Levels & Programs

How the U.S. levels and programs fit together, and where a new gymnast starts.

• Start hereGymnastics Levels Explained: How Many Levels There Are and How Gymnasts Move Up
• USAG Gymnastics Levels 1–10: What Changes as Gymnasts Progress?
• How Competitive Gymnastics Programs Work in the U.S.
• Compulsory vs. Optional Gymnastics: What Changes in the Routine?
• What Is the Optional Program in Artistic Gymnastics?
• What Is the Highest Gymnastics Level? Level 10, Elite and College Explained
• Gymnastics Age Requirements by Level: When Can Kids Start Competing?

What each compulsory level asks for, event by event.

• Start hereUSAG Women’s Skill Requirements: A Guide to Levels 1–10
• Level 1 Gymnastics Skills: All Four Events Explained
• Level 2 Gymnastics Skills: What Gymnasts Learn on Each Event
• Level 3 Gymnastics Skills: What Gymnasts Learn on Each Event
• Level 4 Gymnastics Skills: Requirements on Every Event
• Level 5 Gymnastics Skills: The Last Compulsory Level
• USAG Floor Exercise Skill Requirements (Levels 1–5)
• USAG Floor Routines: A Guide to Levels 1–5 (2021–2029 Cycle)
• USAG Beam Routine Skill Requirements (Levels 1–5)
• USAG Uneven Bars Skill Requirements (Levels 1–5)
• USAG Vault Skill Requirements (Levels 1–5)
• Learning Compulsory Gymnastics Routines: Sequence, Technique and Music

Moving into optional gymnastics and what the higher levels require.

• Start hereLevel 6 Gymnastics Requirements: Moving From Compulsory to Optional
• Balance Beam Requirements: USAG Women’s Levels 6–10
• USAG Women’s Floor Requirements: Levels 6–10
• All-Around vs. Event Specialist: How USAG Optional Gymnastics Entry and Progression Differ
• PlannedLevel 7 Gymnastics Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  What Level 7 adds on each event, and how gymnasts prepare for it.

• PlannedLevel 8 Gymnastics Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  Level 8 requirements by event, Composition Credit and the vault values.

• PlannedLevel 9 Gymnastics Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  Level 9 requirements by event, the 9.50 start value, bonus and the vault values.

The Xcel divisions from Bronze to Sapphire, and how Xcel compares with the Development Program.

• Start hereXcel Gymnastics Levels: Finding Your Way from Bronze to Sapphire
• Xcel vs. the Development Program (JO): Differences, Entry Charts and How to Switch
• What Is Xcel Sapphire Gymnastics? Requirements, Skills & Scoring
• PlannedXcel Bronze Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  What Bronze gymnasts must show on vault, bars, beam and floor.

• PlannedXcel Silver Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  Silver requirements by event, and what changes from Bronze.

• PlannedXcel Gold Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  Gold requirements by event, and what changes from Silver.

• PlannedXcel Platinum Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  Platinum requirements by event, and what changes from Gold.

• PlannedXcel Diamond Requirements: Skills on Every Event

  Diamond requirements by event, and how Diamond leads to Sapphire.

How boys start, and what the men's compulsory levels ask on each event.

• Start hereMen’s Gymnastics Levels: Where Beginners Start and How They Progress
• How Boys Learn Vault: From Early Progressions to a First Meet
• High Bar for Boys: What to Expect in USA Gymnastics Compulsory Levels
• Parallel Bars for Boys: How the USA Gymnastics Compulsory Levels Work
• Pommel Horse Requirements for Boys: How USA Gymnastics Compulsory Levels Work
• Still Rings for Boys: What USA Gymnastics Compulsory Levels Ask For

Qualifying scores, mobility scores and which meets count.

• Start hereHow to Qualify for State, Regionals and Nationals in Gymnastics
• Which Gymnastics Meet Scores Count? Sanctions, Mobility and Championship Qualification
• USAG Women’s Mobility Scores: Requirements for Moving Up
• Gymnastics Qualification Explained: Moving Up, Reaching Championships and Entering Elite

Options after Level 10: elite, NCAA and the choices between them.

• Start hereIs Level 10 Enough? Understanding a Gymnast’s Next Options
• How to Qualify for U.S. Elite Gymnastics: Compulsories, Scores and Next Steps
• Is NCAA Gymnastics a Better Fit Than Elite? What Families Should Consider
• PlannedColleges With Gymnastics Teams: Every NCAA Program by Division

  All 83 NCAA women’s and 15 men’s programs, by division and state.

• PlannedHow College Gymnastics Recruiting Works: Timeline, Scholarships and Divisions

  When coaches can contact recruits, visits, signing and scholarships by division.

• How Gymnasts Qualify for the 2028 Olympics
• Planned2027 NCAA Gymnastics Season: Schedule and Key Dates

  The 2027 NCAA gymnastics season opens in early January and ends with the national final on 17 April in Fort Worth, plus conference and regional dates.