Xcel Bronze Requirements This article has been updated to reflect the changes from the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points. If you have Xcel Bronze gymnasts for the first time (or even if it’s not the first time!), you might be wondering what’s expected of them. Xcel Bronze is the first of the five Xcel divisions. […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes, and updated again in July 2023. Level 2 floor = hearing that same music over and over again. It can be monotonous and boring. But it doesn’t have to be! Level 2 floor is also a place where new competitive gymnasts can show […]
The 2020 Friendship and Solidarity Meet was held in Tokyo, Japan on November 8. This meet is significant in 2020, as it is the first international meet that has been held since the COVID-19 shutdowns. Of course, Tokyo is slated to host the rescheduled Olympic Games in summer 2021. This meet served as a warm-up […]
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021-2029 compulsory routine changes. Occasionally, I look toward the beam to salute the next gymnast, but I can’t see her because she’s not tall enough to see over the beam! Usually, when that happens, I’m judging Level 2 beam. In my area, Level 2 is the lowest […]
This post has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2026-2030 DP 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 Credit in the Start Value, and Level 8 gymnasts are required to […]
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? […]