This article has been updated to reflect the changes from the 2022-2026 Xcel Code of Points.
Every four years, the rules change for Xcel gymnastics under USA Gymnastics. Sometimes there are a lot of changes, and other years, the Xcel gymnastics requirements stay pretty much the same. There’s always a lot of talk about what these changes will be. This article is updated with the changes from the 2022-2026 Xcel Code of Points.
The new Xcel Code of Points is now available. The e-book and hard copies are both available to order.
There is a summary chart on USA Gymnastics‘ website, which contains the requirements for all divisions. Keep reading for more detail!
Please also visit the Xcel Homepage for all of the latest information, specific to each event.
Xcel Bronze Gymnastics Requirements
All Xcel routines will start at 10.0 if the Special Requirements and Value Parts are met. There is NO bonus given in Xcel. The only exception to this is vaults that do not start at 10.0, which are indicated on the vault charts.
Vault
Xcel Bronze vault has two options. If any other vault is performed, it is considered a VOID vault and scored a zero. The options are:
- Bronze Vault Option 1 has two parts. The total Start Value of Option 1 is 9.0
- Part 1A: Straight jump onto mat (min. 16″, max 48″): SV 4.5
- Part 1B: Kick to handstand, fall to flat back: SV 4.5
- Bronze Vault Option 2 (Start Value 10.0): Jump to handstand, fall to flat back on mat stack (min. 16″, max. 48″)
The gymnast is allowed to perform two vaults. These vaults can be the same or different.
Bars
The current Xcel Bronze requirements on bars are:
- Mount (low bar)
- Cast (hips off bar)
- 360° circling skill
- Dismount from the low bar
At Xcel Bronze, the gymnast must perform at least 4 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Bronze routine will start at 10.0.
Beam
The current Xcel Bronze beam requirements are:
- Minimum 1/2 turn on 1 or 2 feet
- Leap or jump (no split requirement)
- Acro skill (non-flight)
- Dismount (no saltos or aerials)
At Xcel Bronze, the gymnast must perform at least 4 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Bronze routine will start at 10.0.
Floor
The current Xcel Bronze floor requirements are:
- 1st acro pass: minimum 2 acro elements, flight or non-flight
- 2nd acro pass: 1 acro element, flight or non-flight
- Dance passage (2 Group 1 elements) including 60° leap off 1 foot
- Minimum 1/2 turn on one foot
At Xcel Bronze, the gymnast must perform at least 4 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Bronze routine will start at 10.0.
Xcel Silver Gymnastics Requirements
Vault
Xcel Silver vault has two options. Both of these options are vaults over the sideways mat stack. The mat stack must be a minimum of 24″ high, and a maximum of 48″ high.
The two Silver vault options are:
- Front handspring over mat stack
- 1/4-1/2 on over mat stack
Both of these options start at 10.0.
Bars
The current Xcel Silver bars requirements are:
- Mount
- Cast to minimum 45° below horizontal
- 360° circling skill
- Dismount from low bar or high bar (no saltos)
At Xcel Silver, the gymnast must perform at least 5 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Silver routine will start at 10.0.
Beam
The current Xcel Silver beam requirements are:
- Minimum 1/2 turn on one foot
- 90° leap or jump
- Acro skill, non-flight
- Dismount
At Xcel Silver, the gymnast must perform at least 5 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Silver routine will start at 10.0.
Floor
The current Xcel Silver floor requirements are:
- 1st acro pass: minimum 2 acro elements, 1 must have flight
- 2nd acro pass: minimum 2 directly connected elements OR 1 flight element
- Dance passage (2 Group 1 elements) including 90° leap off 1 foot
- Minimum 1/1 turn on one foot
At Xcel Silver, the gymnast must perform at least 5 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Silver routine will start at 10.0.
Xcel Gold Gymnastics Requirements
Vault
Xcel Gold gymnasts are required to perform at least one vault from the Xcel Gold vault chart. These vaults are all non-salto vaults with and without twists. All of the vaults start from 10.0 in Xcel Gold. The gymnast may use the alternative springboard in Gold, but the Start Value of the vault will decrease to 9.5.
Bars
The current Xcel Gold bars requirements are:
- Skill finishing in clear support AT (or above) horizontal
- 360° circling skill
- 2nd 360° circling skill (same or different from the first one)
- Dismount – high bar
At Xcel Gold, the gymnast must perform at least 6 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Gold routine will start at 10.0.
