Cannonball Alley

The Cannonball Alley is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth obstacle during Venice Beach finals on American Ninja Warrior 6.

Competitors must get across three different-sized balls with their hands (and feet if they wanted) to reach the landing platform. The balls were increasing in size on a slight decline, swinging back and forth from two secured lines.

In its debut during Venice Beach finals, the obstacle was proven to be brutal, as the first 14 competitors attempted the obstacle with different strategies, but none were successful, gaining a 100% failure rate for most of the night.

It was finally conquered by Kevin Bull, who wrapped his legs around the third ball and swung upside down toward the landing mat, eventually becoming the first finisher of the night.

In total, 16 out of 20 competitors who made it there failed, including top competitors such as Brian Kretsch, Dorian Cedars, Evan Dollard, Alan Connealy, Kyle Cochran, Travis Brewer, Mario Mendoza, Ben Melick, Thaddeus Robeck, Andres De La Rosa, Derek Nakamoto, Robert Ing, Alex Kane, and Vadym Kuvakin. The only other three competitors who could complete this obstacle were David Campbell (who was the last runner and managed to become the second finisher), James McGrath, and Dustin Rocho.

American Ninja Warrior 7
The Cannonball Alley returned on American Ninja Warrior 7, as the eighth obstacle during Orlando finals, with a similar specification from Venice Beach finals on the previous season, albeit the landing platform was placed higher, which made it harder to complete the obstacle with Kevin Bull's technique.

Just like during Venice Beach finals on the previous season, it had been the ninja killer of the majority of the competitors, eliminating top competitors such as Jo Jo Bynum, JJ Woods, James Bogle Jr., Eddy Stewart, Sean Clayton, and Alexio Gomes.

However, 7 out of 18 competitors could complete the obstacle, including Travis Rosen, James McGrath (who also completed this obstacle during American Ninja Warrior 6's Venice Beach finals), Flip Rodriguez, Drew Drechsel, Adam Arnold, and Neil Craver.

Cannonball Incline
A modified version of the Cannonball Alley (called as the Cannonball Incline) appeared as the first obstacle in Stage Three on American Ninja Warrior 6, replacing the Roulette Cylinder from the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons. The obstacle also featured 3 balls, with the differences to the Cannonball Alley being:
 * The balls were arranged in an incline, with the first and third balls being the smallest and the second ball being the largest.
 * Each of the balls was only secured by one chain, with the smaller balls swinging in any direction.
 * After reaching the third ball, competitors must directly make the transition to the next obstacle (the Doorknob Grasper).

It eliminated no one out of the two competitors who attempted it (both Joe Moravsky and Elet Hall could get past it).

However, during USA vs. The World, the balls were enlarged to the same size as the Cannonball Alley. As the result, it ensnared Paul Kasemir (Team USA) and Asa Kazuma (Team Japan). No one else failed on the obstacle, since they either maintained grip and momentum or skipped the middle ball altogether.

On American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was replaced by the Psycho Chainsaw.

Other Appearances
On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Cannonball Incline appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 1. However, the first and second balls were secured by two chains, and after reaching the third ball, competitors must make the transition to the cargo net and climb it down to reach the landing platform. Therefore, the obstacle was named as the Ball Swing to Cargo Net.

Ninja Warrior UK
On Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Cannonball Alley appeared as the second obstacle during the finals' Stage 2. However, the obstacle featured 8 small balls instead of 3, and each of the balls was secured by just one chain (similar to the Cannonball Incline or Minefield).

Australian Ninja Warrior
On Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Cannonball Alley appeared as the first obstacle in Stage Three. This time, the obstacle featured seven balls, with each the first three and the last two balls being secured by just one chain, and the fourth and fifth balls being secured with two chains each.

Ninja Warrior Germany
On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Cannonball Alley appeared as the fourth obstacle in the finals' Stage One. Like the American Ninja Warrior 6, the obstacle consisted of three balls, except that each ball was suspended from only one rope.

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found