hobday Box/Jump Box/Jump Square Jump Box Drills Do It Yourself Box Jump Sequences Double Box Sequence Generator Double Box Sequences Jump Box Drill Generator Star Box Sequence Generator New Jump Box Sequence Generator Star Box Sequences The Jump Box in Course Design Sequences I’ve put together this post. I’ve drawn up fifteen different sequences that can be used to train most every handling maneuver. The sequences aren’t arranged in any particular order and I’ve included a very brief handling discussion on some of them.

The temperature here finally went above freezing and the snow wasn’t too deep, so I setup a Box in the backyard and videotaped Milo and me running a couple of these sequences. It was slippery for both of us so I kept the jumps low and my handling isn’t what it should be, but you should be able to get the general idea.

270 Jumps

This works 270 Mr Peabody in UKC Bloodlines Magazine Handling 270 Degree Jump Sequences Back Side Entry to 270/Training Opportunity - Video 270 Degree Jump Sequence degree jumps to both the right and left. It can be handled with Front Crosses Learning the Front Cross - Video Front Cross, Post Turns Learning the Post Turn Post Turn/Shoulder Pull/Pivot Turn, and Rear Crosses Learning the Rear Cross Rear Cross or a combination of them. You can see that Milo turns much wider when using a Post Turn than when using the Front Cross.

90s and 270s

You’ll notice that the 90 degree “turns” between jumps (like between 1-2 and 3-4) are really straight lines connected by 270 degree turns. This is good example of a case where how you view the course can change how you might handle it.

Modified Threadle/Pull Throughs

These videos show handling with an inside arm and using Half Cross handling.

Modified Serpentine

Modified PushThrough

This can be a tough sequence if you have to be positioned at the jump stanchion in order to push your dog around the jump. In that case you are likely to be behind your dog for the next jump. Some handler’s train a specific Around Command to have the dog go around the upright and jump toward the handler.

Threadle and 270s

I like using a Front Cross Learning the Front Cross - Video Front Cross over jump 2 with a Post Turn Learning the Post Turn Post Turn/Shoulder Pull/Pivot Turn around jump 3. Then handling with the dog on the handler’s left for jumps 4,5, and 6. The again with a Front Cross over jump 6 with a Post Turn around jump 7.

Serpentine and 270s

Just like for the Threadle and 270 degree sequence, a Front Cross/Post Turn through jumps 4-5-6.

Jump Wraps Using Post Turns

In these drills the dog should be wrapped tightly around the jump in the direction shown by the arrow. Using a Post Turn Learning the Post Turn Post Turn/Shoulder Pull/Pivot Turn and stepping back behind the jump as the dog takes off will help tighten the turn. Depending on your stride length and your dog’s handling needs you can then take a step toward the next jump and repeat. You’ll kind be “falling” backwards around the jumps as you perform the sequence. Here’s video of this sequence using Post Turns to the right.

Jump Wraps Using Front Crosses

In these drills use Front Crosses Learning the Front Cross - Video Front Cross to turn the dog tightly around the jump standard.

Longer Distance Jump Wraps

I haven’t run this one yet. I’m thinking using Front Crosses for each Jump Wrap could be the most advantageous handling for my team.

Short Distance Around Jumps

Start this sequence with you and your dog in the middle of the box. Push your dog around each jump in the direction of the arrows.

Around to Around Jumps

Start this sequence with you and your dog in the middle of the box. Push your dog around jump 1 to start the sequence. This one of the most challenging sequences as you are going from one around of a jump, across the box, and around the next jump.

I think the myriad of training possibilities provided by this jump configuration show its versatility. I hope you give some of these a try. Let me know how you handled them, which ones you liked best, and any permutations you’ve devised.

You might also be interested in my Jump Box Sequence Generator, Star Box Sequence Generator and Double Jump Box Sequence Generator.

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