General
- The professional level course is designed for contestants aged 14 and up. You must be at least 14 years of age on October 10th to participate on the professional level course.
- If you have a preexisting medical condition or injury, please consult with your doctor before attempting the course. Do not attempt the course if you are unsure whether or not you are medically able to do so.
- The event will not be canceled due to rain unless there is the threat of severe weather (like lightning or hail). If the event has to be paused or canceled due to severe weather, runs may be delayed, rescheduled or canceled at the discretion of the event organizers.
- No competitor will be allowed to run the course without first signing the waiver.
- Rockford Ninja Warrior is an event for all ages to enjoy. Subsequently, all clothing and costumes must be family-friendly. At the discretion of the course judges, competitors may be asked to change or cover clothing that is deemed offensive.
- If any part of your body or any of your clothing touches the cargo net above the water or the water itself, your run will be over.
- Competitors are not allowed to carry any possessions or gear with them or on their body. This is for your own safety and safety of the other competitors and spectators.
- Competitors must engage the obstacle only - if you use any portion of the course not intended for competition (pool edges, support beams, etc.), your run will be over.
- If you leave the course obstacles, platforms or walkways, your run will be over.
- The course cannot be stopped or paused once started for any reason (except in the case of sudden severe weather or other safety concern identified by course judges). Unless you receive notification from course judges to stop, continue with your run.
- To start the course each competitor will receive a 5 second count down (5-4-3-2-1), after which the screen will turn green. Once you see the green screen, that is your cue to go - your time will begin at that point. Jumping the start will result in a time penalty.
- Your time will stop when you hit the buzzer.
- Competitors must be barehanded - gloves, chalk, spray, tape and other grip aids are not permitted.
- Shoes are not required but are strongly recommended. To avoid damage to the course no shoes with teeth or fitted with teeth (like cleats) will be permitted.
- Obstacles must be competed in order.
- Any cheating or use of unfair tactics (as determined by judges) will end your run.
- Obstacles may have their own specific rules or requirements (see below).
- By running the course you are consenting to appear in promotional pictures or videos for use by Rockford Ninja Warrior and any of its sponsors and waiving your rights to any compensation for the use of such media. As a competitor you will not own the rights to any images that bear your likeness or name in conjunction with the Rockford Ninja Warrior event.
- Please be respectful of other competitors and set a good example for younger competitors. Competitors engaging in distracting behavior, cat calling or heckling while other competitors are on the course will be disqualified.
- If you require medical attention at any time while on the course, signal the medical staff and remain where you are to wait for assistance.
Quintuple Steps
- While attempting the quintuple steps, competitors will be allowed to grab the sides of each step with their hands, but not the top or back. Touching the top or back of a step will end your run.
Tilting Ladders
- Only one tilting ladder must be touched to count as engaging the obstacle. Competitors do not need to transfer from the first ladder to the second. You can attempt the dismount from either the first or the second tilting ladder.
Rope Swing to Cargo Net
- The rope swings are provided to give competitors access to the angled cargo net, but using them is not required. Once on the cargo net, you can only move onto the next obstacle after passing underneath - you cannot go over the top of the cargo net.
Warped Wall
- Competitors will only have 3 attempts to make it up the warped wall.
- You cannot leave the course to get a running start. If you leave the course, your run will be over.
- Competitors must not touch the sides of the warped wall with any body part - only the face of the warped wall and the platform on top.
Getting excited yet?