Walkthroughs for Dummies

Walkthroughs are a complex system of flowing traffic patterns around the course, during these 8 minutes you may encounter some of the following scenarios and individuals. 

Beware all.

The Cluster: typically a group of 4-10 people obsessively walking a tight section of the course, completely unavoidable and HIGHLY frustrating. Beware, don't get too close or you may be absorbed into the pack.

Chatty Cathys: those individuals who treat walkthroughs as a social gathering, usually upbeat, loud and enjoying time with their fellow competitors on course. If you are easily distracted, like me, avoid chatty cathys at all costs, or before you know it those 8 minutes will be up!!

The Stompers: the competitors who, frankly, take agility WAY to seriously sometimes. Can be seen stomping around the course, walking aggressively through the crowds and forgetting their manners along the way. These people aren't afraid to shoulder check you, and they aren't stopping to apologize. 

*Protective gear advised for interaction with stompers*

The Private Lesson: student(s) and instructor planted in the middle of the course discussing a handling move or sequence. Often causes obstruction in walk through traffic.

The Complainers: seem to find a problem with every turn, tunnel entrance, and course that could possibly exist. Feel entitled to their complaints, but honestly my complaint is all the complaining. Beware this negativity, it's contagious!

The Philosophers: those overly exploratory handlers who think out every possible handling plan from rear crosses to blinds, consider jumping the tunnel to get to their front cross faster, hell perhaps a cart wheel if it sets up the correct line. Who knows what they'll actually end up running...warning may inspire slightly insane handling plans, approach with caution.

"Got it" Walkers: the oddly impressive individuals who walk a course twice and then leave the walkthrough with their plan already perfected...leaving you to wonder how the heck they don't get lost during their actual run because you know you wouldn't get past jump 6 without the FULL 8 minutes. *Do not attempt this at home*

"Wing it" Non-Walkers: even more impressive that "Got it" Walkers, the individuals who miss their walkthrough, memorize the course outside the ring, typically with a shortened time limit, and still don't get lost. With a combination of dumb luck and skill, these handlers always manage to pull something out of their ass last minute. 

*REALLY, do not attempt this at home*

Ipod-ites: tunes turned up high, lost in the world of music while they memorize their plan. Totally on autopilot, very difficult to get their attention, and oblivious to agility traffic patterns, but rarely cause obstructions. Occasionally grumpy when you interrupt their jam, advised that you do not continually disturb ipod-ites.

Permit Holders: *Danger* *Danger* Newbies on coures! New to walkthroughs, and perhaps new to more complicated courses, newbies often break all walkthrough traffic laws. Turning around mid-course, randomly stopping to stare at something, cutting people off unintentionally, generally annoying but tolerable because face it...we've all been there. 

**This is intended to be light-hearted, so please don't be offended. I myself have been all of these at least once in my time as an agility competitor :)