Treibball Equipment Resources

Like many dog sports Treibball has specialized equipment requirements.  Look here for ideas of where to purchase or how to build your own. 

This page is intended to be a starting point, not an exhaustive list. We are always interested in learning new sources for things or different approaches to constructing your own props for practice or video titling. If you find a good resource for equipment or a different way to build something, please share on the Facebook Members page or with a member of the NATE Training committee. We'll try to update this page as well!

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The Balls

Ball requirements are described in Chapter 5 of the NATE Handbook. 


To quote from the rules:  All balls must be made of durable, burst-resistant vinyl or similar material. Common exercise balls are fine.  As a reminder, the balls for NATE may not be filled with anything but air!  Also, not all exercise balls are round; read the descriptions carefully.


Sourcing the right-sized balls for your teammate can be challenging.  The sites/links listed below are just a few of the places to obtain balls. 


Note:  NATE does not endorse or receive compensation from any of the businesses or organizations listed below.


  • Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/exercise-ball/s?k=exercise+ball
  • Wal-Mart (on-line):  https://www.walmart.com/browse/sports-outdoors/exercise-balls/4125_4134_1078104_1078124
  • Big Box Stores:  Meijer's, Wal-Mart and the like often have In-Store bins of smaller balls that are suitable for XS and Mini dogs.
  • There is a worldwide project called Buy Nothing that allows members to post their needs  https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/...  One NATE member was able to procure 3 exercise balls in 24 hrs through that site.
  • FaceBook Marketplace or Yard Sales may yield lower cost used balls.

Height Class

Ball Size
(Diameter)

Allowable Size Range

Ball ½ Circumference

Mini

25 cm

18 cm-30 cm (7” – 11.5”)

28 cm - 47 cm (11” – 18”)

X-Small

35 cm

30 cm-40 cm (11.5” – 15.75”)

47 cm - 63 cm (18” – 24.75”)

Small

45 cm

40 cm-50 cm (15.75” – 19.75”)

63 cm - 78.5 cm (24.75” – 31”)

Medium

55 cm

50 cm - 60 cm (19.75” – 23.5”)

78.5 - 94 cm (31” – 37”)

Large

65 cm

60cm -70cm (23.5” – 27.5”)

94 cm- 110 cm (37” – 43”)

X-Large

75 cm

70 cm - 80 cm (27.5” – 31.5”)

110 cm – 126 cm (43” – 49.5”)

Stabilizer Rings

The use of Stablizer Rings are described in Chapter 5 of the NATE Handbook. 

Rings are optional but definitely aid in quick ball placement, ball stability on uneven surfaces, and defense against movement on windy days.  

Tubing or hose are specified as the preferred material for the rings.  Section 19 in the handbook provides detailed size and construction information utilizing tubing and a short length of wooden dowel or smaller tubing.  It includes a chart listing the optimum tube diameter and final ring size based on height class and the corresponding ball size.

For practice members have been creative in selecting their stabilizers, utilizing such things as floral rings, needlepoint hoops, and Frisbees!












     Suggested Stabilizer Size by Height Class

Height Class

Ball Size (cm)

Tubing Outer
Diameter (in)

Tubing Length (in)

Approximate Ring
Diameter (in)

Mini

25

0.5

20

6.25

XS, SM

35, 45

0.5-1.0

24

7.5

Sm, Med

45, 55

0.5-1.0

31

10

Med, Lg

55, 65

0.5-1.0

38

12

Lg, XLg

65, 75

0.75-1.0

44

14

The Goal & Goal Line

The Goal requirements are described in Chapter 5 of the NATE Handbook.   

Key criteria include that the walls of the Goal must be able withstand dogs playing balls off of them and the Goal line must be visible but not obstruct balls entering the goal.

Goal Walls:

The Goal must have 3 sturdy walls minimally 3 ft tall and 15 ft long by 5 ft deep.  An existing fence may be used as the back wall.  The exterior of the side walls may be reinforced with sandbags.  Feet on the corners and ends will aid in securing. The fencing set up must prevent balls from going behind the goal area.

Common materials for constructing the Goal are:
  • PVC pipe, T's, corners and elbows  (1.5" OD recommended)
  • Snow or Construction plastic fencing or lattice or other small web fencing material
  • Zip ties
  • Fence posts for more permanent installations
  • Sandbags for reinforcing the sides

Below are some examples of Goals from our Membership. Thank you for Sharing!

From an Indy Treibball Club Match: Lattice goal sides with expanding fence and sandbags to stabilize.  White tape and cord for goal line and handler box.  Low cones marking corners of handler box.


From Christy Renee:  Note multi-sections for back for portability.


From Amanda Fleischsmith:  Note the feet for stability.

Goal Line:   The Goal Line is the fourth side of the Goal, open to the handler area. The best material to mark the Goal line is very dependent on the location of the playing field.  Tape may be highly visible on indoor artificial grass but completely invisible on an outdoor grass field.  Here are some frequently used goal markers:

  • Bright or fluorescent tape
  • Cord or rope
  • Chalk
  • Christmas tree garland (tape, end weights or garden staples to keep in place)
  • Spray paint

Goal Bumper to hold balls:  An easy way to help keep the balls from rolling out of the goal is to get some pool noodles, string them on a cord, then stretch them across the middle (not the front!) of the goal.  Be sure to weight or tie down the cord ends to keep the noodle line relatively straight to prevent a tripping hazard.  An example is shown below from the late Sandi Pensinger at Living With Dogs training center.


The Handler Box

The Handler Area requirements are described in Chapter 5 of the NATE Handbook. 

The Handler Area ideally ought to have a visible outline (5x25 ft) but one can, especially on outdoor field, use 4 cones to indicate the corners.  The danger of not marking the Handler Area perimeter is the Judge may struggle to determine if a ball is inside the line before the handler touches it or if the handler has stepped on a line or outside the box.  The call may not always go your way in close situations. 

The same list of materials above for the Goal line are all acceptable for the marking the Handler Area.

 From Chris Roeder:

Rope makes a great handler box. Tie a flat washer at each corner and where the goal sides are placed. We color coded our washers to make it even easier to lay out. Green for goal sides and orange for handler box corners

At the end of the session thread all the washers on a carabiner or shower curtain ring to keep them in order and ready for the next use.




Field Boundaries Distance Marker requirements are described in Chapter 2 of the NATE Handbook for outdoor fields.  The tip below is useful for anyone who doesn't have access to a Treibball field with permanent distance markers from the goal.

From Chris Roeder:

Don't have a measuring wheel or 100' tape measure? Simple rope to the rescue. Tie a knot or flat washer in the rope every 5' for 50'. Stretch the rope across the goal end of the field or side lines to help you quickly place the goal sides and distance marker cones. No more tedious measuring or pacing off distances.

Urban Herding Fences & Pens

From Sam Leitz, complete instructions for building PVC & Lattice fences:   

Treibball Urban Herding Fences - Sam L.pdf


From Sandy White:   

For home practice (not for video submissions) Bungee together the wings from an agility jump.

The panel doesn't have to be standard Urban Herding size for the dog to learn, but it should be secured with some sort of weight like sand bags to withstand the ball being pushed against it.