A relay race involving eight, four-dog teams (plus two alternate dogs). Each dog races down a 51-foot lane with four sets of hurdles ranging in height from 8"-16." At the end of the lane, a machine launches a tennis ball that the dog must catch and, clearing the hurdles, return to the starting line. The next dog then hits the course. The team that completes the course in the shortest amount of time advances. The fastest dogs have completed the 102-foot total course in four seconds.

	“	The dogs know they're competing. They bark louder and run faster ”
		— Tooie Crooks, Fly Ball

It happens so quickly but an early start means penalty seconds and that will cost you. That is why the handlers are such an important part of the flyball competition as well.

Flyball is a team sport for dogs that was invented in California in the late 70's. 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. A critical aspect of the competition is the "exchange" between dogs. The best teams in the world will be in Lake Placid and they are expected to post times of between 16 and 17 seconds. If a handler is late on an exchange his dog will lose ground. If he jumps the gun they receive penalty seconds. Timing precision is a hidden key to victory.