The Women’s Development Program (formerly the Junior Olympic Program) is USA Gymnastics’ 10‑step staircase that shepherds athletes from their first forward roll to the brink of elite competition. Each level has a clear purpose, minimum age, mobility score, and—once compulsory routines give way to optionals—specific skill‑value requirements.
Below is a bird’s‑eye table, followed by a level‑by‑level tour.
| Level | Phase | Min Age | Routine Type | Mobility Score (AA) | Skill-Value Mix | Purpose/Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Developmental | 4–6 | In-gym drills (optional meets) | None | Basic shapes & rolls | Build foundations: body shapes, coordination |
| 4 | Compulsory | 7 | Identical routines | 34.00 | — | First sanctioned meets; execution focus |
| 5 | Compulsory | 7 | Identical routines | 34.00 | — | Harder skills; preps for optionals |
| 6 | Optional | 7 | Custom routines | 34.00 | 5 A + 1 B | Intro to optionals; may be skipped |
| 7 | Optional | 7 | Custom routines | 34.00 | 5 A + 2 B | Transition into advanced skills |
| 8 | Optional | 8 | Custom routines | 34.00 | 4 A + 4 B | Bigger tumbling & full bar transitions |
| 9 | Optional | 8 | Custom routines | 34.00 | 3 A + 4 B + 1 C | Qualifies for Eastern/Western Nationals |
| 10 | Optional | 9 | Custom routines | 34.00 | 3 A + 3 B + 2 C | DP Nationals & elite readiness |
Skill-value mix begins at Level 6. “A” skills are basics, “E” skills are elite-level elements.
Levels 1–3: Developmental Foundations
Think of these as gymnastics kindergarten. These early levels (ages 4–6) focus on shapes (hollow, arch, pike), posture, rolls, cartwheels, and landings. Most gyms treat Levels 1–3 as in-house training, but meets may be offered for exposure. It’s all about fostering body awareness and a love for movement.
Level 1
Introduces the most basic movements: forward rolls, log rolls, donkey kicks, and simple jumps. Kids begin learning the core shapes of gymnastics—hollow, arch, tuck, pike—plus safe landing techniques and posture drills.
Level 2
Builds on Level 1 by adding backward rolls, handstands, and pullovers on bars. Gymnasts also start holding shapes for longer and refining coordination across all four apparatuses (vault, bars, beam, and floor).
Level 3
Acts as a bridge to competitive gymnastics, bringing together multiple basic skills into short routines. Here, gymnasts may perform a handstand-flatback vault, cast to horizontal on bars, and basic dance elements on beam and floor.
Levels 4–5: Compulsory Competition
These are the first true competitive levels. Routines are choreographed by USAG, so every gymnast performs the same series. That means judging is purely about form, rhythm, and control—not difficulty.
Level 4
The first required competitive level in the Development Program. Athletes perform standardized routines on vault, bars, beam, and floor. Vault might be a handstand flatback, beam includes a split jump and pivot turns, and bars introduce a pullover, cast, and back hip circle. A score of 34.00 all-around is needed to move up.
Level 5
Builds directly on Level 4 but with upgraded difficulty. Gymnasts now tackle long-hang kips on bars, round-off back handspring back tuck on floor, and more dynamic leaps and acro elements on beam. The routines are still compulsory, but they demand more strength, flexibility, and control.
For many families, Levels 4 and 5 are also a first taste of larger invitational meets and state competitions, offering exposure to the pace, pressure, and excitement of real gymnastics events.
Level 6: The Optional Entry Point
Level 6 is the gymnast’s first chance to perform unique routines. Choreography is custom, but difficulty is limited to 5 A + 1 B skills per event. Coaches can tailor routines to showcase individual strengths.
Some athletes may skip Level 6 if they score between 32.00 and 36.00 AA at Level 5 twice—but many benefit from the structured transition.
Optional Progression: Levels 7–8
As gymnasts move into Levels 7 and 8, routines become more personalized and physically demanding—but progression is still measured and controlled. These levels bridge the gap between early optionals and true advanced competition.
