Team Tryouts and Benchmark Skills
The last class of our 10-week curriculum will be a team tryout, where our coaches will test the kids on a number of benchmark skills. 6–8 year-olds will tryout for the Junior Level 1 team, and 9–12 year-olds will tryout for the Apprentice Level 2 team. Athlete will need to pass 13 out of the 15 benchmarks listed below, as well as demonstrate focus and dedication. Gaining a spot on the team requires more than just passing benchmark skills. During team tryouts, our coaches will also be assessing:
- Respect for peers
- Focus and dedication
- Respect for gym rules and etiquette
- Listening to coaches and following directions
- Maturity
- Following the Life Force Ninja Team Code of Conduct
Junior Level 1 Team Benchmarks
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- Initiating and generating swing momentum from both a static bar and trapeze bar
- 4′ lache controlled dismount to block
- 4′ lache bar to bar
- Devil steps green pipes up/down
- 8′ balance pipe
- 8′ cliffhanger traverse
- Balance roller (10’ distance on 12” roller)
- 5 slanted steps, feet only, 20″ spacing
- 240’ farmers carry at 30% body weight unbroken
- 2 strict pullups unbroken
- 10 pushups from toes in :60
- :10 single arm dead hang on each arm unbroken
- :60 dead hang unbroken
- 1 rope climb (15’) using j-hook method
- 400m run in 2:00 or less
Apprentice Level 2 Team Benchmarks
Athlete must pass 13 out of 15 benchmarks. Two attempts per benchmark are allowed.
- 4 rungs up on campus board lane 1 (hands only)
- 5′ lache controlled dismount to block
- 5′ lache bar to bar
- Devil steps up/down, hands only
- 8′ balance pipe down and back
- 8′ cliffhanger large edge
- Balance roller (10’ distance on 12” roller)
- 5 slanted steps, feet only, 30″ spacing
- 240’ farmers carry at 40% body weight unbroken
- 3 strict pullups unbroken
- 10 pushups from toes in :60
- :10 single arm dead hang on each arm unbroken
- :60 dead hang unbroken
- 1 rope climb (15’) using j-hook method
- 400m run in 1:45 or less
The Life Force Ninja Competitive Team
Our competitive team builds upon our Pre-Team curriculum classes, providing a place for dedicated ninjas to take their skills to the next level. We focus on building obstacle skills, strategies, techniques, as well as the body awareness and strength needed to succeed in the incredibly demanding sport of ninja. Ninja requires tremendous strength and endurance, so in addition to obstacle work, we also incorporate a significant amount of strength and conditioning into our team programming. We emphasize training for competitions, and travel as a team to various regional ninja competitions throughout Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia as well as national-level competitions across the country. Our team goals include:
- Fostering a team environment for kids and adults with a shared interest. This includes team-building games and exercises to encourage camaraderie and friendship
- Learning advanced obstacle skills and techniques
- Building strength and endurance needed to be successful on challenging obstacles
- Developing strategies for speed and efficiency on timed course runs
- Treating team members and coaches with respect and supporting everyone’s efforts
- Learning the competitive format and rules of the various competition leagues (WNL, UNAA, CNL, etc.)
- Strongly encouraging and facilitating participation in competitions held at Life Force, as well other regional and national competitions
Get in touch
Do you have questions about our programming or schedule? Maybe you’re interested in planning a Life Force Ninja birthday party or corporate event. Whatever it is, we’re happy to answer any of your questions. Please send us a message here, and we’ll do our best to answer as soon as possible.