A-Z Jargon Buster-Scottish Orienteering

A-Z Jargon Buster

This document is intended to:

remove the mystique for newcomers to the sport

generally inform

These are the main terms that you might see mentioned in printed items. Words that have a similar meaning in general usage are not included. There are also many geographical features and terms that refer to techniques used in the sport. These are best explained by experienced orienteers - so join a club and/or enrol on a course!

Terms are listed alphabetically. Scroll down or use the alphabetic index:

You can download a copy as a PDF: Jargonbuster.pdf

Age group	Age groups exist so that everyone can compete against others of similar age. For adults, from age 35, age groups go in 5 year bands, and there is one each for men (M) and women (W). Thus a man aged 50 would normally run as M50, and a woman aged 39 would normally run as W35. The open age categories for adults are known as M21 and W21. Age groups for juniors are in 2 year bands from 10 to 20, though in most events juniors can choose the standard at which they wish to compete. In these events, courses have names such as JW1 or JM5, where J indicates Junior, W and M indicate men's or women's courses, and the number shows length and difficulty, with 1 being the shortest and easiest.
Area	Term used specifically to cover the (usually fairly small) area covered by the map for a particular event. Also used to indicate a group of clubs in a geographical region, eg. West Area.
Badge	Badges are awarded for achievement of particular standards. "Badge events" are those where a competitor's course is determined by age group. These are now usually known as Regional events or National events. Badges can be obtained from BOF or via your club. You can also get SOA badges when you achieve a particular standard in colour coded courses.
Bearing	Most experienced orienteers use a compass to take a bearing so they know which direction to go. But you can start orienteering without being an expert with a compass.
BOF	British Orienteering Federation - the British governing body for the sport.
Brikke	(pronounced "brick") - the electronic gizmo carried by participants in an event using Emit. The funny spelling is because the word originated in Scandinavia.
Championships	Top level competition, often for a particular set of people, eg. Schools Championships, North Area Championships, Scottish Championships. You don't have to be a top-notch orienteer to take part though!
Checkpoint	Also known as a control.
Check station	A special box of electronics at the start, in which you check that your dibber is OK. Applies only to events using SI.
Circle	Each control site is marked on the map with a circle, usually 7mm across. When you are close to the control, you might say you are "in the circle". But you still might not see the control immediately!
Classic	The standard, long-ish distance event, held in countryside of some sort.
Clear station	A special box of electronics which clears previous data stored on your dibber. The clear station is usually placed prominently on the route to the start. Hold your dibber in it until it bleeps 2 or 3 times. Applies only to events using SI.
Clipper	Another word for the old-fashioned pin punch.
Closed event	An event or competition which may be entered only by particular people; eg. an event just for schools.
Closing date	The last date for acceptance of entries. This applies only to those events that you have to enter in advance.
Code number	See control code.
Colour coded	Colour coded courses us a particular colour to indicate length and difficulty, and these should be consistent from one event to another. The usual courses are: White: easy and short; all on paths or tracks. Yellow: slightly less easy, and a little longer. Orange: not all on paths, and longer again. Light green: navigation skills needed; longer again. Green: the shortest technically difficult course. Blue: technically difficult, medium length. Brown: technically difficult and long. Black: even more so (only found infrequently). Increasing numbers of events also offer a Red course, which should be no more difficult than the Orange, but longer. Orange and Red are ideal for adults beginners. Events offering only colour coded courses are now officially known as District events or C4 events, though you'll often hear them referred to as colour coded events.
Competition	Usually just another word for an event, though sometimes a competition comprises a series of events.
Contour interval	The distance between heights shown by contour lines - usually 5m, but check on your map.
Contour-only	Some events offer a special map which shows only the contours of the lad (not the vegetation, paths, streams etc.). This makes navigating more difficult, but is excellent practice.
Control	Each point marked with a circle on the map, which a competitor is required to visit. Controls are usually marked by a flag, and have a punch.
Control card	Before the days of electronic punching, participants would mark a card with the pin-punch at each control. Now rarely used.
Control code	The unique code that identifies a control; usually 2 or 3 numbers, sometimes 2 letters. Sometimes referred to as the number on the control, but of course this is different from the control number. The control code will be clearly visible on the control, and you should always check the code of each control to make sure it really is the one you are looking for.
Control description	The description of the feature where the control is placed.
Control description sheet	The list of controls that comprise your course. See examples.
Control marker	See flag.
Control number	The sequence number of a control on a course - 1, 2, 3 etc.. Not to be confused with the control code. You must visit controls in the correct number order.
Controller	The person who has ultimate responsibility for the fairness and correctness of an event.
Course	When you take part in an orienteering event, you usually do one course. A course comprises several controls, plus a start and finish. You must visit the controls in the correct order. Courses usually share the same start point and finish point, and might share some of the controls.
