The Women’s Development Program of USA Gymnastics has rolled out important updates to the compulsory gymnastics requirements for the 2021–2029 period, covering Levels 1 through 5. These updates are designed to help gymnasts progressively develop essential skills across all apparatuses, preparing them for more advanced competition.
Here’s a closer look at the updated skill requirements, including key elements and expectations for each level.
Level 1
Level 1 introduces gymnasts to the fundamental skills that set the stage for future progress. The primary goal is to build strength, control, and proper technique in a non-competitive environment, helping athletes prepare for more advanced movements as they advance.
Vault
At Level 1, gymnasts start with basic vaulting skills, like performing a stretch jump with a tight body and pointed toes. They also practice running technique, focusing on a controlled sprint with proper arm and leg positioning.
The handstand is a key element at this level, with gymnasts aiming to hold a vertical position before transitioning to a straight-lying position. These exercises lay the groundwork for more advanced vaulting techniques down the line.
Floor Exercise
In Level 1, the floor routine includes basic elements like the cartwheel and backward roll. The cartwheel focuses on maintaining a straight body and proper hand placement.
The backward roll should be performed in a tucked position, keeping the body compact as it rolls backward to a stand. Gymnasts also practice candlestick rolls and forward balance poses, which build flexibility, coordination, and stability.
Uneven Bars
Gymnasts at this level are introduced to basic bar skills. They practice holding a front support position with straight arms and tight body alignment. Additionally, back hip circles are taught to help develop swinging movements, an essential foundation for more complex bar routines.
Balance Beam
Balance is the focus on the beam at Level 1. Gymnasts learn how to mount the beam safely, perform forward and backward walks, and practice balance poses like relevé. The goal is to improve control and posture while walking across the beam, laying the foundation for more challenging skills in future levels.
Updates:
- The biggest change for Level 1 is the emphasis on body awareness and control. Gymnasts are now expected to demonstrate stronger body awareness in basic movements, particularly on the floor and beam.
Level 2
Level 2 refines the foundational skills learned in Level 1 while introducing more complex movements. Gymnasts work on improving their technique, strength, and coordination to prepare for future levels.
Vault
At Level 2, gymnasts start to perform more dynamic vaults. While the stretch jump remains a key component, gymnasts are encouraged to perform it with more height and control.
Additionally, they begin practicing jumping to handstand on a raised surface, which builds strength and balance for more complex vaults. Proper body alignment remains a priority, with gymnasts striving for straight legs, pointed feet, and a tight body position.
Floor Exercise
Level 2 introduces more dynamic acrobatic movements, like the front handspring step-out. This skill requires a fast, controlled handstand followed by a smooth transition into a step-out. Gymnasts also continue working on cartwheels, emphasizing proper technique, and refine their forward and backward rolls for smoother transitions.
Uneven Bars
At Level 2, gymnasts are expected to develop their swinging and cast techniques. The clear pullover skill is introduced, where the gymnast swings backward, pushes against the bar, and clears it with their feet to finish in a support position.
Kips are also introduced to help gymnasts learn efficient swinging, and casting to handstand becomes a focus for building strength and flexibility.
Balance Beam
On the beam, gymnasts at Level 2 work on improving balance and flexibility with more advanced skills like the back handspring and front walkover. These skills help develop arm and leg strength, flexibility, and control. Mounts and dismounts are also practiced, which are essential for creating seamless routines at higher levels.
Updates:
- Level 2 sees a stronger focus on choreography and skill combinations. The addition of jump combinations on the balance beam and an increased emphasis on execution ensures that gymnasts are ready for more complex routines.
Level 3
At Level 3, gymnasts begin to execute higher-level elements and combinations. The focus shifts to stronger execution, greater flexibility, and more refined form throughout their routines.
Vault
Level 3 gymnasts perform a handspring vault, where they jump from the springboard onto the vault table, flipping over to land on their feet. The vault at this level requires:
- Improved power and speed: Gymnasts need to run faster and generate more power to achieve the correct height and rotation for the handspring.
- Straight body position: During the vault, it’s crucial to maintain a straight, hollow body position throughout the flight and landing.
- Controlled landing: Gymnasts aim for a solid landing without excessive movement or instability, focusing on strength and control.
Floor Exercise
The complexity of the floor routine increases significantly in Level 3. Key elements include:
- Front handspring series: Gymnasts now perform front handsprings as part of their routine, linking them smoothly into other elements.
- Back handsprings: These skills build on previous back rolls and help gymnasts develop better coordination and body control. The back handspring should be fluid and executed with straight arms and legs.
