Xcel vs. WDP

Two of USA Gymnastics’ divisions of competition for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics include Xcel and the Women’s Development Program (WDP), previously known as the JO or Junior Olympic program. All levels in both divisions are progressive and build upon early skills toward increasingly difficult skills.

Xcel

The USA Gymnastics Xcel program was developed as an alternative 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. Xcel embraces athletes of all levels - beginner through advanced. The personalized competitive program allows athletes to customize routines to showcase personal strengths.

Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, & Diamond

Xcel has levels Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond, (and now Sapphire in some Regions) with difficulty progressing in each level. All levels of Xcel are considered Optionals, allowing gymnasts to perform routines that meet specific requirements instead of requiring specific skills at each level.

WDP/JO

DP includes Levels 1 through 10, with the difficulty progressing as the numbers increase. The development program is divided into three segments. In DP, gymnasts may not skip any level, except for Level 6 with a specific score-out. Gymnasts must enter the DP program at Level 1 and must advance one level at a time, but they can move through the lower levels as quickly as their skill allows.

 Xcel vs. WDP/JO

Even though WDP and Xcel are both through USA Gymnastics, they are very different programs. How do JO and Xcel compare? Let’s talk about it.

First, let’s review how the levels compare. It’s impossible to say a WDP/JO Level is exactly equal to an Xcel level because they’re based on different gymnastics themes. Compulsories in WDP/JO is all about doing a routine the exact way it’s described in the text. Xcel is about showcasing skills and choreography to their own unique style.

Some coaches describe it as “Xcel is about the gymnast, whereas WDP/JO is about gymnastics.”

Which is Easier - JO or Xcel?

Technically, neither is easier than the other when comparing comparable levels.

  • Both DP and Xcel require skills performed with accuracy, good technique, and precision to a specific codified rubric.

  • Both DP and Xcel have strikingly similar progressive technical deductions at comparable levels.

  • Both DP and Xcel have similar deductions on the quality of routines, such as artistry and rhythm.

  • Both DP and Xcel require a series (connected combination) for both acro and dance VPs.

  • The one big difference in scoring between the two is that WDP/JO has composition deductions for level 8 and higher, while Xcel does not.

Xcel Special Requirements

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 and VP Requirements that specify what each event’s routine must include to have a Start Value of 10.0. Bars, beam, and floor each have four special requirements, plus VP Requirements, that must be met to start with a 10.0 Start Value.

By basing the routine on special requirements instead of required skills, Xcel allows gymnasts to choose the skills for each event based upon their individual strengths.

Because Xcel is all-optional, there are four Special Requirements (SRs) for each level that must be met to have a 10.00 Starting Value (SV). The SRs change for each level and each event, getting more difficult in each higher level.

Each missing Special Requirement will deduct 0.50 points from the Starting Value (SV). Each event (vault, bars, beam, and floor) has four SRs. Missing all of the SRs in a routine would lower the SV to 8.00 in Xcel.

For more information on Special Requirements, see the individual page on each Xcel level: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and the all new Sapphire (in some regions for 2022 to 2023).

Minimum Age

Each level has its own minimum age to compete. All gymnasts must reach the required minimum age for a specific division before competing in any USA Gymnastics sanctioned competition.

For local meets, gymnasts must turn the required age before the date of the competition.

For State Championships, the gymnast must turn the required age on or before the last qualifying competition.

Let’s go over an example to be clear. If a gymnast wanted to compete in a local Silver meet on February 15th, and they turned 6 on February 16th, they couldn’t compete. But they would be able to compete in a local meet scheduled for the 16th of February. If a state meet was planned for the 16th of February, they wouldn’t compete as they didn’t turn 6 early enough to qualify for the state meet.

Currently, the required ages to compete in a division are:

  • Bronze: 5th birthday

  • Silver: 6th birthday

  • Gold: 7th birthday

  • Platinum: 8th birthday

  • Diamond: 9th birthday

  • Sapphire: 12th birthday

Xcel Mobility

In Xcel, gymnasts may enter competition at Bronze, Silver or Gold (new for 2022-2023 season).

You can not enter Xcel at Platinum or higher unless you’re coming from DP. Gold, Platinum, and Diamond all have mobility scores required to move up.

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

The specific score required to move to the next level can be updated each year. The required score-out is released in the Rules and Policies each year.

As stated earlier, Bronze, Silver, and Gold are entry levels in the Xcel program. That means gymnasts can begin to compete at those levels. You can not enter Xcel at Platinum or higher unless you’re coming from DP.

