Compulsory & Optionals

At Levels 3, 4 and 5, athletes compete in what is called “Compulsory Levels”. A core of nationally respected coaches and judges have designed the compulsory program where routines to establish sound fundamentals. Each athlete performs the same routine to a prescribed criterion. Level 3 and 4 gymnasts who qualify for their PA State Championships will compete together as a team. Level 5’s will compete in their age group.

Level 6 is a beginner optional level from Compulsories (Levels 3, 4 and 5) to Optional (Levels 7 to 10). Gymnasts will have their routines tailored to their strengths; however, they must include certain basic elements or requirements. All optional gymnasts compete in their age groups at States.

Levels 7, 8, 9, and 10 are considered the beginner, intermediate, advanced intermediate, and advanced Optional levels. Routines are designed around the gymnast’s strengths and away from their weaknesses.  The coaches do have final say on what goes in, or not in a routine. All optional gymnasts compete in their age groups at States, Regionals (Level 7-10, and Nationals Level 9, 10 if they qualify for those meets.

Xcel Team

Silver and Gold divisions are considered the entry and beginner divisions in the Xcel program.

Each division will still have certain requirements that they need to perform on each event. Silver and Gold gymnasts who qualify for their PA State Championships will compete together as a team.

Platinum, Diamond and now Sapphire are considered intermediate, and advanced divisions.

At these divisions, gymnasts will compete in their age groups at the PA state competition.

Each division will still have certain requirements that they need to perform on each event.

Xcel Levels Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Sapphire now have an official Regional meet if they qualify.

Competitions

A competitive gymnast competes from late November/Early December through May or June each year.  Competitive team athletes participate in Invitational competitions to qualify for the State Championships for their respective levels.  For Levels 7-8-9-10 the State Championships serve as qualifiers for Regionals, and Regionals are the competitions at which Levels 9 and 10 qualify for Nationals. In the Xcel program, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Sapphire may have the ability to qualify to their Regional meet throughout the year, or at their State Meet.

Gymnastics for All (GfA) Team

Gymnastics for All includes competitive disciplines such as Power TeamGym and Acrobatics and Tumbling, and non-competitive opportunities in group performance. It also includes Hope Unites Gymnastics with Special Athletes (HUGS) divisions for disabled athletes.