- Tumbling passes: Gymnasts begin to connect multiple skills together, creating a fluid and continuous series of tumbling elements. This includes the back handspring to back handspring or round-off to back handspring combinations.
- Jump combinations: Skills like the split jump are combined with other jumps to improve both amplitude and fluidity of the routine. Proper leg extension and split separation are emphasized.
At this level, gymnasts must also demonstrate good rhythm and timing in their floor routine, ensuring that each element flows smoothly into the next.
Uneven Bars
At Level 3, gymnasts focus on refining their swinging techniques and improving their transitions between skills. Some key skills are:
- Casting: Gymnasts learn to cast from a support position into a handstand. The technique requires flexibility in the shoulders and a strong, straight body to push upward.
- Kip to handstand: Gymnasts work on kipping, a technique where they pull themselves up to a handstand position from a hanging position. This requires upper body strength and control.
- Clear pullovers: Gymnasts perform a clear pullover, where they swing backward on the bar, push against it with their arms, and lift their body over the bar into a support position. The focus is on smooth and continuous motion, as well as controlling the body throughout the movement.
Balance Beam
Level 3 gymnasts perform more complex skills on the beam, which tests both balance and flexibility. Key elements at this level include:
- Back handsprings: The back handspring is a crucial skill that requires proper technique, body control, and precision. It must be executed with straight arms and legs while maintaining balance on the narrow beam.
- Front walkovers: Gymnasts perform front walkovers, which involve rotating forward while maintaining a tight body position.
- Arabesque: The arabesque is a balance pose on one leg, where the other leg is extended behind the body in a straight line. Gymnasts must hold this position with control and proper body alignment.
- Dismounts: Gymnasts at Level 3 must perform controlled dismounts, often including skills like the round-off or back handspring, which transition into a clean landing.
Updates:
- The new requirements for Level 3 highlight the importance of combinations and complex transitions, especially on the bars and beam. Execution standards are raised, requiring gymnasts to demonstrate superior body alignment and control.
Level 4
Level 4 is where the compulsory routines become more challenging, with a focus on demonstrating solid technique, mastery of individual skills, and a higher level of artistry.
Vault
In Level 4, gymnasts perform the handspring over the vault table, a more advanced vault than what was introduced in Level 3. The emphasis is on:
- Strong push off the table: Gymnasts need to show an explosive push off the vault table to generate more height and power.
- Proper form and alignment: The gymnast must maintain a straight body position with pointed toes throughout the handspring and focus on achieving a smooth, controlled landing.
- Controlled landing: The gymnast should aim for a controlled, balanced landing without taking extra steps or hopping.
In addition to form, speed and dynamics are emphasized to improve the vault’s overall execution.
Floor Exercise
Level 4 floor routines involve more complex acrobatic skills, and gymnasts are expected to show improved control, power, and execution. Some key elements include:
- Front Handspring Step-Out: Gymnasts perform this skill with greater power and speed, focusing on a quick transition into a standing position.
- Back Handspring: At this level, gymnasts need to execute back handsprings with more height, fluidity, and precision.
- Acrobatic combinations: Gymnasts begin to link skills together into sequences, such as combining jumps, handsprings, and rolls in a fluid manner. A key focus is the connection between skills, ensuring smooth transitions.
- Leaps and Jumps: The gymnast must execute various jumps, such as split jumps and tuck jumps, ensuring they reach the proper height and maintain good form.
Floor routines become more dynamic, and gymnasts are encouraged to focus on their presentation, as well as on the power and fluidity of their movements.
Uneven Bars
At Level 4, gymnasts refine their swing techniques and add more complex transitions between skills. The major focus is on building strength and control for the following skills:
- Kip: The kip is a key skill for Level 4, helping gymnasts transition from a hanging position to a support position on the bar. This skill builds upper body strength and is foundational for more advanced bar skills in later levels.
- Cast to Handstand: Gymnasts practice casting to handstand from a supported position, which requires strength and precise control of the body.
- Clear Pullover: Gymnasts continue to practice the clear pullover, refining the technique and ensuring the movement is smooth and controlled.
- Dismounts: Level 4 gymnasts are expected to perform a clean flyaway dismount, focusing on control and maintaining a tight body position during the salto.
Gymnasts at this level are expected to perform bars routines that demonstrate strength, precision, and fluidity. Every transition between skills should be seamless.
Balance Beam
Level 4 gymnasts perform beam routines that require balance, flexibility, and confidence. The skills become more challenging, and gymnasts are expected to connect elements smoothly:
- Back Handspring: This skill becomes a key element on the beam, requiring gymnasts to execute the handspring with proper height, body alignment, and control on landing.
