Xtreme Team - Benoits Competition Team

Xtreme Team, Benoit's Competition Team

Benoit's Goju-Ryu Karate-Do provides specific instruction and coaching for club youth members interested in martial arts competition. The sport side of Benoit's Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.

A Benoit's Youth Goju-Ryu Karate-Do member does not require to be on the Xtreme Team in order to compete at a martial arts tournament. Being on the Xtreme Team enables one to get specific training for optimal tournament preparedness.

Coach, Terry Benoit, leads the dedicated members with Assistant Coach, Ian Boyne, through specific drills and practices designed to boost competitor confidence and improve overall performance. If you've been to any of the local tournaments, you will have seen that Benoit's gives the competition a run for its entry fee money.

Commitment

It's a give and take relationship. Sensei Terry Benoit and Sensei Ian Boyne volunteer their time specifically for the team members during the school year. The team members maintain status by showing up to all of the practices, giving their best during the sessions, and attending all local tournaments (about $35.00 - $50.00 per tournament). Additional training time may be required for freeform (non-traditional) techniques, but it usually consists of 10-15 minutes at the end of a regular karate class. Even though team practices are beneficial in the sport aspect of Karate, they do not replace regular classes. Attendance for out-of-town tournaments is semi-optional (district day trip tournaments are encouraged i.e. Espanola, Elliot Lake, Sault Ste. Marie) For interested team members on a tight budget, there is usually some member going to a tournament who may likely carpool to defray some of the travel costs.

Training

Coach Sensei Terry Benoit designs his team sessions to maximize the skills required to excel in the kata (forms), kumite (sparring), weapons, and self-defense components of martial arts tournaments. The training also polishes presentation skills. Presenting oneself with style, sharpness and confidence demonstrating the utmost respect for the competition judges. The weekly, one and one half hour training sessions generally start in late September and run until the end of the school year. Regular breaks are scheduled for holiday seasons and long weekends. The only additional equipment required are a small set of hand weights 1lb-2lb (no heavier), and eventually, a weapon (bo/staff) for orange belts and up. All members require a traditional heavy weight white uniform with the Benoit's crest affixed to the left chest area of the top. White uniforms are used in all traditional katas and weapons routines. Xtreme Team members are also to change uniforms and wear the red and black gi for sparring and any freeform katas and weapons routines.

Selection Process

The team selection process consists of three trial sections. Each section is slightly different. A series of criteria are required to progress to the next section. At all times, the Xtreme Team criteria should be practiced.

Trial Section

In order to pass the 1st Trial Section, the youth student must adhere to and comply with all the necessary criteria that has been outlined for this section. Possible Xtreme Team members will be selected from all regular youth karate classes. This selection process will take approximately one month, or four Xtreme Team trial practices.

Criteria

• Good Attendance
• Gives 100%
• Strives on Success
• Team Player
• Exceptional Skills
• Good Attitude

Upon completion of the required 1 month or 4 team practices, the student will be notified by formal letter of their acceptance or rejection. Those accepted will train with the Xtreme Team members. Others are encouraged to continue training hard and try again.

No special equipment or uniforms are required at the 1st level.

2nd Trial Section

In order to pass the 2nd Trial Section, the student must adhere to and comply with all the criteria and Special Criteria that has been outlined for this section. This is the section where you, the youth student, has been granted acceptance and the privilege of training and competing at tournaments with the Xtreme Team. The student, at this point, is considered a Competition Team member. There is no set time limit for this section. The completion of this section will be determined by the Coach and Assistant Coach.
The 2nd Trial Section requires the same criterion as in the 1st Trial criteria, with the addition of:

• Local tournament participation (About 5 per Year)
• Recommendation to participate in a few out-of-town tournaments
• Consistently placing in the top three positions
  
• Completion of this section means Xtreme Team members status

As an Xtreme Team member one will receive a certificate signed by the Coach and Assistant Coach and an Xtreme Team Crest for their uniform.

Required Equipment

• Personal hand held weights (See Sensei for proper weighting)
  
• Heavy training bo/staff
• Competition bo/staff
• Heavyweight white gi/uniform

The inability to maintain the Xtreme Team criteria may lead to a probationary status, or in severe circumstances, (depending on the concern's), dismissal from the team.

The 3rd Section

Requires the same criterion as in the 1st and 2nd Trial Sections, with the addition of:

• Participate in a minimum of two out-of-town tournaments
• Consistently placing in the top three for their divisions
• Display excellent sportsmanship
• Doing well in school
• Doing well at home

Reaching the Xtreme Team status is just the beginning to reaching for competition excellence.