Training for Orienteering
Basic Instruction
Basic instruction is available at all local events, so check the events page for our schedule. We also occasionally hold special training events so you can learn specific orienteering techniques, such as pacing in uneven terrain, route selection, and racing strategy.
Map Symbols
Much navigational information is condensed into international symbols for maps and control descriptions. Know what they are, and you have an advantage and can orienteer in any language. Every serious orienteer should have copies of these documents.
Test what you know!
You can fill in the missing knowledge now or wait until you're out on a course...
- Orienteering Map Skills Test by Dennis Toms
- International Control Descriptions also by Dennis Toms
Introduction to orienteering
Even if you're already familiar with orienteering, you can always learn something by reviewing the basics occasionally:
- What is Orienteering? - classic overview of the sport
- Orienteering for the Young. Helpful for people of all ages
- Orienteering Glossary
- An Adventure Racer at an Orienteering Event. Suggestions for adventure racers trying orienteering
Specific skills
Orienteering is a combination of several skills. Here are ways to boost some of them:
- How to use a compass (baseplate compass)
- How to use contour lines (From training delivered at Woodland Park)
- Coaching. USOF is offering free copies of the USOF coaching manual to qualified coaches.
Orienteering and Scouts
Orienteering is an excellnet addition to any Scout program, combining outdoor exploration with the confidence that comes from accomplishing goals and finding your own way.
- Boy Scout Orienteering Merit Badge
- Vulcan Orienteering Club, from Birmingham, Alabama, has an Orienteering Workbook to assist Scouts working on the Orienteering Merit Badge (it appears to refer to an older version of the requirements)
Comparing routes & results
One of the best ways to get faster is to discuss route choices with another competitor after the event. Which choices worked best? What can you learn for next time? Some websites are devoted to this type of discussion and ongoing improvement:
- WinSplits is a site that presents your course times for each control leg in each meet. Look for the event-specific link in your next meet results.
- Another popular site to compare split times is AttackPoint. This site also contains training ideas and discussion.