Crossing point	To avoid damage to walls and fences, you sometimes have to cross these obstacles only at specific points. These will be shown on your map, and your control description sheet will say "use crossing point". Your control description sheet will say if the crossing point is compulsory. If it is, you can be disqualified for crossing the obstacle anywhere else.
Dibber	The electronic gizmo carried by participants in an event using SI.
District event	An event which offers a wide range of colour coded courses.
DNF	"Did not finish" - if you don't complete your course, the results will show DNF by your name. The term has become a verb, so you might say that you DNF'd at your last event - but of course this is not to be recommended. If you decide to abandon your course (ie. to DNF), you must report to the finish or Download, otherwise a lot of time and effort could be spent looking for you.
Download	After you finish an event that uses electronic punching, you must go to Download to register the fact that you are back safely and find out how long you've taken.
Electronic punching	An electronic means of gaining evidencew that you have been at a control. Two main electronic punching systems are in use: SI and Emit.
Electronic unit	SI and Emit have different electronic units at the control. There will be a sample on display so you can find out what you have to do to punch at each control.
Embargo	Anyone who intends taking part in a National Event or other major competition is not allowed to go onto that specific mapped area for 6 months before the competition. We say the area is embargoed.
Emit	One of the types of electronic punching. Full technical details are on www.emituk.com
EOD	Entry on Day - turn up at the event and enter there and then. Most events allow this, though there might be a surcharge for EOD at an event with pre-entry.
Event	A competition, at which there will be a number of courses, is usually referred to as an event. This stresses the fact that you can enjoy participating in orienteering without actually competing.
Event officials	See Planner, Organiser, and Controller.
Feature	A distinct topographical object marked on the map, eg. a stream, boulder or hill.
Finish	The point marked on your map with a double circle. Events using electronic punching often don't have officials at the finish, just the electronic unit at which you should punch. Remember then to go to Download!
Fixture	Another term for an event.
Fixture list	The list of all events or fixtures currently registered and in the calendar. They usually extend up to a year ahead, sometimes more. See http://www.scottish-orienteering.org/fixtures and if you're confused by the abbreviations in that, look at the Fixture List de-bunker.
Flag	A white-and-orange fabric marker that is hung at each control. Also referred to as a kite.
Form line	A land shape might not be quite high enough to merit being shown with a contour line, but it is noticeable on the ground. It will probably be shown by a dashed contour line, known as a form line.
Green	On maps, various shades of green indicate different density of vegetation. See also colour coded.
Home International	Competitions (comprising individual and relay events) between teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. They are held annually at Junior, Senior and Veterans levels.
IOF	International Orienteering Federation - the worldwide governing body for the sport. See www.orienteering.org
IOF descriptions	Standard pictorial descriptions approved by the IOF and used throughout the world for events are many levels.
Junior	All participants under the age of 21.
JWOC	Junior World Orienteering Championships
Kite	See flag.
Leg	Apart from one of the limbs that propel you round the course, a leg is the section of a course from one control to the next.
Line feature	Something like a path, track or stream, which you can follow easily. When you are new to ther sport you should use these rather than heading just hopefully into the forest.
Map	Orienteering maps are very detailed and are produced by specalist map-makers. They are usually at a scale of 1:15,000 or 1:10,000 and cover an irregularly-shaped area of between 1 and 10 sq km. Colours carry different meanings from Ordnance Survey maps - particularly it is worth remembering that white on an orienteering map indicates trees. Most maps have a legend showing the meanings of symbols and colours, but sometimes this is available separately.
Map bag	A tough, clear plastic bag to put your map in. You can usually buy, borrow or scrounge one at the events where you need one.
Map corrections	If things have changed in the area, for instance trees have grown or been felled, or new tracks created, since the maps were printed, there will be a map showing these changes or corrections. You should copy these onto your own map.
Mass start	At most events, competitors start at intervals of usually 2 or 4 minutes. Sometimes all or some of the competitors start at the same time. This is called a mass start, and it is only used at events that are in some other way out of the ordinary.
Masters	The term for Veterans on the international scene.
Master map	Not all events provide maps with the course already marked on it. At these events there will be master maps (usually 2 or 3 for each course) and you will be given a map without any course shown. You then have to copy the course from the master map to your map. DO THIS VERY CAREFULLY! Remember to mark any map corrections as well.
Middle distance	As the name suggests, a shorter distance than most events, but not as short as a sprint. Middle distance races in Scotland usually have just 2 courses, of different lengths. Participants have free choice of course. Courses are usually meant to be technical difficulty 5.
National event	Although almost all events are open to anyone, there are different levels of event. National events are major events, usually on areas that present the most difficulty with navigation. At National events (and Championships) courses for adults are allocated to age groups, although there are usually some colour coded courses as well.
