Coaching Tips
Orienteering Australia has a comprehensive coaching tips page that starts with the basics (orienting your map) to more advanced topics (navigating through rocks and advanced interpretation of contours).
Map Symbols and Control Descriptions
It’s important to learn the map symbols for both bush & sprint maps, as well as the control description symbols – see below for PDF downloads. Once you have learned the symbols, you may want to do this online quiz to test your memory!
PDF: Map Symbols for 1:10,000 and 1:15,000 bush maps.
Direct pdf download: Bush Map Symbols
PDF: Map Symbols for sprint maps.
Direct pdf download: Sprint Map Symbols
PDF: Control Description Symbols
Direct pdf download: Control Description Symbols
Uncrossable features at a Sprint
Sprint maps include features that are forbidden to cross. It’s very important that the rules are followed. If a competitor doesn’t follow the rules they will be disqualified.
Out of Bounds Area poster: Download PDF
Article by Eric Andrews: Sprint Maps – Uncrossable Features
Anthony Scott's Orienteering Lessons
Introduction to Orienteering
These five lessons provide an introduction to basic orienteering skills for beginners.
Lesson 1: Features of an Orienteering Map
Lesson 2: Map Orientation
Lesson 3: Thumbing the Map
Lesson 4: Basic Navigation Routine
Lesson 5. Introduction to Contours
Intermediate Orienteering Skills
These lessons will introduce skills suitable for orienteers progressing to the intermediate level.
Lesson 6: Navigating with the Thumb Compass
Lesson 7: Making Life Simple – Following Line Features
Lesson 8: Attack Points, Collecting Features and Aiming Off
Lesson 9: Cross-Checking the Map, Compass and Forest
Lesson 10. Improving Your Contour Navigation
Lesson 11: Relocation
Lesson 12: Plans, Route Choice and ‘Traffic Light’ Orienteering
Advanced Orienteering Skills
These lessons introduce some advanced orienteering techniques used by elite competitors.
Lesson 13: Concentrating on Your Navigation
Lesson 14: Navigating in Complex Granite Terrain