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Article Id: #1705
Article by Sam & QH Development Crew
Written - -
Last Updated Oct 5, 2025
Glossary
A
A
Athlete Assessment Form / AAF ·noun·
A resume-type form that each athlete must complete in order to take part in competitions. This form must be taken by a private(company) mentor, affiliated trainer or competition judge. It displays important information such as education and affiliations, difficulty point assignment, skills and knowledge, and level confirmation. This form is taken by an affiliated proctor after SAFs are accepted, and before the competition date.
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B
Bounce ·noun·
Type of jump set consisting of small, usually consecutive jumps, occurring immediately one after another.
C
C
Canter Step (Break) ·noun·
When the landing or break of a jump occurs as a canter, before it transitions into any other gait.
Canter Step (Forestep) ·noun·
When the take off or lift of a jump occurs as a canter, transitioning out of whatever gait was there before the jump.
Comp Guide / Guide / Runner ·noun·
A designated Comp Guide, Judge, Copaw, or the line leader will slowly walk the course before the competition begins as a demonstration to the audience and/or athletes before the competition begins. This is more common in course sports that don't have an outlined direction, or if the judges do not allow the athletes to interact with the equipment or obstacles. Athletes and copaws usually have access to the course beforehand.
Copaw / Halfpaw / Half ·noun· /ˌkō-pô/
A person that an athlete may bring into competition grounds with them for certain sports. This person is usually a mentor or trainer but can be anyone besides a judge or fellow athlete*, this includes friends and family members. A Copaw’s job is to lead the athlete in the correct direction, and otherwise assist them and give instructions. Copaws are most common in agility based sports. Their presence is often limited, and it is common in higher levels for them to be assigned places to stand, have limited speaking, or be limited to the sidelines. If an athlete without a copaw has 3+ difficulty points, they will be assigned by a judge for a professional Copaw to assist them.
*It is common in higher level sports for fellow athletes to be barred from being copaws for each other unless under specific circumstances such as DP requirements.
Crimp ·noun·
The term is used for low stanced gaits when the athlete’s elbows or knees touch the ground. If this occurs from a collapse, then points can be deducted in competitions. Crimps are common in low stanced gaits such as crouches. It's common to also see it occur in show sports when the athlete has resting times between steps.
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D
Den Meet ·noun·
A customary 40-120 minute event before a competition that takes place outside of the arena or competition grounds. This time is used for all members of staff and audience to talk and connect, usually over food and drink, while athletes —usually in a separate area— prepare for the event among their peers. For athletes, this time is mostly used for warming up, familiarizing themselves with the arena or track, and going through normal procedures such as Copaw assignment, gear registration, DP assignment and tracking, and going over safety procedures. Many also use this time for meeting the staff, talking with other athletes and talking with the medic.
Difficulty Points / DP / DPs ·noun·
Difficulty points are assigned to athletes based on factors such as injury, physical ailments, form preferences, mental or physical conditions, gear preferences, habits, and other factors that may complicate one's ability to compete. DPs are used to skew an athlete's points in a competition, and qualify them for access to resources to help them compete at their desired level.
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E
Eye line ·noun·
The vertical point in a stance that an athlete's eyes are at. This is used to measure neck posture and stance height in formal or some recreational sports.
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F
False ·verb·
To false is to stumble, stutter, miss a beat, or fall while gaiting or jumping.
Falsed ·adj·
To fail or complete something incorrectly, usually in reference to a gait, jump, maneuver or step.
False Jump ·noun·
A jump where the athlete backs out, ceases, lands feet first (unintentionally), stumbles, or is unable to start a jump.
False Landing ·noun·
A landing after a jump that isn't completed successfully. This includes landing on one's knees, collapsing, stumbling, or being unable to complete a break step.
Flat ·noun·
(the flat/ flat of one’s feet)- A term used to describe how high the heels of the feet are in proportion to the ground while the balls of the feet are on ground during quadrobics.
Focal Point / Axis ·noun·
A singular point where the athlete is focused on throughout an entire jump, space, or period of time. Example: The barrel in barrel racing, a Copaw’s flag in an agility course.
Forestep ·noun·
The step directly before a jump, commonly mistaken for a starting jump, occurs when the paws land at the same time as each other before a jump.
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G
Gait ·noun· /ɡāt/
A step pattern: a mode of moving forward in a predetermined pattern of steps.
Gait Ratio / Step Ratio ·noun·
When a set of steps in a gait occurs twice as fast on one (usually)horizontal half than the other.
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H
Half jump / .5 / Incomplete Jump ·noun·
A jump where all or most of the stages were executed correctly, besides an incomplete or false landing.