Night orienteering	Yes, this is simply orienteering in the dark. A good headtorch is essential. This form of orienteering is widely considered one of the most technically challenging.
NOC	National Orienteering Centre. Located at Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore, the NOC organises training and coaching sessions and courses and provides access to many excellent areas for individual or group practice. Check out the website: www.nationalorienteeringcentre.org.
Organiser	The person who sorts out all the administrative bits to make an event happen.
Pictorial descriptions	Descriptions of the controls, using symbols to describe the feature on which the control is placed. Standard international symbols are agreed by the IOF and can be found on their website. Pictorial descriptions are used only for the more difficult courses, technical difficulty 3 and above.
Planner	The person who designs the courses and puts out the controls. He/she works closely with the Organiser and Controller.
Pre-entry	The bigger events require you to enter in advance, or pre-enter. The fixtures list will show the name of the person to whom you should send your entry.
Pre-printed	At some events, the course is already printed onto the map.
Printout	After you finish, go do Download, you will be given a printout showing your total time and splits.
Punch	Once upon a time you proved you had been at a control by marking a card with a punch (or clipper) which had pins in a particular pattern.
Punching	This refers to the process by which you gain evidence that you have been to a control. Although the process is now usually electronic, the term has stuck.
Questions	Anything that remains unanswered by this document. Don't be afraid to ask event officials - or indeed one of the seasoned competitors. They're all very friendly really.
Re-entrant	A land shape somewhat like a small valley. On the map it usually shows as an indented contour line (or several).
Regional event	A fairly large event, with courses designated by age group. Usually held on good quality terrain and with pre-printed maps. Pre-entry is normally encouraged. SOLs (see fixture list de-bunker) are regional events.
Relay	An event in which a team (usually 3 people, but sometimes up to 11) run separate courses, one handing over to the other. The team's total time is what counts.
Results	Interim results are usually displayed at the event, with final results being available on the internet soon after the event. Printed copies of results can usually be posted to you if you leave an envelope and cash to cover printing and postage costs. Ask event officials.
Route	How you went from control to control. On all but the simplest courses there is usually a choice of routes. A particular pleasure and learning experience comes from discussing your routes with others on your course after the event.
Scale	The scale of most orienteering maps is 1:10,000 or 1:15,000. Always check this when you get your map. A scale of 1:10,000 means that 1cm (about the length of the nail on your little finger) on your map shows 100m on the ground, ie. the length of a football pitch.
Score event	A less common type of event, in which you have to find as many controls as possible in a fixed time. The number of points scored for each control varies according to its distance and technical difficulty, you can choose which controls to go to, and there will be a penalty if you take longer than the time allowed.
Senior	Adults aged 21-35.
SI	One of the types of electronic punching.
SI card	Another name for dibber.
Six Day	In alternate (odd-numbered) years, Scotland hosts a week-long event. There are 6 separate days of competition with a rest day mid-week. Have a look at www.scottish6days.com
SOA	Scottish Orienteering Association. Have a look at www.scottish-orienteering.org. Clubs (see list) are affiliated to SOA, and SOA is affiliated to BOF.
Splits	The time you take to go from one control to the next. If you're serious about improving, you will soon want to compare splits with other participants on your course. At an event using electronic punching, your printout will show your splits. Results on the internet usually show them too.
SportIdent	The full name for SI.
Sprint	Short distance orienteering event, usually held in a town or park. Good spectator value.
Start control	Where the start triangle is shown on the map, a control flag is placed. In some events with electronic punching, you will punch the start control.
Start time	In some events, you are given a specific time at which you start. The time you take to complete the course will be calculated from this time, so make sure you aren't late!
Start unit	The electronics box at the start - if you are required to punch at the start.
String course	A short course for very young children, in which the route is marked by a continuous line of string, or by easily seen lengths of tape.
Stub	Tear-off part of control card that was/is kept by start officials while the participant does the course, and was/is later used for temporary display of results.
Taped route	There is usually a taped route to the start for everyone. Also, some courses, particularly those for younger children, might have a section where it might be difficult for them to find the right way on the map, so they have to follow bits of plastic tape hung from trees etc.. A taped route on adults' courses must be followed closely - it usually guides you through an area that is otherwise out of bounds or dangerous.
Technical difficulty (TD)	Courses are graded from TD 1 (easiest) to TD 5 (hardest). Green, Blue and Brown courses should all be TD 5. Orange and Red courses should be TD 3, and offer a good starting level for adult beginners. See colour coded.
Terrain	An area away from paths, tracks and roads.
Trail O	Also known as Precision-O, this form of orienteering does not rely on speed and mobility, but challenges your ability to read the map accurately. Usually suitable for everyone, including people in wheelchairs.
Unit	As in SI unit - the box of electronics at a control.
Veterans	All participants aged 35 and above.
WMOC	World Masters' Orienteering Championships - open to all aged 35 and above.
WOC	World Orienteering Championships.

