Before a gymnast can perform powerful, personalized routines in optional gymnastics, she first has to master the five compulsory levels. These routines get a little tougher, and more expressive at each step. Every level introduces new skills, faster music counts, and sharper poses, but the goal stays the same: build strong basics judges can count on.
In this guide, we’ll walk through each floor routine from the 2021–2029 compulsory cycle, with insights and examples from Coach Victoria at Flight Athletic Academy.
Level 1 – Discovering Flow
The first routine introduces how to connect movement with music. From the rounded starting plié to the signature “Pose–T–Point,” gymnasts begin to understand that arms, legs, eyes, and rhythm must all move together.
All acro skills (cartwheel, backward roll, candlestick) stay low to the floor so that fear never overshadows form. Judges reward clean landings, straight knees, and pointed toes more than speed or power.
Routine flow:
- Pose–T–Point: Teaches directional travel and cue timing.
- Mountain Climber → Cartwheel → Backward Roll: Builds spatial awareness and basic inversion.
- Candlestick Roll-up → Happy-Hip Pose: Combines core control with expressive body shaping.
- Passé Turn → Chassé Curtsy: Adds balance and traveling dance steps.
- Stretch Jump → Forward Roll → Handstand Finish: Combines acro and control to close strong.
Coach’s cue: “Sing the rhythm—Pose… T… Point… Mountain Climber… Cartwheel…”
Level 2 – Adding Height and Shape
Level 2 keeps the musical structure of Level 1 but raises the bar in execution. The handstand hold, backward roll to push-up, and bridge kick-over require tighter body control and stronger transitions.
What’s new:
- Handstand Hold: Teaches shoulder engagement and vertical line control.
- Bridge Kick-over: First back-bending skill requiring flexibility and strength.
- Leap + Split Jump: Requires 90° leg separation and clean takeoff.
- Pressure Roll to Relevé: Builds balance technique for future turns.
Routine highlights:
- Contraction → T → Point: Sharp arm paths and core engagement.
- Cartwheel → Backward Roll to Push-Up: Introduces upper-body control.
- Passé Turn → Lock → Chassé + Leap: Begins combining dance with dynamic movement.
- Split Jump → Handstand → Candlestick → Bridge Kickover: Strengthens front-to-back transitions.
Level 3 – Diagonal Storytelling
By Level 3, gymnasts shift from straight-line paths to diagonal movement. The round-off + back handspring marks the first true tumbling combo, and artistic poses start to feel like performance.
Key upgrades:
- Mountain Climber → Handstand → Forward Roll: A sequence that rewards control from vertical to floor.
- Pivot Turn + Leap Pass + Fish Pose: Connects acro and artistry in a flowing phrase.
- Round-Off → Back Handspring: Introduces real power tumbling.
- Split → Mermaid Spin: A blend of drama and technique that finishes with control and expression.
Flow snapshot:
- T–Hips–T Opener: Sets direction and stage presence.
- Handstand → Forward Roll → Plie Chassé → Pose
- Pivot Turn → Leap → Fish Pose
- Straddle Jump → Drop Split → Mermaid Spin
- Lock Stand → ½ Turn → RO + BHS: First full tumbling series.
Diagonal control is critical here: misaligned travel can lead to off-mat landings.
Level 4 – Power Meets Polish
Level 4 ramps up both intensity and endurance. The routine runs longer, tumbling combos are stacked back-to-back, and all split jumps now need to hit 90 degrees in the air.
Two Defining Sections
1. Front Handspring Step-Out → Cartwheel → Back Extension Roll
- Coaching focus: Emphasize heel drive (not block) on the front handspring.
- Pause tall before threading into the roll—no rushing the transition.
2. Leap Pass Combo
- Passé hop → side chassé (knees turned out) → passé hop half-turn → chassé-leap → fish pose → straddle jump
- Legs alternate: non-dominant to dominant and back again. Use ankle tape in practice to help athletes track which leg goes where.
Performance Checkpoints
- Forced-Arch Side Pose: Distribute weight 60% on the back foot, 40% on the front. This helps avoid wobbling.
- Two-Finger Shoulder Pose: Tiny detail, big deduction. Make the touch sharp and precise.
- Straddle Jump Landing: Land feet together, hold crown arms completely still for one full second before moving again.
Level 5 – Optional-Ready Showcase
If Levels 1-4 were rehearsals, Level 5 is opening night. Judges now expect B-dance skills (switch leap), complex turn combinations (échappé–passé), and a bona-fide salto at the tail of a round-off two-back-handspring series.
Headliners
- Punch Front or Aerial: Tumbling opens with a quick, powerful skill from a posed stance.
- Échappé → Passé Turn Trio: Introduces layered turning technique and dance quality.
- Switch-Leap → Fish Pose → Straddle Jump: Builds a true B-skill sequence, required in Optional levels.
- RO + BHS + Tuck: Culminates the tumbling journey with controlled power and a clean set.
Coach’s cue: Watch the machine-arm lock drill—the double arm sweep into the full turn can make or break it. And don’t forget: that final relevé-drop-to-T still requires Level 1 discipline.
How the Routines Evolve
| Level | Min. Age* | New Tumbling | New Dance/Turns | Signature Moment | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Cartwheel → Backward Roll | Passé ½-pivot on relevé | Pose–T–Point | Teaches body tension + directional flow |
| 2 | 5 | Handstand → Roll, Bridge Kick-over | Leap + Split Jump | Half-crown Happy Pose | Builds control + balance foundation |
| 3 | 6 | Handstand Hold → BHS Prep | Pivot Turn + Fish Pose | Mermaid Spin | Introduces diagonal travel + artistry |
| 4 | 7 | Back Walkover, RO + 2 BHS | Full Turn on Relevé | Forced-Arch Carousel | Tests strength + shape under fatigue |
| 5 | 7 | Punch Front / Aerial, RO + BHS + Tuck | Échappé + Switch Leap Combo | Robot-Arm Lock to Full Turn | Optional-ready execution + polish |
Minimum ages are set by USA Gymnastics for sanctioned meets; younger athletes may train but not compete.
Putting It All Together
Progress through Levels 1–5 isn’t just about ticking off new skills—it’s a carefully layered curriculum:
- Level 1: Musical shapes and rhythm
- Level 2: Basic leaps and controlled transitions
- Level 3: Directional travel and tumbling beginnings
- Level 4: Endurance, polish, and performance clarity
- Level 5: Artistic maturity and optional-level readiness
When sharp lines, solid form, and musical instincts become automatic, optional-level routines become more than achievable, they become exciting.
