how to set up orienteering course

Course Setup

• (1) Route Orienteering. This form can be used during the training phase and in advanced orienteering. ...
• (2) Line Orienteering. At least five control points are used during this form of orienteering training. ...
• (3) Cross-Country Orienteering. This is the most common type of orienteering competitions. ...

Full Answer

How to start orienteering and learn to love it?

Orienteering Clubs. Orienteering clubs, which put on meets and provide training, are your best place to start. For a state-by-state list of clubs, visit the website of the national organization: Orienteering USA, which also has several articles to help newcomers learn about the sport.

How to start orienteering?

Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Participating in a Basic Orienteering Course Download Article

1. Study your map. When you start your race, take a moment to look at the topographical map which will consist of a start, a series of control sites connected ...
2. Orient your compass with your map. Your map will have an arrow indicating north. ...
3. Look for your first control site. ...
4. Punch your card or electronic dibber. ...

How to design an orienteering course?

Things You'll Need

• A whistle
• Water - bring more if you'll be running a more advanced course or running in hot weather.
• Course map and control card from registration
• Compass (preferably a proper orienteering compass or thumb compass)
• A SI or EMIT card (they are usually available to hire if you don't have your own)
• You may want a control holder but they are not necessary. ...

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What are the basic skills in orienteering?

• Fold your map so that you can comfortably hold it in one hand.
• Align the long edge of the compass with the direction that you need to go.
• Rotate your whole body until the compass needle and the north lines on the map are lined up.
• The long edge of the compass and the direction of travel arrow now point in the direction you need to go.

How do you plot an orienteering course?

Set up a 100-foot course near your meeting place. As Scouts arrive, have them walk the course and calculate their pace (how far they travel every two steps). Draw a large chalk circle on the parking lot. Place an index card marked “North” at the northernmost point.

How is orienteering organized?

Orienteering is a group of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points.

How do I set up a compass course?

1:115:11How to Setup a Compass Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction ofMoreAnd so what i'll do is make sure that the compass is set to north. Then there's a direction of travel arrow on the compass. Base we'll set that to the direction.

What are the four basic orienteering skills?

SkillsNOTE: The content here is for those who are ready to build their skills and are seeking guidance. You do not need to know any of this in order to show up at and enjoy an orienteering event! ... Basic Skills. Orienting the Map. ... Basic Skills. ... Thumbing the Map. ... Line Features. ... Catching Features. ... Reading the Map. ... Contours.More items...

What equipment is needed for orienteering?

The main things you need is a map, compass and checkpoint recording device. Maps and checkpoint electronic punching devices are usually provided by event organizers. There is a wide variety in quality and price of orienteering equipment, which can be chosen depending on your needs and desirable performance level.

What is the primary equipment needed in orienteering?

A compass is really the only thing that you “need” to be able to take part in orienteering. A compass with a flat, rectangular base and a movable dial is the best choice for orienteering, because it can be set down properly onto your course map.

How do you orient a map and compass?

Orient Your Map Place your compass on the map with the direction of travel arrow pointing toward the top of the map. Rotate the bezel so that N (north) is lined up with the direction of travel arrow. Slide the baseplate until one of its straight edges aligns with either the left or right edge of your map.

How do you follow a compass bearing?

Using a Compass to Travel Along a Known Bearing Turn the compass, not the azimuth ring, until the orienting arrow lines up with the north end (usually red) of the magnetic needle. Follow the direction-of-travel arrow toward your destination. Periodically, recheck your bearing.

Do you use a compass for orienteering?

Compasses are still used today to help people navigate across the landscape. They are used just for fun in the sport of orienteering. Orienteering is navigating with a map and compass. It's easy to learn, but always challenging.

What are the disadvantages of orienteering?

Common injuries with orienteeringrunning injuries – such as shin splints, strains, sprains and blisters.overuse injuries – although orienteers run on soil rather than concrete or bitumen, they may still be vulnerable to overuse injuries.impact injuries – from falling on steep, rocky, slippery or loose terrain.More items...Orienteering - preventing injury - Better Health Channelhttps://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au › health › healthylivinghttps://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au › health › healthylivingSearch for: What are the disadvantages of orienteering?

What type of map is most commonly used in orienteering?