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Go to Fixture List de-bunker

Clubs in Scotland

Some clubs cover overlapping areas; There is nothing that says you have to join a particular club if your home address is in a particular area. This list shows the approximate areas covered by clubs. You can find links to individual clubs from the SOA website, and contact details for all of them. Alternatively, phone the National Orienteering Centre - 01479 861713 - for the name of your local club's secretary. (OC means "Orienteering Club")

Abbreviation	Full name	Where based
AYROC	Ayr OC	Ayrshire
BASOC	Badenoch & Strathspey OC	Speyside (also extends to Fort William)
CLYDE	Clydeside Orienteers	Glasgow, Renfrewshire & Dunbartonshire
ECKO	Loch Eck Orienteers	Argyll
ELO	East Lothian Orienteers	East Lothian
ESOC	Edinburgh Southern OC	Edinburgh & Mid Lothian
FVO	Forth Valley Orienteers	Stirlingshire
GRAMP	Grampian Orienteers	Aberdeen & surrounding area
INT	Interløpers	Edinburgh & Mid Lothian
INVOC	Inverness OC	Inverness & surrounding area
KFO	Kingdom of Fife Orienteers	Fife
LINOC	Linlithgow OC	West Lothian
MAROC	Mar OC	Deeside
MOR	Moravian OC	Morayshire
RR	Roxburgh Reivers	Borders
SOLWAY	Solway Orienteers	Dumfries & Galloway
STAG	St Andrews (Glasgow)	Glasgow & N Lanarkshire
TAY	Tayside Orienteers	Perth & Tayside
TINTO	Tinto OC	South Lanarkshire

