Control Descriptions in advance?

[SYO Member]

Following a contretemps at registration at an SYO District event earlier this year where a woman was rather perturbed because she was not able to get a control description list in advance (even though we had gone to the trouble of producing bagged pre-marked maps with descriptions for everybody), I have been investigating the whole ritual of allowing orienteers to see the codes and descriptions in advance. They can be either on a website or given out at registration, but the question I ask is, excluding White and Yellow where the map and descriptions should be given before starting, why do we still do this?

Issuing control descriptions is mentioned 3 times in the BOF Rules.
Rule 6.6.2 says “The control description list shall be printed on the map and/or provided as a separate sheet to each competitor�. This suggests that it is not compulsory to provide descriptions in advance, even at a Regional event since no event category is mentioned.

Appendix A 1.3.1 says “In the interests of ‘fluent orienteering’, control descriptions separate from the map are of great use to competitors. They may then copy them onto their control card, or affix them to their person as they wish�. The fact that control cards as opposed to e-punching are mentioned shows that this Appendix is a bit dated but I think what is being said is a legacy of the days when Pictorial descriptions were first introduced, took a number of years before all orienteers got used to them, and sight of them or translations were often needed prior to running.

Finally, Appendix A 1.3.2 says “It is common practice in Europe to leave control descriptions off the map. Competitors may get them as a separate sheet in the Start lane. This option may save effort for the Planner and Controller�. And this is the key to it all. Because nowadays we produce pre-marked maps with descriptions at virtually all events, why give further work to the event officials?

The only thing I may do when seeing descriptions in advance is have a look at the type of features I will come across and possibly memorise the first few control codes. I certainly don’t bother taping them to my wrist although new orienteers can always tape an English translation of Pictorials there. Using OCAD course planning, there is an argument that for seniors, you don’t actually need descriptions (just the codes), because with the control circle correctly sited, there is no doubt that a Pit is the ‘West most’ or a Depression is ‘Southern’. On some features e.g. large thickets, the circle can be actually situated on the ‘North Side’, although I concede this does not apply to the position of the control on certain point features.

But this is an aside. The question once again is, should we ditch giving descriptions out in advance and give the event officials one less task?

Ray Waight

[Guest]

As a user of a thumb compass I fold the map up small so that only a few legs are visible at any time. If the control descriptions are printed on the map then it means continually folding and unfolding the map to find what the next control description is. This is not good for keeping track of where I am on the map.

With separate control descriptions issued beforehand I can wear them on my arm and the map stays folded throughout.

(For this reason relays are a nightmare, especially when the control descriptions are printed on the back of the map).

[Simon E]

Rule 6.6.2 says “The control description list shall be printed on the map and/or provided as a separate sheet to each competitor�. This suggests that it is not compulsory to provide descriptions in advance, even at a Regional event since no event category is mentioned.

This was a deliberate decision when we rewrote the 2003 rules, and was part of the overall attempt at simplification. It is one of the more significant changes from the 1997 rules, although very few events seem to have taken advantage of it. Providing pre-marked maps without loose descriptions at a District event is exactly what this rule was intended to allow. If people don't like it they can complain to Rules Group, who will politely explain the realities of planning and organising events.

For "more important" events it really comes down to what the organising club is happy with. Given the two options I'd personally much rather have loose descriptions than have them on the map, and I'd guess this is a majority verdict (poll anybody?). This saves less effort, since it is generally reasonably easy to print control descriptions on the map if you are overprinting the course. There are cases where it would help though, such as where there is no space on the front of the map and you end up sticking or printing them on the back of the map.

[RJ]

Providing pre-marked maps without loose descriptions at a District event is exactly what this rule was intended to allow.

Interesting..... We use loose desriptions at our district events to HELP with the organisation, working out how many competitors have gone on each course. The map units have the desriptions included on the map. We produce an A4 sheet of all the desriptions by copying and pasteing from OCAD, numbering each part of the sheet, which allows us to keep track of competitor numbers. This can be done using EXCEL or a DTP package.

We print maps on the day to demand so need to keep track of maps sold.

MOST competitors like to have their descriptions handy (on their arm?) so that they can refer to the details before approaching a control. Very important when two or more controls may be in the area, as in relays. Even Yellow competitors request them, so that they can practice.

Personally I would say that this is an area NOT to cut back on.

[Patrick]

Using OCAD course planning, there is an argument that for seniors, you don’t actually need descriptions (just the codes), because with the control circle correctly sited, there is no doubt that a Pit is the ‘West most’ or a Depression is ‘Southern’. On some features e.g. large thickets, the circle can be actually situated on the ‘North Side’, although I concede this does not apply to the position of the control on certain point features.

This is nonsense! I can think of dozens of examples where the description makes a massive difference. Reentrant upper/lower part and crag foot/top are two which spring immediately to mind (and yes, I have had a crag top as a feature this year). On a 1:15000 map of a highly detailed area there may be as many as a dozen features in a circle. Orienteering isn't a guessing game.

But this is an aside. The question once again is, should we ditch giving descriptions out in advance and give the event officials one less task?

Sorry, but what is the difficulty? Put bundles of loose descriptions in assembly and/or pre-start. Put up a notice telling punters where they are. Put same info in final details. End of story.

Every other country I've orienteered in gives out loose descriptions. Why should GB be any different?

Patrick

[FatBoy]

As a user of a thumb compass I fold the map up small so that only a few legs are visible at any time.

If you're using it properly then you should refold every leg, which you could argue gives you a chance to look at the back, but I agree it's a pain in the to do it. Particularly on a 1:10,000 table cloth.

I'm quite happy receiving descriptions in the start lanes, as long as they actually fit in a standard holder (yes I know there's a few types but they're pretty well the same size). I've broken 2 this year trying to turn over a sweaty bit of paper while running.

