This post was originally published February 10, 2020, and was updated August 29, 2020, August 29, 2021, August 19, 2022, July 7, 2023, November 6, 2024, and July 8, 2025. If you’ve been at a Level 6 or 7 gymnastics meet recently, no doubt you’ve seen the new vault setup. Gymnasts now vault from the […]
This post has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points. Bar routines start to get a lot more complicated once you get to Level 9! There are more requirements, more choices, bonus connections… it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin! If you’re trying to decide how to construct your […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points. It has been modified using the new 2024 composition deductions. Have you ever watched a floor routine that looked amazing, but then it scored low? I know I have! Especially before I started judging, it just didn’t make sense! […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes made in the 2022-2026 Code of Points. It has been modified using the new 2024 composition deductions. Your Level 9 gymnast hits her floor routine. Yes! But the score comes in lower than you both expected. What’s the deal? At Level 9, there’s a good chance […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 Code of Points. It has been modified using the new 2024 composition deductions. This Level 8 gymnast did a super clean floor routine! Gymnast and coach are thrilled, but when the score comes up, it’s not as high as they thought it would be. What gives? […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points. You may have already read about Level 8 and Level 9 vault, in which there are restrictions on what vaults are allowable. In Level 10 vault, pretty much anything goes! There are many more options for flipping vaults, twisting […]
Level 8 floor routines start to get a bit more difficult, compared with Levels 6 and 7. Level 8 is the third optional level in gymnastics. Optional gymnastics means that the gymnast gets to use their own choreography. Level 8 floor music can be chosen by the gymnast and coach. Today we will look at […]
This article has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points changes. Every four years, the rules change for optional gymnastics under USA Gymnastics. Sometimes there are a lot of changes, and other years, the optional gymnastics requirements stay pretty much the same. As of April 2022, the new rules for 2022-2026 have […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points. Level 8 vault… this assignment used to (and sometimes still does) strike fear into the hearts of judges. Would all the gymnasts make it through without crashing? I always consider it a success if I don’t gasp or jump […]