Some universities have orienteering clubs; the main ones are:

AUOC	Aberdeen
EUOC	Edinburgh
GUOC	Glasgow
StAUOC	St Andrews

There is also a Scottish Schools Orienteering Association, known as the SSOA. You can get details of how to contact the secretary from the National Orienteering Centre - tel. 01479 861713.

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Fixture List de-bunker

The fixture list contains all sorts of abbreviations. Some become clear when spelled out in full; others are explained more in the Jargon Buster.

BEOC	British Elite Orienteering Championships - a closed event purely for the seriously good guys (and girls!)!
Bl	Blue. See colour coded in Jargon Buster.
BOC	British Orienteering Championships.
BOF	British Orienteering Federation. See Jargon Buster.
Br	Brown. See colour coded in Jargon Buster.
C4, C5 etc.	A code for the type of event. The C indicates the normal kind of cross-country event; the number indicates the event's importance: a level 5 event is a fairly small local event, 4 is a larger district event, 3 is a regional event and the Scottish Championships are level 2. A level 1 would be an international event.
CATI	Come And Try It - event intended primarily for complete beginners. Easy courses and lots of help available. If you are a complete beginner, you might like to read the "What to do" notes.
CC	Colour coded - see Jargon Buster.
CD	Closing date - see Jargon Buster.
Chq	Cheque - details of who to make it payable to.
ELT	Expected Lead Time - the time that the winner is expected to take for the course.
Emit	See Jargon Buster.
Entries	Details of the person to whom entries should be sent.
EOD	Entry on day - see Jargon Buster.
EPS	Electronic punching system - see Jargon Buster.
FCC	Future Champions Cup - a series of events which focus on talented juniors.
Fees	Entry fees for this event; usually one rate for adults (seniors) and one for juniors/students/unwaged. Some events also offer a special rate for families.
Full reg. pending	All events must be registered. If any aspect of the event hasn't yet been finalised, it might not yet be fully registered. Check again later (perhaps on website) for details that might have changed.
G	Green. See colour coded in Jargon Buster.
Grid ref.	Ordnance Survey grid reference of the car park. This might be a public car park, a field, or forest tracks.
Harvester	An overnight relay event - not for the faint-hearted!
JHI	Junior Home International.
JK	A 3-day international orienteering festival (open to all) held in the UK each Easter, named after Jan Kjellstrom.
LG	Light green. See colour coded in Jargon Buster.
Ltd. EOD or Lim. EOD	Limited EOD - only a certain number of extra maps will be available, so only a limited number of people can enter on the day.
M21, M35 etc.	Men's age group. See Jargon Buster.
MM	Mountain Marathon - a VERY long form of orienteering.
MTBO	Mountain Bike Orienteering.
O	Either: Orienteering. Or: Orange. See colour coded in Jargon Buster. Or: Other type of event (ie. not S, C or R).
OC	Orienteering Club - as in ESOC, MAROC etc.. See list above.
OL	Orienteering League - a series of events.
Org	Organiser. See Jargon Buster.
R4	Relay event at level 4. See C4, C5.
S5	Score event at level 5. See C4, C5.
SEF	Standard Entry Form - to be used for events requiring pre-entry. Can be downloaded from BOF website.
SHI	Senior Home International.
SI	Sportident. See Jargon Buster.
SOL	Scottish Orienteering League
SOSOL	South of Scotland Orienteering League
Tba	To be announced.
UKCup	A series of top quality national ranking events.
VHI	Veterans' Home International.
W	White. See colour coded in Jargon Buster.
W21, W35 etc.	Women's age group. See Jargon Buster.
Y	Yellow. See colour coded in Jargon Buster.