Level 7
Level 7 still holds back the floodgates, but not by much. Routines must include five A-level skills and two B-level skills per event. Coaches now choreograph around required elements, such as a handspring front vault, a flight skill on beam, or a tumbling pass with back layout on floor. These specific quality skills are meant to standardize technical milestones while still encouraging creative routine construction.
At this stage, gymnasts are balancing increased expectations with physical growth and often their first taste of serious competition pressure, such as regional meets.
Level 8
Here’s where things really open up. The B-skill count doubles—now routines require four A’s and four B’s—and the choreography becomes even more individualized. You’ll start seeing twisting layouts on floor, giants to handstand on bars, and double salto dismounts.
However, Level 8 still places a cap on complexity: gymnasts aren’t allowed to compete D or E-level skills yet. The idea is to polish B-level consistency before advancing to the big tricks.
Level 8 gymnasts are typically training over 20 hours a week, often while balancing middle school academics, growth spurts, and long weekends spent traveling for meets.
Advanced Optionals: Levels 9 & 10
Welcome to the top of the Development Program. Levels 9 and 10 are where gymnasts begin to look beyond local and regional meets and aim for national stages, college recruitment, and even elite competition.
Level 9
At Level 9, gymnasts are officially allowed to perform C-level skills, adding a layer of complexity to routines. The skill requirement now shifts to include 3 A’s, 3 B’s, and 2 C’s per event. While D and E skills aren’t counted for value, they can be included and awarded bonus connections if performed cleanly and safely.
This level also introduces qualification to Eastern or Western Nationals, a major milestone and the first experience of national-level pressure for many athletes.
Level 10
At the final level of the Development Program, the training wheels come off. There are no restrictions on the difficulty value of skills—D’s and E’s are welcome and encouraged. The same 3A–3B–2C requirement applies, but gymnasts can now pack their routines with high-difficulty elements and bonus combinations to maximize scoring potential.
Level 10 athletes are often training 25+ hours per week, managing high school academics, and aiming for Development Program Nationals, NCAA scholarships, or even Elite qualifiers if they plan to pursue international competition.
Mobility Scores & Ages
To move up the ladder in the Development Program, gymnasts must meet nationally established “mobility scores.” For most levels (Levels 4 through 10), that score is a 34.00 all-around at a sanctioned meet. Event specialists—those focused on just one or two events—can also qualify by earning an 8.50 per event.
The minimum age for each level increases gradually, starting at age 4 for Level 1, and rising to age 9 for Level 10. These age floors are meant to ensure that gymnasts develop physically, mentally, and technically before tackling more complex skills and competitive demands.
Life Beyond Level 10
Reaching Level 10 is a major milestone—but it’s not the end of the road. From here, gymnasts can follow multiple paths depending on their goals, talent, and passion for the sport.
➤ Go Elite
For those chasing international dreams, Level 10 can be a launching pad into the Elite Program. This transition typically starts with the Hopes program, a developmental bridge for younger gymnasts, followed by elite qualifiers that test compulsory and optional skills. The elite path leads to national team spots, World Championships, and potentially the Olympic Games.
➤ Sign with NCAA
Many Level 10 athletes pursue college gymnastics, and their routines align well with NCAA’s modified Code of Points. Recruiters look for consistent skills, clean execution, and artistry—traits sharpened at Level 10. Gymnasts can earn scholarships and compete for powerhouse programs across Divisions I, II, and III.
➤ Stay in DP
Not every gymnast wants to go elite or college-bound—and that’s okay. Many choose to remain in the Development Program, competing at Level 10 throughout high school. They may aim for DP Nationals, enjoy team camaraderie, or simply keep doing what they love without the pressure of the next big step.
Bottom Line
The Development Program is less a ladder and more a well‑paced hiking trail: developmental levels plant the seeds, compulsory routines cement fundamentals, and optionals let talent bloom at its own pace. With each level, expectations rise—but so do opportunities. Gymnasts learn discipline, resilience, and artistry as they grow physically and mentally within the sport.
For the most detailed and official information, refer to the USA Gymnastics Women’s Rules and Policies document.