How to perform your best at Group Obstacle Race / Snake Race in SSB Interview?

Group Obstacle Race or GOR is part of the GTO test series and is considered to be one of the most exciting, electrifying, and enjoyable tasks of the SSB Interview. It is exciting and electrifying as it is the first task where you are literately competing with someone on a physical and mental level. The Group Obstacle Race is enjoyable because you are performing this task in a group, and you are competing against other groups and not an individual. In this task, you have to cross the obstacles, you have to cheer and make other group members cross these obstacles with an object in your hand – a rolled-up tent – that looks like a snake. Therefore, sometimes this race is also called as Snake Race. A war-like atmosphere is created, where you are at war with other groups – every group has their WAR CRY, some are supporting the weak ones, and some are falling and getting injured. Though the task is performed in a group, every candidate is evaluated individually. In this article, we will try to under how to perform our best at GROUP OBSTACLE RACE (GOR) or SNAKE RACE in SSB Interview.

What is Group Obstacle Race?

Group Obstacle Race is the fourth task in the GTO test series. This is a group task, which is performed in a group of 8-12 candidates. The groups are basically the same with which you have performed your other GTO Tasks.

As the name suggests, GROUP OBSTACLE RACE – is a race with other groups in which you have to cross some set of obstacles with a given load and some pre-defined rules. Every individual in the group has to clear the obstacle – with or without the support of other group members. The group whose every member crosses the finish line along with the given load first wins the race. The result of this race doesn’t matter much, but how you approach this race and clear all the obstacles as a team matters the most.

A rolled-up tent is given as a load to every group, which they have to carry while crossing the obstacles. This load looks like a long snake. Thus, this task is also called The Snake Race. Some obstacles are not that easy and might require the help of your other group members. This task will give you the taste of actual defense operations, as it will be the first task that requires both physical and mental strength.

The Procedure of the Group Obstacle Race

Before the commencement of the Task, The GTO will call all the candidates and will divide them into groups. They will explain the entire task to the candidate. You must attentively listen to each and every word of the GTO. If you have any doubts, then you should clear them at this point in time. Don’t ask any of your doubts during the performance of the task.

Then they will take the group to the start line of the race where they will find their rolled-up tent or the load. There will be 6 obstacles on a straight path which will be like a track. At the end of the track, there will be the finish line. Depending upon the arrangement, a total of 4 to 5 groups will simultaneously take part in this race.

Before the commencement of the task, the GTO will ask every group to have a slogan of their group or a WAR CRY. Every group member should shout this slogan continuously during the entire task. This war cry should be such that it should motivate the group and give them the required adrenaline rush to perform the task.

Some Examples of WAR CRY – are “Jo bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, etc. Check other examples of war cry – CLICK HERE.

The obstacles to be crossed in Group Obstacle Race

Rules and Regulations

Group Obstacle Race has to complete with some rules which are as follows

• Once you pick the load and the race starts, you cannot keep the snake down until every member of the group crosses the finish line.
• All group members should carry the load when they are running on the ground while crossing the obstacles; at least three candidates should carry the load.
• The load should cover the same path through which the group crosses the obstacles
• The load should be carried in such a way that it remains parallel to the ground
• While performing the task, you and the load should not touch any of the out-of-bound areas – which will be marked in red. If knowingly or unknowingly you touch the out-of-bound area, then the group will be penalized.
• You should run with your entire group taking every member together. Never leave the group and start running individually.
• While crossing an obstacle, it is mandatory that all the group members cross the obstacle only then go to the next obstacle. So, if any member of the group is not able to cross the obstacle, then help them instead of hurrying to the next obstacle.
• You must cheer up and motivate your members by shouting the War Cry of your group.

Penalty

• If you break any rule, then your team will be penalized which will be decided by the GTO. They are of two types.
  • The GTO might halt the entire group and ask the group to count from 10 to 1 or from 5 to 1 in reverse order
  • Else, they might ask all or some members of the group to repeat the last obstacles.
  • In both cases, the group will lose some time.

What is checked through Group Obstacle Race?

Through Group Obstacle Race, below characteristics of the candidates are checked

• Mental and Physical strength
• Determination & Courage
• Team Spirit
• Self Confidence.
• Ability to cooperate
• Sense of Responsibility
• Initiative
• Grasping Power – rules, and conditions for tackling the obstacles
• Planning and organizing the group
• Ability to coordinate with other group members
• Your Interest & Enthusiasm to perform such types of physical tasks.
• How do you overcome your frustration and difficulties while performing the task?
• Ability to communicate your ideas to the group in a way that they understand it

Tips to perform better in Group Obstacle Race

Prior Preparation

• Regular physical exercises – like running, push-ups, and pull-ups will not help a lot in covering the obstacles of the group obstacle race but will also build the overall stamina required for the task.

During the task

• You must think that carrying the load is your responsibility. Even while crossing the obstacles, you should carry the snake.
• If other members are not able to cross the obstacle, help them to cross the obstacle.
• Be active during the entire race. Always cheer and motivate your group members.
• During the task, you will get some minor injuries, but never highlight them during the task.
• If GTO asks some members of your group to repeat the obstacle, always volunteer to repeat then.
• Never show your tiredness during the task. If stuck on some task, never give up. Be determined and persistent.
• Always move in a group. Never leave your group.
• Avoid looking at the GTO while performing the task.
• Never touch an out-of-bound area – which will be marked by red color.
• Never shout or abuse any other candidate
• Always be honest if you have violated any rule.

We hope, now you would have understood what the group obstacle race (GOR) is and How to perform your best at Group Obstacle Race / Snake Race in SSB Interview? If you need any further clarification or explanation, feel free to mention it in the comment section or mail directly to [email protected].

Also, check other articles on GTO

1. Half Group Task (HGT) | What is Half Group Task & its Preparation Strategy
2. What is Progressive Group Task (PGT) at SSB Interview?
3. What is Group Planning Exercise in SSB Interview?

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