Level 2 Gymnastics Skills: Progressing to New Challenges

Level 2 gymnastics is designed for beginner gymnasts who have mastered the basic skills of Level 1 and are now ready to progress to slightly more challenging techniques. The focus of this level is to solidify essential movements while introducing new skills that require enhanced strength, coordination, and flexibility.

At Level 2, gymnasts work on key skills for each apparatus—vault, bars, beam, and floor—through controlled movements that promote precision and help develop overall body awareness. While it’s considered a pre-competitive level, these skills lay the foundation for more advanced techniques and ensure a safe and effective progression in gymnastics.

Level 2 Age Requirement

In USA Gymnastics’ Women’s Development Program, gymnasts must be at least 5 years old to compete at Level 2. Some states may offer non-competitive or achievement-oriented programs for Levels 1-3, providing a structured path for gymnasts to build confidence and experience.

To advance to Level 3, gymnasts must be at least 6 years old, ensuring they have the physical and mental readiness for the challenges ahead.

Floor Exercise in Level 2 Gymnastics

The floor exercise is an exciting and expressive event in gymnastics, where gymnasts can showcase their strength, flexibility, and creativity. At Level 2, gymnasts perform a routine that combines basic tumbling skills, jumps, and balance. The main goal at this level is to develop coordination, body awareness, and confidence while beginning to introduce artistry and choreography.

Key Skills for the Level 2 Floor Exercise:

1. Forward Roll
2. Cartwheel
3. Split Leap
4. Handstand Hold
5. Tumbling Combinations

1. Forward Roll

The Forward Roll is an essential skill that helps gymnasts master basic tumbling techniques. It teaches control and smooth movement.

• Execution: Start by standing upright with feet shoulder-width apart. Tuck your chin to your chest and squat down, placing your hands on the floor. Push off the ground and roll forward, maintaining a tight body and smooth momentum. Finish by landing on your feet.

What to Practice: Focus on keeping the body tight and rolling in a controlled manner. Avoid any jerky movements.

2. Cartwheel

The Cartwheel is crucial for developing balance and coordination. It also introduces gymnasts to inversions.

• Execution: Begin standing tall with arms extended above your head. Step one leg forward and place both hands on the floor, one after the other. Swing the legs over the body, keeping the legs straight and toes pointed. Finish by landing on your feet.

What to Practice: Timing the hand placement and maintaining a straight body with pointed toes. Turn the body quickly after the cartwheel to land smoothly.

3. Split Leap

The Split Leap focuses on flexibility and strength, requiring the gymnast to split their legs in mid-air.

• Execution: Stand tall with arms extended overhead. Push off the floor and kick one leg up while extending the other leg behind you into a split position. Land softly with both feet together.

What to Practice: Stretch regularly to improve flexibility and work on jumping higher while maintaining proper form.

4. Handstand Hold

The Handstand Hold is an important skill for balance and body control. It is essential for many gymnastics routines.

• Execution: Begin by standing tall with arms extended. Kick into a handstand position, keeping the body straight and legs extended. Hold the position for a few seconds, ensuring that the body forms a straight line from hands to toes.

What to Practice: Build upper body and core strength to hold the handstand for longer periods.

5. Tumbling Combinations

At Level 2, gymnasts start linking tumbling skills into combinations. For example, linking a forward roll with a cartwheel, or a forward roll with a split leap. This helps build fluidity and rhythm in the routine.

• Example of a Tumbling Combination: Perform a forward roll, immediately transitioning into a cartwheel, then follow it with another forward roll or a split leap.

What to Practice: Focus on smooth transitions between skills. Make sure each skill flows naturally into the next with minimal pauses.

Artistry and Presentation

In addition to the technical skills, Level 2 gymnasts are introduced to the concept of artistry in their floor routines. Artistry involves the performance elements of gymnastics, such as expression, timing, and body movement. At this level, gymnasts are expected to show some creativity, but the focus is still primarily on mastering the basic skills.

Level 2 Gymnastics Bar Skills

Uneven bars is one of the most dynamic and challenging events in gymnastics, requiring a combination of strength, control, and fluidity. At Level 2, gymnasts begin refining their basic skills on the bars and learn essential techniques that will serve as the foundation for more advanced skills in the higher levels.

Key Skills on the Uneven Bars at Level 2

At Level 2, gymnasts focus on mastering basic swings, grips, and strength-based skills that will lead to more complex movements. These include:

1. Front Support Hold
2. Back Hip Circle
3. Pullover
4. Casting

1. Front Support Hold

The Front Support Hold is one of the first skills gymnasts learn on the uneven bars. It is a basic strength skill where the gymnast hangs from the bar with their arms fully extended, body in a straight line, and feet slightly off the ground. It helps develop upper body and core strength, which is essential for all subsequent bar skills.

• Execution: Hang from the bar with arms fully extended and body in a straight line. Engage the core and avoid sagging the lower back.

What to Practice: Focus on grip strength and holding the position with control.

2. Back Hip Circle

The Back Hip Circle is a fundamental skill that introduces the gymnast to swinging on the bars. It requires both upper body strength and proper technique to swing the legs over the bar while maintaining control of the body.

• Execution: Hang from the bar, then swing your legs upward and rotate your body to bring the legs over the bar, finishing in a front support position.

What to Practice: Focus on swinging the legs in a controlled manner, using the hips to drive the motion.

3. Pullover

The Pullover is a critical skill at Level 2 that teaches gymnasts how to transition from a hanging position to a seated position on the bar. It builds upper body strength and coordination, setting the stage for more advanced movements in future levels.

