When a coach tells you your daughter is ready to move to optionals, or that she needs to score a 34 to advance, or that she's "staying in compulsories another season" — do you know what any of that actually means? Most gymnastics parents don't, at least not at first. The level system has its own vocabulary, its own rules, and its own logic that nobody hands you a guide for when you walk through the gym doors. This is that guide.
How the Program Is Structured
USA Gymnastics runs two main competitive tracks for women's artistic gymnastics: the Development Program (DP)formerly called the Junior Olympic Program, and the Xcel Program. This guide covers the Development Program, which is the primary competitive pathway and runs from Level 1 through Level 10.
According to USA Gymnastics, the Women's Development Program was created with the belief that all athletes, regardless of their potential, must have a solid foundation of basic skills in order to advance safely. The program allows the gymnast to advance at her own pace.1
The program is divided into three segments:
- Developmental (Levels 1–3): Non-competitive or introductory competition. No minimum score required to advance.
- Compulsory (Levels 4–5): Required competitive levels with identical routines for all gymnasts. Minimum scores required to advance.
- Optional (Levels 6–10): Custom-choreographed routines within required skill parameters. Minimum scores required to advance.
A key rule: gymnasts must enter at Level 1 and advance one level at a time. The only exception is Level 6, which may be skipped by a gymnast who scored 32 or higher in the all-around at Level 5.1
Levels 1–3: Developmental
Level 1
Non-CompetitiveThe entry point for all gymnasts in the Development Program. Level 1 focuses on body control, basic shapes, and foundational skills on all four events: vault, bars, beam, and floor. Skills include forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, and basic jumps.
Level 1 is not a required competitive level. Gymnasts advance when they demonstrate proficiency in at least 75% of Level 1 skills, this does not need to happen at a competition. A coach's assessment is sufficient.2
Level 2
Non-CompetitiveBuilds on Level 1 with slightly more dynamic movements. Skills introduced include handstand flat back on vault, glide swings and back hip circles on bars, and round-offs on floor. The focus is on strength, body shapes, and acrobatic basics.
Like Level 1, advancement requires 75% skill proficiency assessed by a coach and does not require competition.2
Level 3
Optional CompetitionThe highest developmental level. Level 3 is a compulsory level in structure, meaning specific skills and choreography are prescribed, but it is still optional as a competition level. Many clubs begin their athletes' first competitive experience at Level 3. Skills include back handsprings on floor, handstand dismounts on beam, and front hip circles on bars.
To compete Level 3, athletes must be at least 6 years old. There is no minimum score requirement to advance to Level 4, but gymnasts must complete entry requirements specified in the USAG Entry and Mobility chart before competing Level 4.1
Levels 4–5: Compulsory
At the compulsory levels, every gymnast in the country performs the same routines. Each gymnast is judged on how precisely and skillfully she executes the required skills and choreography. There is no variation allowed — deviations from the prescribed routine result in deductions.2
Level 4
First Required LevelLevel 4 is the first required competitive level in the Development Program. The vault requires a front handspring over the vault table. Bars includes a kip, cast to horizontal, squat-on, back hip circle, and a dismount. Beam features a cartwheel, handstand, split leap, and full turn. Floor includes a front handspring, round-off back handspring series, and split leap.3
Scores at Levels 4 and 5 have an automatic 10.0 start value — gymnasts begin at 10.0 and deductions are subtracted.
Level 5
Last Compulsory LevelThe final compulsory level. Level 5 builds on Level 4 with more demanding skills. Bars introduces a clear hip circle and a flyaway dismount. Beam adds a front or back walkover and a more demanding split leap (150°). Floor introduces a back tuck or layout.3
To advance to Level 6 (or skip to Level 7), gymnasts must achieve a minimum all-around score of 32 at a sanctioned meet. Level 6 may be skipped entirely with a Level 5 score of 32 AA.2
Levels 6–10: Optional
At the optional levels, gymnasts and coaches design custom routines that meet specific skill requirements. There is no single prescribed routine — each gymnast's routine reflects her individual strengths and the strategic decisions of her coach. This is where gymnastics becomes truly individualized.1
An important change in scoring: at Levels 6 through 8, gymnasts must meet specific Value Part (VP) requirements and Special Requirements (SRs) to earn a 10.0 start value. At Levels 9 and 10, gymnasts must additionally earn bonus points to reach a 10.0 start value.2
Level 6
Intro Optional — Can Be SkippedThe first optional level. Routines have set requirements: 5 A skills and 1 B skill per event. Level 6 is notable in that it is the only JO level that is not required — gymnasts who scored out of Level 5 with a 32 AA may compete Level 6 or skip directly to Level 7. Gymnasts cannot earn bonus points or receive composition deductions at Level 6.2
Competitive opportunities at Level 6 extend to State Championships.
