Floating Tiles

The Floating Tiles is an obstacle, firstly introduced on American Ninja Warrior 7, as the third obstacle in Kansas City. It consisted of four suspended tiles, spaced from 4.5 to 7ft (1.37 to 2.13m) apart, in which competitors must run across the tiles while maintaining their balance, without touching/grabbing the support cables.

This obstacle had a high success rate, as only a handful of competitors failed there. These competitors include Alex Carson, who was disqualified for touching one of the support cables, and Donovan Metoyer. During the Kansas City finals, it took out Mike McKenzie and Christopher Lange.

Jon Stewart attempting Floating Tiles in American Ninja Warrior 7

The X Bridge, which was introduced in KUNOICHI 9, was similar to the Floating Tiles. However, the tiles of the X Bridge were significantly wider than those of the Floating Tiles to the point where most competitors were able to walk in a straight line when attempting the obstacle.

Other Appearances[]

Team Ninja Warrior[]

The Floating Tiles returned as the fourth obstacle for Team Ninja Warrior: College Madness, Team Ninja Warrior 2, and American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja. This time, the obstacle consisted of six suspended tiles on Team Ninja Warrior 2 and American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja (with 2-1-2-1 formation) and ten suspended tiles on Team Ninja Warrior: College Madness (with 2-3-2-3 formation). Unlike on American Ninja Warrior and Ninja Warrior UK, competitors were allowed to step the support cables or touch the water (as long as competitors didn't lose the grip on the obstacle entirely). During Team Ninja Warrior: College Madness, with only the Georgia Bulldogs member, Victoria Case failed the obstacle.

During Team Ninja Warrior 2, a lot of top ninjas including Brian Kretsch, David Yarter, Marybeth Wang (who had already won her race and failed it twice), Thomas Stillings, Asya Grechka, James Bogle Jr., Nate Burkhalter (who failed it twice and the second time injured his shoulder), Mike Bernardo, Joy Strickland, and Erica Cook, it eliminated twelve ninjas throughout the competitions.

During American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja, the obstacle reappeared as the fourth obstacle during all the rounds and it became unexpectedly more brutal than its two previous appearances as 28 of the top ninjas failed the obstacle including Erica Cook (who failed it during Team Ninja Warrior 2), Brittany Reid, Neil Craver, James Bogle Jr. (who failed it during Team Ninja Warrior 2), Brent Steffensen, Meiling Huang, Sarah Schoback, Kevin Bull, Kyle Soderman (who failed it twice), Brett Sims, Grace Sims, Reko Rivera, Karson Voiles, David Campbell, Lance Pekus, Drew Knapp, Christine Ahn, Dave Cavanagh, Brandi Monteverde, Brittany Hanks, Tiana Webberley, Nick Hanson, Najee Richardson, Sean Bryan, Flip Rodriguez, Brian Wilczewski, and Mathis Owhadi. A technique used by many of the ninjas were to leap on the second and fourth tile (the biggest tiles) to save time and hold the leap or it could cause ninjas to undershoot on the fourth title and fall into the water.

Ninja Warrior UK[]

The Floating Tiles appeared on Ninja Warrior UK 2, as the third obstacle in three qualifying heats. However, this obstacle was proven to be much brutal than on American Ninja Warrior 7, as several competitors either lost their balance or disqualified for stepping/touching the support cable. In fact, in Heat 4, three competitors who failed on this obstacle, still advanced to the semi-finals. In addition, in Ninja Warrior UK 2, the area below this obstacle was filled with safety mats while on Ninja Warrior UK 3 and 6, it was filled with the water.

Because of its difficulty, the obstacle was modified on the next season, where the support cables had given the red area, meaning competitors were allowed to step the support cable (only the red area, i.e. stepping the support cable outside the red area would result in disqualification). Thanks to its modification, the obstacle had a better success rate than the previous season, although several competitors still failed on this obstacle.

Then, on Ninja Warrior UK 6, the Floating Tiles appeared as the fourth obstacle during every qualifying Heat. This time, the obstacle was modified so that all four tiles were in a straight line and were slightly larger. As a result, no competitor who has attempted this obstacle throughout the season has failed at it.

