IOF Rules

IOF Rules

1. Definitions

1.1. Orienteering is a sport in which the competitors navigate independently through the terrain. Competitors must visit a number of control points marked on the ground in the shortest possible time aided only by map and compass. The course, defined by the location of the controls, is not revealed to competitors until they start.

1.2. In individual interval start races the competitors navigate and run through tthe terrain independently.

1.3 In mass start and chasing start races, competitors may often be running in close proximity to each other, but the formats still demand independent navigation.

1.4 The term competitor means an individual of either sex or a team, as appropriate.

1.5 Types of orienteering competition may be distinguished by:

the time of the competition:
- day (in daylight)
- night (in the dark)
the nature of the competition:
- individual (the individual performs independently)
- relay (two or more team members run consecutive individual races)
- team (two or more individuals collaborate)
the way of determining the competition result:
- single-race competition (the result of one single race is the final result. The competitors may compete in different races: the A-race, the B-race and so on, with the placed competitors of the B-race placed after the placed competitors of the A-race and so on)
- multi-race competition (the combined results of two or more races, held during one day or several days, form the final result)
- qualification race competition (the competitors qualify for a final race through one or more qualification races in which they may be allocated to different heats. The results of the qualification races may also determine the starting order in the final. The competition’s result is that of the final only. There may be A- and B-finals and so on, with the placed competitors of the B-final placed after the placed competitors of the A-final and so on. Where there is a single heat and all competitors who are placed in the heat qualify for the final, the qualification race is called a prologue)
- knock-out sprint (There are one or more heats with an interval start to qualify for the knock-out section. In the knock-out section there are one or more rounds with several parallel heats and mass starts where the leading competitors qualify for the next round. Finally, there is a single mass start race to determine the winner.)
the order in which controls are to be visited:
- in a specific order (the sequence is prescribed)
- in no specific order (the competitor is free to choose the order)
the length (or format) of the race:
- Long distance
- Middle distance
- Sprint
- other distances
the starting method for the race:
- an interval start (the race is a time trial; the competitor with the fastest time is the winner)
- a mass start (the competitors start together; the first across the finish line is the winner)
- a chasing start (the competitors start at intervals depending on results from previous race(s); the first across the finish line is the winner)

1.6 The term Federation means a member Federation of the IOF.

1.7 The term event embraces all aspects of an orienteering meeting including organisational matters such as start draws, team officials’ meetings and ceremonies. An event, e.g. a World Championships, may include more than one competition.

1.8 The World Games (TWG) Orienteering Event is the official event to award the titles of World Games Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the auspices of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

1.9 The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

1.10 The World Cup in Orienteering (WCup) is the official series of events to find the world’s best orienteers, based on several formats, over a season. The different events are organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federations of the organisers.

1.11 The Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) is the official event to award the titles of Junior World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

1.12 The World Masters Orienteering Championships (WMOC) is the official event to find the world’s best veteran orienteers. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federation of the organiser.

1.13 The Regional Orienteering Championships (ROC) are the official events to award the titles of Regional Champions in Orienteering for each IOF Region. They are organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation. The IOF Regions are Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America.

1.14 IOF World Ranking Events (WRE) are international events which are accepted by the IOF Council into the official IOF Calendar. They are organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federation of the organiser.

1.15 The IOF World Ranking Scheme is a system to rank the World’s Elite Orienteers based on their performances in the World Games, World Orienteering Championships, World Cups, Junior World Orienteering Championships, Regional Championships and World Ranking Events. The Federation World Ranking League tables for women and men are based on the ranking points of the best competitors from each Federation.

1.16 The IOF Event Adviser is the person appointed to control an IOF event. In the case of World Games, World Championship, Junior World Championship, World Masters Championship, World Cup and Regional Championship events the title IOF Senior Event Adviser is used.

2. General provisions

2.1. These rules, together with the Appendices, are binding at the World Games, the World Orienteering Championships, the World Cup in Orienteering, the Junior World Orienteering Championships, the World Masters Orienteering Championships for W21 and M21 elite classes at Regional Orienteering Championships, Regional Junior Orienteering Championships, Regional Youth Orienteering Championships and for W21 and M21 elite classes at IOF World Ranking Events. Every rules point with no event abbreviation before its number is valid for all these events. A rules point valid only for one or more of these events is marked with the specific abbreviation(s) in the margin beside the rules point number. Such specific rules take precedence over any general rules with which they conflict.

2.2 Where an event is of two types (e.g. the World Championships may also form a part of the World Cup) the rules for the higher-level event (as defined by the order in 1.8-1.14) take precedence.

2.3 These rules are recommended as a basis for national rules.

2.4 These rules are valid for orienteering competitions on foot.

2.5 Additional regulations which do not conflict with these rules may be determined by the organiser. They need the approval of the IOF Event Adviser.

