When it comes to competitive gymnastics, athletes have two main paths to choose from: the Xcel Program and the Junior Olympic (JO) Program.
Both programs are offered by USA Gymnastics but cater to different needs, skill levels, and commitments. Understanding the differences and similarities between these two systems can help gymnasts, coaches, and parents make informed decisions about which program is the best fit.
Contents
Overview of the Junior Olympic (JO) Program
The JO Program is a traditional competitive gymnastics pathway that progresses through ten levels, each with specific skill requirements:
- Levels 1–3: Developmental levels focusing on fundamental skills.
- Levels 4–5: Compulsory levels where gymnasts perform standardized routines.
- Levels 6–10: Optional levels allowing gymnasts to create personalized routines.
Advancement through these levels is based on mastering required skills and achieving minimum scores at competitions.
Overview of the Xcel Program
The Xcel program is designed for athletes who wish to compete but may not be able to commit to the high-level time and commitment needed for the traditional competitive track. It includes five main levels, ranging from Bronze (beginner level) to Diamond (advanced level), allowing gymnasts to compete with varying routines and difficulty levels.
- Bronze: For beginner gymnasts, typically around Level 2–3 in JO. Basic skills on all apparatus.
- Silver: Slightly more advanced than Bronze, equivalent to Level 3–4 in JO. Gymnasts begin performing more complex skills.
- Gold: Comparable to Level 4–5 in JO. Gymnasts perform intermediate skills and begin adding more difficult elements to their routines.
- Platinum: A higher level, similar to Level 6–7 in JO. Gymnasts perform advanced skills with more complexity and execution.
- Diamond: The most advanced level, akin to Level 8–10 in JO. Gymnasts perform very high-level skills and routines with precision.
Xcel vs JO Gymnastics Chart
| Xcel Level | Comparable JO Level | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | JO Levels 1–2 | Basic skills, focus on mastering fundamental elements |
| Silver | JO Level 3 | Introduction to more complex skills and routines |
| Gold | JO Levels 4–5 | More advanced skills and routines, focus on creativity |
| Platinum | JO Levels 5–6 | Challenging skills, combination of compulsory and optional |
| Diamond | JO Levels 6–7 | High-level skills, advanced acrobatics, and artistry |
Skill Comparisons Between Xcel and Junior Olympic (JO) Levels
The Xcel and Junior Olympic (JO) gymnastics programs have distinct structures, each with its own skill requirements and progression. While both programs provide a competitive pathway, they differ in terms of routine composition, skill difficulty, and expectations. Below is a comparison of skill requirements at various levels between Xcel and JO.
1. Vault
Xcel:
Vaults in the Xcel Program are designed to match the gymnast’s skill level at each stage. For example, at Xcel Bronze, gymnasts may perform basic handspring vaults, while at Xcel Diamond, more advanced vaults like Yurchenkos and twisting vaults are required. Start values in Xcel vaults range from 9.6 to 10.0, depending on the difficulty.
JO:
In the JO program, gymnasts at Level 1–3 perform basic vaults with minimal difficulty. By Level 4, gymnasts are required to perform handspring vaults, and at Level 5, more complex vaults like handspring front vaults are introduced.
As gymnasts move up through the levels, they are expected to perform more advanced vaults, such as Yurchenkos, with a start value ranging from 9.0 to 10.0 by Level 9–10.
- Comparison: Xcel gymnasts have more flexibility in vault selection based on skill level, while JO gymnasts progress through a more structured vault progression with specific skills required at each level.
2. Uneven Bars
Xcel:
In the Xcel Bronze level, gymnasts perform basic swinging elements, with only 4 “A” value skills required. As they progress to Xcel Diamond, gymnasts must demonstrate more advanced skills, such as a release move and complex dismounts from the high bar. The Xcel Diamond level demands 4 “A” skills and 4 “B” skills (with increasing complexity).
JO:
In JO Level 1–5, gymnasts perform basic skills such as chin-up pullover, back hip circle, and simple dismounts. By Level 6, gymnasts are expected to perform release moves, giants, and more complex transitions.
Level 8–10 gymnasts perform intricate routines with skills like release moves, multiple 360° circling skills, and difficult dismounts (including double back or twisting dismounts).
