Progressive Group Task (PGT) in SSB Explained

The Progressive Group Task (PGT) is usually the first group task conducted by the GTO, and it sets the tone for how the group is expected to work together for the rest of the outdoor tasks. A series of obstacles of increasing difficulty are laid out on the ground, and the whole group must move itself, a helping load, and its helping material across each one, following a specific set of rules that the GTO explains at the start.

This guide breaks down the core rules of the PGT — colour rule, ground rule, structure rule, and distance rule — along with how helping material is used and what the GTO is actually watching for.

See the complete GTO tasks guide

What the Progressive Group Task Is

In the PGT, the group faces a series of obstacles laid out one after another, each more difficult than the last. Along with the group, there is usually a "load" — an object like a drum filled with sand or a similar weighted item — that must also be transported across every obstacle. The group is given a set of helping materials, such as planks, ropes, and a rope with a weighted end, which can be used across the entire task but are limited in quantity.

The task is progressive because obstacles increase in difficulty as the group moves along the ground, requiring the group's approach to adapt at each stage rather than repeat the same method throughout.

The Core Rules

The GTO explains a specific set of rules before the task begins. While the exact wording can vary by centre, they typically map onto four ideas:

Colour Rule

Certain structures or supports on the obstacle are marked with colours (commonly the ground within certain markings, or specific supports) that indicate what can or cannot be touched by men, material, or the load. Touching a restricted colour with the wrong part of the task usually means that method is disallowed and the group must find another way.

Ground Rule

This defines what counts as "out of bounds" ground around and inside the obstacle — often the area outside the marked platforms or beyond certain boundary lines. Stepping into out-of-bounds ground with a man, the load, or material generally means that action does not count and must be redone using a valid method.

Structure Rule

This governs how the fixed structures on the obstacle (walls, drums, poles, platforms) may be used — for example, whether a structure can bear the weight of a man and material at the same time, or only one at a time. Overloading or misusing a structure beyond what the rule allows is treated as an invalid method.

Distance Rule

This defines the maximum gap that helping material such as a plank can bridge, or the maximum distance a rope can be thrown or a jump can cover. Exceeding the permitted distance for a given piece of material or action is not allowed and the group must adjust its plan.

The GTO states these rules clearly before the task starts and usually repeats them if asked. Genuinely understanding and confirming the rule before attempting a crossing avoids wasted time on disallowed methods.

Helping Material

The group is typically given a small set of items — one or two planks of specific lengths, a rope, sometimes a rope with a weight tied to one end for throwing across gaps, and occasionally a barrel or plank of a different size. These materials must be carried along with the group and the load through every obstacle; they cannot be left behind at one obstacle and picked up again later unless the rules explicitly allow it.

Because the material is limited, groups need to plan how the same plank or rope will be reused across consecutive obstacles rather than treating each obstacle as an isolated problem.

How the Group Should Approach It

• Listen carefully to the rules and, if permitted, ask a clarifying question before starting rather than guessing mid-task
• Take a brief moment as a group to look at the first obstacle and agree on an approach before jumping in
• Assign informal roles — who moves first, who manages the load, who carries material forward — without waiting for one person to dictate everything
• Keep track of the load and helping material at all times since losing track of either wastes significant time
• Treat mistakes calmly; redoing an invalid crossing is normal and does not need to derail the group's composure

What the GTO Observes

The GTO evaluates the group as a whole but also watches individual contributions within it:

• Whether ideas are proposed constructively and evaluated rather than one person dominating without listening
• How the group handles a suggestion that fails — do they adapt or keep repeating the same mistake
• Individual initiative — who steps up to attempt the harder or riskier part of a crossing
• Cooperation in physically supporting each other and passing material and the load
• Practical common sense in respecting the colour, ground, structure, and distance rules rather than trying to force a shortcut

PGT's Place in the Outdoor Tasks

The PGT usually comes early in the outdoor testing sequence and gives the GTO an initial picture of how the group functions together, which is then compared against later tasks like the Half Group Task, Group Obstacle Race, and Command Task. For the complete sequence and how each task builds a fuller picture of your OLQs, see the full GTO tasks guide.