- Front Walkover and Back Walkover: These skills are performed with more fluidity and control, and gymnasts focus on maintaining a straight body line throughout the movements.
- Leaps and Jumps: Gymnasts perform different types of jumps and leaps, including split jumps, wolf jumps, and tuck jumps. They need to show full amplitude and form in these elements.
- Dismounts: The round-off and back handspring dismounts are introduced. Gymnasts should land in a controlled position without excessive steps.
The overall emphasis on the beam at Level 4 is balance and precision, with gymnasts expected to execute skills smoothly and with proper alignment.
Updates:
- New requirements for Level 4 include stricter expectations for transitions, particularly on the bars and beam. Precision, such as maintaining a proper handstand position and executing acrobatic elements smoothly, is now a key focus.
Level 5
Level 5 represents the pinnacle of the compulsory routines, where gymnasts must execute complex skills with consistency, artistry, and precision. The requirements here prepare gymnasts for optional routines at higher levels.
Vault
At Level 5, gymnasts perform the handspring vault, focusing on power and dynamics. Key elements include:
- Strong push-off: Gymnasts must explode off the vault table with a strong push to achieve height and distance.
- Body control: A straight body position is maintained throughout the flight, with toes pointed and legs extended. A stable handstand position is key for proper execution.
- Landing: Gymnasts are expected to land solidly with minimal movement, focusing on control. Small adjustments or steps are penalized.
The handspring vault requires gymnasts to demonstrate better dynamics than at earlier levels, as well as improved form and landing control.
Floor Exercise
Floor routines at Level 5 are characterized by complex choreography, dynamic acrobatics, and elegant presentation. Key skills and requirements include:
- Acrobatic combinations: Gymnasts are expected to connect skills like the back handspring and flic-flac (back handspring) into seamless combinations, demonstrating fluidity between elements.
- Jumps and leaps: There is a greater emphasis on height, amplitude, and execution of jumps and leaps, such as the split jump and pike jump. The jumps must be performed with full leg extension and proper body alignment.
- Saltos: Front and back saltos (flips) are introduced, requiring gymnasts to perform aerial movements with control and stability.
- Dismount: A clean and controlled round-off or back handspring dismount is required, with the gymnast sticking the landing.
The routine must be well-rounded, incorporating both acrobatic skills and artistic elements, including expression and presentation.
Uneven Bars
Level 5 bars routines require gymnasts to perform more advanced skills that demand both strength and fluidity. Key elements include:
- Kip: Gymnasts must demonstrate a kip to move from a hanging position to a support position on the bar. The kip is a foundational skill that requires both upper body strength and control.
- Clear Pullovers: This skill continues to be refined, with gymnasts executing the clear pullover smoothly and efficiently to reach the support position.
- Cast to Handstand: Gymnasts perform a cast to handstand, where they push from the bar and transition into a vertical position with the body completely straight.
- Dismount: A flyaway dismount is typically performed at this level, requiring the gymnast to execute a salto with control and precision, finishing with a clean landing.
Bars routines at this level require strength, control, and seamless transitions between skills. Gymnasts are expected to perform each element with precision and height.
Balance Beam
Balance beam routines at Level 5 are challenging and require a combination of balance, strength, flexibility, and confidence. Key elements include:
- Back Handspring: The back handspring is performed with more power and control, and gymnasts must demonstrate proper form as they pass through a vertical position.
- Walkovers: Both front and back walkovers are performed, requiring a high level of flexibility and coordination. Gymnasts must maintain proper body alignment and perform the movements with fluidity.
- Leaps and Jumps: A variety of jumps and leaps, such as the split jump and wolf jump, must be executed with full extension and height.
- Dismount: A round-off or back handspring dismount is required, followed by a controlled landing. Gymnasts must show stability and precision when landing on both feet.
Beam routines at Level 5 demand a high level of focus and execution, as gymnasts must perform difficult skills on a narrow beam, where balance and control are essential.
Updates:
- The biggest update to Level 5 is the incorporation of a higher level of difficulty and artistry. Dismounts on the beam and bars now require the gymnast to perform a more complex and technically sound routine, while focusing on the style of the performance.
Conclusion
The 2021–2029 Compulsory Gymnastics requirements represent a critical shift in how gymnasts will progress through the levels. Each level introduces more advanced skills and refines the athlete’s execution, artistry, and technical ability.
The updates for Levels 1–5 emphasize the importance of control, precision, and fluidity while promoting a balance between the physical and artistic aspects of gymnastics. Gymnasts who master these compulsory routines will be well-prepared for the challenges of optional routines in future competitive levels. For more detailed information on the updated requirements, you can refer to the official document from USA Gymnastics here.