The Shrinking Steps is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the first obstacle during city qualifiers round on American Ninja Warrior 11, replacing the Floating Steps from the past three American Ninja Warrior seasons and the Archer Steps from the previous season.
Competitors must run across five steps and then grab a rope to reach an angled landing platform similar to that in the Floating Steps (in a similar fashion to the Sonic Swing). The steps become progressively higher and smaller when the competitors run on them. Unlike the Floating Steps, the landing platform had a red ledge at its bottom.
In its first season appearance, the obstacle had taken out competitors such as Selena Laniel, Paige Chapman, Kavon Sadler, Annie Dudek, Kat Ratcliff, Carl Fantauzzo, and John Loobey. In its second season appearance, a total of 6 competitors across 7 courses failed it, including Jessica Helmer, Ben Whitlow, and Jimmy Choi. In its third season appearance, the obstacle took out several competitors, including Nicki Asirvadam, Holly Cavazos, Shane Scudder, Josh Shriber, Trinnie Bush, and Victor Chan (who was the only one to fall on the obstacle during Semifinals). In its fourth season, competitors like Antwon Reeves, Robbie Jimenez, Tom Simek, Kristen Brickner, and Zack Arnold fell on the obstacle.
The Shrinking Steps have also appeared in both the first Women's Championship & the second. Although the obstacle didn't take out anyone in the first Women's Championship, in the second championship, Jeri D'Aurelio shockingly slipped on the rope.
After four straight seasons, it was replaced in American Ninja Warrior 15 by the Pole Vault in qualifying and Home Run in semifinals.
Other Appearances[]
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
On Australian Ninja Warrior 5, the Shrinking Steps appeared as the first obstacle during the heats. The first step was only 25cm (9.84in) wide, while the last is only "as wide as a cup saucer", according to host Ben Fordham.
It returned on Australian Ninja Warrior 6, once again being the first obstacle of the heats. However, the number of steps was increased to eight.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
In Ninja Warrior Germany 5, the Shrinking Steps, locally called Sprung-Tritte (literally Jump Steps) appeared as the first obstacle during the semi-finals. With the rope at the end removed.
It reappeared in Ninja Warrior Germany 7 as the first obstacle in every Duel Course. leading directly into the Pole Grasper.
It appeared again in Ninja Warrior Germany 8 as the first obstacle in Stage Three.
Ninja Warrior France[]
On Ninja Warrior France 5, the Shrinking Steps appeared as the first obstacle on the qualifications. Unlike American Ninja Warrior, the first step was installed at the starting platform. The rope at the end had also been removed.
On Ninja Warrior France 7, the Shrinking Steps was moved to the first obstacle on the semifinals. The number of steps was reduced to four, and the first step was now placed above water. The rope at the end had once again been removed.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Shrinking Steps, locally called ืืกืืคืจ ืืืชืืืืฅ (literally Shrinking Stepper) appeared as the first obstacle in all Heats and Finals' Stage One. The number of steps during its appearance was reduced to four.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
On Ninja Warrior UK 6, the Shrinking Steps appeared as the first obstacle in the Heats and Semifinals. Unlike the American Ninja Warrior 11, the rope has been removed.
American Ninja Warrior Junior[]
Not to be confused with Hopscotch, an obstacle featured on Semifinals 2 and 3 of American Ninja Warrior 14.
On American Ninja Warrior Junior 2, the Shrinking Steps appeared as the first obstacle for the first two brackets, which was very similar to the one used in regular American Ninja Warrior seasons.
Then, on American Ninja Warrior Junior 3, a variation of Shrinking Steps, called Hopscotch appeared as the first obstacle. The steps are a lot thicker compared to the regular season, modeled with a black stripe outlined with white. In addition, the pattern is non-linear, replicating the feel of an actual game of Hopscotch. This time, 6 competitors failed it, including people like Evan White, and Tate Allen.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found.
ANW | City/EP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
ANW11 | Los Angeles qualifiers | 70 | 96 | 72.92% |
Atlanta qualifiers | 91 | 98 | 92.86% | |
Oklahoma City qualifiers | 86 | 95 | 90.53% | |
Seattle-Tacoma qualifiers | 92 | 96 | 95.83% | |
Baltimore qualifiers | 88 | 99 | 88.89% | |
Cincinnati qualifiers | 90 | 104 | 86.54% | |
Los Angeles finals | 33 | 33 | 100% | |
Atlanta finals | 34 | 34 | 100% | |
Oklahoma City finals | 31 | 31 | 100% | |
Seattle-Tacoma finals | 33 | 33 | 100% | |
Baltimore finals | 34 | 34 | 100% | |
Cincinnati finals | 31 | 31 | 100% | |
ANW12 | QF EP 1 | 36 | 37 | 97.3% |
QF EP 2 | 35 | 36 | 97.22% | |
QF EP 3 | 36 | 39 | 92.31% | |
QF EP 4 | 37 | 39 | 94.87% | |
SF EP 1 | 30 | 30 | 100% | |
SF EP 2 | 30 | 30 | 100% | |
Finals | 27 | 27 | 100% | |
Women's Championship | 18 | 18 | 100% | |
ANW13 | QF EP 1 | 68 | 79 | 86.08% |
QF EP 2 | 68 | 77 | 88.31% | |
QF EP 3 | 68 | 73 | 93.15% | |
QF EP 4 | 73 | 77 | 94.81% | |
QF EP 5 | 77 | 78 | 98.72% | |
SF EP 1 | 39 | 39 | 100% | |
SF EP 2 | 41 | 41 | 100% | |
SF EP 3 | 40 | 41 | 97.56% | |
SF EP 4 | 38 | 38 | 100% | |
Women's Championship 2 | 17 | 18 | 94.44% | |
ANW14 | SF EP 1 | 39 | 39 | 100% |
SF EP 2 | 38 | 38 | 100% | |
SF EP 3 | 38 | 38 | 100% | |
SF EP 4 | 40 | 40 | 100% | |
Total | 1,646 | 1,756 | 93.74% |