• Execution: Hang from the bar and engage the core and arms to pull yourself up. Flip the legs over the bar to land in a seated position.

What to Practice: Strength training is key. Work on smooth and fluid transitions between movements.

4. Casting

Casting is a key skill in gymnastics on bars, helping gymnasts build the necessary strength for advanced skills. It involves swinging the body upward from a front support position, using the strength of the arms and shoulders to create a controlled swing.

• Execution: Begin in the front support position, then push against the bar to swing the body upward.

What to Practice: Focus on engaging the arms and core to create a strong, controlled swing.

Level 2 Gymnastics Beam Skills

The balance beam is one of the most challenging yet rewarding events in gymnastics. It demands a combination of strength, flexibility, and focus, as gymnasts perform a series of skills on a narrow, elevated surface.

At Level 2, gymnasts are expected to master fundamental skills on the beam that form the foundation for more advanced routines in higher levels. The skills at this stage help build confidence and precision, setting gymnasts up for future success.

Key Balance Beam Skills at Level 2

At Level 2, the emphasis is on building a solid skill set that includes both stationary holds and dynamic movements. Here are the primary skills gymnasts should focus on:

1. Beam Mounts

A successful beam routine begins with a secure and confident mount. Level 2 gymnasts typically perform a simple mount but need to do so with precision and control.

How to Practice:

• Step-Up Mount: The most common mount at this level, where the gymnast steps onto the beam one foot at a time. It requires balance and proper body alignment.
• Jump Mount: Some gymnasts may start practicing a jump onto the beam, which requires power, timing, and control to land in a stable position.

2. Front Support Hold

The front support is a basic position in which gymnasts support their body weight on their hands while maintaining a straight body line. This position helps build strength and stability, which are essential for more advanced beam skills.

How to Practice:

• Start by stepping onto the beam and lowering yourself into a front support position with your arms extended and body straight.
• Engage the core, legs, and arms to maintain stability.
• Hold the position for as long as possible to build strength.

3. Straight Leg Leap

The straight leg leap is an essential skill at Level 2 and focuses on balance, strength, and flexibility. The gymnast jumps off one foot, extends both legs into a straight position, and lands on the beam with control.

How to Practice:

• Stand on the beam, lift one leg into a high position, and then leap into the air while keeping the legs straight and aligned.
• Land softly and securely back on the beam.
• Practice increasing the height and distance of the leap while maintaining proper form.

4. Pivot Turns

Pivot turns are an important balance beam skill that requires the gymnast to rotate their body 180 degrees while standing on the beam, maintaining their balance throughout the turn.

How to Practice:

• Stand tall on the beam with arms extended to the sides.
• Pivot on one foot, turning your body to face the opposite direction while keeping your body aligned and your arms steady.
• Work on making the turn smooth and controlled.

5. Arabesque

The arabesque is a balance skill where the gymnast extends one leg behind them while keeping the other leg on the beam. The gymnast should maintain a strong, controlled position with arms outstretched for balance.

How to Practice:

• Stand tall and extend one leg backward as high as possible while keeping your back straight and core engaged.
• Extend your arms in front or to the sides for additional balance.
• Focus on holding the position for several seconds to build stability.

6. Leaps and Jumps

Level 2 gymnasts are expected to include several basic leaps and jumps as part of their beam routine. These skills test both flexibility and power while maintaining balance on the narrow beam.

• Split Leap: A jump where the gymnast extends their legs into a split position in mid-air.
• Tuck Jump: A jump where both knees are pulled into the chest in a tucked position while airborne.

How to Practice:

• Work on developing flexibility in the hips and legs for a deeper split.
• Practice jumping with control, landing lightly on the beam, and holding balance after each jump.

Level 2 Gymnastics Vault Skills

Vaulting is one of the most exciting events in gymnastics, combining speed, power, and technique. At Level 2, gymnasts are introduced to vaults that test their ability to generate momentum and control their body in the air. While the skills at this level are foundational, they play a critical role in building the strength, form, and confidence needed for more advanced vaults in higher levels.

Key Vault Skill: Handstand Flatback

At Level 2, the main vault performed is the Handstand Flatback. This skill serves as a cornerstone of the vault progression, introducing gymnasts to the fundamentals of explosive power and body control.

1. Approach: Gymnasts begin with a running start, building up speed and power. The run should be straight and strong, as the speed is essential for achieving enough height to complete the vault.

2. Vault Table Contact: The gymnast then places both hands on the vaulting table (or the vault board, depending on the setup), making sure the palms are fully engaged for maximum lift. The gymnast pushes off the ground with the legs and drives the body into a vertical handstand position.

3. Handstand Position: Once the hands make contact with the vaulting table, the gymnast pushes into a handstand position, maintaining straight arms and legs. The body should be aligned, with the head in a neutral position, and the core engaged to ensure stability.

4. Flatback Landing: The gymnast then flips backward from the handstand, maintaining control, and lands on the mat in a flatback position (back flat to the ground, feet together). The landing should be soft and controlled, with a focus on absorbing the impact with bent knees.

Vault Progressions Beyond Level 2

As gymnasts progress to higher levels, vaults become more complex. They may begin performing more difficult vaults such as the Yurchenko or Tsukahara, which involve additional twists or flips. However, the basic principles learned in Level 2—such as generating power from the run, achieving a strong handstand, and executing a controlled landing—remain the foundation for all future vaults.

Conclusion

Level 2 gymnastics helps gymnasts solidify basic movements while introducing new, more challenging skills. Regular practice, a focus on technique, and attention to artistry will ensure success at this level and set gymnasts on the path to advancing in the sport.