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 […]
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points. Level 9 vault – this is where it starts to get fun and exciting! Most gymnasts are performing flipping vaults, or more complicated twisting vaults. But what exactly are the judges looking for in a Level 9 vault? Let’s […]
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 […]
If you’re a gymnast or a gymnastics coach, you’re in this because you want to improve your skills, or your gymnasts’ skills. But it’s hard to do that without a plan! How do you set that plan? To do it, you need to know how to set gymnastics goals. Why Set Gymnastics Goals? As Yogi […]
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 […]
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Are you looking for personalized gymnast gifts this year? You’re in luck! There are some really cool […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 Code of Points. Level 7 floor routines are some of my favorite routines to judge. Level 7 gymnastics is the second optional level in gymnastics. This means that the gymnast gets to use their own choreography. Level 7 floor music can be chosen by the gymnast […]
This article has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 DP Code of Points changes. Level 6 floor routines are always a lot of fun to watch! Level 6 gymnastics is the first level in which the gymnast gets to use their own choreography. Level 6 floor music can be chosen by the gymnast and coach. […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes. In 2021, the Level 3 vault changed to a handspring over the mat stack, which you may have seen performed in Xcel Silver. The idea behind this vault is to prepare the gymnasts to perform the Level 4 and 5 handspring over the […]
If you watched any gymnastics in the 2020 Olympics, it was hard to miss the news about Simone Biles’ shocking withdrawal due to her mental health, specifically, a mental block. Some gymnasts call it “the twisties”. Others call it “getting lost in the air”. Sometimes, it’s an overwhelming fear of a skill, or a group […]