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I
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J
Jump Line (R) ·noun·
The highest point of a jump, as recorded in recreational quadrobics— to measure the height of a jump. The Jump line lies under the limbs during midform, where the elbows and knees are at their closest. Jumps are measured at what height the person could jump so long as their midform is intact.
Jump Line (T) ·noun·
The highest point of a jump, as recorded in traditional quadrobics— to measure how high the jump was. The jump line lies under the waist at midpoint. Jumps are measured at what height the person could theoretically jump over if their jump form allowed the hurdle to pass under the waist.
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K
L
L
M
M
Mentor ·noun·
Someone that is privately hired long-term for one athlete, to teach them personally based on their specifics. They often help the athlete prepare and compete, and usually have other qualifications such as physical therapy training and/or other nutrition or sports based education.
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N
O
O
P
P
Paw(s) / pawform ·noun· /pô/ /pô·fôrm/
Common term to refer to one’s hands while doing quadrobics. Pawform is used to describe the mode of holding your hands in quadrobics; the fingers curled and thumb loose to the side, the last knuckle of the four fingers excluding the thumb are flush with the ground.
Pitting ·noun· /pit/
A balance and coordination exercise, where one stands in starting position and lifts 1-2 limbs at a time before lowering them slowly. This exercise is often used in physical therapy for injury recovery, or used as a strengthening exercise when used with weights.
The term is also used for gaits that are practiced in place, instead of moving forward.
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Q
R
R
Rear ·noun· /rir/
A rear is a movement where one lifts completely off their hands to stand on their hind legs in order to maneuver small spaces, make sharp turns, or to see higher than their eye line.
Recreational Quadrobics
The second category of quadrobics, including levels 4+, focuses on professional movements that would otherwise be unnecessary to have. Many recreational sports start at level 4, and more sports are allotted to students who graduate to higher levels. The style of this focus is more heightened; concentrating on control, focus, and consistency.
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S
Soft Step / Canter Step ·noun·
The first step before a jump, if the gait before the jump was anything other than a canter, when the last step mirrors a canter before lift off.
Stance ·noun· /stans/
A personal measurement of standing height or limb extension in starting position, floor - eye level.
Stride ·noun· /strīd/
A personal measurement of canter extension, paw - foot.
Student Assessment Form / SAF ·noun·
A resume-type form that each student must take upon level graduation, and all athletes* must take in order to apply for a competition. This form must be taken by a teacher, mentor, trainer or competition judge. It displays important information such as trainer information, difficulty point assignment, skills and knowledge, and level placement.
Suspended Gait ·noun·
This type of suspension is used to describe a phenomenon in momentum based gaits where the torso is 'suspended' or stable, giving the illusion that the torso isn't moving while the legs move under it. It's categorized by its 'floaty' or stable appearance, and often features shorter, more frequent steps, a tight and controlled posture, and occasionally a harsher, stompy appearance on the steps. Suspended gaits are a recreational trait, equivalent to traditional’s sprinted gaits.
Suspension ·noun·
A term used to describe the “suspended” period between steps where no part of the body is touching the ground.
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T
Teacher ·noun·
Someone that teaches quadrobics to classes or groups publicly, and is signed with a company, school, or organization.
Terrain ·noun·
An obstacle in sports that takes up a set area; usually consists of natural obstacles such as cliffs, rocks, water obstacles, gravel, unstable ground, and trees. It can also be any platform with two or more stages, or any ground with a diagonal slope.
Traditional Quadrobics ·noun·
The first and most basic half of quadrobics, focusing on teaching students the best way to move naturally, safely and efficiently. Includes levels 0-4. Sports in this category are less form based, as seen in agility sports and cross country.
Trainer ·noun·
A teacher that travels and can be privately hired for individual training.
Tutor ·noun·
Someone who teaches publicly and is not signed with a company. Usually doing freelance work or teaching locally.
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U
V
V
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W
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X
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Y
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Z
Habits
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B
Bridge ·noun·
Pause period between switching gaits, commonly caused by coordination issues or bad balance or weight distribution.
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C
Clipping ·verb·
Caused by difficulty with spatial perception and confidence, where an athlete has trouble jumping higher than a given hurdle, or jumping without a clear vertical boundary. It is notorious for being hard to cure. Occurs when an athlete’s jump form is strictly momentum based and not strength based, or if the athlete has difficulties with spatial perception and strength control.
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D
Drifting ·verb·
Where jumps are unintentionally non-linear. Can be caused by coordination issues, injury, spinal misalignment, atypical weight distribution, and strength discrepancies.
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S
Splay / Splaying ·verb·
The habit where one's limbs lift in different directions upon leaving the ground. This is most visible in bucks, jumps and turns. It's quite common and is easier to fix than most habits. It is caused by distrust in one's body, as well as lacking balance or limb strength.
