The official USA Gymnastics (USAG) Women’s Development Program outlines detailed skill requirements for each competitive level, from Levels 1 to 10.
This guide walks through the skill expectations at each level based on the current 2021–2029 compulsory cycle and optional rules.
Levels 1–5: Compulsory Program
These levels follow standardized routines with required skills. Routines must be performed exactly as outlined in the USAG Compulsory Handbook. The focus is on building strong basics with excellent form.
Level 1: Foundational Skills
Type: Non-competitive
Minimum Age: 4
Focus: Body control, balance, and confidence.
- Vault: Stretch jump onto mat, kick to handstand, fall to flat back.
- Uneven Bars: Pullover, cast, back hip circle, underswing dismount (single bar).
- Balance Beam: Straddle mount, lever to arabesque, pivot turn, straight jump, stretch jump dismount.
- Floor Exercise: Forward roll, cartwheel, backward roll, candlestick, stretch jump.
Goal: Introduce gymnasts to proper shapes, transitions, and rhythm on each event.
Level 2: Skill Refinement
Minimum Age: 5
Focus: Strength, body shapes, and acro basics.
- Vault: Handstand flat back onto stacked mat.
- Uneven Bars: Glide swing, pullover, cast, back hip circle, underswing dismount.
- Balance Beam: Arabesque, half pivot turn, straight jump, stretch jump dismount.
- Floor Exercise: Handstand, backward roll to push-up, cartwheel, stretch jump, forward split.
Goal: Build strength and coordination through slightly more dynamic movement.
Level 3: Introduction to Competition
Minimum Age: 6
Focus: Acrobatic control and basic routine performance.
- Vault: Handstand flat back over raised mat surface.
- Uneven Bars: Glide swing, pullover, cast, front hip circle, squat-on, stretch jump dismount.
- Balance Beam: Handstand, straight jump, half turn, cartwheel, handstand dismount.
- Floor Exercise: Handstand forward roll, round-off, back handspring, leap series.
Goal: Prepare gymnasts for competitive performance with flight elements and acro series.
Level 4: First Compulsory Level
Minimum Age: 7
Focus: Execution and consistency.
- Vault: Front handspring over vault table.
- Uneven Bars: Kip, cast to horizontal, squat-on, back hip circle, tap swings, ½ turn dismount.
- Balance Beam: Cartwheel, handstand, split leap (120°), full turn in passé, side handstand dismount.
- Floor Exercise: Front handspring, round-off back handspring ×2, back extension roll, split leap, full turn.
Goal: Connect movements smoothly with proper timing, rhythm, and landings.
Level 5: Advanced Compulsory Skills
Minimum Age: 7
Focus: Power, flexibility, and readiness for optionals.
- Vault: Front handspring over vault table.
- Uneven Bars: Kip, cast, clear hip to horizontal, back sole circle, flyaway dismount.
- Balance Beam: Front or back walkover, split leap (150°), handstand, full turn, cartwheel to side handstand dismount.
- Floor Exercise: Round-off back handspring back tuck, front tuck (or aerial), switch leap (150°), full turn.
Goal: Polish presentation while developing routines that begin to resemble optionals.
Levels 6–10: Optional Program
From Level 6 upward, gymnasts perform custom-choreographed routines that meet minimum skill requirements and follow composition rules. Scoring includes difficulty (D) and execution (E), with specific limitations by level.
Optional Difficulty Summary
| Level | Allowed Skills | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | A & B only | No C, D, or E skills receive difficulty credit |
| 7 | A & B only (1 C allowed) | C may be performed but not credited for difficulty |
| 8 | A–C | D/E not credited |
| 9 | A–D (1 E allowed) | One E skill may earn credit |
| 10 | A–E (no cap) | Full freedom; bonus values allowed |
Level 6: Entry into Optional Routines
Minimum Age: 7
- Vault: Handspring or allowed vault from Level 6 chart.
- Bars: Cast to horizontal, one bar change, one 360° circling element (e.g., clear hip).
- Beam: 180° turn in passé, handstand, leap or jump series, A-level dismount (salto or aerial).
- Floor: Back handspring series, back tuck or layout, dance combination, full turn.
✅ Mobility Score to Level 7: 34.00 AA at a sanctioned meet
Level 7: Advanced Optional Skills
Minimum Age: 7
- Vault: Handspring, Tsuk timer, or layout-style vault.
- Bars: Two circling elements (one must be B), bar change, A or B dismount.
- Beam: Acro series (e.g., BWO–BHS), leap/jump series, full turn, salto dismount.
- Floor: Layout pass, front tuck or aerial, dance + turn combo, two-pass minimum.
✅ Mobility Score to Level 8: 34.00 AA
Level 8: High-Level Optionals
Minimum Age: 8
- Vault: Front handspring full or Tsukahara layout.
- Bars: Cast to handstand, B/C circling skills, flyaway dismount.
- Beam: Series with flight (e.g., BHS–layout step-out), full turn, split leap series, salto dismount.
- Floor: Layouts with twist, front tumbling series, artistic dance combos.
✅ Mobility Score to Level 9: 34.00 AA
❌ D and E elements allowed in routines but do not receive credit or bonus.
Level 9: Pre-Elite Pathway
Minimum Age: 8
- Vault: Yurchenko full, Tsuk full, front pike.
- Bars: Release skills (e.g., straddle back, toe shoot), pirouettes, D/E dismount.
- Beam: Flight acro series, dance-acro connection, aerials, D/E dismounts.
- Floor: Two saltos in a pass, twisting layouts, double salto, complex leaps.
✅ Only one E element can receive value part credit. Additional Es allowed for artistry or risk.
Level 10: Highest Developmental Level
Minimum Age: 9
- Vault: Yurchenko full, Yurchenko double full, handspring front tuck full.
- Bars: Tkatchev, Pak, pirouettes, E-level dismounts.
- Beam: Flight series with multiple skills, aerial + dance, dismount with twist or double tuck.
- Floor: Double pike, double layout, 1.5 or double twists, elite dance series.
✅ Level 10 gymnasts can qualify for USAG Development Nationals and move toward Elite or NCAA gymnastics.
In summary, the USAG Women’s Development Program offers a smart, safe, and challenging path from beginner to high-level competition.
Official References:
