In gymnastics, a “meet” is simply the term used for a competition. Gymnasts, parents, and fans often refer to it as a meet instead of a competition. In American sports culture, meet is the traditional term for individual- or team-based events in sports such as gymnastics, track and field, swimming, and wrestling.
Meet Sanctioning: Who Runs the Show?
Most meets in the United States fall under one of three major umbrellas:
USA Gymnastics (USAG) Sanctioned Meets
These are considered the gold standard of competition. A USAG sanction ensures the presence of:
- Certified judges
- Safety-trained coaches
- Full adherence to Development Program or Xcel rules
Scores earned at these meets count toward level mobility and official rankings within the USAG system.
Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Events
FIG oversees elite-level competitions around the world. Events like domestic qualifiers, World Cups, and continental championships run on FIG’s Code of Points, not the USAG Development Program. While these meets are sanctioned, they follow FIG rules and are governed by FIG or its continental affiliates.
Non-Sanctioned or Club Invitationals
Local gyms often host fun meets for beginners to gain experience in a low-pressure environment. While these meets can be highly enjoyable and great for confidence-building, scores will not be recorded in USAG’s official database and cannot be used for level advancement.
Types of Meets You’ll Encounter
Throughout the gymnastics season, athletes may participate in several different types of meets. Here’s a breakdown of what each entails:
| Meet Type | Typical Purpose | Who Competes | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-House Exhibition | Build confidence and test routines in a low-pressure setting | Recreational and pre-team gymnasts | Year-round |
| Invitational | Large, multi-level meets with awards by age and level | Levels 1–10, Xcel divisions, and sometimes elites | November–March |
| State Championships | End-of-season meet requiring qualification | Athletes who meet state qualifying scores | March–May |
| Regional & Nationals | High-level meets for top scorers from multiple states | Levels 7–10, Xcel Platinum/Diamond/Sapphire, elites | April–July |
| Elite Qualifier | Earn qualifying scores for U.S. Classic or National Champs | Junior and Senior Elites | Spring–Summer |
In-House Exhibitions
These meets are hosted by your home gym and focus on practice, fun, and building competition experience. Ideal for new gymnasts or those not yet ready for sanctioned events.
Invitationals
Hosted by individual clubs, these meets are often themed, include large awards ceremonies, and welcome outside teams. Great for earning mobility scores and gaining experience in a more competitive environment.
State Championships
The culminating meet for the compulsory or optional season. To attend, athletes must earn a qualifying All-Around score at prior sanctioned meets. High scorers may move on to Regionals.
Regionals & Nationals
For advanced levels (7–10) and upper-tier Xcel divisions, these prestigious events bring together top athletes from multiple states. Nationals is the highest level of competition for non-elite athletes in the Development Program.
Elite Qualifiers
These meets are part of the elite gymnastics track, where junior and senior elites compete to earn scores that qualify them for high-profile competitions like the U.S. Classic and National Championships.
How a Gymnastics Meet Works
A gymnastics meet follows a well-defined structure, balancing tight timing with team spirit. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what happens throughout the day, from arrival to awards:
1. Arrival & Equipment Check
Gymnasts typically arrive 30–60 minutes before open stretch begins. During this time:
- Coaches check in with meet officials
- Rosters are verified and athlete USA Gymnastics numbers are confirmed
- Rotation sheets (which show event order and timing) are picked up by coaches
This early arrival allows time to mentally prepare, use the restroom, and start warm-up activities as needed.
2. General Stretch (10–15 Minutes)
Once all rotation groups are on the floor, the meet begins with a group stretch. This helps athletes warm up their muscles and reduce injury risk. It’s often accompanied by upbeat music over the loudspeaker, creating a fun, focused atmosphere.
3. Timed Warm-Ups
Each gymnast is allotted 2–4 minutes per apparatus to perform specific warm-up drills on the equipment they’re about to compete on. This is called a “touch warm-up.”
These warm-ups happen per rotation group, and the timing is strict. Gymnasts and coaches must use the time efficiently to practice key skills, transitions, or mounts/dismounts.
4. Competition Rotations
After warm-ups, competition begins. Each rotation group follows a set event order. Gymnasts perform one event at a time before moving to the next:
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG):
Vault → Uneven Bars → Balance Beam → Floor Exercise
(This is known as the Olympic order.)
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG):
Floor → Pommel Horse → Still Rings → Vault → Parallel Bars → Horizontal Bar
If a team starts on a different event (e.g., bars or beam), they continue through the order until all events are completed. The rotation schedule ensures that every athlete gets an equal chance to compete under consistent conditions.
5. Judging & Scoring
EveGymnastics routines are evaluated by trained judges using the Code of Points, an official scoring manual issued by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Scores are divided into two main parts:
- Difficulty Score (D-score): Based on the complexity and difficulty of the skills performed.
- Execution Score (E-score): Based on how well the gymnast executes the skills, focusing on form, artistry, and precision.
The total score is the sum of the D-score and E-score, minus any neutral deductions (such as stepping out of bounds or overtime penalties).
6. Awards Ceremony
At the end of the competition, scores from each event are tallied, and awards are given out based on rankings. Gymnasts typically receive medals or ribbons for individual apparatus performances as well as overall placements (all-around scores).
How Long Do Gymnastics Meets Last?
The length of gymnastics meets can vary widely depending on the type and scale of the event:
- Local or recreational meets typically last 2 to 3 hours.
- Sanctioned meets, such as those held by USAG or NCAA, often range from 3 to 5 hours.
- Large-scale meets like state championships, regional competitions, and invitational meets can last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours or even span multiple days.
Factors affecting the length include the number of gymnasts competing, the efficiency of rotations, and the complexity of the routines.
Travel Tip: If attending an out-of-town meet, avoid booking return flights or dinner reservations too close to the projected end time. Always allow buffer time for scoring delays, awards, or traffic, especially in larger venues.
