Alex Lacey who is a practitioner of the "Jim Clubb" school also uses floor plates for a fast sit up/spin with lions and tigers. But as you see in this photo Radar, when he does a 4 tiger roll over and sit up, he does not use them. As stated, the animals space themselves naturally, and it is easier to space them after a roll over. I don't think any of these folks have "cheated". I think they found a way to keep from sitting them up against the cage, and the creation of the sit up/spin. In America, assistants like yourself stand at the back of the cage where the animals sit, and can utilize a shift pole to keep them in the middle, off their seats. In Europe where the animals sit at the front of the cage, the assistants stand at the back so as not to block the audience. Try to use your shift pole, standing across the cage from the animals, instead of behind them. I think you got set up, Radar. Most of what you are learning now came from this house. LOL
Sunday, September 20, 2009
For Radar--Floor Plates
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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3 comments:
Wade,
I understand the what you mean about shift poles. However, I only use mine for running the cats into the arena or moving them between cages. I have seen several acts where they are used from either outside or inside the arena to move cats off their seats or to a different position, but Casey does it all himself during practice and the act. If I were to say or do anything to the cats while he is working I don't think I would be around to tell the tale.
I do not want anyone to think when I refer to his act that I am bragging - it is simply that this is what I see everyday, this is what I am learning and this is what I have best to compare others to. I have seen five acts this year and one last year in addition to numerous videos online, so it is not that I am sheltered either.
Radar,
Your cats are set in strategic positions, so that the trainer can go to them, and either push them or call them. Do your cats laydown in front of their seats, or do they lay down facing their seats? They are not set in a straight side by side formation. In a larger act scenario there may be up to 11-15 animals in between the first one on the left front and the last one on the right front. It is understanding the principal of moving animals and the working of all acts. You use your stick to "push" them away, or move them in the opposite direction, the same as anybody else does. When you have a number of animals lined up side by side, and one does not come, there is not room for the trainer to "go around" and push them. The stick from outside is necessary in that case to push them away from where they are. I have worked more act's then you have seen. LOL Keep your mind open, young friend, as there is a lot to learn.
Wade
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