Serpent

The Serpent is an obstacle, firstly introduced as part of the Split Decision in the first and second episode of qualifiers on American Ninja Warrior 14. In both times, it was paired with the Domino Effect as part of the Split Decision

Competitors must run across four interconnected cylinders arranged in a zig-zag formation to reach the landing platform. Each cylinder would have three free-spinning sections, making it hard for competitors to maintain their balance overall.

The concept of this obstacle is similar to the Log Runner, where competitors must run across a series of spinning logs. But compared to the Log Runner, the logs on the Serpent are arranged in a zig-zag formation, with one end of the first log being connected to the next log, forming a shape of a serpent. In addition, the connecting joints of the obstacle are suspended by cables, rendering the obstacle much more unstable compared to the Log Runner.

During the first episode of qualifiers, competitors heavily favored the Domino Effect over this obstacle, and for those who did attempt the Serpent, it was brutal, eliminating top competitors like David Wright and Allyssa Beird. In fact, of the runs shown, only Casey Rothschild completed it.

However, on the second night of qualifiers, more competitors attempted the Serpent, and there were more completions as a result. It still proved to be quite challenging, eliminated some veterans like Conor Galvin and most shockingly, Jessie Graff, marking the first time she has ever failed a balance obstacle.

Trivia

 * It was revealed via Anthony Storm (the showrunner and executive producer of American Ninja Warrior for A. Smith & Co. Productions) that this obstacle was one of the obstacles that won the American Ninja Warrior: Obstacle Design Challenge.