In the United States, the Women’s Development Program—formerly called the Junior Olympic (JO) Program—is divided into ten competitive levels. Levels 1 through 5 are known as compulsory levels, where every gymnast performs identical routines. Levels 6 through 10 make up the optional levels, where athletes create custom routines that highlight their strengths.
Compulsory gymnastics is often the beginning of a gymnast’s competitive journey. These early levels focus on building consistency, control, and solid technique. Rather than showcasing originality or high-level difficulty, gymnasts focus on executing standard routines with precision.
What Makes a Routine “Compulsory”?
What sets compulsory routines apart is the fact that gymnasts don’t choose their choreography or skills. Every movement—down to arm positions and transitions—is pre-choreographed by USA Gymnastics and must be performed exactly as written.
The purpose is to establish a strong technical foundation. Compulsory routines help gymnasts develop correct posture, clean lines, strength, and rhythm. Since all athletes perform the same routine, judging is based strictly on execution—not difficulty or creativity. As athletes progress from Level 1 to Level 5, the routines become increasingly complex while continuing to reinforce fundamental skills.
How Compulsory Programs Work Today (USA Example)
In the U.S., compulsory routines are standardized nationwide for Levels 1 through 5. Every eight years, USA Gymnastics releases a new “Compulsory Program Manual”, often referred to as the quad book. This manual includes:
- Official choreography for each level
- Prescribed floor music tracks
- Technical requirements and deduction rules
- Guidelines for left-handed athletes to mirror routines
The current compulsory cycle spans from 2021 to 2029.
Level-by-Level Snapshot: Women’s Compulsory Gymnastics (USA)
| Level | Typical Age | Skill Highlights | Mobility Requirement* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5–7 | Log rolls, lever holds, basic casts | 75% of “evaluation points” or coach discretion |
| 2 | 5–8 | Handstand flat-back vault, tap swings on bars | 75% of “evaluation points” |
| 3 | 6–9 | Backward roll to handstand, cartwheel on beam | 75% of “evaluation points” |
| 4 | 7–11 | Kip, cartwheel on beam, front handspring vault | 34.00 AA to advance; 2× 36.00 AA may skip Level 5 |
| 5 | 8–11 | Flyaway dismounts, back walkover on beam | 32.00 AA to move up to Level 6 |
*AA = All-Around score from one sanctioned meet
(Source: USAG Rules & Policies)
Two Distinct Tiers Inside the Compulsory Ladder
The U.S. compulsory structure consists of two key stages: Achievement Levels (1–3) and Competitive Levels (4–5).
Achievement / Evaluation Stage (Levels 1–3)
Levels 1 through 3 focus on body awareness and learning key gymnastics shapes and motions. These early levels are not about winning meets—they’re about mastering basic movements like rolls, handstands, and introductory bar and beam work. Meets are optional at this stage, and many gyms offer in-house “achievement days” instead of formal competitions.
Gymnasts progress based on evaluation points—not scores. To advance, they must demonstrate proficiency in at least 3 out of 4 event-specific skills. These levels serve as a gentle and encouraging entry point for young athletes.
Competitive Stage (Levels 4–5)
Levels 4 and 5 introduce official competition standards. Every gymnast performs the same choreographed routine at sanctioned invitationals and state meets. Judges apply deductions using USA Gymnastics’ execution guidelines. All routines begin with a fixed 10.0 start value—there are no bonuses for difficulty.
To progress, gymnasts must achieve specific all-around (AA) scores: 34.00 AA to move from Level 4 to 5, and 32.00 AA to advance from Level 5 to Level 6. There are no regionals or nationals for these levels, but the experience prepares athletes for optional-level gymnastics.
💡 Why the Split?
This two-part system allows gymnasts to ease into competition. Levels 1–3 give athletes time to develop skills in a low-pressure environment. By the time they reach Levels 4 and 5, they’ve built the foundation necessary to compete confidently under standardized judging.
Age Gates & Mobility Scores
Progressing through the compulsory system isn’t just about skills—it also depends on meeting age and score requirements.
To compete at Level 4, a gymnast must be at least 6 years old by December 31 of the competition year. For Level 5, the minimum age is 7. These age minimums are enforced nationwide.
To move up a level, athletes must meet mobility scores at a sanctioned USAG meet:
- Level 4 → Level 5: 34.00 AA
- Level 5 → Level 6 (optional): 34.00 AA
There’s also a fast-track option. If a gymnast earns two separate 36.00+ AA scores at Level 4, she may skip Level 5 and advance directly to Level 6. However, once an athlete has declared a level after the state’s deadline, she cannot move back down unless an injury petition is filed.
\The Nuts and Bolts of a Compulsory Routine Today
Compulsory routines are built on structure, consistency, and repetition. Everything—from finger angles to landing positions—is standardized. This creates a level playing field and sharpens both judging and coaching across the country.
1. Fixed Start Value = 10.0
All compulsory routines begin with a start value of 10.0. Since routines are identical for all athletes, there’s no room for extra difficulty or bonus points. The focus is on precision and control—scores go down through deductions only.
2. Identical Choreography
Each routine is choreographed by USA Gymnastics. Movement sequences are fully scripted, covering arm placements, head angles, and transitions. Left-handed gymnasts may mirror entire routines, but partial modifications are not allowed unless explicitly stated.
3. Detailed Deduction Chart
The USAG Compulsory Book provides strict criteria for every element. A Level 4 cast, for instance, must rise above horizontal. Judges take 0.05–0.30 off for minor form breaks and up to 0.50 for major errors like falls or coach assistance. This standard ensures scoring fairness from gym to gym.
4. Official Music Only
For floor routines, Levels 1–5 must use official USA Gymnastics MP3 music tracks. One license per gym covers the full 2021–2029 cycle. Music substitutions are not permitted, even for artistic preferences or timing adjustments. This maintains rhythm consistency nationwide.
Together, these standards instill discipline, attention to detail, and technical confidence. By the time a gymnast reaches the optional levels, she’s equipped with the habits and body awareness needed to build her own routines safely.
How Men’s Compulsories Fit
The Men’s Development Program follows a similar structure but applies compulsory routines across Levels 3 through 7. These are age-group routines with standardized choreography and skill expectations, just like in the women’s program.
As of now, the men’s compulsory manual spans the 2021–2024 cycle, with a new edition anticipated for the 2025 season. Male gymnasts compete on six events—floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar—each starting from a fixed 10.0.
This system ensures boys develop the same strong foundation of form, consistency, and safe skill progression before transitioning into optional levels.
Why the System Endures
The compulsory system may feel rigid, but it’s built for long-term success. U.S. coaches trust it because it works: it creates gymnasts with clean technique, disciplined habits, and strong fundamentals.
It also makes judging more objective. When everyone performs the same routine, judges can focus entirely on execution. And for athletes, repeating these scripted routines thousands of times builds muscle memory, confidence, and control.
Many of the gymnasts who succeed at the optional level—or go on to elite or NCAA competition—began by mastering the basics through compulsory gymnastics. It may not be glamorous, but it lays the foundation for greatness.