In terms of district events though - does it really matter either way? I'd rather have them loose in advance (to give me chance to cut them, rewrite them etc when they don't fit), but quite happy to put up with them only on the map at that level.

[Supersaint]

It really doesn't take much extra to produce a load of description sheets. Certainly for district and small regional events having them in assembly area/enquiries is sufficient. For larger events sending them out beforehand has been the norm, and would save a lot of queuing at the event.

Personally i would prefer having them as loose descriptions which i can attach to myself (not quite in a self-torture way ) because unfolding and refolding the map can get quite annoying when you have a lot of controls - and as for not needing them at all, pah! The whole point of orienteering is to navigate to a precise point, not knowing what that point is could make it a bit of a lottery.

[neil m37]

I've got to agree with Patrick on the importance of descriptions - the position of the control relative to the feature is important and you couldn't work it out from the map for a dot knoll or boulder. Likewise if there were multiple features near the centre of the circle it would be difficult to pinpoint the control site accurately.

I prefer to have loose descriptions - not so that I can study them but so that I can attach them to my arm. Unfolding the map to find them makes you lose track of the navigation. However I am not going to complain if they are on the map only - you just have to deal with it. On the front of the map is much better than on the back of the map.

[Babybel]

I don't think stopping loose descriptions altogther is a good idea. Yes, it may be something extra the planner/organiser has to do now with SI but they are an important part of navigating + having to unfold + turn over your map is quite a bit of hassle on the run. I don't think they should be given out in advance, they should be in the start lanes as in much of europe.

[Crispy]

I think it is essential for newcomers to the sport and juniors to have access to separate descriptions. The last thing you want is for a seven year old to be constantly resetting their map after looking for the next description. In my experience they will rely more on the description than on the mapped feature,and it is part of the coaching process to make the transition to looking for the feature. Definitely keep separate descriptions.
However, SYO Members original query was to do with the timing of the issue, not whether they should be issued at all. On this point I would say as long as it is clear in pre-event details and on the day when the descriptions will be issued there is no problem. Without that information I can imagine a number of contretemps!!
Chris

[Adventure Racer]

I believe SYO member is actually suggesting not giving out seperate control descriptions and just having them on the map, which is something it seems nobody here likes very much. I agree with this point of view as a thumb compass user (do people with baseplates not fold the map?) who has enough trouble keeping map contact without being enforced to lose contact with it once every leg! I don't have a problem with only getting them in the start lane, but can't see how that particularly saves effort at a typical district event where they are either handed out when you register or there are bags lying around. Personally I'd actually going a step further and including a loose description sheet inside the rolled map on relays, though accept that this would result in extra organisational effort.

On a side point:
when Pictorial descriptions were first introduced, took a number of years before all orienteers got used to them, and sight of them or translations were often needed prior to running.
as an adult beginner (I started in my late 20s) I still have trouble with pictorial descriptions after 7 years or so, and given the choice I will always use non-pictorial. I don't tend to need any more to go through the sheet before my start working out what the symbols mean (though sometimes I only work out what the description means from what is in the circle!), but I certainly know other inexperienced adults (and presumably youngsters too) who do. This is another arcane feature of our sport which doesn't encourage newcomers, which those of you who have been orienteering since you were in nappys may not appreciate, but is just about bearable given advanced descriptions and the chance to find out what they mean before you start.

[neil m37]

as an adult beginner (I started in my late 20s) I still have trouble with pictorial descriptions after 7 years or so, and given the choice I will always use non-pictorial. I don't tend to need any more to go through the sheet before my start working out what the symbols mean (though sometimes I only work out what the description means from what is in the circle!), but I certainly know other inexperienced adults (and presumably youngsters too) who do. This is another arcane feature of our sport which doesn't encourage newcomers, which those of you who have been orienteering since you were in nappys may not appreciate, but is just about bearable given advanced descriptions and the chance to find out what they mean before you start.

Once you get used to them pictorial descriptions make life much simpler - they are easier to read on the run than written descriptions and the same pictures mean the same thing whichever country you are in. However for the relative novice who never orienteers outside of their own region never mind in a foreign country it probably all seems a bit unnecessary.

[Rookie]

As RJ mentioned (I think from previous posts), the Cumbrian events (district and upwards - and a lot of local) have had premarked + bagged maps for ages with seperate sheets for descriptions

I went to a LEI event with Warwick Uni and was suprised that I didn't get a seperate sheet - when I asked I was told "they are on the map - just like a regional event." At a regional event I would definitely expect a seperate sheet.

In the days of control cards you used to write your descriptions on the card since you would mark your own map. This gives you the "seperate sheet" so having sheets available at electronic events is the same really.

If it's extra work for orgainising just put them on the web and let people print there own

If you're worried about poeple guessing the course before hand (quite a challenge though on most areas) give them out in the start lane

Keep seperate sheets - on-the-map-descriptions always seem to be in the most inaccessible place and might cause you to lose map contact searhcing for them

[gross2007]

Descriptions are a very important part of the competition... without them it becomes a treasure hunt. Here in Lithuania they are provided in the start lane at minus 1 & there's plenty of helpers around to tape the descriptions onto your arm using clear packing tape... very few people use description holders.

[Spookster]

The question once again is, should we ditch giving descriptions out in advance and give the event officials one less task?

In my view, no, for 2 reasons:
- the majority of competitors find separate control descriptions very useful, and,
- it is not a big task for event officials, and is very easy using OCAD and a graphics package.

Whether separate descriptions should be given out before you get to the start lane or not depends whether you think people will try to cheat by having them in advance. It's very difficult to actually gain an advantage this way.