Leagues & Levels

What is Competitive Gymnastics?

Competitive gymnastics is a broad term that means a gymnast is competing - somewhere. There is a broad range of competitive gymnastics, from recreational teams that may compete in local leagues, to teams that only compete in far-away travel meets. Every gym does gymnastics differently! From training hours to team rules, each and every gym is unique.

Of course, the specifics are determined by the specific team rules, but in general, competitive gymnastics requires a much higher level of commitment. From training hours to expectations, the commitment increases as the levels increase - and so does the cost. The commitment required for competitive gymnastics isn’t just from the gymnast who needs to be willing to work hard and listen to their coaches. The gymnast’s family is expected to support it all - from driving to practices, participating in fund-raisers, paying meet fees, and traveling to meets.

Gyms with competition teams choose a league to compete under, and some gyms may choose to compete through more than one league. Let’s talk about some of the Artistic Gymnastics leagues you could compete through.

USA Gymnastics

One of the most common leagues to compete through (at least right now) is USA Gymnastics. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, through USA Gymnastics has two Competition Programs - Xcel and DP, which was previously known as JO.

USA Gymnastics is the national governing body (NGB) for the sport in the United States. It gets this designation from the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation.

USA Gymnastics encompasses six disciplines: women’s gymnastics, men’s gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (aka group gymnastics).

 

USAG WDP

Previously JO

Within DP, there are 10 levels with the difficulty progressing as the numbers increase.

Levels 1 through 3 are considered Developmental, and may be used as non-competitive achievement levels, or as competitive levels.

Levels 4 and 5 are considered Compulsory, and gymnasts must achieve a specific score to achieve mobility to the next level, and must perform a specifically choreographed routine for each event.

Levels 6 through 10 are Optionals, allowing gymnasts to perform routines that meet specific requirements with custom choreography. Again, gymnasts must achieve a specific mobility score to move to the next level.

USAG Xcel

Within Xcel, there are 5 levels with the difficulty progressing through the levels:

  • Bronze

  • Silver

  • Gold

  • Platinum

  • Diamond

In Xcel, all levels are considered Optionals, allowing gymnasts to perform routines that meet specific requirements with custom choreography.

Each event and level in Xcel has its own Special Requirements that specify what each event’s routine must include to have a Start Value of 10.0.

To move to Gold and higher levels, gymnasts must achieve a specific mobility score at the previous level.

USA Gymnastics operates additional Programs including TOPS, HOPES and Elite (and Pre-Elite). There is a common misconception that Elite follows Level 10, and gymnast automatically advance to Elite after level 10. DP (all levels) and Elite are different programs and you can’t use DP to advance to Elite.

Another major benefit of the DP program is TOPS and HOPES pipelines, which are basically evaluations of potentially great gymnasts. Successful gymnasts may be invited to a National Training camp. Your gymnast must be very high-level to attend a National Training Camp, as some gymnasts will make it to the National Team, compete internationally, or go to World Championships and the Olympics.

TOPS

TOPS (TOPS stands for Talent Opportunity Program) is a talent search for amazing gymnasts with high potential to (possibly) go to the Olympics, or other high-value assets, such as competing at a Division 1 school (like UCLA).

HOPES

HOPES is a “pre” Pre-Elite program. In other words, HOPES is before the Pre-Elite program. HOPES is made for ages 10-12, and the gymnasts compete two routines per event — one compulsory, one optional. Basically, they compete a very-high level DP Compulsory routine, and one level 6+ routine (the gymnasts get to chose the skills from the FIG Code of Points for the “6+” routine).

 NGA

National Gymnastics Association

"To provide a fun and affordable competitive gymnastics program that allows children of all ages and levels
to achieve their own personal goals."

ONE SET OF RULES

This competitive program offers an all optional program with different skill and level requirements for each of the ten (10) skill levels. It is designed to combine all levels of competitive gymnastics into one program - Beginner-Skill Level 1 to College Bound-Skill Level 10.

ONE SET OF DEDUCTIONS

Utilizing one program for each level of competition allows for one set of deductions over the ten (10) levels offered. Having deductions that apply for all levels based on the requirements of each level will streamline the judging process.

ONE GOAL

To keep the business of gymnastics strong by providing a fun, safe environment for all levels of athletes.

USAIGC

United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs

The USAIGC (and the IAIGC) is a competitive Optionals program designed for college bound athletes. It is NOT a path to Elite. USAIGC operates its own progressive competition requirements, rules, policies and judging criteria for the six Optionals levels. The rules are based on NCAA Collegiate rules. The association states one of their goals is to intentionally slow down the learning process of skill development allowing the coach and gymnast time to develop more challenging skills. It is their goal to have gymnasts "peak" during their junior high school year and be prepared to compete in the Collegiate Program. The USAIGC supports the USAG and is a voting member on the USAG Association Board. The USAIGC levels are:

  • Copper 1: Practice Time up to 5 hours per week.

  • 
Copper 2: Practice Time up to 6 hours per week. This level is designed for second year USAIGC Copper Level Gymnasts as a more challenging level with additional skill opportunities and options on FX.

  • Bronze: Practice Time up to 7 hours per week.

  • Diamond: This is a new level open to all gymnasts moving from any level below, however any Bronze gymnast who scores 36.4 by April 15th must move into this Diamond level for States and all subsequent Championship meets. Practice Time up to 8 hours per week.

  • Silver Level: Practice Time up to 10 hours per week.


  • Gold Level: Practice Time up to 12 hours per week. 


  • Platinum Level: Practice Time up to 16 hours per week.

  • Premier Level: Practice Time up to 18 hours per week.