Spur ·verb·
Seen when backing up or turning around where the front half picks up completely and the back legs shuffle in desired direction while head stays looking down, caused by arm injury, uncomfortable equipment, or unstable weight; making the quadrobist want to stand up.
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T
Two-timed / Doubled / Trot-based ·adjective·
A learnable trait that can easily become a habit; where one's stride during a walk syncs up, with the steps matching that of a trot. This trait is highly desirable in traditional quadrobics, though it can be a hard habit to break.
Jump (Hurdle) Categories
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C
Clouded / Brick Jump ·noun·
A hurdle or jump that can't be seen over or through, contrary to a clear jump. These types of jumps are mainly present in cross country.
Clear Jump·noun·
A hurdle or jump that can be seen through, usually in the form of a bar or a hoop, contrary to a clouded jump.
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D
Dry Jump ·noun·
Any jump with a limited amount of space before a hurdle, contrary to a free jump. The minimum amount of space allowed in sports is 1.5 stances worth. The term can also be used to describe jumps without any kind of movement beforehand.
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R
Running Jump / Free Jump ·noun·
Any kind of jump where a running start is allowed before a jump, otherwise known as a free jump, where an unlimited amount of space, or a large amount of space is allowed before a jump.
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S
Starting Jump ·noun·
The first step of any non-running or dry jump, taking place immediately before the lift. Is used to gain momentum, balance and to straighten out the jump form. Proper form consists of landing the step with feet directly behind paws, and both feet landing at the same time. Starting jumps are commonly confused with a forestep.
Jump Form
*This category is not sorted by alphabetical order, but in order by how the steps occur during a jump.
Pick (Pick-up) ·noun·
The first stage of a jump, after a starting jump, when the paws first leave the ground, and the arms raise into a tuck*.
Tuck ·noun·
The action of tucking the arms or legs close to the body during a jump, usually before midform.
Lift (Lift-off) ·noun·
The second stage of a jump, after the pick-up where the feet finally leave the ground, and the body shifts into midform*.
Midform(R) ·noun·
The highest point of a jump, during the pause period when no point of the body is touching the ground. Midform often doesn't occur in long jumps because its form is determined by the arms and legs both being tucked close to the body, contrary to midpoint*. Midform only occurs in Recreational quadrobics, although it occurs at the same time as midpoint.
Midpoint(T) ·noun·
The highest point of a jump, during the pause period when no point of the body is touching the ground. Midpoint occurs in both focuses, with the arms and leg tucked but not held close to the body, it described only the point of the jump, while midform* is specific to recreational jumps.
Buck ·verb·
The action of kicking the legs out after midform during a jump. The motion is scored higher depending on how much of the buck is performed while midair.
Drop ·verb·
The action of lowering the arms after midform in preparation to land.
Catch ·noun·
Part of a jump after midform and before the break, where the knees, after the buck, draw in and are at their closest point to the hurdle.
Break ·noun·
The first step after a jump, used to “break” the jump cycle.
Jump Types
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B
Basic Jump (Unformed) ·noun·
Any jump that doesn't include “extra” or recreational steps such as midform or a buck, and doesn't require a starting or running jump. It's also common for proper landings to not be required.
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F
Folded High Jump ·noun·
When a high jump is done in place, and the landing is close to, or in the same spot the lift took place. With the majority of the midform taking place in a small area midair, maneuvering to turn completely over within a limited amount of space.
Full Jump (Formed) ·noun·
Any jump that includes a buck and midform as necessary steps. This jump is more common in higher level sports, and therefore is more strict with form and landings.
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H
High Jump ·noun·
A jump focusing on vertical height, includes a midform and a buck in full form. This jump is featured in diving, individual sports, and often shows up in theater and dance.
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K
Kip ·noun·verb·
A type of jump most commonly seen as a platformed jump. This jump type excludes any forestep or starting jump, and is categorized as a dry jump. The midform is closer to an unformed jump’s midpoint, with the arms and legs loose and more extended. The landing occurs either hands-first or with all four limbs landing at once.
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L
Long Jump ·noun·
A jump focused on distance, does not include a midform, but can include a buck. This jump is most common in individual sports.
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M
Mixed Jump ·noun·
A jump focusing on both height and distance. This jump is included in traditional teachings because of its versatility. It's often seen in track and field, hurdling, cross country and steeplechase.
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N
Negative Distanced Jump •noun•
Any jump where an athlete loses distance after a jump, or where the landing occurs a negative distance from the starting point. This is most common in unformed jumps such as a pounce, and can occur unintentionally in non-distanced jumps, especially if the athlete has a drifting habit.
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P
Platformed Jumps ·noun·
Jumps onto a positive or negative surface, only including half of the jump form- take off for positive platformed jumps and landing for negative platformed jumps.
Pounce ·noun·
A vertical jump distinguishable by having a single focal point throughout the jump, and the rear- front landing. This jump is often non-distanced.
