One of the most daring tasks of the SSB interview is the SSB individual obstacles. This task happens on GTO day two to test the courage and other qualities of a candidate. Army boards offer very diverse obstacles, reflecting the strenuous lifestyle of the Indian Army.
If you or anyone you know has never been to the Army board, this article tells you about all the SSB individual obstacles with tips to attempt them.
SSB Individual Obstacles: What the GTO Sees?
As mentioned above, SSB individual obstacles aren’t just about the fittest or the fastest individual. You must have seen people completing all obstacles and still not getting a recommendation. This is because the GTO observes way more than just your muscle strength:
- Physical stamina: The number of SSB individual obstacles you complete reflects your physical stamina. While it is not the only parameter, it is the most noticeable.
- Approach to each obstacle: Do you try attempting obstacles or deliberately ignore the difficult ones? This tells the GTO about your nature in real life. You may not be able to climb the vertical rope, but trying casts a good impression.
- Planning and organization: There are ten obstacles in total, and how you plan your route says a lot about you. Avoid running cluelessly on the ground; rather be firm and confident.
- Reaction to failure: How to you react when you fall midway from the Tarzan Swing? Do you laugh it out or curse angrily? The GTO is always on the lookout for such signs.
Rules for SSB Individual Obstacles
Each task in SSB has certain rules and the SSB individual obstacles are not devoid of it. Here is a list of basic rules that you must follow to avoid any penalties:
- Each obstacle carries specific points based on the difficulty level, starting from 1 to 10. Completing all of them gets you 55 points.
- You get a total of three and half minutes to attempt these obstacles.
- If you have time left after completing all the ten obstacles, you can repeat more.
- Some areas of the SSB individual obstacles are red in colour. Hence, if you touch them, you must repeat the obstacle.
SSB Individual Obstacles: Complete List
Now that you’re aware of some of the basics, you should know about all the SSB individual obstacles to plan ahead of your SSB interview. We will start with the basic ones:
Basic Obstacles
These are five of the basic SSB individual obstacles, carrying minimum points. Hence, they are easily doable by most candidates.
Barrel jump: This obstacle carries one point and you must jump over a barrel covered with barbed wire. Please note that the barrel is red, and if your foot touches it, you have to repeat the obstacle. Female candidates have to jump over a single barrel, while males have to attempt the double barrel jump.
Screen jump: In the second of the five basic obstacles, you will see an inclined plank with a four-feet-high screen in front. You have to come running from the declined end and jump over the red screen. The height of the screen varies for males and females, and the obstacle carries two points.
Balancing Beam: This involves three zig-zag beams that are placed roughly 3-4 feet above ground. You must balance yourself through the course and reach the other end to get three points.
Burma Bridge: In this obstacle, two parallel ropes are tied about ten feet above ground. You have to climb from one end and walk between the two ropes to complete the task and get four points.
Double Jump: Here, you have to climb up a platform (about 8 to 10 feet high) and take a jump to the next platform, which is slightly lower. From this one, you must jump to the ground to gain five points.
High-Scoring Obstacles
The next five SSB individual obstacles carry maximum points, and require physical fitness to attempt. These tasks are:
Tarzan Swing: This is the most interesting individual obstacle at army boards and carries six points. You have to climb an eight-feet-high platform and the NCO will hand you a rope. From here, you have to swing like Tarzan to the marked area. However, if you fall anywhere in between, you won’t get any points.
Double Ditch: Here, there are two ditches, the first one is about eight-feet-long with a rope hanging in the middle and the next one is roughly three-feet-long. You have to come running and jump to grab the hanging rope and cross the first ditch, followed by the second one. Completing this obstacle will get you seven points.
Commando Walk: For this individual obstacle at SSB, you have to walk over a stepped platform ten feet above ground. Once you reach the middle of it, you have to shout out your chest number and descend safely to get eight points.
Tiger’s Leap: For this obstacle, you have to climb over an eight-feet-high platform just like Tarzan swing. But here, you will not be handed over the rope; rather you need to leap like a tiger, grab it and come down. In some cases, the GTO may ask you to shout your partner or favourite actor’s name. This carries nine points.
Vertical Rope: This is the last of the ten SSB individual obstacles, and carries ten points. You have to climb a vertical rope (generally, ten-feet-high) till the portion painted blue.
Tips to Prepare for SSB Individual Obstacles
To prevent any injuries on the D-day, candidates must maintain good physique and practice regularly. Here are some tips that may come in handy:
- Build stamina by running daily for 1 to 2 kms or more.
- Start working out so that you can grab the ropes and swing with good arm strength.
- Pre-plan your obstacle course to avoid looking clueless.
- If you think you cannot attempt an obstacle, leave it after one or two tries.
- Laugh out failures and keep the spirit high.
- If possible, practice at an SSB individual obstacles ground before your SSB.
Remember that the SSB individual obstacles can boost your score well, hence, you must prepare to do as many obstacles as possible. However, be careful through the course. Best of luck!
