This post has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 Code of Points. What goes into a Level 8 bar routine? It’s a little more involved than Levels 6 and 7! Level 8 is the first level that includes composition deductions, and Level 8 gymnasts are required to perform more difficult skills than the previous levels. […]
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It’s the holiday season, and you need ideas for the best gifts for gymnasts this year. Or, she has […]
The Level 2 bar routine is short and sweet. This can make it tough to tell why the score is lower than expected! Surprisingly, there can be a lot of little deductions hiding in that short routine. What should gymnasts focus on to get that big score? Read on and we’ll take a closer look […]
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The power of a positive attitude. Positive thinking. Optimism. Belief in oneself. No matter what you call it, a positive attitude is at the center of a growth mindset in sports. In gymnastics, this is especially important, as the skills […]
The Level 2 vault – what in the world is it? When the flat back vault was first introduced, it had already been used by coaches in training for a long time. But no one knew how it would be scored in a meet. Judges complained that it was difficult to judge. Coaches complained that […]
This post was originally written September 13, 2020, and has been updated for 2021. Gymnasts, do you need a fun holiday to help you celebrate your favorite sport? You’re in luck! National Gymnastics Day is coming up. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a holiday dedicated to gymnastics! What could be better than that? […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes. Here comes the toughest compulsory level of all: Level 5. The routines have more skills in them, and the skills are more challenging. The skills in this level are great for progressing toward the optional levels. Some of these skills can be used […]
Pandemic life has challenged us in many ways. First, most of the country was shut down. Schools were closed. Many businesses were closed, including gymnastics gyms. The end of meet season was cancelled. Gymnasts all over the country, and the world, had to miss their biggest meets. Now, some parts of the country have opened […]
Level 4 beam – love it or hate it? It starts to get harder in this level, with the addition of the cartwheel! But what’s the best way to get a big score? If you read the Level 3 beam article, many of the same principles apply here to Level 4 beam. Let’s take a […]
When gymnasts start to get ready for competition, there are a lot of new things to learn. New skills, new routines, new attire. One thing that can be confusing about the attire is gymnastics grips for bars. When does a gymnast need them? What are they used for? Which ones are the best? Let’s take […]