The compulsory floor routines progress from rolls and a cartwheel to connected back handsprings and a back tuck. Dance shapes, turns, handstand positions and choreography are part of the requirements at every level.
- What a Requirements List Can Show
- Levels 1 and 2: Rolls, Balances and First Split Shapes
- Level 3: One Back Handspring and a Different Roll
- Level 4: Two Back Handsprings and a Full Turn
- Level 5: Opening Choices and the Back-Tuck Finish
- Split Angles and Closing Passes Compared
- Common Questions
- Checking a Routine Accurately
This reference compares the major elements in the USA Gymnastics Women’s Development Program’s 2021–2029 cycle. It includes the public amendments available through September 2026.
What a Requirements List Can Show
A major-element list identifies the named skills. It does not reproduce all connecting steps, arm movements, floor patterns or music counts in the official exercise.
The routines have prescribed content, including expressly allowed choices. A more difficult-looking substitute is not automatically acceptable. Likewise, permission to reverse the whole routine does not mean every individual element may be reversed freely.
The women’s skill-requirements guide explains the broader program and separates these compulsory exercises from optional rules.
Levels 1 and 2: Rolls, Balances and First Split Shapes
Level 1 major elements: cartwheel; tucked backward roll; candlestick; forward passé balance; forward chassé; stretch jump; tucked forward roll; three-quarter handstand.
A chassé is a traveling dance step, while the passé is a balance position with the free leg bent in front. They belong in a complete major-element summary alongside the more obvious tumbling skills.
Level 2 major elements: cartwheel; backward roll to push-up; half turn in forward passé using heel-snap technique; forward chassé; straight-leg leap with 60-degree split; split jump with 60-degree separation; full handstand held one second; candlestick; bridge and back kick-over.
The handstand and the leap/jump angles are important changes. The backward roll also has a specified finish: push-up support, not a freely chosen handstand. July 2026 amendments change the specific deduction for the roll-to-handstand substitution to 0.30.
Level 3: One Back Handspring and a Different Roll
Major elements: handstand forward roll; 90-degree straight-leg leap; stretch jump connected to 90-degree split jump; handstand to bridge and back kick-over; forward split; half turn in forward passé; backward roll opening to 45 degrees above horizontal and lowering to push-up; round-off–back handspring with rebound.
The opening handstand requires one second. The back kick-over has a 120-degree split requirement, while the separate forward split on the floor requires 180 degrees.
The half turn does not use the same heel-snap technique as Level 2 floor. The middle backward roll also has a distinct angled opening; its current specific deduction for substituting a roll to handstand is 0.20, following the July 2025 change.
The final series has one back handspring. The Level 3 floor guide explains the whole major sequence.
Level 4: Two Back Handsprings and a Full Turn
Major elements: back walkover with 150-degree split; front handspring step-out; cartwheel; straight-arm backward roll to handstand; half-turn stretch jump; 120-degree straight-leg leap; 120-degree straddle jump; forward split; full turn in forward passé; round-off–two back handsprings with rebound.
A straddle jump opens the legs sideways; it is not the same shape as a front-back split jump. The half-turn jump and full one-foot turn are also separate skills.
The Level 4 floor guide explains the step-out, handstand roll and two-back-handspring finish in context.
Level 5: Opening Choices and the Back-Tuck Finish
The opening major element may be a front tuck, aerial cartwheel or forward aerial walkover.
The following major work includes two front handspring step-outs, a cartwheel, straight-arm backward roll to handstand, full-turn stretch jump, 150-degree straight-leg or switch-leg leap, 150-degree straddle jump, forward split and full turn in forward passé.
The final series is round-off–one back handspring–back tuck. It is not the Level 4 ending with two back handsprings and rebound.
The straight-leg leap and switch-leg leap are expressly listed alternatives on floor. That permission should not be transferred to the Level 5 beam routine, which names its own required leap. The Level 5 floor guide explains the choices and closing series.
Split Angles and Closing Passes Compared
| Level | Main airborne split requirements | Closing major acrobatic work |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No split leap or split jump in the major list | Three-quarter handstand |
| 2 | 60° leap and split jump | Bridge and back kick-over |
| 3 | 90° leap and split jump | Round-off, one back handspring, rebound |
| 4 | 120° leap and straddle jump | Round-off, two back handsprings, rebound |
| 5 | 150° chosen leap and straddle jump | Round-off, one back handspring, back tuck |
These airborne figures do not replace every other split requirement. For example, the forward split on the floor in Levels 3–5 is a 180-degree position. The table also identifies closing major acrobatic work, not necessarily the final pose in the exercise.
Common Questions
Are Levels 1–3 optional routines?
No. They are developmental levels in the program structure, but their official compulsory exercises still prescribe the content. They may be used for developmental or introductory competitive purposes.
Can the gymnast choose the music and make a new routine?
These guides concern the official compulsory exercises and their materials. They should not be treated as custom optional routines assembled from the listed skills.
Does every skill need a full split?
No. The required angle depends on the level and element. The precise listed position remains the reference.
Do the point values beside compulsory elements mean FIG difficulty?
No. Compulsory major-element values belong to that exercise’s scoring framework. They should not be converted into international difficulty letters.
Checking a Routine Accurately
Identify the level, then confirm the exact skill, number of repetitions, body shape and required connection. Finally, use the current official movement text for choreography. This prevents an otherwise helpful summary from quietly changing the exercise.