Zenit Gymnastics is proud to offer competitive womens’ gymnastics teams that are specific to the athlete’s individual skill level and pace. Our training methods allow gymnasts to find JOY in the journey, BALANCE in their lives, and TRIUMPH on the podium. Our workouts are EFFECTIVE and EFFICIENT and our approach to coaching is based on POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. We take pride in the caliber of training we offer our gymnasts preparing for competition at the state, regional, and national level. Our team program follows the levels and guidelines set by USA Gymnastics, the governing body of our sport. We offer USAG Xcel teams for girls starting at Bronze.
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As a team member on one of our competitive teams, athletes will learn goal setting, self-discipline, responsibility and a strong work ethic. Throughout the process of moving through our competitive team programs, athletes will build strong mental attributes including:
• Positive self-image • Self-motivation • Tenacity • Patience A willingness to sacrifice for personal development In addition, our athletes will develop gymnastic-specific physical attributes including: • Strength • Flexibility • Kinesthetic awareness • Balance • Muscular control • Endurance • Coordination • Timing • Explosive power • Agility • Speed |
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JUNIOR OLYMPIC PROGRAMS
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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.
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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Level 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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Gymnastics 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. |
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.
Level 4 and Level 5 are 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. However, before gymnasts compete in level 6, they must compete in at least one meet to pass levels 4 and 5.
Level 4 and Level 5 are 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. However, before gymnasts compete in level 6, they must compete in at least one meet to pass levels 4 and 5.
USAG XCEL PROGRAM
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Xcel is an alternative USA Gymnastics competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of Xcel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels, the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience. The Xcel Program is designed to offer a broad-based, affordable competitive experience outside the traditional Jr. Olympic Program to attract and retain a diverse group of athletes. The Xcel program offers individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of Xcel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels, the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience. ZENIT GYMNASTICS currently has Xcel Bronze thru Xcel Platinum. The gymnast compete the events vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
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The Xcel Bronze gymnastics level is the first level in the Xcel program. For gymnast to compete in the Xcel Bronze Division, the gymnast must be able to do routines that meet certain requirements, as stated in the Xcel Code of Points.
The minimum age requirement for the Bronze division is 5 years old. The Bronze division is similar in skill requirements to the JO Program’s levels 1-2. |
The Xcel Silver division is the second level in the Xcel Program. For gymnast to compete in the Xcel Silver Division, the gymnast must be able to do routines that meet certain requirements, as stated in the Xcel Code of Points.
The minimum age requirement for the Silver division is 6 years old. The silver division is similar in skill requirements to the JO Program’s level 3. |
Xcel Gold is the third level in the Xcel Gymnastics Program. For gymnast to compete in the Xcel Gold Division, the gymnast must be able to do routines that meet certain requirements, as stated in the Xcel Code of Points.
Gold: The minimum age requirement for the Gold division is 7 years old. The gold division is similar in skill requirements to the JO Program’s level 4. The gymnast must score a 31 AA in Gold before advancing to the Platinum level or an 8.0 on an individual event to move forward as an Individual Event Specialist (IES). |
At Zenit we usually try to score out of levels 4 & 5 and move our gymnasts to level 6 if they are ready at the end of their Xcel Gold year or the beginning of the next season.
USAG XCEL Platinum: The minimum age requirement for the Platinum division is 8 years old. The platinum division is similar in skill requirements to the JO program’s level 4-5.The gymnast must score a 31 AA in Platinum before advancing to the Diamond level or an 8.0 on an individual event to move forward as an Individual Event Specialist (IES).
USAG XCEL Diamond: The minimum age requirement for the Diamond division is 9 years old. The diamond division is similar in skill requirements to the JO program’s levels 6-7.
USAG XCEL Diamond: The minimum age requirement for the Diamond division is 9 years old. The diamond division is similar in skill requirements to the JO program’s levels 6-7.
AAU GYM STAR PROGRAM
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The Gym Star program is a competitive recreational gymnastics program designed for girls. The program builds on the strength, flexibility and coordination of each gymnast and aims for each girl to reach her full potential. The Gym Star gymnast will compete in the various external and internal competitions throughout the year.
As a GYM STAR team member on one of our competitive teams, athletes will learn goal setting, self-discipline, responsibility and a strong work ethic. Throughout the process of moving through our GYM STAR team program, athletes will build strong mental attributes including: • Positive self-image • Self-motivation • Tenacity • Patience |