Men’s gymnastics in the USA is structured into ten levels, each with specific skills and requirements designed to progressively build a gymnast’s abilities. Here’s an overview of what each level entails, drawn from the USA Gymnastics guidelines and resources from gymnastics-focused websites.
Level 1 Skills
This introductory level focuses on fundamental skills and body mechanics. Gymnasts learn the basics such as forward rolls, cartwheels, and handstands, which lay the groundwork for more advanced moves. Emphasis is placed on safety and proper technique, ensuring a strong start in their gymnastics journey.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Forward roll, Cartwheel, Handstand |
| Pommel Horse | Single leg swings, Basic support |
| Rings | Support position, Tuck hold |
| Vault | Straight jump onto mat, Handstand fall |
| Parallel Bars | Straight body support, Swing |
| Horizontal Bar | Pullover, Cast |
Description:
- Floor: Basic skills like forward rolls, cartwheels, and handstands to develop coordination and balance.
- Pommel Horse: Single leg swings to introduce the rhythm and support basics.
- Rings: Focus on maintaining a support position and performing a tuck hold.
- Vault: Simple straight jumps and handstand falls to build confidence.
- Parallel Bars: Straight body support and basic swings.
- Horizontal Bar: Pullover and basic casts to build upper body strength.
Level 2 Skills
Level 2 builds on the foundation set in Level 1, introducing slightly more complex skills. Gymnasts will begin mastering backward rolls, handstand holds, and basic movements on the pommel horse and rings. This level aims to enhance coordination, strength, and balance, preparing gymnasts for the intermediate stages.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Backward roll, Handstand hold, Forward roll to straddle sit |
| Pommel Horse | Double leg swings, Basic scissors |
| Rings | Inverted hang, L-sit |
| Vault | Handstand flatback onto stacked mats |
| Parallel Bars | Swing to support, Basic dips |
| Horizontal Bar | Back hip circle, Cast to horizontal |
Description:
- Floor: Introduction of backward rolls, handstand holds, and forward roll variations.
- Pommel Horse: Building on single leg swings with double leg swings and basic scissors.
- Rings: Developing strength with inverted hangs and L-sits.
- Vault: Handstand flatbacks to learn proper body alignment.
- Parallel Bars: Basic swings to support and dips for upper body strength.
- Horizontal Bar: Back hip circles and casting to horizontal for control and form.
Level 3 Skills
In Level 3, gymnasts start to develop more structured routines. This level includes skills such as round-offs, handstand forward rolls, and back hip circles. The focus is on refining technique and building confidence, allowing gymnasts to smoothly transition between movements.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Handstand forward roll, Round-off, Backward roll to handstand |
| Pommel Horse | Single leg cuts, Circle movements |
| Rings | Muscle-up to support, Tuck to L-sit |
| Vault | Handstand flatback, Straight jump over mat |
| Parallel Bars | Swing to handstand, Straddle travel |
| Horizontal Bar | Underswing, Kip |
Description:
- Floor: More complex sequences like handstand forward rolls, round-offs, and backward roll to handstand.
- Pommel Horse: Single leg cuts and beginning circle movements.
- Rings: Transitioning from muscle-ups to support positions and performing tuck to L-sits.
- Vault: Emphasis on handstand flatbacks and straight jumps over mats.
- Parallel Bars: Swinging to handstands and executing straddle travels.
- Horizontal Bar: Mastering underswings and beginning to learn kips.
Level 4 Skills
Level 4 is where gymnasts start performing compulsory routines. Skills like handsprings, split leaps, and kip-cast-handstands become essential. This level emphasizes the synchronization of movements and the integration of more advanced elements, ensuring gymnasts develop both strength and fluidity.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Handspring, Round-off back handspring, Split leap |
| Pommel Horse | Circles, Double leg cuts, Basic dismount |
| Rings | Back lever, Front lever, Inverted hang |
| Vault | Handspring vault, Squat vault |
| Parallel Bars | Glide kip, L-sit to handstand, Single rail dips |
| Horizontal Bar | Cast to handstand, Front hip circle |
Description:
- Floor: Incorporating handsprings, round-off back handsprings, and split leaps.
- Pommel Horse: More advanced circles and double leg cuts.
- Rings: Strength holds like back and front levers.
- Vault: Handspring and squat vaults.
- Parallel Bars: Glide kips, transitioning to handstands, and single rail dips.
- Horizontal Bar: Casting to handstand and executing front hip circles.
Level 5 Skills
As the final compulsory level, Level 5 introduces more challenging skills like back tucks, handspring vaults, and giant swings. Gymnasts must demonstrate a higher degree of control and precision, as they prepare to move into the optional levels where routines can be customized.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Front tuck, Back tuck, Round-off back handspring series |
| Pommel Horse | More advanced circles, Flairs |
| Rings | Muscle-up to support, Swing to handstand |
| Vault | Handspring vault, Half-on vault |
| Parallel Bars | Stutz to handstand, Back tuck dismount |
| Horizontal Bar | Giant swings, Flyaway dismount |
Description:
- Floor: Introduction of front and back tucks, round-off back handspring series.
- Pommel Horse: Developing more advanced circles and flairs.
- Rings: Muscle-ups and swinging to handstands.
- Vault: Performing handspring vaults and half-on vaults.
- Parallel Bars: Advanced elements like Stutz to handstand and back tuck dismounts.
- Horizontal Bar: Giant swings and flyaway dismounts【6†source】【9†source】.
