Level 8

DP Level 8 is the eighth of ten levels in the DP program.

A gymnast must be age 8 or older to compete Level 8.

A gymnast must score a “score-out” minimum score at Level 7 in order to complete Level 8. Currently, to compete Level 8, a gymnast needs an AA score of 32.00 at Level 7.

In DP Levels 6 to 10, the levels are considered Optionals, allowing gymnasts to perform routines that meet specific requirements with custom choreography. Each event and level has its own Special Requirements that specify what each event’s routine must include to have a Start Value of 10.0. That means all gymnasts can choose the skills for each event, provided they meet the Special Requirements. This flexibility allows gymnasts to perform harder skills when desired.

Level 8 Scoring

In Level 8, scoring starts with the routine’s Start Value — which is based on Special Requirements, Value Part Requirements, and Execution and Artistry Points, minus total Deductions (which is the total of Execution Deductions, General Deductions, Composition Deductions, and Chief Deductions).

Special Requirements (SRs) are the rules you need to follow to start with a 10.0 Start Value. Each SR is worth 0.50 points, so if you miss one SR, your start value would be 9.5, and if you miss two, it would be 9.0.

In Level 8, Bars, Beam, and Floor each have 4 Special Requirements that must be met to start with a 10.0 Start Value.

Each missing Special Requirement will deduct 0.50 points from the Starting Value (SV). Missing all the Special Requirements in a routine would lower the Start Value to 8.00 in Level 8.

In some DP levels, in addition to Special Requirements, there are VP requirements that must be met for a 10.0 Start Value. In Level 8, gymnasts need 4 “A” VPs, and 4 “B” VPs.

Value part Chart

VPs & Difficulty Restrictions

Value Parts (VPs) are skills performed to the requirements. If a skill doesn’t meet the criteria, it will not receive credit as a VP. In DP, VPs are listed in the COP (Code of Points).

VP Pics (A B C D E)

A Value Part (VP) is a skill or element assigned a difficulty value in the DP Code of Points.

Level 8 gymnasts are allowed to do:

Difficulty chart

Level 8 Beam

Special Requirements for Level 8 Beam

  1. Acro series (not in mount/dismount) with minimum 2 VPs, one with flight

  2. One Leap or Jump with 180º cross or side split

  3. Minimum of 360º turn on one foot (Group 3)

  4. Salto/Aerial dismount (minimum ‘A’ difficulty)

Level 8 Floor Skills

The Special Requirements for Level 8 Floor are:

  1. One acro pass with minimum of 2 saltos

  2. Three different saltos

  3. Dance pass with minimum 2 Group 1 skills (directly/indirectly connected), one a leap with 180º cross or side split

  4. Last salto (or in last salto pass) must be ‘A’ difficulty or higher

Level 8 Bars Skills

The Special Requirements for Level 8 Bars are:

  1. Minimum of 1 bar change

  2. Two ‘B’ VPs (same or different)

    1. One ‘B’ element with flight, excluding dismount, OR 1 ‘B’ element with minimum 180º Long Axis (LA) turn (not in mount/dismount)

    2. One ‘B’ value 360º clear circling skill from groups 3/6/7, excluding dismount

  3. Salto dismount, minimum ‘A’ difficulty

Level 8 Vaults

IzaGymJudge