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What are the Competitive Levels for Artistic Gymnastics?

Level 1:  This is an achievement only level. No medals or placements are given for individual events but colored ribbons are awarded based on score.  Athletes must be 4 years old to compete.  Competitions include invitationals, district qualifiers and District Championships. There are no qualifications for district qualifiers, and an all around score of 20.00 or higher at a qualifier meet is required to enter the District Championships.

Levels 2:  This is an achievement only level. No medals or placements are given for individual events but colored ribbons are awarded based on score.  Athletes must be 5 years old to compete.  Competitions include invitationals, district qualifiers and District Championships. There are no qualifications for district qualifiers, and an all around score of 20.00 or higher at a qualifier meet is required to enter the District Championships.

Level 3:  This level has both achievement and placement divisions in Texas. In achievement, no medals or placements are given for individual events but colored ribbons are awarded based on score. In placement, gymnasts are divided into age groups and compete for awards on each event and in all around. Athletes must be 6 years old to compete. Texas has one of the largest and strongest Level 3 programs in the USA.  Not all States offer a competitive Level 3 program.  Athletes must be six years old in order to compete.  Competitions include invitationals, district qualifiers, District Championships, and South State Championships (placement only). There are no qualifications for district qualifiers, and an all around score of 20.00 or higher at a qualifier meet is required to enter the District Championships. Qualification to South State occurs at the District Championships and is based on a percentage from each age group.

Level 4:  This level has both achievement and placement divisions in Texas. In achievement, no medals or placements are given for individual events but colored ribbons are awarded based on score. In placement, gymnasts are divided into age groups and compete for awards on each event and in all around.  Athletes must be 7 years old to compete. Competitions include invitationals, district qualifiers, District Championships, South State Championships (placement only), and State (placement only). There are no qualifications for district qualifiers, and an all around score of 20.00 or higher at a qualifier meet is required to enter the District Championships. Qualification to South State occurs at the District Championships and is based on a percentage from each age group. Qualification to State occurs at the South State Championships and is based on the highest All Around scores from each age group.

Level 5:  This is a placement only level.  It is the highest level of compulsory routines. Compulsory routines are routines that have been set by USAG and the every athlete in the competition must perform the same routine. Athletes must be 7 years old to compete.  Competitions include invitationals, district qualifiers, District Championships, South State Championships, and State. There are no qualifications for district qualifiers, and an all around score of 20.00 or higher at a qualifier meet is required to enter the District Championships. Qualification to South State occurs at the District Championships and is based on a percentage from each age group. Qualification to State occurs at the South State Championships and is based on the highest All Around scores from each age group.

Level 6:  This is considered the first step in optional competition. Athletes create their own routines but must include certain compulsory elements. Athletes must be 7 years old to compete. Competitions include invitationals and State. Athletes qualify to the State Championships by earning a 34.0 or higher All Around score at any sanctioned USAG competition in the United States.

Level 7:  Gymnasts compete optional routines only.  This level has restrictions on difficulty and has modified rules with easier requirements than Level 8. Athletes must be 7 years old to compete. Competitions include invitationals, State and Regional All-Star Championships. Athletes qualify to the State Championships by earning a 34.0 or higher All Around score at any sanctioned USAG competition in the United States. Qualification to Regionals will be based on highest All Around score at the State Championships.

Level 8:  Gymnasts compete optional routines only.  This level has restrictions on difficulty and has modified rules with easier requirements than Levels 9 or 10. Athletes must be 8 years old to compete. Competitions include invitationals, State and Regionals. Athletes qualify to the State Championships by earning a 30.0 or higher All Around score at any sanctioned USAG competition in the United States. At State, a percentage of each age group will advance to Regionals.  The percentage is determined by the numbers in each age group from all the regions.

Level 9:  Gymnasts compete optional routines only. Athletes must be 8 years old to compete. Competitions include invitationals, State, Regional and Western Nationals.  This level has modified rules with easier requirements than Level 10. Competitions include invitationals, State, Regionals, and Western National Championships. Athletes qualify to the State Championships by earning a 32.0 or higher All Around score at any sanctioned USAG competition in the United States. At State, the athlete must score a 34.00AA to advance to Regionals.  At Regionals, a percentage of each age group will advance to Western National Championships.  The percentage is determined by the numbers in each age group from all the regions.

Level 10:  Gymnasts compete optional routines only.  This is the highest level in the USAG Junior Olympic (JO) program. Athletes must be 9 years old to compete. Competitions include invitationals, State, Regional and National Championships. Athletes who place high enough in the AA at Nationals will be considered JO National Team members. Athletes qualify to the State Championships by earning a 32.0 or higher All Around score at any sanctioned USAG competition in the United States. At the State meet the athlete must score a 34.00AA to qualify to Regionals.  At Regionals, the top 7 athletes in each age group will advance to Nationals.

Xcel: This USAG competitive program allows gymnasts to train to the high optional levels without the high training hours and cost, which are required in the JO program. We compete level Bronze through Platinum.Elite:  This is the top level in Gymnastics.  Less than 1% of the athletes in USAG will compete at this level.  Gymnasts compete in Regional, National and International competitions.  The USA National team, as well as the Olympic team, is selected from this level.  A gymnast must be 12 years old to compete in the International Elite Division. Qualifications:  The gymnast must pass the elite testing at an elite competition.  After passing the elite testing, the gymnast must achieve a score in optionals to move on to National competitions.  From the National competitions, athletes try to qualify to Classics and Championships of the USA (International program) FIG rules are used for this competition – Not JO rules!

Please note that our team program is by invitation only. All new potential team members are required to have an evaluation scheduled by appointment. Please call 210.375-7800 for more information or to schedule your evaluation today!