Flyball
is a team sport for dogs that was invented in California in the late
70's when the first tennis ball launcher was developed. Legend has
it that Herbert Wagner first showed it on the Johnny Carson Show to
millions of Americans. Soon afterwards dog trainers and dog clubs
were making and using Flyball boxes. In the early 80's the sport
became so popular that the North American Flyball Association (NAFA)
was formed and they are the worldwide authority for Flyball.
Flyball is a relay race that matches two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a Flyball course. The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle for a 51 foot overall length. The dogs jump the hurdles and step on a spring loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog catches the tennis ball and then runs back over the 4 hurdles. When the returning dog crosses the starting line the next dog goes. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins the heat. Tournaments are usually organized in either a double elimination or round robin format. Double elimination is usually the best of 3 or best of 5. Round robin is usually best 3 out of 5 and t he first team to win 3 heats receives 1 point towards their standing in the tournament.
Learn more about the Cascade Comets Flyball Team