Planners - Training

A Planner is responsible for planning courses in accordance with the guidelines, choosing control sites, determining the shape and length of the courses, preparing draft control descriptions and placing controls. There are two levels of training available.

Grade 3 (Local Events)

Grade 2 (Local Events)

Training Courses

Grade 3 Planner

If you wish to become a Grade 3 Planner you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by a club, group of clubs or associations. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to an appropriate mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least one experienced Planner and one experienced Controller acting as instructors.

As a Grade 3 Planner you will:

• Be able to plan a colour-coded event at district level (C-4)
• Understand the techniques required to plan at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-Course knowledge you require includes:

• British Orienteering Rules: particularly 5, 6 and 8
• Appendices A, B, F and I
• Guidelines A
• IOF Control descriptions 2004
• ‘Course Planning’ by G Nilsen is recommended reading.

You will also be required to complete the P3/C3 Questionnaire prior to attending the course.

On conclusion of the course you will be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of the planner
• Knowledge of the roles of the controller and organiser
• The mechanisms involved in planning
• The ability to:
  • Determine the technical difficulty of legs
  • Determine the technical difficulty of courses
  • Layout Start / finish
  • Tape control sites
  • Draft Control Description sheets
  • Check maps and produce map corrections
  • Hang controls
  • Produce an event timetable

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Grade 2 Planner

If you wish to become a Grade 2 Planner you will be required to attend a short course which will be organised by an association or group of associations. Courses normally last for one day, but can be spread over several evenings if required, although daylight is needed for the practical exercise. Courses follow an agreed syllabus, using course materials provided by the National Office.

Courses will be organised close to a mapped area that can be used for the practical exercise and courses are generally staffed by at least one Grade 1 Planner and one experienced Controller acting as instructors.

As a Grade 3 Planner you will:

• Be able to plan a regional event at district level (C-3)
• Understand the difference between planning a colour-coded event (C-4) and a regional event (C-3)
• Understand the techniques required to plan at this level and the potential pitfalls that should be guarded against

Pre-Course knowledge you require includes:

• British Orienteering Rules: particularly 5, 6 and 8
• Appendices A, B, E, F and I
• Guidelines A and B
• IOF Control descriptions 2004
• ‘Course Planning’ by G Nilsen is recommended reading.

On conclusion of the course you will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge and understanding of the difference between planning a colour-coded event and a regional event and the ability to:

• Determine course length
• Plan legs of courses including:
  • TD4 vs TD5
  • Long, route choice
  • Short, testing navigation
  • TD4, simple contours
  • TD3 route choice
  • TD1 / TD2
• Overprint onto master maps
• Provide pictorial descriptions of controls
• Plan in teams
• Create event timetables
• Create plans that taking into account the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators

In addition you will be able to demonstrate all the competencies expected of a Grade 3 Planner.

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Training Courses

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