2.6 These rules and any additional regulations are binding for all competitors, team officials and other persons connected with the organisation or in contact with the competitors. Any additional regulations must be published in the final event bulletin.

2.7 Sporting fairness must be the guiding principle in the interpretation of these rules by competitors, organisers and the jury.

2.8 The English text of these rules must be taken as decisive in any dispute arising from a translation into any other language.

2.9 In relays the rules for individual competitions are valid, unless otherwise stated.

2.10 The IOF Council may decide special rules or norms which must be followed, e.g. IOF Anti-Doping Rules, IOF Transgender Policy, IOF Protocol Guide, International Specification for Orienteering Maps, International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps, Principles for Course Planning (Appendix 2), World Ranking Scheme Rules and IOF Control Descriptions.

2.11 The IOF Council may allow deviations from these rules and norms. Requests for permission to deviate from them must be sent to the IOF Office at least 6 months prior to the event.

2.12 The IOF Manuals for each event type must be followed. Significant deviations require the consent of the IOF Event Adviser.

2.13 The World Games races must follow the rules for the World Orienteering Championships as far as this is possible with respect to IWGA rules and feasible with respect to the different format of the World Games races.

2.14 The championships must be organised in accordance with the following principles:

The best junior orienteers of each Federation must be offered competitions of high technical quality.
The event must have a social, rather than a competitive atmosphere, accentuating exchange of experience.
The costs of participating must be kept low.

2.15 The specific rules for Regional Championships are in Appendices 7-13.

3. Event programme

3.1 The event dates and programme are proposed by the organiser and approved by the IOF Council.

Table of Contents

IOF Rules

1. Definitions

1.2. In individual interval start races the competitors navigate and run through tthe terrain independently.

1.3 In mass start and chasing start races, competitors may often be running in close proximity to each other, but the formats still demand independent navigation.

1.4 The term competitor means an individual of either sex or a team, as appropriate.

1.5 Types of orienteering competition may be distinguished by:

1.6 The term Federation means a member Federation of the IOF.

1.7 The term event embraces all aspects of an orienteering meeting including organisational matters such as start draws, team officials’ meetings and ceremonies. An event, e.g. a World Championships, may include more than one competition.

1.8 The World Games (TWG) Orienteering Event is the official event to award the titles of World Games Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the auspices of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

1.9 The World Orienteering Championships (WOC) is the official event to award the titles of World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

1.10 The World Cup in Orienteering (WCup) is the official series of events to find the world’s best orienteers, based on several formats, over a season. The different events are organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federations of the organisers.

1.11 The Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) is the official event to award the titles of Junior World Champions in Orienteering. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the appointed Federation.

1.12 The World Masters Orienteering Championships (WMOC) is the official event to find the world’s best veteran orienteers. It is organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federation of the organiser.

1.14 IOF World Ranking Events (WRE) are international events which are accepted by the IOF Council into the official IOF Calendar. They are organised under the authority of the IOF and the Federation of the organiser.

1.16 The IOF Event Adviser is the person appointed to control an IOF event. In the case of World Games, World Championship, Junior World Championship, World Masters Championship, World Cup and Regional Championship events the title IOF Senior Event Adviser is used.

2. General provisions

2.2 Where an event is of two types (e.g. the World Championships may also form a part of the World Cup) the rules for the higher-level event (as defined by the order in 1.8-1.14) take precedence.

2.3 These rules are recommended as a basis for national rules.

2.4 These rules are valid for orienteering competitions on foot.

2.5 Additional regulations which do not conflict with these rules may be determined by the organiser. They need the approval of the IOF Event Adviser.

2.6 These rules and any additional regulations are binding for all competitors, team officials and other persons connected with the organisation or in contact with the competitors. Any additional regulations must be published in the final event bulletin.

2.7 Sporting fairness must be the guiding principle in the interpretation of these rules by competitors, organisers and the jury.

2.8 The English text of these rules must be taken as decisive in any dispute arising from a translation into any other language.

2.9 In relays the rules for individual competitions are valid, unless otherwise stated.

2.11 The IOF Council may allow deviations from these rules and norms. Requests for permission to deviate from them must be sent to the IOF Office at least 6 months prior to the event.

2.12 The IOF Manuals for each event type must be followed. Significant deviations require the consent of the IOF Event Adviser.

2.13 The World Games races must follow the rules for the World Orienteering Championships as far as this is possible with respect to IWGA rules and feasible with respect to the different format of the World Games races.

2.14 The championships must be organised in accordance with the following principles:

2.15 The specific rules for Regional Championships are in Appendices 7-13.

3. Event programme

3.1 The event dates and programme are proposed by the organiser and approved by the IOF Council.