As I watch a gymnastics meet, I notice that some routines really seem to pull me in. I even get chills watching them, if they’re really good! Some gymnasts seem to have a special quality about them that draws people to watch them. What is it about these routines that makes them irresistible to watch? […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points. Ah, Xcel. These are the levels that foster the most questions. There are so many questions that our regional Xcel chair even started a Xcel Facebook group. Professionals in our region can write in to the group to get […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes, and was updated again in July 2023. The final compulsory floor routine is the Level 5 floor routine. This routine is full of progressions from the Level 4 routine, and helps gymnasts learn the skills necessary to become a successful optional gymnast. It’s […]
This post has been updated to reflect changes to the 2021 compulsory routines. The Level 4 bar routine comes with some big changes, compared to Level 3. Kips! Jumping to the high bar! These new, big skills can present quite a challenge to a new Level 4 gymnast. When I first competed at this level, […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021 compulsory updates, and the updates from the 2022 minutes. Where I live in Ohio, Level 3 is often the first level gymnasts compete. For many Level 3 gymnasts, learning to swing bars can be really tough! Bars requires a lot of upper-body strength along with good […]
What’s my bar routine missing? What are the biggest deductions I’m getting? This is a very common question for Level 6-10 bars. What’s the answer? Often, it has to do with bar angle deductions. Angle deductions are deductions that are taken during almost every bar routine. At Level 6 and 7, the deductions taken are […]
It’s officially time for the new compulsory routines! As of August 1, 2021, the routines have changed. The old routines from 2013-2021 are no longer allowed in competition. With these changes, the level system will still stay the same. There will continue to be five levels of compulsories and five levels of optionals. Level 4 […]
The acro series on beam – it’s a requirement that can make or break the routine! If the series is not connected, it’s an automatic 0.5 off the start value for the routine, in addition to any execution deductions, balance errors, or falls. But what is necessary to consider a series connected? For a forward, […]
