Australian Flyball Association
What is Flyball?
Flyball consists of a relay race between two teams of four dogs .Each dog must jump over four hurdles, retrieve a ball by triggering a flybal box and then return over the hurdles to the start / finish line.
There is no discrimination in Flyball. Any dog; regardless of breed, size, shape or formal training, can participate and join in the fun.
Flyball consists of a relay race between two teams of four dogs .Each dog must jump over four hurdles, retrieve a ball by triggering a flybal box and then return over the hurdles to the start / finish line.
There is no discrimination in Flyball. Any dog; regardless of breed, size, shape or formal training, can participate and join in the fun.
The Field
There are 2 racing lanes set up side by side with as little as 10 feet between them. Between the lanes there is a set of drag racing lights waiting to do the count down for the start of each heat.
Each lane is 51 feet in length and consists of 4 hurdles. The hurdle height is set 5 inches lower than the shoulder height of the smallest dog in the team (minimum is 7") to a maximum height of 14".
At the end of the lane is the Flyball Box with a tennis ball in it. The dog leaps onto the box, catches the ball, turns and races back down the lane to the start/finish line where their handler is ready with their favourite tug toy or a tasty treat.
There are 2 racing lanes set up side by side with as little as 10 feet between them. Between the lanes there is a set of drag racing lights waiting to do the count down for the start of each heat.
Each lane is 51 feet in length and consists of 4 hurdles. The hurdle height is set 5 inches lower than the shoulder height of the smallest dog in the team (minimum is 7") to a maximum height of 14".
At the end of the lane is the Flyball Box with a tennis ball in it. The dog leaps onto the box, catches the ball, turns and races back down the lane to the start/finish line where their handler is ready with their favourite tug toy or a tasty treat.
The Race
Each team consists of 4 dogs with up to 2 reserve dogs (total 6). Each race can be either 3 or 5 heats.
The drag lights count down and when the light turns green the dogs are off and racing. If the start dog crosses the start/finish line before the light turns green it is considered a false start (foul).
Each dog in the team must jump the 4 hurdles, retrieve the ball and jump back over the hurdles to the handler to complete their lap. Any missed hurdles or dropped balls require that dog to re-run after the last dog on the team.
As soon as the first dog's nose returns across the start/finish line the next dog is off.
The first team to have all 4 dogs complete the run cleanly wins the heat.
Each team consists of 4 dogs with up to 2 reserve dogs (total 6). Each race can be either 3 or 5 heats.
The drag lights count down and when the light turns green the dogs are off and racing. If the start dog crosses the start/finish line before the light turns green it is considered a false start (foul).
Each dog in the team must jump the 4 hurdles, retrieve the ball and jump back over the hurdles to the handler to complete their lap. Any missed hurdles or dropped balls require that dog to re-run after the last dog on the team.
As soon as the first dog's nose returns across the start/finish line the next dog is off.
The first team to have all 4 dogs complete the run cleanly wins the heat.
The Flyball Relay Course
Flyball Terms and Concepts