The Gymnastics Xcel Program is a flexible alternative to the traditional Junior Olympic (JO) program in gymnastics. It allows gymnasts to participate in competitive gymnastics at a level that fits their abilities and goals. The Xcel program aims to provide a positive and supportive environment for gymnasts of all ages and skill levels.
The Xcel program features five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each level has its own set of skill requirements, routines, and difficulty levels, allowing gymnasts to progress at their own pace.
Contents
1. Bronze Level
Age Requirements
The Bronze level in the Xcel Program typically accommodates gymnasts of various ages, from beginners to those who have progressed from recreational classes. Age requirements can vary depending on the gym or organization hosting the program, but it generally encompasses younger gymnasts, often starting around 6-8 years old.
Skill Requirements
The Bronze level focuses on teaching foundational gymnastics skills across all four apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. These skills are designed to build a strong foundation for future progression in the sport. Some examples of skills that may be taught and required at the Bronze level include:
- Vault: Basic running technique and jumping onto and off of a vaulting table.
- Uneven Bars: Basic swing elements, pullovers, casts, and introductory skills on the low bar.
- Balance Beam: Basic balance and acrobatic skills such as walks, kicks, jumps, and turns.
- Floor Exercise: Basic tumbling skills such as forward rolls, backward rolls, cartwheels, and introductory dance elements.
2. Silver Level
Age Requirements
The Silver level in the Xcel Program typically accommodates gymnasts of various ages who have progressed beyond the Bronze level or who are beginning at a slightly more advanced stage. Age requirements can vary depending on the gym or organization hosting the program, but it generally includes gymnasts starting around 7-10 years old and up.
Skill Requirements
The Silver level builds upon the foundational skills learned in Bronze, introducing more complex elements across all four apparatus. The focus is enhancing technique, strength, and flexibility while preparing gymnasts for more advanced skills. Some examples of skills that may be taught and required at the Silver level include:
Vault:
- Handspring vault or variations using a vaulting table or mat stack.
- Emphasis on proper running form, takeoff technique, and landing.
Uneven Bars:
- Glide swing.
- Pullover mount.
- Single-leg cut-back.
- Casts to a minimum of horizontal.
- Back hip circle.
Balance Beam:
- Mount: Tuck jump or similar.
- Dance elements: Split jump, straight jump, leap series.
- Acrobatic elements: Cartwheel, handstand, or variations.
- Dismount: Straight jump off, round-off, or front handspring.
Floor Exercise:
- Dance elements: Split leap, leap series, turns.
- Tumbling: Round-off, back handspring, front handspring, or combinations.
- Emphasis on choreography and artistry.
3. Gold
Age Requirements
The Gold level in the Xcel Program typically accommodates gymnasts who have advanced beyond the Silver level or are beginning at a more advanced stage. While age requirements can vary by gym or organization, gymnasts at the Gold level often range from 8-12 years old and up.
Skill Requirements
The Gold level builds upon the skills learned in the Silver level, introducing more complex elements across all four apparatuses. Gymnasts at this level focus on refining technique, increasing difficulty, and enhancing artistry. Here are some examples of skill requirements for each apparatus at the Gold level:
Vault:
- Handspring vault or variations with precise execution and proper form.
- Introduction to more advanced vaulting techniques such as front handsprings or tsukaharas.
Uneven Bars:
- Continuous bar transitions and combinations.
- Introduction to release moves or more complex skills such as giants.
- Emphasis on form, execution, and amplitude.
Balance Beam:
- Increased difficulty in acrobatic and dance elements.
- Introduction to series of connected skills (e.g., back handspring step-out, back tuck).
- Continued emphasis on balance, precision, and confidence.
Floor Exercise:
- More complex tumbling passes including back handspring series, aerials, and saltos.
- Incorporation of advanced dance elements and combinations.
- Emphasis on artistry, expression, and musicality.
4. Platinum Level
Age Requirements
The Platinum level in the Xcel Program typically caters to gymnasts who have advanced beyond the Gold level or who have demonstrated proficiency in more advanced skills. Age requirements can vary depending on the gym or organization hosting the program, but gymnasts at the Platinum level often range from 9-13 years old and up.
Skill Requirements
The Platinum level represents a significant step up in skill and complexity from the Gold level. Gymnasts at this level focus on mastering advanced skills and combinations across all four apparatus. Here are some examples of skill requirements for each apparatus at the Platinum level:
Vault:
- Advanced vaulting techniques such as front handspring vaults or tsukaharas with precise execution and proper form.
- Introduction to more difficult vaulting skills such as Yurchenkos or front layout vaults.
