Catch & Release

The Catch & Release is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the second obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 10 in Dallas.

It consisted of two horizontal bars that swung back and forth, each had 2 vertical support bars that were placed at the end of the bar, and a cargo net at the end of the obstacle.

Competitors must jump and grab the first bar, and then generated enough swing and momentum to reach and lock its support bar to the post. From there, they must make the transition to the second bar and generate enough swing and momentum to make the transition to the cargo net, and then to the landing platform (or simply directly to the landing platform without using the cargo net).

During Dallas qualifiers, the obstacle was proven to be brutal, as it took out 30 competitors, including Artis Thompson III, Favia Dubyk, and Kendall Ortez.

During Dallas finals, the gap between the two bars was made bigger and the cargo net was removed at the end of the obstacle. As the result, the obstacle took out Louis “Lulu” Moore, and Venn Johns.

Epic Catch & Release
A variation of the Catch & Release (named as the Epic Catch & Release) appeared as the first obstacle in Stage Two, replacing the Giant Ring Swing from the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons.

This variation of the obstacle mostly had the same function as its predecessor in Dallas course, except the first bar was made much longer and the second bar needed to be jerked back to be unlocked.

Only Jake Murray fell on this obstacle, as well as Olivia Vivian from Team Australia during USA vs. The World 5.

Due to its low knockout rate, the obstacle was replaced by Giant Walk the Plank on the next season.

Ninja Warrior UK
On Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Catch & Release appeared as the seventh obstacle during the semi-finals, with the obstacle being called as the Momentum Shift and made similar to the one used during Dallas finals on American Ninja Warrior 10.

Due to its placement as the seventh obstacle, several competitors had been felt fatigue after completing the first six obstacles. As the result, some competitors struggled to lock the first bar's support bar, and when they made the transition to the second bar, their grip gave out and fell. In the end, the obstacle eliminated 8 competitors and was served as the cut-off for advancing to the finals.

Ninja Warrior Germany
On Ninja Warrior Germany 4, the Catch & Release appeared as the second obstacle of Stage Two.

Competitors' Success Rate

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

Trivia

 * The Catch & Release had a similar concept to these obstacles:
 * Ring Swing: in the first half of both obstacles, competitors must grab the first object, and then swung that object to reach and hook to the post. Then, in the second half of both obstacles, competitors must make the transition the second object, and then swung that object to reach the landing platform.
 * Swinging Frames: both obstacles involved the competitors to traverse 2 bars that would move as they shuffled across.