- Comparison: Both programs require basic skills in the lower levels, but JO demands more technical skills (release moves, giants) at higher levels, whereas Xcel allows for more individualized routines but requires increasing difficulty as gymnasts progress through levels.
3. Balance Beam
Xcel:
In Xcel Bronze, gymnasts are expected to perform basic acro elements, such as simple cartwheels and jumps with minimal split requirements.
At Xcel Diamond, gymnasts must perform more complex skills, such as a 1/2 turn on one foot, leaps with a minimum 150° split, and more advanced dismounts (including saltos or aerials).
JO:
In Level 1–3, JO gymnasts perform basic beam skills like mounts, jumps, and simple acro skills. By Level 4–5, more difficult elements are introduced, such as leaps with at least a 150° split, acro series, and higher-level turns.
Level 7–10 gymnasts must perform acro passes with flight elements, leaps with splits, and complex dismounts.
- Comparison: Both programs increase in difficulty with skills like leaps, turns, and acro series as the gymnast progresses. However, JO requires more technical acro elements and more complex dismounts at earlier levels compared to Xcel.
4. Floor Exercise
Xcel:
Xcel Bronze focuses on basic tumbling such as forward rolls, cartwheels, and simple jumps. As gymnasts progress to Xcel Diamond, they must perform more advanced tumbling passes, including two acro skills connected in sequence (both flight and non-flight), leaps with a 150° split, and higher-level turns.
JO:
In Level 1–3, gymnasts focus on basic tumbling passes, including forward rolls and cartwheels. Level 4–5 gymnasts incorporate more complex tumbling, such as handsprings, and in Level 6–10, gymnasts perform multiple acro passes, tumbling combinations, and complex dance elements, including a leap with a minimum 180° split.
- Comparison: Xcel gymnasts must perform simpler tumbling at lower levels but are expected to increase difficulty as they progress. In JO, more advanced tumbling and dance elements are introduced at earlier levels (starting at Level 4), and by Level 10, gymnasts perform elite-level tumbling passes.
While both Xcel and Junior Olympic programs provide pathways for gymnasts to compete and progress, Xcel offers a more flexible approach with less structured skill requirements, allowing gymnasts to progress at their own pace.
On the other hand, the Junior Olympic program has stricter, level-specific requirements that push gymnasts to develop technical proficiency across all apparatuses. Each program is suited to different types of athletes, depending on their goals, skills, and level of commitment.
How to Convert from Xcel to Junior Program
Transitioning from the Xcel Program to the Junior Olympic (JO) Program in gymnastics involves several key steps:
1. Skill Assessment
Evaluate your gymnast’s proficiency in the required skills for the desired JO level. The JO Program has specific skill requirements for each level, and gymnasts must demonstrate mastery of these skills to advance.
2. Age and Level Considerations
Xcel offers gymnasts flexibility based on age and skill level, and as gymnasts grow older or develop advanced skills, they may find that the JO Program offers more competitive opportunities suited to their abilities.
For example, a gymnast might enter the Xcel Program at a younger age but may wish to transition to JO if they have reached a higher level of performance or if their goals include qualifying for higher-level competitions, like the JO National Championships.
- Age Flexibility: In some cases, gymnasts may enter Xcel at a younger age (e.g., Bronze or Silver level) and then transition to JO as they mature and develop more advanced skills.
- Level Matching: If a gymnast is highly skilled in certain areas, they may enter the JO Program at a higher level, such as Level 6 or above, bypassing some of the lower JO levels (1–5).
3. Coaching and Training
Work with a coach experienced in the JO Program to ensure proper technique and adherence to the program’s standards. The transition may require adjustments in training focus to meet the JO Program’s demands.
4. No Automatic Progression
Transitioning from Xcel to JO is not automatic and depends on a gymnast’s ability to meet the specific requirements of the JO Program. In some cases, a gymnast may even choose to stay in Xcel if they prefer the less structured nature of the program.
5. Competition Participation
Register for JO Program competitions to gain experience and achieve the necessary mobility scores. For example, a gymnast must score at least 31.0 in the all-around to advance from Level 4 to Level 5. These scores are typically earned at sanctioned competitions.
In summary, Transitioning between these programs requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth and successful progression. For detailed information on the JO Program’s requirements and structure, refer to the USA Gymnastics Women’s Program Overview.
