Competition
Both flyball organizations offer team competition. In addition, U-FLI allows Singles and Pairs racing. Increased consistency and dog speed are a few of the goals in Singles racing. Pairs racing combines consistency, speed and passing. For some new flyballers, this is a great way to get their feet wet and enjoy the first stages of competition.
Most seasoned flyballers say racing on a team is the most fun. I agree! If you are a good team player you will thoroughly enjoy being part of a 4-dog & handler team and competing in tournaments. Two of my favorite team positions are start dog and anchor dog. These two spots are great for someone with a fun and competitive spirit.
Recognition of Success
There are two types of recognition in flyball. One type is given by the host club during a tournament. Typically these are dog toys or other dog related goodies. Some tournaments give their awards to the top placed teams, while other tournaments give them to all participants.
The other type is organizational recognition and these awards are given directly from either U-FLI or NAFA.
Both U-FLI and NAFA have official recognition programs described in their rules. There are flyball titles, patches, pins and plaques you and your dog can earn by entering tournaments and successfully competing. Of all the titles and awards for recognition, the most memorable for me was my dogs' very first title. I've heard most flyballers think the same and many fellow participants hang onto the specific tennis ball from their dog's first successful run!
Most of the organizational recognition awards are given for an individual dog and plaques typically have both the handler and dog name included which supports the special value of dog & handler teamwork.
Both organizations also recognize team achievements through their respective 'championship' style racing. Chapter Four hopes to explain this in better detail.
Being the Best and Breaking Records
There are many ways participants choose to excel in flyball. Some flyballers silently compete with themselves in an attempt to achieve their dog's best time or break their previous time in the lane. Clubs and teams also compete with themselves for their personal best team time. For start dogs, a triple-zero (.000) is something everyone yells 'whoo-hoo' at a tournament!
Improved speed for the individual dog and also the team have each become a measurement of success for some flyballers. For others, running clean, finishing the heats and completing each race is their success.
I think most flyballers enjoy when their team is working well together and they are winning races more often than losing. And, generally-speaking, most flyballers congratulate each other verbally and/or shake hands at the end of each race. Everyone shares in everyone else's success.
Truth be told, there are instances when winning at all costs or achieving the latest and fastest time no matter the consequences has taken over and success has gone (or will go) to some competitors heads. Thankfully, this does not happen to the majority of participants, teams or clubs and does not occur at all tournaments.
Flyball World Rankings
Both U-FLI and NAFA post record racing times on their websites. This is a wonderful way to see how speed in the sport has progressed.
A reference term sometimes found on websites, in print or an internet search is World Record. These two words used together have been and can be misleading. There are several different flyball organizations and a myriad of different countries that play flyball. One country's recently published record (i.e., Poland) bears the distinction of a 'national' record. Bravo for truth in print.
One really great website that tracks speed and record times in flyball racing is http://www.flyball.org.uk/wr/wrank.php. Countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, Belgium, UK, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, South Africa, Japan, France, Austria, Italy, Netherlands and South Korea are represented in the chart.
As of 7/16/12 there are 55 recorded times under 16.0 seconds. Wow!
[Update as of 9/1/12, there are now 3 recorded times under 15.0 seconds...wow, again!]
The fastest flyball record is 14.69 set by Touch N Go (USA).
Chart number 1,243's race time is 40.67.
For the record, to me speed is not the 'be-all end-all', but it can definitely be fun.
Sincerely,
I Like Flyball!
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Flyball Surgeons General Warning: Attack dogs and owners who do not pick up after their dogs beware of the underground electric fence. No visible training flags.
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