Every four years, USA Gymnastics makes changes to the rules for the Development Program (Dev Program). The most recent rules changes took place in 2022. (Click here to read about them.)
However, each year, the committees meet and determine if smaller-scale changes need to be made to address issues that have been brought up.
Those meetings were completed in May 2025, and here are the changes, effective for the 2025-26 season. Click here to see the full meeting minutes on the USA Gymnastics website.
General Changes 2025
These changes are organized by categories so you can easily find what you need.
Changes to Rules and Policies
Attire Updates
A gymnast MAY wear a sports bra WITH exposed straps, as long as it is black, clear, skin tone, or matches the leotard. YAY!!! We’ve been waiting for this rule to be changed for a LONG time.
Judging Updates
A 2-judge panel is REQUIRED for Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire Divisions for mobility and qualifying meets. Bronze, Silver, and Gold Divisions may use a 1-judge panel for mobility.
Judges will need to pass a Level 6/7 exam before they are eligible to take the Level 8 exam. (Previously, judges would take a Level 4/5 exam, and then a Level 7/8 exam.)
Clarification on Video Review and Judges’ Affiliation: “At all sanctioned competitions, a coach may request a video review by the Meet Referee and highest rated judge unaffiliated with that event (if video is available) following an inquiry. If the Meet Referee or highest rated judge is affiliated with the athlete in question, the video review will be conducted by the next 2 highest rated judges unaffiliated with the athlete, or the highest rated unaffiliated judge and a USA Gymnastics officer.”
Meet Mechanics Updates
At STATE meets and above, heat sheets are required. At other meets, if heat sheets are not used, the head judge must record both scores, neutral deductions, and the final average score.
If an athlete requires medical attention and clearance to continue competition, she may complete the routine and resume competition within the same session once she is cleared.
If a Level 9 or 10 squad has less than 5 athletes on bars due to scratches, an additional 2 1/2 minute warmup may be provided.
Mobility Updates
Any athlete who has competed in the Dev Program, then competes at a State meet in an alternative program (Xcel, or under another governing body), must petition to re-enter the Dev Program at Level 5 or higher. Petitions should be sent to the State Committee (Levels 5-8) or the Regional Committee (Levels 9–10).
Matting/Equipment Updates
Pit pillows are ALLOWED to be used for warm-ups at all sanctioned competitions. They are only allowed in competition where specified in R&P.
A springboard is NEVER allowed to be placed on top of the vault table, even during general stretch or warm-ups.
Level 6/7 Vault: The sting mat MAY be included in the matting configuration to meet the required height (even with the underside of the vault table or higher).
Level 8-10 gymnasts MAY use the vault table at any manufacturers’ setting, maximum 135cm.
NEW bars settings requirement: The front slider MUST stay fixed at the “FIG” setting. ***This rule was reversed in August 2025.
Beam matting: There must be a minimum of 4’x4′ padding in the corners, between the under-beam matting and the dismount landing mat. GREAT idea for safety – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a gymnast land on the concrete!
Changes to Deductions on ALL Events
REMOVE the 0.30 deduction for no dismount from all events.
Vault Changes 2025
NEW Deduction (Levels 1-10): Failure to punch board simultaneously with 2 feet – 0.20.
Bars Changes 2025
Clarification: The 0.20 deduction for a coach applying water or chalk to the bars after the routine has begun ONLY applies if the gymnast is actively competing on the equipment. It does NOT apply if she is on the ground after a fall.
Clarification on equipment failure: If the bar tension cable slips while the gymnast is competing, AFTER the coach has tightened it prior to the routine, this WILL be considered equipment failure, and no deduction will be taken for a fall.
Level 5 Flyaway Dismount: If the coach assists during this element ONLY, take the 0.50 spotting deduction but NOT the “up to the value of the element” deduction.
Skill Value Changes
There is only one skill value change on bars this year:
- #6.301 Stalder forward with 1/1 turn after HS phase (Healy) to L or mixed-L grip: raised from “C” to “D” (now #6.401).
Composition Changes
Choice of elements deduction (Level 9/10 only) now has 4 choices. Failure to perform 2 elements that fulfill 2 of the 4 choices is up to 0.20 (0.10 if 1 choice performed, 0.20 if 0 choices performed).
- 1 forward element (circle or release), min. B
- 1 element from Group 3/6/7, min. B
- 1 element with minimum 180 turn (with or without flight), min. C
- *** NEW – 1 single bar release, min. D
Beam Changes 2025
Beam Updates
Clarification regarding equipment failure: If the end cap detaches while the gymnast is performing her dismount, it IS considered equipment failure, and the 0.50 fall deduction would not apply. If the end cap detaches at any other time, it is NOT considered equipment failure.
NEW text for Level 1-5 beam mounts: “Place both hands shoulder-width apart on the beam (left hand can be straight or sideways) and jump to a FRONT SUPPORT to finish with arms straight and body extended.”
NEW Skills:
#2.501 (E): From side stand- Ring Jump (rear leg at head height) with ½ turn (180°) (Pennucci) (Video here!)
#1.108 ADD shoulder stand variation to the current “chest or head stand mount”.
Floor Changes 2025
Level 3 Floor: Backward roll –
- Amplitude requirement is now “above horizontal”. Gymnasts no longer need to open to 45° above horizontal.
- Decrease deduction for “performs backward roll to handstand” from 0.40 to 0.20.
Clarification on the 0.20 maximum UTL composition deductions for Level 8-10 floor acro. Wording has changed to:
- Level 8-No “B” Saltos or less than above
- Level 9-No “C” Saltos or less than above
- Level 10-No “D/E” Saltos or less than above
Floor Matting: At all sanctioned competitions, two 4-inch mats will be allowed, replacing the previous allowance of one 4 inch mat and one 8-inch mat. The two (2) 4-inch mats may be stacked. It is still a rule that only two mats are allowed on the floor at a time, regardless of whether they are stacked or separate.
Clarification on additional matting for floor routines: All matting must be in place before the routine begins. If matting is added after the routine begins, a 0.30 deduction will be applied for unauthorized matting. Mats MAY be removed during a routine, but they must be removed from the nearest boundary line, and the person removing them must stay outside of the floor as much as possible. There is no deduction for a coach briefly stepping onto the floor to remove a mat.
NEW 0.50 deduction will be applied if a gymnast leaves the floor during the routine. This deduction should not be taken in addition to a fall out of bounds or a fall immediately preceding the gymnast leaving the floor for medical evaluation.
Floor Music Updates:
CJ deduction for “absence of music OR music with words/song/speech” has been decreased from 1.00 to 0.50.
The changes to the floor music rule that were announced last year, and were supposed to begin in August 2026, have been rescinded. Floor music WILL still be allowed to contain human or synthesized voices in the future. Great news for gymnasts who did not want to change their music, or who were hoping to use one of these musical pieces!
A floor music approval subcommittee will be formed and will define a music approval process to begin August 1, 2026.
References
USA Gymnastics Minutes, May 2025.