Uneven Bars:
- Mastery of continuous bar transitions and combinations with impeccable form and execution.
- Introduction to more complex release moves such as Jaegers or Tkachevs.
- Emphasis on amplitude, extension, and fluidity in swing elements.
Balance Beam:
- Mastery of advanced acrobatic and dance elements including series of connected skills (e.g., back handspring step-out, layout step-out).
- Introduction to more difficult dismounts such as back tucks or aerials.
- Continued emphasis on balance, precision, and confidence under pressure.
Floor Exercise:
- Advanced tumbling passes including back handspring layouts, twisting skills, and combination passes.
- Incorporation of intricate dance elements, turns, and leaps showcasing flexibility and artistry.
- Emphasis on expression, musicality, and performance quality.
5. Diamond Level
Age Requirements
The Diamond level in the Xcel Program is the highest and most advanced level, catering to gymnasts who have progressed beyond the Platinum level or who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in high-level gymnastics skills. Age requirements can vary by gym or organization, but gymnasts at the Diamond level often range from 10-14 years old and up, with many being older teenagers.
Skill Requirements
The Diamond level involves mastering the most advanced skills and combinations across all four apparatus. Gymnasts at this level are expected to perform routines with high difficulty, impeccable form, and artistic excellence. Here are some examples of skill requirements for each apparatus at the Diamond level:
Vault:
- Advanced vaulting techniques such as Yurchenkos, front handspring front tucks, or twisting vaults.
- Emphasis on higher-difficulty vaults with perfect execution and landing.
Uneven Bars:
- Mastery of high-difficulty release moves such as Jaegers, Giengers, and Tkatchevs.
- Complex pirouette skills and transition elements.
- Smooth, fluid routines with high amplitude and precision.
Balance Beam:
- Advanced acrobatic series such as back handspring to layout step-out, aerials, or connected salto elements.
- Difficult dance elements including switch leaps, switch rings, and split jump series.
- High-level dismounts such as double back tucks or twisting dismounts.
- Emphasis on fluidity, confidence, and artistic presentation.
Floor Exercise:
- Complex tumbling passes with multiple twisting elements, double backs, or combination tumbling.
- Intricate dance sequences and leaps showcasing flexibility and strength.
- High-level performance quality with expression, musicality, and choreography.
Xcel Levels vs Junior Olympic Levels
The Xcel Program and Junior Olympic Program offer distinct pathways for gymnasts with different goals and commitment levels. The Xcel Program provides a flexible and enjoyable competitive experience, ideal for gymnasts seeking a balanced approach to training and competition.
In contrast, the Junior Olympic Program is more rigorous and structured, aiming for elite levels of competition and potentially leading to collegiate or elite opportunities.
| Aspect | Xcel Program | Junior Olympic Program |
|---|---|---|
| Structure and Goals | Flexible, enjoyable, accommodates diverse commitments | Rigorous, structured, aims for elite levels |
| Levels | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond | Levels 1-10, including compulsory and optional routines |
| Skill Requirements | Progressively increasing complexity | Set routines for compulsory levels, optional routines for higher levels |
| Competition Formats | Supportive, participation-focused | Rigorous, structured, leading to higher-level competitions |
| Training Intensity | Flexible, accommodates multiple activities | Intense, time-consuming, requires strong commitment |
| Pathway and Progression | Flexible progression, transitions to JO possible | Clear progression to higher levels, potential for collegiate and elite opportunities |
In general, the skills required in Xcel levels align with those in the lower and middle levels of the JO program.
- Xcel Bronze and Silver vs. JO Levels 1-3: These Xcel levels correspond roughly with JO Levels 1 to 3. They introduce fundamental skills and basic routines, emphasizing the development of strength, flexibility, and technique.
- Xcel Gold vs. JO Level 4-5: The Xcel Gold Level parallels JO Levels 4 and 5 in skill requirements. Gymnasts begin performing more complex routines and combinations, preparing them for the demands of higher-level gymnastics.
- Xcel Platinum and Diamond vs. JO Levels 6-8: These Xcel levels align with JO Levels 6 to 8, where gymnasts execute challenging skills and combinations within optional routines.
Conclusion
The Xcel program can be a suitable entry point for beginners in gymnastics, particularly those who are interested in competing but prefer a program with a little more flexibility than the traditional Junior Olympic (JO) program.
Before starting the Xcel program or any competitive gymnastics program, it’s generally recommended that beginners start with recreational gymnastics classes. These classes introduce basic gymnastics skills and foundational physical conditioning necessary to perform those skills safely.