Nowadays, most orienteering events are held on five-color maps that have 5 meter contour intervals (16.5 feet) and have a scale of 1:15,000 (preferred) or 1:10,000 (1 cm = 100 meters). Most of the characteristics of orienteering maps are related to those found on hiking and general use maps produced by the government.The orienteering maphttps://web.williams.edu › Faculty_Staff › hwilliams › maphttps://web.williams.edu › Faculty_Staff › hwilliams › mapSearch for: What type of map is most commonly used in orienteering?

Who was known as the father of orienteering?

It was not until 1919 that the modern version of orienteering was born in Sweden as a competitive sport. Ernst Killander, its creator, can be rightfully called the father of orienteering. In the early thirties, the sport received a technical boost with the invention of a new compass, more precise and faster to use.Orienteering - University of Victoriahttps://web.uvic.ca › ~thopper › orienteering-page..htmhttps://web.uvic.ca › ~thopper › orienteering-page..htmSearch for: Who was known as the father of orienteering?

How do you prepare in an orienteering activity?

Top 10 Tips When Starting Out In OrienteeringGet tips from the orienteering experts. ... Attend an orienteering training day or weekend. ... Practice your orienteering navigation. ... Ignore other orienteering competitors. ... Relocation training. ... Train properly for orienteering. ... Plan your orienteering race. ... Nutrition for orienteers.More items...

What are the activities in orienteering?

Orienteering is a navigation and sport activity that incorporates walking or jogging, determining directions, and map reading. The object of the activity is to use a map and compass to locate specific points in a given area.

What is the main goal of orienteering?

Orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport that exercises mind and body. The aim is to navigate between checkpoints or controls marked on a special orienteering map. There is no set route so the skill and fun come from trying to find the best way to go.

What are the steps to successful orienteering?

Plan, Picture, Direction – 3 steps to successful orienteering. To help you put these ideas into practice, Better Orienteering uses a simple model of 3 steps to think about when navigating – Plan, Picture, Direction. To get round an orienteering course successfully, for each leg of the course you should:

What are the different types of orienteering?

Orienteering competitions are divided into the following types: Foot orienteering There are races at different distances – Sprint, Middle, Long and Ultra-long – and on different types of terrain – urban, forest, moorland.

What scale is a race in Orienteering?

Orienteering races take place in many types of terrain including woodland, moorland and urban areas. Urban maps are usually at 1:4000 scale (every centimetre on the map is 40 metres on the ground), or sometimes 1:5000, showing lots of detail around buildings. Woodland and moorland maps are usually at 1:10,000 (1 cm on map = 100 metres on the ground) or 1:15,000 scale (1 cm om map = 150 m on ground), giving a slightly less detailed view of a bigger area of terrain.

What is the most popular compasse for orienteering?

Thumb compasses are the most popular compasses for orienteering. Most of the time you won’t need to do more than use the red compass needle to keep the map lined up to north, however, this explanation from Silva shows how you can get more from it if you need to, by taking a bearing between points on the map.

How to get around a course?

To get round an orienteering course successfully, for each leg of the course you should: 1 Plan – Make a Plan before you set off. Try to follow hand rails such as paths. 2 Picture – identify what you will see on the way.

What does it mean when you register for a course?

When you register for a course they will help you pick a course that is suitable for your fitness, experience and age group. The major competitions are split into age classes instead where you will be competing against people of similar age to ensure a fair race.

What is Trail O?

Trail Orienteering (Trail-O Trail-O is for all physical ability levels, even those with significant physical mobility impairments and focuses on accurate map reading rather than running speed. This summary Trail O by David Jukes of BKO gives more detail

What are the basics of orienteering?

This article covers the basics about this lesser-known outdoor activity: 1 What orienteering is 2 Where to learn how to do it 3 Gear and clothing needs 4 A primer for your first meet

When was orienteering invented?

Orienteering’s Birth and Growth. Orienteering was created in the late 1800s as a navigational competition for members of the Swedish military. Civilians soon joined the fun and the sport has spread throughout the world since then.

Why does declination not come into play in orienteering?

It includes many symbols unique to orienteering. Declination doesn’t come into play, because all orienteering maps align with magnetic north, not true north. That simplifies map reading when you have to navigate while moving quickly.

How many courses are there in a local meet?

Get in line for the course you picked at registration. A local meet might have from three to seven courses set up. To avoid bunching up runners, start times are staggered, though orienteers on different courses often start in the same wave.

What to do at the registration area?

At the registration area you sign a waiver, choose a course, pay an event fee and, if you didn’t bring one, rent a compass. (You get the map for your course later.) People at the registration area can also direct you to the newcomer instruction area.

Where is the finish area in a sandbox?