Level 6 Skills
Level 6 marks the beginning of optional routines, allowing gymnasts to personalize their sequences. Skills include twisting saltos, advanced flight elements, and strength holds. This level encourages creativity and expression while maintaining a focus on technical accuracy.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Full twist, Front pike, Connected tumbling passes |
| Pommel Horse | Single pommel circles, Traveling flairs |
| Rings | Iron cross, L-sit press to handstand |
| Vault | Tsukahara prep, Layout vault |
| Parallel Bars | Peach to handstand, Diamidov |
| Horizontal Bar | Pirouette, Healy twirl |
Description:
- Floor: Full twists, front pikes, and connected tumbling passes.
- Pommel Horse: Single pommel circles and traveling flairs.
- Rings: Performing the iron cross and L-sit press to handstand.
- Vault: Preparing for Tsukahara vaults and executing layout vaults.
- Parallel Bars: Peach to handstand and Diamidov transitions.
- Horizontal Bar: Learning pirouettes and Healy twirls【7†source】【9†source】.
Level 7 Skills
At Level 7, gymnasts continue to expand their skill set with more complex elements such as double back tucks, planches on rings, and advanced pommel horse routines. This level demands a higher level of strength, flexibility, and coordination, pushing gymnasts to refine their performance.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Double back tuck, Layout full, Advanced dance elements |
| Pommel Horse | Full circles on both pommels, Russian circles |
| Rings | Planche, Maltese |
| Vault | Handspring front tuck, Tsukahara |
| Parallel Bars | Healy twirl, Back toss to handstand |
| Horizontal Bar | Double layout flyaway, Stalder |
Description:
- Floor: Double back tucks, layout fulls, and advanced dance elements.
- Pommel Horse: Full circles on both pommels and Russian circles.
- Rings: Strength skills like planche and Maltese.
- Vault: Handspring front tucks and Tsukaharas.
- Parallel Bars: Healy twirls and back tosses to handstands.
- Horizontal Bar: Double layout flyaways and Stalders【6†source】【8†source】.
Level 8 Skills
Level 8 introduces elite-level skills and more intricate combinations. Gymnasts perform moves like double back pikes, Tkatchevs, and Kasamatsu vaults. The focus is on executing high-difficulty elements with precision and fluidity, preparing athletes for top-tier competition.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Double back pike, 1.5 twist, Connected tumbling passes |
| Pommel Horse | Magyar travel, Sivado |
| Rings | Cross to Maltese, Back uprise to L-sit |
| Vault | Kasamatsu vault, Layout Tsukahara |
| Parallel Bars | Peach to one rail, Tippelt |
| Horizontal Bar | Tkatchev, Double-double dismount |
Description:
- Floor: Double back pikes, 1.5 twists, and connected tumbling passes.
- Pommel Horse: Performing Magyar travels and Sivado.
- Rings: Cross to Maltese transitions and back uprise to L-sit.
- Vault: Kasamatsu vaults and layout Tsukaharas.
- Parallel Bars: Peach to one rail and Tippelt transitions.
- Horizontal Bar: Tkatchev and double-double dismounts【7†source】【9†source】.
Level 9 Skills
In Level 9, gymnasts tackle even more advanced skills, including triple twists, double planches, and Roche vaults. This level emphasizes mastering high-difficulty elements and perfecting technique, ensuring gymnasts are ready for the most challenging routines.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Double Arabian, Triple twist, Elite dance elements |
| Pommel Horse | Wu travel, Russian travel |
| Rings | Double planche, Back uprise to Maltese |
| Vault | Roche vault, Double Tsukahara |
| Parallel Bars | Peach to handstand, Diamidov |
| Horizontal Bar | Kovacs, Triple back dismount |
Description:
- Floor: Double Arabians, triple twists, and elite-level dance elements.
- Pommel Horse: Wu travels and Russian travels.
- Rings: Double planches and back uprise to Maltese.
- Vault: Performing Roche vaults and double Tsukaharas.
- Parallel Bars: Peach to handstand and Diamidov.
- Horizontal Bar: Kovacs and triple back dismounts.
Level 10 Skills
Level 10 represents the pinnacle of the Development Program. Gymnasts at this level perform the most complex skills, such as full twisting double backs, Kovacs variations, and triple twisting dismounts. The focus is on achieving elite performance standards, combining strength, agility, and artistry to compete at the highest levels.
| Apparatus | Skills |
|---|---|
| Floor | Double layout, Full twisting double back, High difficulty dance elements |
| Pommel Horse | Triple Russian on one pommel, Travel across the horse with flair elements |
| Rings | Inverted cross, Double back tuck dismount |
| Vault | Yurchenko double full, Handspring double front |
| Parallel Bars | Double back tuck, Peach to one rail |
| Horizontal Bar | Kovacs variations, Triple twisting dismount |
Description:
- Floor: Level 10 floor routines feature high-difficulty tumbling passes like double layouts and full-twisting double backs. The routines are also rich in elite dance elements and connections to maximize start values.
- Pommel Horse: Advanced skills such as triple Russians on one pommel and traveling across the horse with flair elements are required. These elements demonstrate the gymnast’s control, strength, and endurance.
- Rings: Strength skills include inverted crosses and transitioning to double back tuck dismounts. These require significant upper body strength and control.
- Vault: Vaults at this level include the Yurchenko double full and handspring double front. These vaults demand explosive power and precise form to ensure safe landings.
- Parallel Bars: Skills include the double back tuck and Peach to one rail, showcasing dynamic transitions and strength.
- Horizontal Bar: Advanced release moves like Kovacs variations and triple twisting dismounts are essential, combining high-flying elements with precise execution.
Each level is designed to build on the previous one, ensuring a safe and structured progression for gymnasts. Whether you’re just starting or nearing the peak of your gymnastics career, each level offers unique challenges and rewards. For more information, check out USA Gymnastics.