The main gymnastics program is the Junior Olympic Program levels. The Junior Olympic program was developed with the belief that all athletes, regardless of their potential, must have a solid foundation of basic skills in order to advance safely. The program allows the gymnast to advance at her own pace, competing in more than one level in a year, if she so chooses.In order to compete in a sanctioned competition, an athlete must be a registered USA Gymnastics Athlete Member.
USAG Level 6
Level 6 is the entry level for optional competition. Optional levels are levels where each gymnast has a different routine, so they aren’t judged on the specifics of the routine. They are instead judged based on the skills they perform and the overall level and performance of the routine. Optional levels have routine requirements for each event, so when the coach is choreographing the routine, they will need to include the requirements or the gymnast will earn deductions.
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USAG Level 7Level 7 is a mix of both compulsory and optional. In Level 7 each gymnast has a unique routine but has specific requirements that they have to meet or they will earn deductions.
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USAG Level 8-10Gymnastics levels 8-10 are optional levels. The gymnast has a unique routine on each event, and she chooses which skills to use to fulfill the requirements.
Level 10 is the last level in the JO program. Once a gymnast can perform all the skills required at level 10 she may try out for the Elite program. Once in the Elite program a gymnast can compete in Olympic Trials or other professional events. |
USAG Level 4-5
Level 4 is the first required competitive level. To advance to level 5 from level 4 the gymnast must meet minimum standards and earn a minimum “mobility score.” Level 4 is a compulsory level. This means that to compete this level, the gymnast must learn a specific routine for each event. At level 4 meets, a gymnast is judged based on how well she does the skill, in addition to how well she performs the routine exactly how it is supposed to be done.
Level 5 is also a compulsory level. Some gymnastics clubs (Including Zenit) choose not to stress compulsory gymnastics, and in general don’t compete in compulsory meets. Instead we choose to compete using the Xcel program. These are optional rules that can be used while the gymnast is learning levels 4-6 skills. However, before gymnasts compete in level 6, they must compete in at least one meet to pass levels 4 and 5.
Level 5 is also a compulsory level. Some gymnastics clubs (Including Zenit) choose not to stress compulsory gymnastics, and in general don’t compete in compulsory meets. Instead we choose to compete using the Xcel program. These are optional rules that can be used while the gymnast is learning levels 4-6 skills. However, before gymnasts compete in level 6, they must compete in at least one meet to pass levels 4 and 5.