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USAG has established 10 levels of gymnastics, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. Gym levels 1-6 are known as compulsory levels. Compulsory gymnastics means that each gymnast competes with the same routine in all events and has the same gymnastics background music. Compulsory gymnastics is set up to have a steady progression of skills starting from basics and building until a gymnast reaches levels 7. Levels 7-10 are called optional gymnastics levels.
A gymnast reaches level 7, they are known as optional gymnasts. Optional means that the routines and the music are no longer the same. Each routine is original and choreographed to suit the gymnast’s individuality, style, skill and gymnastic dance ability. Not having a standard routine allows gymnasts to showcase their talents, strengths, and personality while minimizing their weaknesses. Optional gymnasts can also choose their own gymnastics floor music. Make sure you choose music that fits your style of gymnastic dance.
Gym levels 7-10 have some required skills and a specific degree of difficulty that they must put into each routine to avoid deductions and receive a starting value of 10.00. Optional level skills have 5 categories, A, B, C, D, and E. Skills are ranked by difficulty, with A being the easiest and E being the hardest. Levels 7-10 have a specific number of skills from particular categories that they must incorporate into their routines. For example, a level 7 must include 5 A’s and 2 B’s in their balance beam routine to have a starting value of 10.00.
Optional levels 7 and 8 have skill and difficulty restrictions. A small example is a level 7 and 8 who cannot perform any E skills in their routine. If they do, they will receive a large deduction. Gym levels 9 and 10 have no skill restrictions. They are allowed to put any skills in their routine as long as they meet the requirements. There are also age and score requirements for each level.
To compete as a level 7, a gymnast must be at least 7 years old and must receive an overall score (AA) of 31.00 as a level 6 in a sanctioned gymnastics competition. To compete as a level 8, the gymnast must be 8 years old and have received a minimum AA score of 31.00 as a level 7 in a sanctioned competition. To be a gymnastics level 9, a gymnast must also be at least 8 years old and have received an AA score of 34.00 as a level 8 in a sanctioned meet. A level 10 must be at least 9 years of age and must receive an AA score of 34.00 in sanctioned level 9 competition in order to compete.
All of these rules and guidelines are established by USAG.