Gymnastics in the United States follows a clearly defined structure that helps young athletes grow from beginners into national competitors—and, for some, even Olympians. This guide walks you through the different qualification paths in the USA Women’s Gymnastics system, including the Development Program, Xcel track, and the journey into elite and international competition.
1. Women’s Development Program
The vast majority of U.S. gymnasts begin their journey in the Women’s Development Program, a structured system divided into ten levels. These levels guide athletes from basic skills to high-level routines, preparing them for collegiate or elite gymnastics.
Levels 1–3: Foundation Building
Levels 1 through 3 are typically non-competitive and focus on physical basics: alignment, rolls, cartwheels, and posture. Training at this stage happens in the gym, with an emphasis on correct form and body awareness.
Levels 4–6: The Start of Competition
Level 4 introduces gymnasts to formal competition. Routines are standardized, judged for execution, and governed by mobility scores:
- Level 4 → Level 5: 34.00 All-Around (AA)
- Level 5 → Level 6: 32.00 AA
- Level 6 → Level 7: 32.00 AA
Fast-Track Option: Gymnasts who earn two 36.00+ AA scores at Level 4 may skip Level 5.
Age Requirements
Gymnasts must be at least 7 years old to enter Level 4. With talent and dedication, some athletes reach Level 10 by age 11 or 12.
Levels 7–10: Optional and Elite Preparation
At Level 7, routines become optional, meaning gymnasts and coaches design personalized routines using skills from the Code of Points. Levels 9 and 10 introduce higher-difficulty elements.
- Level 10 athletes often attract NCAA recruiters.
- Elite hopefuls must transition from Level 10 into the separate Elite Program, which has its own meets and requirements.
2. The Xcel Detour (Optional but Popular)
The Xcel Program offers a flexible alternative to the Development Program. It includes six divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire.
- Routines are custom from the start.
- Time commitments are lighter.
- Ideal for multi-sport athletes or late starters.
| Feature | Development Program | Xcel Program |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Type | Pre-set (Lv 1–5), Custom (Lv 6–10) | Custom from the start |
| Time Commitment | High | Moderate to Light |
| Advancement | Score-based | Coach-assessed |
| Athlete Type | Elite/NCAA hopefuls | Recreational/Flexible |
The Xcel track is optional in every sense—it doesn’t lead to elite qualification, but for many gymnasts, that’s not the goal. It offers a customizable experience that allows competition, growth, and personal achievement.
3. Bridging the Gap — The Hopes Program
Between Level 10 and full elite status lies a key stepping stone: the Hopes Program. This age-restricted, invite-only program allows promising gymnasts to experience elite-style competition under slightly modified standards. It’s often described as a preview of junior elite—with safety nets in place.
Who Is Eligible?
The Hopes Program is divided into two age groups, each with specific score requirements to qualify for the Hopes Classic:
| Age Group | Compulsory Score | Optional AA Score | Path Forward |
| 11–12 | 32.00 | 43.50 | Top 18 at Hopes Classic → Hopes Championships |
| 13–14 | 33.00 | 45.00 | Same as above |
To qualify, gymnasts must achieve both scores at a designated National Elite Qualifier, where they perform compulsory and optional routines tailored to mimic junior elite—with slightly lowered apparatus settings and shorter tumbling passes.
In short, Hopes serves both as a proving ground and a preparation platform for future elites. It bridges the competitive and developmental gap between Level 10 and Junior Elite with structure, support, and opportunity.
4. Earning Elite Status
Reaching elite status is one of the most significant milestones in a gymnast’s career. It’s the official gateway into the highest tier of competition—where athletes become eligible for national teams, international assignments, and even Olympic selection. But earning the elite title isn’t easy. It requires gymnasts to pass a two-part evaluation at the same sanctioned event, usually a National Elite Qualifier.
Two-Part Requirement: Compulsory + Optional
To qualify as an elite gymnast, an athlete must meet both compulsory and optional all-around (AA) standards in a single meet. Here’s a breakdown of the criteria:
| Category | Compulsory Score* | Optional All-Around (AA) | 2-Event Score | 3-Event Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior (11–15) | 35.00 | 48.00 | 26.80 | 39.60 |
| Senior (16+) | 35.00 | 50.00 (Winter Cup/U.S. Classic) | 26.60 | 39.30 |
*Compulsory routines are standardized routines judged on execution and form. Athletes must pass compulsories only once per season—if they succeed, the score carries forward.
