Starting with this season, the age requirement dropped from 19 years old to 15. Competitors also included "family" teams of three, with at least one teenager 15 to 19 years old, with each member competing on two obstacles.
The season introduced "Split Decision", in which competitors could choose one of two obstacles to do for the third obstacle in qualifying courses and the ninth obstacle in semifinal courses. In the National Finals, Split Decision occurred on the eighth and final obstacle of Stage One.