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia[]

On SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017, the Floating Tiles appeared as the second obstacle during Warrior Stage. It consisted of 6 equally-sized suspended tiles, arranged in a zig-zag formation on the first five tiles. Just like on American Ninja Warrior and Ninja Warrior UK, competitors were not allowed to touch/step the support cable while attempting the obstacle.

During SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition, the tiles were made bouncier than they were on the regular season. As the result, it took out notable competitors from different teams such as: Daniel Gil and Jake Murray from Team USA, and Matachi Ryo and Kawaguchi Tomohiro from Team Japan.

Ninja Israel[]

On Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Floating Tiles, locally called גשר האריחים (literally Tile Bridge) appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 1, Heat 3, Heat 7, Heat 11 and Heat 12. Unlike American Ninja Warrior, all four suspended tiles varied in size, in which the first and fourth tiles were bigger than the second and third tiles.

Ninja Warrior France[]

In Ninja Warrior France 4, Floating Tiles appeared as the third obstacle of the Semifinals. Five tiles were presented, all at the same height.

In Ninja Warrior France 6, it returned as the first obstacle of Stage Two. With five tiles but at different sizes and arrangement.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, Floating Tiles appeared as the third obstacle of Preliminary Round 1 and 6. Four tiles were present, and contestants were also not allowed to touch them with their hands.

Ninja Warrior Germany 7: Celebrity Special's Floating Tiles

It returned in Ninja Warrior Germany 7: Celebrity Special, as the third obstacle of Round 2. It consisted of five tiles of varying sizes at the same height.

Ninja Warrior Germany All Stars 1's Floating Tiles

On Ninja Warrior Germany: All Stars, the Floating Tiles appeared as the fourth obstacle of Preliminary Round 1 in Episode 1 and 3. It consisted of four tiles for each contestants.

The Floating Tiles locally called Schwebende Tritte (literally the Floating Kicks) will reappear as the first obstacle of Stage One during Ninja Warrior Germany 9.

Ninja Warrior Switzerland[]

On Ninja Warrior Switzerland, the Floating Tiles appeared as the third obstacle in all five Heats and Finals' Stage One. It consisted of 5 suspended tiles, with the first four tiles that arranged in a zig-zag formation and a smaller tile placed before the landing platform.

American Ninja Warrior Junior[]

The Floating Tiles appeared as the fourth obstacle for all brackets in American Ninja Warrior Junior. This time, each competitor was given their own set of tiles to run across; As such, a divider was placed in between the lanes which meant competitors were unable to cross into their opponent's lane. In addition, the tiles were a little larger and the support cables were made more taut. Competitors in both the 9-10 and the 11-12 age groups had six tiles; in the 13-14 age group, the final tile was removed, requiring competitors to make a long jump to the landing platform. Three competitors fell on this obstacle: Eric Ruest, who tripped up on the dismount; Kaden Forsha, who fell in the middle of the obstacle; and Julian Browning, who was disqualified for stepping on a support cable.

Team Ninja Warrior Germany[]

On Team Ninja Warrior Germany 1, the Floating Tiles appeared as the fourth obstacle of the first Preliminary Round's Seeding Round. It had a similar setup to the Ninja vs. Ninja version, consisting of six tiles shared by the two competitors.

Team Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Floating Tiles

On Team Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Floating Tiles appeared as the fourth obstacle of every Seeding and Relay, with the identical arrangement of tiles as the previous season.

Competitors' Success Rate[]

All results based on the NBC/RTL broadcast and external information found.

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW7 (Qualifying)	55	61	90.16%
ANW7 (City Finals)	32	34	94.12%
Total	87	95	91.58%

Sasuke Ninja Warrior Indonesia[]

SNWI	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
SNWI2	100	100	100%
Total	100	100	100%

Ninja Warrior France[]

NWF	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWF4 (Semifinals)	38	42	90.48%
NWF6 (Stage Two)	9	9	100%
Total	47	51	92.16%

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

NWG	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWG9	37	37	100%
Total	37	37	100%