National Association of Treibball Enthusiasts

NATE Games Overview

Games

Standard Game

In the Standard Game the dog is sent to the other side of a ball formation. The dog must first drive the point ball into the goal. All other balls must be driven in to the goal in any order before a time limit is reached. The dog lies down to stop the clock. Discrimination games, obstacles, etc. are not part of the Standard Game. Each level of the Standard Game increases in difficulty by number of balls used and the initial formation starting distance from the goal line. Levels for the Standard Game are as follows:

Pre-Novice is an opportunity for teams to demonstrate and receive recognition for their mastery of the foundation skills of Treibball. The initial formation uses three balls set in a triangle 15 to 20 feet from the goal line. Standard course time is 2 minutes 25 seconds. The initial formation has about 12 inches between balls. The Pre-Novice level is optional. Teams may start at the Novice level.

Novice level uses three balls set in a triangle 15 to 25 feet from the goal line. Ball spacing for Novice and above is approximately 6 inches between all balls. Standard course time is 2 minutes.

Intermediate level uses six balls set in a triangle 20 to 30 feet from the goal line. Standard course time is 3 minutes.

Advanced level uses eight balls set in a triangle with three rows 25 to 40 feet from the goal line. Standard course time is 4 minutes.

Expert level uses eight balls set in a triangle with three rows 35 to 50 feet from the goal line. Standard course time is 4 minutes.

Balls N Order Game

In the Balls in Order Game the dog must bring in the balls in a predetermined order based on color or number. The point ball is always required to be first. The same distances are used for this game as Standard, but the number of balls and formation is different. Levels for the Balls N Order Game are as follows:

Novice level uses four balls set in a diamond. Maximum course time is 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Intermediate level uses six balls set in a diamond. Maximum course time is 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Advanced level uses eight balls set in a diamond with four rows. Maximum course time is 5 minutes.

Expert level uses nine balls set in a diamond with five rows. Maximum course time is 5 minutes.

Snooker Game

Snooker is a fast paced, 2-part game with the goal of scoring as many points as possible within the time limit. In the opening the dog alternates between bringing in red balls and numbered balls which get rolled back onto the field. Once the required number of red balls are brought in, the closing is run by bringing in the remaining red ball followed by the numbered balls in numerical order. The field size, handler box, goal size, and red point ball placement distance are the same for each level as in the Standard game rules. The Snooker game levels are as follows:

Novice level uses 3 red balls and 4 numbered balls in the initial formation shown to the right. The maximum course time is 2 minutes with 27 total possible points.

Intermediate through Expert levels use 4 red balls and 4 numbered balls in the initial formation shown to the right. The initial ball placement differs by level in how far the balls are placed from the goal line. The maximum course time ranges from 2:15 to 2:45 depending on the level with 33 total possible points in each level.

Team Game

The Team game is for the handler to demonstrate proficiency playing the Standard game with two of their own dogs together. The initial field setup has two formations instead of one. The number of balls, formation shape, point ball location, and distance are described in the NATE Handbook. Each dog retrieves balls from their own formation that has appropriately sized, distinguishable balls.

Pairs Game

The Pairs game is for two handlers with their own dogs demonstrate playing the Standard game together. The initial field setup has two formations instead of one. The number of balls, formation shape, point ball location, and distance are described in the NATE Handbook. Each dog retrieves balls from their own formation that has appropriately sized, distinguishable balls.

Urban Herding Game

The Urban Herding game highlights dogs finding the balls, navigating around fences and through gates, and driving balls to pens in addition to the goal. Unlike the Standard and BNO games, the balls do not start in a close formation in the middle of the field. The initial ball placement varies by run and level. Each level has 3 tasks which increase in difficulty as the team progresses through the levels. The judge scores this game on a Qualifying/Non-Qualifying (Q/NQ) basis with Q runs placed by the fastest time. There are no time faults; the teams either Q or NQ.

