Every four years, USA Gymnastics makes changes to the rules for the Development Program (Dev Program). This year, the Code of Points got a full update. (Click here to read about the Code of Points changes.)
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 2026, and here are the changes, effective for the 2026-27 season. Click here to see the full meeting minutes on the USA Gymnastics website.
General Changes 2026
These changes are organized by categories so you can easily find what you need.
Changes to Rules and Policies
Procedural Updates
New elements submitted for evaluation will be evaluated only once annually at the May committee meetings.
Variations of existing “E” elements will be allowed to be named after the athlete who performs it successfully at Dev Nationals including the All-Star session. Elements will be evaluated at the May meetings to be included in the Code of Points.
A recommendation has been made to USA Gymnastics to remove the training day for Level 9 Easterns/Westerns, and replace it with individual event sessions.
Petitions to Regionals – if the gymnast is unable to complete her 4th event, she must complete the following in order to petition to Regionals:
- Complete Injury Petition Form and provide the required documentation
- Complete “Petition Form to Regional Championships” which includes the following:
- Gymnast’s score from 1st 3 events (MUST be at least 75% of the petition AA score)
- Documentation of a score for the 4th event (that was not competed) which is at least equal to the remaining score to meet the total petition score
- Documentation from the State Meet Injury Report Form to verify injury at the State Meet
Judging Updates
Level 8-10 judging exams will open on August 1, 2026.
Video Review Updates
The video review process now includes the option to review a video in regular motion, slow motion, or freeze frame to determine if a change should be made to the score. The Meet Referee may also use these options if they are reviewing a video with a coach to determine if the inquiry should be submitted.
Meet Mechanics Updates
Heat sheets are no longer required to be used at State Meets and above. If they are not used, the Chief Judge on each event must keep a record of all scores and neutral deductions.
Mobility Updates
Level 4 athletes who wish to move up to Level 6 must get two 36.00 AA scores (this is not new). It has been clarified that the 36.00’s must be from the current or previous season.
Matting/Equipment Updates
A springboard IS allowed to be placed on top of an 8-inch mat for mounting.
Level 6/7 Vault: The pit pillow is allowable for BOTH Levels 6 and 7 now at all invitationals, and is REQUIRED to be provided (but not required to be used) at State Meet and above. The pit pillow is NOT part of the mat stack height, which must be equal to or higher than the underside of the vault table.
Level 6/7 Vault: If a 4-inch base mat is used, an 8-inch mat must be placed at the far end of the vault mat stack, away from the table.
Level 9/10 Nationals: The official vault table on the equipment list will be the AAI Tac-10 Pro Elite vault table.
Vault Changes 2026
If a vault is voided by any of the judges, the Chief Judge is required to notify the coach.
Bars Changes 2026
NEW Skill:
#7.203 “B”: Sole circle backward piked with flight from high bar to regrasp low bar
Beam Changes 2026
Beam Updates
The 180° split requirement for walkovers and walkover-type elements does NOT apply if the element is in an acro series. If the series is broken, the split requirement still will NOT apply.
Warm-ups: In competitions using a DRAW format, the first athlete to compete must warm up first. The remaining athletes can be grouped by beam height setting. If the first gymnast blocks time with other gymnasts in the rotation, they must warm up with the first gymnast.
At STATE Meets and above: Meet directors must supply an “audible sound device” (bell, etc) to signal Warning and Time.
NEW Skill:
#3.506 “E”: 4/1 wolf turn (Graba)
Floor Changes 2026
Level 2 Floor: Backward roll – Decrease deduction for “performs backward roll to handstand” from 0.60 to 0.30.
Music failure is no longer considered equipment failure, and the gymnast may NOT repeat the routine from the point of interruption. Deductions for absence of music, failure to end with the music, and musicality will not be applied to the section of the routine performed without music.
Matting for floor routines can be removed at any time during the routine, regardless of the placement of the mat. Coaches ARE allowed to walk onto the floor to remove the mats.
Warm-up Time: In meets where the gymnasts warm up on the floor between routines, gymnasts are guaranteed a minimum of 30 seconds warm-up time between each routine. If the judges are not ready to proceed, the warm-up time may continue until the judges are ready.
References
USA Gymnastics Minutes, May 2026.