Beam
The current Xcel Gold beam requirements are:
- Minimum 1/1 turn on one foot
- 2 different leaps/jumps, 1 with minimum 120° split (isolated or in a series)
- 2 acro skills, with or without flight, 1 must achieve or pass through vertical
- Dismount
At Xcel Gold, the gymnast must perform at least 6 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Gold routine will start at 10.0.
Floor
The current Xcel Gold floor requirements are:
- 1st acro pass: 2 directly connected flight elements
- 2nd acro pass: 2nd connection of 2 flight elements OR a salto/aerial
- Dance passage (2 Group 1 elements) including 120° leap off 1 foot
- Minimum 1/1 turn on 1 foot
At Xcel Gold, the gymnast must perform at least 6 “A” Value Parts, which are each worth 0.10 off the Start Value.
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Gold routine will start at 10.0.
Xcel Platinum Gymnastics Requirements
Vault
Xcel Platinum gymnasts are required to perform at least one vault from the Xcel Platinum vault chart. These vaults range in Start Value from 9.7 to 10.0, and they include non-salto vaults with and without twists, along with roundoff-entry vaults with either a repulsion or 1/2 twist off.
Bars
The current Xcel Platinum bars requirements are:
- Skill finishing in a clear support above horizontal
- 360° circling skill
- Kip
- Dismount from the high bar
At Xcel Platinum, the gymnast must perform the following Value Parts:
- 6 A (0.10 each)
- 1 B (0.30)
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Platinum routine will start at 10.0.
Beam
The current Xcel Platinum beam requirements are:
- Minimum 1/1 turn on one foot
- 1 Acro flight skill OR acro series x2 (at least one element must pass through inverted vertical)
- Dance series x2, same or different AND a 120° leap or jump
- Dismount
At Xcel Platinum, the gymnast must perform the following Value Parts:
- 6 A (0.10 each)
- 1 B (0.30)
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Platinum routine will start at 10.0.
Floor
The current Xcel Platinum floor requirements are:
- 1st acro pass: Minimum 2 flight elements including “A” or “B” salto
- 2nd acro pass: 2 flight elements OR B salto
- Dance passage (2 Group 1 elements) including 150° leap off 1 foot
- Minimum 1/1 turn on 1 foot
At Xcel Platinum, the gymnast must perform the following Value Parts:
- 6 A (0.10 each)
- 1 B (0.30)
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Platinum routine will start at 10.0.
Xcel Diamond Gymnastics Requirements
Vault
Xcel Diamond gymnasts are required to perform at least one vault from the Xcel Diamond vault chart, which lands on the feet first. There are a vast number of vaults to choose from, with many options for the approach and the Start Value. The Start Values range from 9.4 to 10.0.
Bars
The current Xcel Diamond bars requirements are:
- Skill finishing in a clear support at minimum 45° from vertical
- Min. “B” 360° circling skill
- Min. “B” skill with release, pirouette, or a 2nd 360° circling skill
- Salto or hecht dismount
At Xcel Diamond, the gymnast must perform the following Value Parts:
- 5 A (0.10 each)
- 2 B (0.30 each)
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Diamond routine will start at 10.0.
Beam
The current Xcel Diamond beam requirements are:
- Minimum 1/1 turn on one foot
- Dance series x2, same or different AND a 150° leap or jump
- Acro series x2 (at least one element must pass through inverted vertical) AND 1 flight element
- Dismount – salto or aerial
At Xcel Diamond, the gymnast must perform the following Value Parts:
- 5 A (0.10 each)
- 2 B (0.30 each)
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Diamond routine will start at 10.0.
Floor
The current Xcel Diamond floor requirements are:
- Two different acro flight series, each with at least 2 elements
- 2 different saltos in the routine, 1 minimum “B”
- Dance passage (2 Group 1 elements) including 150° leap off 1 foot
- Minimum “B” turn on 1 foot
At Xcel Diamond, the gymnast must perform the following Value Parts:
- 5 A (0.10 each)
- 2 B (0.30 each)
If all of these Value Parts and Special Requirements are performed, an Xcel Diamond routine will start at 10.0.
Summary
In this article, you have learned about the most updated version of the Xcel gymnastics requirements for 2022-2026.
If you’d like more information on the Sapphire division, piloting in 2022-2023, check out Xcel Sapphire Division Rules.
References
USA Gymnastics Xcel Code of Points, 2022-2026.