Titles

The NATE Treibball Enthusiast (TE) title is earned with 3 qualifying runs at a level in a game. A dog is eligible to compete at the next higher level in the game after earning a level title.

Game	Pre-Novice	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Expert
Standard	TE-PN	TE-N	TE-I	TE-A	TE-E
Balls N Order	-	TE-NBO	TE-IBO	TE-ABO	TE-EBO
Team Standard	-	TE-NST	TE-IST	TE-AST	TE-EST
Pairs Standard	-	TE-NSP	TE-ISP	TE-ASP	TE-ESP
Urban Herding	-	TE-NUH	TE-IUH	TE-AUH	TE-EUH
Snooker	-	TE-NSN	TE-ISN	TE-ASN	TE-ESN

The NATE Outstanding Treibball Enthusiast (OTE) level title is earned with an additional 10 qualifying runs at a level in a game. Teams may work toward an OTE level title after the TE title for that level has been earned. The Pre-Novice level does not have an OTE title.

Game	Novice	Intermediate	Advanced	Expert
Standard	OTE-N	OTE-I	OTE-A	OTE-E
Balls N Order	OTE-NBO	OTE-IBO	OTE-ABO	OTE-EBO
Team Standard	OTE-NST	OTE-IST	OTE-AST	OTE-EST
Pairs Standard	OTE-NSP	OTE-ISP	OTE-ASP	OTE-ESP
Urban Herding	OTE-NUH	OTE-IUH	OTE-AUH	OTE-EUH
Snooker	OTD-NSN	OTE-ISN	OTE-ASN	OTE-ESN

Divisions

Divisions A & B

The A division is for dogs who have not earned a title at that level.

The B division is for dogs that have earned a Treibball Enthusiast title and are continuing to compete towards the Outstanding Treibball Enthusiast title in that level.

Veteran A & B Divisions

The Veteran Divisions are available for dogs 8 years of age or older. Veterans compete on a smaller field and have shorter distances. Additional time given to complete the runs varies by game and level.

Dog Height Classes

HEIGHT CLASS	DOG HEIGHT at withers	BALL SIZE
Mini	9” (22.5 cm) & under	25 cm
X-Small	Over 9” (22.9 cm) up to 14” (35.5 cm)	35 cm
Small	Over 14” (35.5 cm) up to 18” (45.7cm)	45 cm
Medium	Over 18” (45.7 cm) up to 22” (55.8 cm)	55 cm
Large	Over 22” (55.8 cm) up to 26” (66 cm)	65 cm
X-Large	Over 26” (66 cm)	75 cm

Other General Information

Field Surface/Size and Goals

The initial stages of training can happen in a small yard or even indoors in a hallway or living room. If there is a park with a flat field near your home you could do training there as well. Trial fields may be indoors or outdoors. The playing surface should be level and made of grass, soccer turf, matting, dirt, dirt/sand mix, or other suitable material. Obstructions in the field should not make the game play easier.

There are three field sizes. Small Field A is 50’ L X 35’ W and used for A and B divisions in the Pre-Novice level and Novice level and Veteran divisions in all levels. The Small Field B is 50'L X 50' W and typically used at trials for A and B divisions in Pre-Novice and Novice level and Veteran division in all levels. The Large Field is 75’ L X 50’ W and used for A and B divisions in Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert levels. Video Titling allows smaller and larger fields with certain restrictions.

The goals is 15 feet wide by 5 feet deep and and made with solid back and sides at least 3 feet high.

Equipment

Training equipment can include: mats, cones, laundry baskets, food bowls, yoga mats, boxes, buckets and chairs.

Balls used are inflatable exercise balls. sized by dog height class which is determined by the dog's height at the withers. You can actually begin to train important foundation skills without even having a ball.

See the Treibball Equipment Resources page here.

Contact NATE info@nationaltreibball.com PO Box 2306, Aptos, CA 95003