Level 7
OptionalIncreasing difficulty with a requirement for more complex skills. Bars must include two circling elements (one must be a B skill) and a bar change. Beam requires an acrobatic series and a salto dismount. Floor must include a layout pass and a front tuck or aerial. Skill difficulty caps still apply at this level.3
Competitive opportunities extend to State and possibly Regional Championships depending on the region.
Level 8
Optional — Composition EvaluatedLevel 8 is where composition, the overall design and flow of the routine — begins to be evaluated by judges, in addition to execution and difficulty. Routines require 3 A skills, 4 B skills, and 1 C skill. The competitive season for Level 8 culminates at Regional Championships.1
This is typically the level at which serious year-round commitment becomes standard for competitive gymnasts.
Level 9
Optional — Bonus RequiredAt Level 9, gymnasts must earn bonus points through difficulty and skill combinations in addition to meeting VP and SR requirements to achieve a 10.0 start value. Routines require 3 A skills, 4 B skills, and 1 C skill. Gymnasts must be a minimum of 8 years old.2
The Level 9 competitive season culminates at the USAG Eastern or Western Championships.
Level 10
Highest DP Level — No Difficulty CapLevel 10 is the highest level in the Development Program and the first level with no difficulty restrictions on skill choice. Gymnasts must still meet VP and SR requirements and earn bonus points to reach a 10.0 start value. Routines require 3 A skills, 3 B skills, and 2 C skills.2
Many Level 10 gymnasts go on to compete in college gymnastics. Elite gymnastics — Olympic-track competition — is a separate pathway that begins after Level 10. Gymnasts must be a minimum of 9 years old at Level 10.2
The Level 10 competitive season culminates at the USAG Development Program National Championships.
The Xcel Program: An Alternative Path
Alongside the Development Program, USA Gymnastics also operates the Xcel Programa flexible competitive pathway designed for gymnasts who want to compete without the intensive time commitment of the DP. Xcel runs six divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire.
Xcel allows gymnasts and coaches to design routines based on the athlete's strengths without the strict compulsory requirements of the DP. However, Xcel does not provide a direct pathway into DP Levels 7 and above — gymnasts transitioning from Xcel to the Development Program must still fulfill Levels 4, 5, and 6 DP requirements.4
What Parents Should Know
A few practical points based on the program structure:
- There is no standard timeline. Gymnasts advance at their own pace. Spending two or three seasons at the same level is common and not a sign of failure.
- Coaches decide when gymnasts move up. The coach's assessment of skill readiness is the primary factor, alongside meet scores at required levels.
- Compulsory levels (4–5) look the same everywhere. Every Level 4 gymnast in the country performs the same routine, this is intentional and helps coaches and judges assess skill precisely.
- Optional levels allow creativity. From Level 6 onward, each routine is unique. This is where the sport starts to reflect individual style.
- Level 10 is the highest DP level, not the end. Elite gymnastics is a completely separate track beyond Level 10, with its own qualification and competition structure.
Sources & References
- USA Gymnastics. Women's Development Program Overview. usagym.org. usagym.org/women/development/
- LZA Gym Judge. DP/JO Levels 1 to 10. izagymjudge.com/dp-levels-1-to-10
- GymnastGem. USAG Women's Skill Requirements: Levels 1 to 10. Updated September 2025. gymnastgem.com/skill-requirements/
- Rock Star Academy. The Xcel Gymnastics Program: Definition and Levels Explained. rockstaracademy.com
- PINN Gym. Understanding the Junior Olympic Levels in Gymnastics. pinngym.com
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