• flyball box
• balls - in a bucket or other contained accessible by the boxloader
      (if you have dogs that use different types or sizes of balls, be sure you have a sufficient supply)
• shagger to catch loose balls
      (available at most sporting goods stores or online - sometimes called a tennis ball basket or ball hopper)
• props - if your team uses jump boards or other props during warm up, bring those props along.  Other teams will often let you borrow their props, but they may not have the same set up you use.

You'll also want to make sure that you consider what type of surface you'll be competing on.  If it is an outdoor tournament on grass, be sure to add a hammer or mallet and stakes to stake down your box.  You can find very inexpensive mallets and tent stakes in the camping section of most stores, such as Target or Wal-mart.  For an indoor tournament on matting, make sure your box has some form of grip on the bottom of the box to minimize movement when the dog hits the box.  Adhesive sandpaper made for stairs or walks works very well on the bottom of the box and is readily available at any hardware store.  Check with local clubs for the best way to secure your box if you'll be competing on other surfaces, such as packed dirt or artifical turf.

Dog Basics

To make sure your dog is competing at their best, don't forget to bring:

• crate - make sure your dog is used to the crate and it is one your dog cannot escape from.  Many dogs are not able to stay in mesh crates with the excitement of a tournament.  If in doubt, bring a back up wire or plastic crate just in case.  Many people also use a sheet or blanket to cover their dog's crate to minimize barking.  You may also want a crate pad or other bedding material for your dog to lay on in his crate.
• water - be sure to have a sufficent supply of water for your dog over the tournament weekend.  If the tournament is during warm months, be sure to bring lots of extra water.  You'll also need bowls or buckets for use in your dog's crate.
• leash - most venues require dogs to be on leash when they are not competing.  So, you'll want to have at least one leash per dog.  Some people also bring a flexi retractable lead for pottying their dog outside. 
• tug or other motivator - if you use a specific tug toy, food, frisbee, or other motivator to run your dog, don't forget to bring it along.  It's also a good idea to have some back ups on hand just in case.  If your treats need to be refrigerated, you can bring a small cooler with ice or ice packs to keep them fresh over the weekend.
• bags - plastic bags for picking up after your dog are an essential. 
• wrap or boots - if you wrap your dog's legs or use boots, bring along a sufficient supply to get through the tournament. It never hurts to have an extra set of boots or an extra few rolls of wrap.
• medications - if your dog is on any prescription medications or other supplements, bring an adequate supply plus extra just in case your trip in uexpectedly extended.

People Basics

A few essentials can help make your tournament stay much more enjoyable:

• chair - chairs from the camping section of your local store are usually reasonable in price and fold up for easy packing.
• appropriate clothing - extra clothing to accomodate changes in weather (or variable temperatures in tournament buildings) is usually a good idea.  Consider bringing:  rain jacket, sweatshirt, fleece jacket, extra socks, gloves, shorts, and t-shirt.
• lunch - some tournament sites do not have food available.  Others do not allow you to bring in outside food.  Check the welcome letter or inquire of the host club ahead of time so you are prepared.
• water - even if lunch is available, be sure to bring a good supply of water plus any other drinks in a cooler with ice.  Drinking lots of water is key to staying hydrated during a tournament.
• pen & paper - bringing something to write with may be a good idea for recording times, points, or other information during the tournament.

Paperwork Basics

• CRNs for the dogs on your team - NAFA requires a CRN (Competition Registration Number) for all dogs running be listed on the racing sheet.  You can print out a list of all club dogs from the NAFA database.  Don't forget to include new dogs or dogs that might be running as back up.  If a dog has run with another club, be sure they are included in your list.
• height card - if you have a dog with a height card, be sure you have the actual height card with you.
• records - if you are traveling with your dog, you may want to include a copy of any pertinent records, such as vaccination records, proof of rabies, health information, prescriptions, and microchip information.  Having a copy of a recent photo can also come in handy if your dog is lost while traveling.

Additional Items

Some other things to consider bringing:

• first aid kit - with items for people and dogs.  Make sure to check the expiration date on medications.  Some things to consider carrying:  contact solution, asprin, betadine, hydrogen peroxide, anti-diarrhea meds, wrap, guaze, scissors, extra prescription medication, tweezers, oral syringe, antibiotic ointment, nail clippers, Kwik Stop, thermometer, band-aids, heat/cold packs, and pedialyte. 
• extra towels
• paper towels & cleaner - for cleaning crates or spills

Outdoor Tournament Gear

Outdoor tournaments often present special challenges due to sun, wind, rain and other weather concerns.

• shade - many people use EZups or tents to provide shade for them & their dogs.  You may also want to bring tarps or sunshades with clips to make sure there is sufficient shade as the sun moves during the day.  Don't forget tent stakes and a mallet or hammer to keep your shade from blowing away.
• fans - if you don't have access to a generator, there are many fans sold that operate on batteries.  The camping sections of many stores have battery operated fans.  There is one model that is very powerful and operates on 8 Dcell batteries.  Be sure to bring extra batteries.  If you are using a generator, don't forget plenty of extension cords so you can place the fans where they are most needed.
• water & ice - you can really never have enough water and ice at an outdoor tournament.  Consider bringing an additional cooler just for ice and water.  Besides keeping you hydrated, you can use ice in or near the dog's kennel with a fan to cool down their crating area.  Dipping a town or cool coat into icy water can also keep your dog (or you) cool in between heats during racing.
• sunscreen - don't forget to use lots of sunscreen on yourself.  Most sunscreen washes off with exercise and even those that claim to be waterproof and sweatproof tend to lose their effectiveness after a few hours.
• hat - a good shade hat can often lower your body temperature dramatically.
• for more information, read our article on warm weather tips.

Indoor Tournament Gear

Although indoor tournaments generally have far fewer challenges than outdoor tournaments, you might want to consider packing:

• fans - even indoor tournaments can get hot for dogs.  Be sure to bring an extra extension cord or two because outlets are sometime scarce.
• crate cover - sheets or blankets to cover your dog's crate can sometimes make a dog feel more at ease when the crating area is close to the racing ring.
• extra wrap or boots - dogs running on mats sometimes skid more frequently and may require wrap or boots for their stopper pads.  Even if your dogs does not normally require wrap or boots, it is a good idea to have some handy just in case.
• anti-slip spray - some competitors use a non skid spray on their dog's pads to minimize skidding.  Many conformation show suppliers carry this product.  It is also available at www.cleanrun.com
• extra towels - to dry off your dog's feet before they run.  If a dog runs with wet pads, they'll have a very high likelihood of ripping their pads.

And, of course, don't forget to bring your dog!