The Xcel Program, defined by USA Gymnastics, includes six competitive divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire.
Each division has its own minimum age, entry rules, and mobility guidelines, but unlike the Development Program (DP), Xcel is not built on a rigid, one-size-fits-all timeline. Gymnasts typically move up as their skills, consistency, confidence, and readiness develop.
This flexibility is one of Xcel’s biggest strengths. It allows gymnasts to progress at a pace that fits their bodies, goals, and life outside the gym.
Xcel Divisions at a Glance
| Division | Minimum Age | Entry & Mobility Rules | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 5 | No prerequisite | Very young gymnasts or athletes brand new to competitive gymnastics |
| Silver | 6 | No prerequisite | Beginners ready for their first competitive meets and basic routine structure |
| Gold | 7 | No prerequisite | Gymnasts building stronger basics and transitioning into optional-style routines |
| Platinum | 8 | 32.00 AA at Gold or 8.5 IES | Mid-level competitors developing more advanced skills and connections |
| Diamond | 9 | 32.00 AA at Platinum or 8.5 IES | Experienced gymnasts performing high-level optional routines with consistency |
| Sapphire | 12 | 32.00 AA at Diamond or 8.5 IES (petition with video possible) | Upper-level athletes seeking bonus-based scoring, flexibility, or an alternative to DP |
IES = Individual Event Specialist, meaning advancement or qualification can be based on a strong score on a single event rather than the all-around.
Petitions: When the Standard Path Doesn’t Fit
USA Gymnastics recognizes that not every gymnast follows a typical progression. In certain situations, petitions may be submitted, including cases involving:
- Prior competitive experience
- Age-related circumstances
- Special progression considerations
One important note for families: gymnasts who have not yet reached the Sapphire minimum age may petition to compete Sapphire. These petitions require video submission and approval through Xcel leadership.
Petitions exist to support flexibility so they are typically used when a gymnast’s experience or readiness clearly doesn’t match the standard pathway.
How Scoring Works in Xcel
Xcel scoring follows the same basic structure used throughout gymnastics. Judges begin with a Start Value, then subtract deductions based on what they see.
Every routine is built from three parts:
1. Start Value (SV)
The highest possible score a gymnast can earn if the routine is performed perfectly.
2. Execution deductions
Taken for things like bent arms, flexed feet, balance checks, form breaks, lack of control, or falls.
3. Neutral deductions
Fixed penalties applied in specific situations, such as stepping out of bounds, time violations, or other rule-based infractions.
The cleaner and more controlled the routine, the closer the final score is to the maximum.
Bronze Through Diamond: 10.00 Start Value
In Xcel Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond, routines begin with a 10.00 Start Value.
A gymnast keeps the full 10.00 as long as the routine:
- Includes all required Special Requirements
- Uses allowed skills for the division
- Includes a proper dismount
- Avoids restricted elements
The Start Value is only reduced if something required is missing or a restricted/illegal element is performed. Execution deductions are then taken from whatever Start Value remains.
At these levels, scoring is not about adding extra difficulty. It’s about meeting the requirements and performing them cleanly.
Sapphire: A Bonus-Based Start Value
Sapphire works differently.
Sapphire routines begin with a 9.60 Start Value and can earn up to 0.40 in bonus, allowing the routine to reach a full 10.00 potential.
Bonus is earned by including higher-level elements and connections that meet Sapphire bonus criteria. This means gymnasts must think strategically about routine construction—not just check requirement boxes.
This bonus-based system is why Sapphire often feels closer to upper-level optional gymnastics. Difficulty choices matter, and clean execution alone isn’t enough to maximize the score.
Special Requirements: The Foundation of Every Routine
For bars, beam, and floor, every Xcel division uses four Special Requirements (SRs). Each SR is worth 0.50, for a total of 2.00 toward the Start Value.
One critical rule to understand:
Restricted elements cannot be used to fulfill Special Requirements.
