Flyball is a Team Sport for Dogs

Unlike other dog sports, flyball is played in teams. It is a relay race type of competition with four dogs to a team. One at a time, each dog runs a course with four hurdles and jumps against a slanted "flyball box." This releases a tennis ball, which the dog must carry back over the hurdles to its master, releasing the next dog on its team to do the same.

Two teams compete side by side in adjacent lanes. The first team to have all four of its dogs complete the course wins. Several heats are usually played, with scores tallied and winners determined. Handlers must stay behind the starting line and penalties are applied for dropped balls and early releases.

Established in 1984, there are over 400 active clubs and 6,500 competing dogs in the North American Flyball Association (NAFA), recognized as the sport's top sanctioning organization.