The AFSB individual obstacles are conducted on the second day of GTO testing. This task is an essential part of the assessment, where the GTO observes more than just physical stamina of a candidate. Hence, doing well in it becomes important. However, a lot of people don’t know that the individual obstacles in AFSB are different from those in the Army or Navy boards.
This puts them in a state of confusion immediately and to avoid this, we tell you about all AFSB individual obstacles, and how you can attempt them confidently.
Reason for Difference
This is a primary question in the minds of candidates, especially freshers. To put it simply, the obstacles in each selection board are designed based on the service that they’re meant for. You will agree that each service has a different work environment and purpose. Since SSB is a glimpse of the life after selection, the individual obstacles depict the same.
AFSB individual obstacles are smaller in size yet generally, higher in altitude than the SSB ones. Some of these are also completely different. However, in the end, the purpose is to check your courage, and other Officer Like Qualities. Let us now look into the individual obstacles in AFSB.
List of AFSB Individual Obstacles
In this section, we will describe each individual obstacle that you can expect if you’re appearing for an interview at 4 AFSB, along with their images and some tips to solve them. They are mentioned in the order of the marks they carry. Please bear in mind that the marking scheme may vary slightly in the real interview:
Five Basic Obstacles
Ramp Jump: This is one of the easiest AFSB individual obstacles and carries one point. You must come running from the lower end of the ramp and take a jump once you reach the higher end. This is generally four feet above the ground.
High Jump: Here, there is a horizontal rod attached about four feet above ground. You need to take a jump over the rod and and on the other side to get two points. This is like the high jump event you see in athletic events.
Balancing Beam: This is a large goalpost-like obstacle with a 4-5 feet-high log. You have to balance yourself on the zig-zag beams and reach the other end without falling to get three points. To play smart, you should climb from the side that does not have a rod-like extension, so that you can grab it once you’re about to finish the obstacle.
High Wall: This is the fourth of the 10 AFSB individual obstacles. Here, you have to come running and grab a four-feet-high wall and jump over it. However, the back side of the wall is painted red, so you cannot touch it. Clearing this gets you four points.
Burma Bridge: This obstacle has two parallel ropes that are tied above ground (10 feet, generally). You have to climb from one end and walk between the two ropes to get five points. This task is also seen in Army boards.
High-Scoring Obstacles
Hanging Tyre: A hanging tyre is tied to a 7-feet-high goalpost using a rope, which is painted red. You need to grab the tyre, and pass through the hole in it completely to get six points. Remember that the rope is red, and therefore, it cannot be touched.
Monkey Crawl: A 10-feet-long rope is tied to two vertical rods at a height of four to five feet. You must grab it with your hands and legs like a monkey and move through it to gain seven points.
Double Jump: This is similar to the Army obstacle where you have to climb up a platform, generally 8 feet above ground or more. From here, you must jump to a second platform which is slightly lower and finally jump to the ground. Clearing this gets you eight points in AFSB individual obstacles.
Tiger’s Leap: You must climb a 10-feet-high platform and leap like a tiger to catch a vertical rope. This gets you nine points. After grabbing the rope, you should descend gradually to avoid any injuries.
Vertical Rope: Finally, you have to climb a 10-feet-high vertical rope to get ten points. Please know that the entire rope doesn’t have to be climbed but only till the portion that has been painted.
Tips to Prepare for Individual Obstacles at AFSB
You must prepare beforehand to avoid any injuries during the AFSB individual obstacles. If you have time before your next reporting focus on these tips:
- Go for a run (at least 1-2 kms) to build stamina.
- Exercise to build arm strength so that you can grab ropes safely.
- Practice at a nearby AFSB individual obstacles ground, if possible.
- Plan your obstacle course in advance.
- Don’t unnecessarily push yourself to do obstacles that you can’t.
- Start attempting the high-scoring individual obstacles first.
The AFSB individual obstacles reflect the kind of life you will be leading as an Indian Air Force officer. Hence, you need to be prepared for everything that comes your way. Enjoy the process and don’t hurt yourself. All the best!