Multiple Paths: All-Around vs. Specialist
There’s more than one way to earn elite status:
- All-Around Track: Athletes who hit the full AA score (48.00 for juniors, 50.00 for seniors) are eligible to compete in all four events at elite-level meets.
- Specialist Track: Gymnasts who hit the 2-event or 3-event scores can qualify as event specialists. This allows them to compete at elite meets on just the events they qualified on. For example, a standout on bars and beam can earn elite status on those two alone.
This flexibility means gymnasts with strengths in certain apparatuses can still participate in elite-level competitions without needing to master all four events at once.
5. The Roadmap of Elite Meets
Once a gymnast earns elite status, the journey is just beginning. From January through summer, the U.S. elite season unfolds in a series of high-stakes meets. Each one plays a role in shaping national rankings, team selections, and—during Olympic years—the roster headed to the Games.
National Qualifiers (January–June)
These sanctioned events are held across the country and offer gymnasts one last shot to:
- Pass the elite compulsory test
- Hit their optional all-around score or qualify via 2- or 3-event specialist routes
For athletes trying to break into the elite level—or upgrade their scores from previous meets—this is their final entry point for the season.
Winter Cup (Late February)
The Winter Cup is the first major national showdown of the elite season. It brings together newly qualified elites and returning veterans in a high-pressure environment.
- Top all-around finishers are named to the U.S. National Team
- These athletes also receive funding and training support through USA Gymnastics
- Strong showings can secure international assignments
It’s an early chance for elites to stake their claim as Olympic contenders or prove their potential to national coaches.
American Classic & U.S. Classic (Spring)
These two meets serve as mid-season checkpoints and safety nets for gymnasts who still need to:
- Post a qualifying score for the U.S. Championships
- Improve upon earlier all-around results
- Demonstrate readiness to compete at the national level
While not as high-profile as the Championships, these meets are critical stepping stones and offer one last push toward the season’s biggest stage.
U.S. Championships (Early Summer)
The U.S. Championships are the pinnacle of the domestic elite season. This prestigious two-day meet determines:
- National Champions (junior and senior divisions)
- National Team selections
- Automatic Olympic Trials berths (top 2 senior all-around in Olympic years)
To qualify for Championships, gymnasts must meet higher scoring thresholds than for earlier meets:
- Senior Elite: 52.00 AA
- Junior Elite: 49.00 AA
Athletes who previously met the Classic-level scores can still upgrade to the Championship mark at any elite meet.
6. Making the National Team & International Assignments
After Winter Cup and again after the U.S. Championships, the High-Performance leadership names 15–20 seniors and juniors to the National Team.
Selection is a mix of rank order and committee discretion, weighing D-scores, hit percentages, consistency, and readiness for upcoming international events. Camp verifications between meets can also earn—or cost—a gymnast her spot.
Those athletes become eligible for FIG World Cups, Pan Ams, the World Championships, and—every four years—the Olympic Games.
7. Olympic Trials & Team Selection
The 2024 Olympic cycle highlights how U.S. gymnasts qualify for one of the most coveted spots in sports: a place on the Olympic team.
- Eligibility: A gymnast must turn 16 years old in the Olympic year, hold a valid U.S. passport, and possess an active FIG license to be eligible for Olympic selection. (USA Gymnastics)
- Invitations: At least 12 gymnasts are invited to the Olympic Trials. These include the top two all-around finishers from the U.S. Championships and ten or more athletes chosen by the Athlete Selection Committee. (USA Gymnastics)
- Automatic Spot: The all-around winner at Trials secures an automatic berth on the Olympic team.
Although the numbers and names shift each Olympic cycle, the core structure of qualification has remained remarkably stable since 2012: Winter Cup ➜ Classics ➜ Championships ➜ Trials
Bottom Line
USA Gymnastics guides thousands of athletes through a step-by-step system: the Development Program teaches the basics, the Hopes Program helps gymnasts bridge to elite, and elite qualifiers recognize top all-arounders and event specialists. By passing compulsory routines and performing strong optional ones at the right time, gymnasts can rise from local meets to national rosters—and maybe even make it to the Olympics.