If you enjoy classes where you get to pick your own path and think on your feet, AKC FAST is for you. FAST stands for Fifteen And Send Time, and it is a points-based strategy class that rewards both speed and smart decision-making. It also has its own four-level title progression, giving you clear goals to work toward.
How FAST Works
In a FAST class, the course is set up with a variety of obstacles, each assigned a point value. You choose which obstacles to attempt and in what order, similar to a Gamblers-style class. Your goal is to accumulate enough points to meet the qualifying score within the course time.
Unlike a standard numbered course, you have freedom to create your own path. This makes FAST a great class for handlers who like to plan ahead and adapt on the fly.
The Send Bonus
The signature feature of FAST is the send bonus. On the course, there is a designated send bonus area where your dog must perform a short sequence of obstacles at a distance from you. You stay behind a line while your dog completes the send.
Successfully completing the send bonus earns you a significant chunk of points and is required for a qualifying score. This makes distance handling skills essential for FAST success. If you skip the send bonus or your dog faults it, you cannot qualify even if you have enough points from other obstacles.
The Four Levels
AKC FAST has its own progression through four levels:
- Novice FAST — The entry level. Courses are simpler, the send distance is shorter, and the qualifying score is lower. This is a great place to start building your distance skills.
- Open FAST — More challenging courses with a greater variety of obstacles and a slightly longer send distance.
- Excellent FAST — The difficulty increases further. Courses require more strategic planning, and the send bonus is more demanding.
- Master FAST — The highest level. Courses are complex, the qualifying score is higher, and the send bonus requires strong distance handling.
You earn titles at each level by accumulating qualifying scores. Once you have enough qualifying runs at one level, you move up to the next.
Scoring Basics
Each obstacle on the course has a point value. Jumps and tunnels are typically worth fewer points, while contacts and weave poles are worth more. You need to reach a minimum total point threshold (which varies by level) and successfully complete the send bonus to earn a qualifying score.
Faulted obstacles (knocked bars, missed contacts) do not earn points. You can take obstacles in any order, and most obstacles can only be scored once.
Strategy Tips for Newcomers
Plan Your Path Around the Send
Since the send bonus is mandatory for qualifying, build your plan around it. Know where the send area is on course and make sure you have a clean route to get there with enough time left.
Hit High-Value Obstacles First
Start with higher-value obstacles to front-load your points. If something goes wrong later in the run, you will have already banked a good foundation.
Practice Distance Work
The send bonus is the make-or-break element of FAST. Work on sends to obstacles at increasing distances in training. Focus on tunnels and jumps, which are common send bonus obstacles.
Don't Overthink It
FAST rewards flow and confidence. Once you have a plan, commit to it. Hesitation eats up course time and confuses your dog. Walk the course, pick your path, and trust your training.
Running FAST at your AKC trial? Barkloop supports points-based scoring for FAST classes, tracks send bonus completion, and calculates qualifying scores automatically across all four levels. Let Barkloop handle the numbers so you can focus on a great trial day.