ITs actually good manners to pay close attention. WHen tracking, follow close behind the trainer and handler to hear what they say, and pay attention to the dog's indications.
I've started video taping the stuff on the feild lately. THe members are loving that too, cuz I show them after they do their heeling stuff what they look like, since they can't look down at their dog. It also gives ME a chance to ask questions later, if they can't be answered at that time i.e. the helper.
We've just started a few months ago. All I can say, and whats been told to me, is not to rush into progressing. A solid foundation will prove worthy down the road.
I like that Barwig and Hilliard book, and find a lot of the theory is incorporated into our club. I recently bought Plumb's tracking video, that Barwig and Hilliard are accredited for. There are a series of 2 tapes for tracking, 2 tapes for obedience. You can buy the whole set for a discount here (darn, why didn't I see that before!?)
http://www.caninetrainingsystems.com...V-OB-PLUMB-SET
Rules can be found here, including recent changes in /04
http://www.dvgamerica.com/rules.html