The Ball Drop (also known as Balance On The Line) is a recurring endurance and balance challenge that originated in Survivor: Micronesia, and has since reappeared in Philippines, Ghost Island, and Survivor 41.
Rules[]
Each castaway must balance a small metal ball on a wooden cylinder, while holding the center cylinder in place with two wooden handles. The cylinder itself is divided into nine sections, with the single, center cylinder making up the first stage. At predetermined intervals, new pieces of the wooden rod will be added on either end, making it harder to balance the ball on the center cylinder, until all nine sections have been added, making a total of five stages. The castaway who balances their ball the longest wins.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge debuted in Micronesia as the Final Immunity Challenge. Parvati Shallow dropped out first, leaving Amanda Kimmel and Cirie Fields to battle it out until the final stage. Ultimately, Amanda outlasted Cirie to win immunity.
In Philippines, the challenge was used as the Final Immunity Challenge. Prior to the challenge, Malcolm Freberg won a Challenge Advantage that allowed him to re-enter the challenge the first time his ball dropped. However, he was still the first contestant out of the challenge. The challenge lasted until the fourth stage, with Michael Skupin ultimately beating out Lisa Whelchel to win immunity.
In Ghost Island, Wendell Holland received the same advantage from Ghost Island that Malcolm Freberg had in Philippines. Notably, the challenge started on the third level, with five cylinders to balance. Despite his advantage, Wendell still failed to win the challenge, which came down to Domenick Abbate and Donathan Hurley on the final stage. Domenick outlasted Donathan to win immunity.
In Survivor 41, castaways could choose to sit out or participate in the challenge with the stipulation that, if they drop out first, they would face a Do or Die challenge at Tribal Council. The challenge started on the second level, with three cylinders in place. Deshawn Radden almost immediately dropped out first and had to participate in the Do or Die challenge. At the final stage, Ricard Foyé and Xander Hastings dropped their balls half a second apart, giving Danny McCray immunity.
New Zealand[]
Quebec[]
South Africa[]
The challenge appeared at the final five of Santa Carolina. This challenge only ran for a single stage, as the members of Kululama attempted to outlast each other in holding a cannonball sandwiched between two stakes. Ashley Hayden won her third consecutive individual Immunity Challenge.
The challenge appeared as the Final Immunity Challenge of Island of Secrets. Laetitia Le Roux was the first person to drop out after reaching the second stage of the challenge. Shortly after the third stage began, Durão Mariano became the second person to drop out. Finally, Nicole Capper dropped her ball, giving Rob Bentele his record-matching fifth individual immunity win.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Micronesia "Stir the Pot!" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Amanda Kimmel |
| Philippines "Million Dollar Question" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Michael Skupin |
| Ghost Island "A Giant Game of Bumper Cars" |
Individual Immunity |  Domenick Abbate |
| Survivor 41 "Do or Die" |
Individual Immunity |  Danny McCray |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand Episode 3 |
Individual Reward (Outpost Duel) |
 Kaysha Whakarau |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2024) Episode 51 |
Duel |  André Savard |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Carolina Episode 12 |
Individual Immunity |  Ashley Hayden | |
| Island of Secrets "Action Speaks Louder" |
Individual Immunity (Final Immunity) |
 Rob Bentele | |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- At the Philippines Reunion, Malcolm Freberg referred to the first time the challenge was used in Micronesia by saying that Parvati Shallow won the challenge. He was wrong, as the challenge was actually won by Amanda Kimmel.
- Philippines is the only time this challenge did not reach its fifth and final stage, with a winner being decided by the fourth stage when there were only a total of seven cylinders to balance.
- Amanda Kimmel is currently the only woman to win this challenge.
- Danny McCray is the only person to win this challenge to not make it to Final Tribal Council.