The finish area is often located near the start area . If you have an e-punch, you’ll be able to get a printout of your overall time, and time between each control, at the download station right next to the finish area.

What is the goal of the Orienteering Program?

The program’s goal is to have athletes train so that they keep their bodies healthy, learn to be self-aware, and develop skills that will help them become strong orienteers and to be successful in life.

What is orienteering skills?

The Orienteering Skills Program is a sequential, four-step program for improving navigation from beginner to advanced orienteer. Each level features concepts, learning, and demonstration of skills that build on each other, as well as a completion patch. This is intended for use by coaches and beginner orienteers to ensure a proper progression of skills and may be integrated with the three programs above.

What is Discovering Orienteering?

An excellent resource for physical educators, recreation and youth leaders, orienteering coaches as well as individuals, Discovering Orienteering distills the sport into teachable components relating to various academic disciplines , provides an array of learning activities, and includes an introduction to physical training and activities for coaching beginning to intermediate orienteers. Guidelines take eager beginners beyond the basics and prepare them to participate in orienteering events. More than 60 ready-to-use activities assist educators in applying the benefits of orienteering across the curriculum.#N#Developed in conjunction with Orienteering USA (OUSA), Discovering Orienteering addresses the methods, techniques, and types of orienteering commonly found throughout the United States and Canada.#N#Available at Amazon & Google Play

How to become a navigator?

Becoming a proficient navigator involves learning a number of basic concepts and techniques and practicing these skills on a regular basis. Realize that as a beginner you will make mistakes and some will likely cost you a lot of time on the course. Learn to recognize what leads to these mistakes and be able to correct yourself before they become big errors. Even elite orienteers make mistakes, the difference is that they can more quickly catch themselves, adjust accordingly and minimize their time lost to errors. Practice, practice, practice…

How to build endurance and speed?

Intensity: If you want to improve your speed, you need to train harder. Consider intervals, hill repeats, and tempo runs to push you outside of your comfort zone.

How long does it take to complete an orange course?

As a general guideline, a competitive beginner has mastered the basics when they can complete an Orange (Intermediate) Course at a rate of 10 minutes per kilometer for men or 12 minutes per kilometer for women. For example, a male runner who completes a 3.5km Orange course in 35:00 minutes has met the 10 min/km standard.

What does yellow mean in orienteering?

Yellow: slow down, cautious movement and orienteering. Green: full speed, rough direction. Contouring: practice staying at the same elevation along a hillside (imagine following a contour); a useful skill to use when faced with a leg that crosses a very steep hill or valley.

How to help Scouts with orienteering?

Introduce Scouts to the sport of orienteering. Help Scouts work toward the Orienteering merit badge. Fost er self-confidence and team building. LEADERSHIP PLANNING .

How to make a 100 foot course for Scouts?

Set up a 100-foot course near your meeting place. As Scouts arrive, have them walk the course and calculate their pace (how far they travel every two steps). Draw a large chalk circle on the parking lot. Place an index card marked “North” at the northernmost point.

What to do when Scouts arrive?

As Scouts arrive, challenge them to sketch topographic maps of their neighborhoods or the area around your meeting place. Set up a display of items related to orienteering courses , including controls, punches, control cards, maps, bibs, etc.

Where to put index cards for Scouts?

As Scouts arrive, give them index cards marked with other compass points. Have them place their cards in the correct spots on the circle. As Scouts arrive, challenge them to sketch topographic maps of their neighborhoods or the area around your meeting place.

How many points do you get for each symbol correctly named in the relay?

Continue the relay until all symbols have been named. – Scoring: Score 2 points for each symbol correctly named, and deduct 1 point for each symbol incorrectly named.

How to play compass triangle?

Compass Triangle Game#N#– Materials: For each Scout, a compass and an index card with their name on it#N#– Method: Scouts start at various spots on a parking lot or other open area, marking their spots with index cards. They determine a bearing (say 30°) and walk 50 steps in that direction. They add 120° to the first bearing and walk another 50 steps. Finally, they add 120° to the second bearing and walk another 50 steps. (If a calculated bearing is more than 360°, subtract 360° to get the correct bearing.) Scouts should end up back where they started.#N#– Scoring: The winner is the player who gets closest to the starting point.#N#– Variation: Have players wear bags over their heads so they can read their compasses but not look ahead. (Assign each a guide for safety.) This challenge will test their ability to walk in a straight line and will prevent them from cheating as they approach the starting point on the final leg.