Modern pentathlon words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 20 words · Step 2 of 2

Format and scoring terms

Combined event

The modern format merging shooting and running into one continuous laser run, replacing what used to be two separate events.

One-hit bout

A fencing bout in the ranking and seeding rounds in which the first valid hit decides the winner. In the direct elimination a bout goes to five hits in one minute.

Also called: one touch épée
See also: Fencing, Direct elimination

Tie in direct elimination

A tie at the end of a direct elimination bout is not fenced on. The athlete with the higher seeding round (or Fencing World Ranking) position is declared the winner.

Also called: bonus round
See also: Fencing, Ranking round, Direct elimination, Fencing World Ranking

Penalty (laser run)

A time penalty of ten seconds for offences such as a false start, a faulty shooting stance, or not placing the pistol safely on the table. Holding the pistol with the unarmed hand supporting it means elimination.

Fencing terms

Direct elimination

The fencing ladder in the semi-finals and finals: rounds of 32, 16, 8, the semi-final and the final. Each bout is won by the first athlete to five hits, or the higher score after one minute. It is seeded from the seeding round (or the Fencing World Ranking at the Olympic Games and the World Cup Final).

Fencing World Ranking

The list used to rank pentathletes in fencing, including to seed the direct elimination at the Olympic Games and the World Cup Final, where no seeding round is held.

Also called: FWR
See also: Fencing, Ranking round, Direct elimination

Fencing relay

In a relay each bout in the match is to five hits. The first two athletes fence to five, the next two to ten, and the winning team is the one that reaches ten first or leads when the minute runs out.

Obstacle terms

Obstacle fail and elimination

A first failure on an obstacle brings a yellow flag and the call 'Fail' as a warning, and the athlete may repeat it. A second failure on the same obstacle brings a red flag and 'Stop', and the athlete is eliminated.

Obstacle start order

In qualification athletes start by their world ranking obstacle time, the slowest first in lane A. In the semi-finals and finals the start order is the reverse of the standings after fencing, so the lowest-ranked athlete is in lane A.

Obstacle false start

Leaving the starting platform or starting to move before the start signal. It costs 10 points, and a blatant attempt to start early means disqualification. An athlete who starts late is not penalised but is timed from the signal.

Finish wall

The last of the 14 obstacle types in the rules, a wall the athlete climbs at the end of the course. Athletes who fail the obstacle before it may be stopped before they start climbing.

Laser run terms

Shooting station

The place at the range where an athlete shoots. Each athlete uses their allocated station, with both feet on the ground and no part of the body touching the table. An athlete may start running after finishing the series or when 50 seconds have passed.

Hit confirmation

The visual or audio signal confirming a shot registered on the electronic target.

Pace management

Balancing running speed with the need to steady breathing before shooting accurately.

Shooting series

One round of laser shooting between running laps. The athlete must hit five targets, with the pistol going on the table between shots, and may start running only after finishing the series or after 50 seconds.

Last penalty stop area

A special area on the running course where a judge may require an athlete to stop and wait for the time indicated.

Laser run finish

The last 30 m are straight. Athletes are placed in the order in which their torso, not the head, arms, legs or feet, reaches the vertical plane of the nearer edge of the finish line.

Riding terms

Unfamiliar horse draw

In the Masters riding event, each athlete is drawn a horse. They may mount 20 minutes before their start time in the warm-up arena, after getting permission from the judges for horse distribution.

Refusal penalty

A penalty in the riding event when the horse refuses a jump, as set out in the riding chapter's penalty table.

Warm up period

In the riding event each athlete may take five jumps in the warm-up arena, and is penalised 10 points for each extra jump.