If a routine misses an SR, or tries to use a restricted skill to satisfy one, the Start Value is reduced, even if the routine otherwise looks strong.
What Each Xcel Division Is Really For (Bronze → Sapphire)
As gymnasts move through the Xcel Program, the focus shifts gradually, from learning how to compete, to building optional-style routines, to making strategic decisions about difficulty and scoring.
The descriptions below reflect how each division is typically used in practice. Exact allowable skills, restrictions, and vault values are always defined in the current Xcel Code of Points and appendices.
Xcel Bronze: First-Time Competitor Friendly
Main goal: Learn how to compete cleanly and confidently.
Bronze is designed for gymnasts new to competitive meets or new to USA Gymnastics. The emphasis is on learning meet structure, managing nerves, and performing simple skills with good form.
- Routines focus on fundamentals, basic shapes, and tight body positions
- Judges reward control and cleanliness, not difficulty
- The biggest success at Bronze is clean routines with fewer falls
Helpful mindset:
Build a routine the gymnast can hit 8 out of 10 times in practice. Consistency matters more than difficulty at this stage.
Xcel Silver: Cleaner Basics with Slightly Higher Expectations
Main goal: Improve consistency and form while introducing more variety.
Silver raises expectations for execution across all events. Skills may still be simple, but they must be performed with better control and confidence.
- Stronger casts, smoother connections, and more confident beam work appear
- Vault rules become stricter, including the feet-first landing requirement
Silver rewards gymnasts who perform familiar skills better, not harder.
Helpful mindset:
Silver rewards “boring done well.” Clean basics beat rushed difficulty every time.
Xcel Gold: Optional-Style Gymnastics Starts to Feel Real
Main goal: Expand skill choices without rushing progression.
Gold is often where routines begin to look like traditional optional gymnastics, just with Xcel flexibility.
- Gymnasts have more freedom in skill selection
- USA Gymnastics provides specific allowable vaults and values for Gold through Sapphire
This is a key decision point where smart routine construction matters.
Helpful mindset:
Choose skills strategically. A slightly easier skill done cleanly often outscores a harder one with big deductions.
Xcel Platinum: Higher-Level Routine Construction Begins
Main goal: Develop more advanced options and cleaner amplitude.
Platinum often resembles DP optional pacing for many gyms.
- Skills become more demanding and connected
- Mobility and qualifying meets require two-judge panels
Routine composition and execution quality start to matter just as much as the skill list itself.
Helpful mindset:
Build routines around strengths, but never sacrifice execution for difficulty.
Xcel Diamond: Advanced Skills with Demanding Polish
Main goal: Perform high-level optional gymnastics with consistency.
Diamond is often treated as the capstone Xcel level in many programs.
- Strong bar work, confident acro, and refined presentation are expected
- Diamond and Sapphire gymnasts receive three vault warm-ups under Xcel guidelines
Success here requires difficulty and reliability under pressure.
Helpful mindset:
Difficulty should help the routine, not sabotage it.
Xcel Sapphire: The Highest Xcel Division (Bonus-Based)
Main goal: Provide an upper-level division beyond Diamond with strategic scoring.
Sapphire is designed for experienced athletes ready for bonus-based routine construction.
Key features:
- 9.60 Start Value
- Up to 0.40 bonus to reach 10.00
- Higher minimum age (12) due to increased demands
Helpful mindset:
Smart bonus choices, clean execution, and minimizing deduction traps define Sapphire success.
Common Xcel Questions (Quick Answers)
Can a gymnast compete Xcel and DP in the same season?
Yes. A gymnast may compete in both programs during the same competitive year, as long as their athlete profile is set correctly for each division or level.
Does a gymnast have to compete all-around?
No. Xcel gymnasts are not required to compete all four events. Rules & Policies outline clear procedures for scratching or touching events.
Where can I find the official rules for routines and vault values?
All official Xcel rules, including routine requirements, restricted elements, event charts, and vault value tables are published on the USA Gymnastics Xcel Program page and should always be used as the final authority.