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S
Standing High jump ·noun·
When a high jump is started on two legs, and the body tucks into midform and lands how a quadrupedal high jump would normally proceed. This is mostly seen in performance art, and almost never takes place in sports.
Gaits
Gait
Gait
Variant(s)
Variant(s)
Specialty Gaits
A gait that doesn't exist under another gait, can only be performed under specific conditions, or was designed to be performed in certain environments or apparatuses.
Crouch
Tolt
Tamp
Prance
Walk / Amble based walk ·noun·
A 4 step, strength based gait, one of the main four. Is the only gait taught in level 0 and is the first gait taught to beginners. It's the slowest and most controllable of the basic gaits.
Stalk
Crouch
Amble
Trot-based walk
Canter ·noun·
The third of the main three gaits. It’s a 4 step, non-linear gait, Starting with the front leading paw, continuing on to lift both front paws. After reaching forward, they land in the order of lead to non-lead. This is followed by the same pattern in the back legs.
Gallop
Prance
Tolt
Lope
Trot ·noun·
The second of the main three gaits, taught in level 1. It's a linear, 2 step (diagonal) gait. It starts with a diagonal paw and foot lifted, while the feet on the ground push up and forward, the paw and leg switch out for their opposite and land on those two.
ex: right paw + left foot [switch] left paw + right foot
Tamp
Half-pass
Trot-based walk
Crouch ·noun·
A crouch is a 4 step gait, with the same pattern as a walk, although the stance is unusually low, meant for traveling under low obstacles without breaking gait.
Stalk ·noun·
A stalk is a 4 step gait with similar steps to the walk, however the foot and paw of the same horizontal side share a step. This gait is specialized for walking on uncertain ground/terrain.
The step pattern follows a walk, but with the paw and foot on the same side switching places with each step. When the paw is picked up, the foot on the same side will step down in the same place that the paw just was.
Pace ·noun·
A linear, 2 step horizontal gait, taught in Level 2.
The foot pattern is similar to that of a trot, but with each step consisting of one paw and one foot on the same vertical side.
The pacing may mirror a trot, where the footing switches with a bounce in each step or it may be more suspended with a smoother stride.
Corto
Gallop ·noun·
A 4 step, vertical gait. Is sisters to the canter and prance, taught in Level 3. The step pattern is almost identical to that of a canter, however either the front paws or back legs would sync completely, to land or take off together at the same time. Whether the front or back legs are synced is interchangeable.
The most major difference between a canter and gallop is the speed and stride. A gallop is much faster and much more suspended than a canter, therefore it has a much longer suspension time than most other gaits.
Prance ·noun·
A two step vertical gait, taught in level 4. It mimics the motion of repeated basic high jumps. It's designed for getting through tall grass, mimicking the gaits of goats and deer.
Prance ·noun·
A two step vertical gait, taught in level 4. It mimics the motion of repeated basic high jumps. It's designed for getting through tall grass, mimicking the gaits of goats and deer.
Tolt ·noun·
A tolt is a specialty gait. It's a 3 beat gait, a back-leading variation of a canter, specialized for sharp turns.
Tamp ·noun·
A tamp is a specialty gait: a two step diagonal gait, sister to the trot, although it is only ever performed on a single line or on a balance beam.
Corto ·noun·
A suspended gait based off of a pace, with a back lead and a slight delay on the front paws.
Lope ·noun·
A 3 step, continuous gait, based on an equine lope. Both front and back leads exist in quadrobics.
Half-pass ·noun·
A specialty gait taken from a trot, where the feet cross over to travel diagonally.
Passage ·noun·
A gait taken from a trot, that is more collected, has a higher stance, posture, and longer pause period. It doesn't often travel and is used mostly in formal sports, especially show gaiting or dressage.
Piaffe ·noun·
A gait taken from a trot, with the same form, height and posture as a passage, but with more collected steps and little to no drift or movement; nearly stationary.
Amble ·noun·
A 4 step gait, of which the original walk is based off of. It has the same step pattern as a walk, but is faster and more stable.
Lean ·noun·
A specialty gait with a step ratio of 1:2, where the back legs run at a rate twice that of the front. It has a unique step pattern and is highly debated as “not being a real gait”.
Switch / Switch Step ·noun·
A complicated gait with a step ratio of 2:1, where the front paws run at twice the rate of the back, with the front paws landing like a canter. It is a unique and needlessly complicated gait. It is rarely ever shown in competitive sports.
Half switch
Full switch
Half Switch ·noun·
A gait derived from the Switch, where the front steps resemble that of a canter, following whatever lead the athlete is most comfortable.
Full Switch ·noun·
A gait derived from the Switch, where each of the front steps change lead with each stride.
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