Currently, the required scores to move to the subsequent level are:

  • Bronze: no score required to move to Silver

  • Silver: no score required to move to Gold

  • Gold: need 31.00 AA at Gold to move to Platinum

  • Platinum: need 31.00 AA at Platinum to move to Diamond

  • Diamond: need 34.00 AA at Diamond to move to Sapphire

Scores must be achieved at a sanctioned USA Gymnastics meet to count for mobility.

Remember, these are just the USA Gymnastics minimum requirements. Each gym has their own requirements to move up levels and gymnasts must meet their gym’s requirements to progress through the levels.

Mobility from DP to Xcel

If a gymnast moves from the DP to the Xcel program, they are limited in their entry level. They must enter at the level indicated and do not need to meet the mobility scores for previous levels.

  • Bronze: for gymnasts previously in DP Levels 1 and 2

  • Silver: for gymnasts previously in DP Levels 1, 2 or 3

  • Gold: for gymnasts previously in DP Levels 3 and 4

  • Platinum: for gymnasts previously in DP Levels 5, 6 or 7

  • Diamond: for gymnasts previously in DP Levels 7 through 10

  • Sapphire: for gymnasts previously in DP Levels 8 to 10

Notice there is a slight overlap in some levels, providing flexibility for gymnasts. The requirements are different from DP to Xcel, so a gymnast may have an excellent Level 3 floor routine but not have the required skills for Xcel Gold. Therefore, flexibility to enter at Silver or Gold is necessary.

Petition into Xcel

There is one other option for older gymnasts to enter the Xcel Program: by Petition.

If you have previous gymnastics experience, you can petition into the Xcel program for entry into Platinum or Diamond. In order for a gymnast to petition, she must:

  • Be at least 12 years of age

  • Have previous USA Gymnastics experience

  • Submit a written request for entry into the Platinum or Diamond divisions

  • Submit a video portfolio that demonstrates her skill level

Athletes with competitive gymnastics experience outside USA Gymnastics can petition to enter at Platinum or above by submitting a formal written request. 

Athletes who reside in the US, but have experience from outside the US, can petition by submitting a formal request for entry into the Xcel program at Platinum or Diamond. The petition must be accompanied by a video that demonstrates the skill level for which she is submitting the petition and proof of residency outside the US. 

If a gymnast has been inactive for more than a year, but previously competed in the Xcel Program, she can re-enter the program, with a few options. She will need to contact her State officers to find out the exact procedures, but in general the options are: 

  • petition to compete at same division last competed at

  • petition to move up one division if they got their mobility score during the last season they competed

  • move down one level

Why are Xcel scores higher?

Because in Xcel, it’s so much easier to maximize scores!

Xcel is an optional program, allowing coaches to customize the routines to a gymnast’s strength while avoiding their weaknesses. With careful planning to a gymnast’s strength, scores can be maximized. This benefit of maximizing scoring is evident if you compare scores between comparable Xcel and DP levels. This often leads people to the incorrect conclusion that Xcel is “easier”.

It isn’t. As we’ve shown, the deductions are very similar between the divisions and are applied in the same manner as DP. Angle and skill requirements are different between the divisions, just as they differ between levels. The one major difference in deductions between Xcel and WDP is WDP/JO has composition deductions at Levels 8 and higher, while Xcel does not.

I can take almost any gymnast, design a routine to her strengths, and get a higher score in Xcel than DP simply because I can avoid skills that don’t play to my gymnast’s strength. That doesn’t make it easier. In fact, for some gyms, it’s harder until they learn more about the Xcel program.

What is “Less is More” in Xcel

Some Xcel coaches will overload a routine with lots of skills - which get lots of deductions. Knowing how to organize a routine to a gymnast’s strengths and recognizing which skills are performed technically to the standards takes time, education, and practice.

When a gymnast can perform a skill consistently to the standards without deductions, it should be in the routine. If not, it shouldn’t be in the routine unless it’s needed for a Special Requirement. Otherwise, you’re inviting deductions for no reason.

In Xcel, less can be more. Although less can also be boring - so it’s crucial to have a great choreographer, especially at higher levels.

Fairness

USA Gymnastics expects its members to enter competitions with fairness. Before moving up a level, every athlete should show proficiency at her current level. Once the gymnast has shown a high level of proficiency at the current level, she should strive to move up to the next level if she can do so safely. At no time should a gym or gymnast repeat a level with the intent to gain an advantage over other competitors or teams.

According to the Rules and Policies, no mandate scores are permitted at any level. The purpose of the Xcel Program is to provide competitive opportunities for all athletes, regardless of their age, ability level, or training commitment in terms of hours and/or finances.