What's New in the Xcel Program in 2024-25?

Every four years, USA Gymnastics makes changes to the rules for the Xcel Program. The most recent rules changes took place in 2023. (Click here to read about them.)

However, each year, the committees meet and determine if smaller-scale changes need to be made to address issues that have been brought up.

Those meetings were completed in May 2024, and here are the changes, effective for the 2024-25 season. Click here to see the full meeting minutes on the USA Gymnastics website.

General Updates

Starting this year, there will be a National Xcel Program of the Year award! Let’s celebrate the wonderful Xcel programs we have in our country.

Matting Updates

Rules and Policies Updates

If a situation occurs in which gymnasts may require additional warm-up time due to a delay in the competition (power outage, etc), the Meet Director and Meet Referee will work together to determine the appropriate course of action.

Judging/Video Review Updates

If a Video Review results in an element being awarded credit when it was not previously awarded, the judges may apply deductions related only to the reason for the Video Review. For instance, if the judges review a split jump that did not initially receive credit, and decide it is within 20° of the required split angle and should get credit, they can take deductions for insufficient split if they feel it is warranted.

The judging panel is allowed to view the Video Review video after the determination has been made whether to adjust the score. (The Meet Referee and highest rated official still make the determination.)

General Deduction Updates

The deduction for beginning a routine or vault before the signal from the Chief Judge has been removed from the Xcel Code of Points.

Chief Judge deduction clarification – if a routine has fewer than 3 ATTEMPTED or SPOTTED Value Parts, the Chief Judge will deduct 2.00 for a short exercise.

Xcel Vault Updates

The deduction for “under-rotation of salto vaults” can now be applied to all Silver-Sapphire vaults, not just salto vaults.

Vault Value Change (Xcel Platinum): #4.102 RO, FF on, 1/2 off OR Yami-1/2 off is now worth a 9.9.

Xcel Bars Updates

Xcel Bars Deduction Changes

All divisions: A 0.20 deduction will be applied if the coach applies water or chalk to the bars after the routine has begun.

Silver-Sapphire: There will be a flat 0.10 deduction for any cast OR clear support element that does not meet the Division’s angle requirement, even if that skill is not being used to fulfill a requirement. Here are some specifics regarding this deduction:

This rule does not apply at Bronze as this division does not have an angle requirement.
Silver-Diamond: Apply the deduction to any cast/clear skill that does not meet the division’s angle requirement.
Sapphire: elements 11°-20° from vertical receive VP and SR credit, but receive the 0.10 amplitude deduction. Skills further than 20° from vertical receive the 0.10 deduction, and NO VP or SR credit.

Xcel Bars Clarifications

Skills that have the same number are considered different when performed in different directions. An example is front and back hip circles are considered two different elements.

A coach MAY help a gymnast remount the bars after a fall with NO deduction, even if the skill performed to remount is a skill in the Xcel Code. (Example: low bar pullover for Xcel Bronze)

A long hang pullover is considered a 360° circling skill ONLY if preceded by a cast for Platinum (NOT Diamond as their requirement is a “B”).

Diamond/Sapphire circling skills may NOT receive SR credit if they are part of the mount or dismount.

Spotting blocks may NOT be used to mount the high bar.

Xcel Bars Value Changes

#8.301 Variation: Underswing (toe-on or clear) to front pike with ½ twist: Raised from “C” to “D” (now #8.401).
#8.301 variation – Back Stalder to front tuck (Celestine) or pike with ½ twist: Raised from “C” to “D” (now #8.401).
#8.401 variation: Underswing (toe-on or clear) to front tuck or pike with 1/1 twist: REMOVE from Xcel COP.
#2.102 Add High Bar option for cast to squat, stoop, or straddle on LB or HB. (This allows for a gymnast to receive “A” VP for this skill prior to a sole circle dismount.)

Platinum Bars Update

The Up to 0.40 amplitude deduction for clear hip circles has been REMOVED from the Xcel COP. Deductions can still be applied for body position, bent arms, bent legs, etc, but not for the amplitude of the circle.

Xcel Beam Updates

Xcel Beam Value Changes

#3.307 1 1/4 turn on back in kip position: Raised from “C” to “D” (now #3.407)
#2.201 Side leap: Raised from “B” to “C” (now #2.301)
#8.401 Front tuck to stand, takeoff from one leg, ADD “also with 1/4 turn”
NEW element: #9.101 variation: Headspring dismount

Xcel Beam Element Clarifications

Change description of element #9.001 to “Any jump from one or two feet, also with up to 360° turn.” It does not matter whether the gymnast jumps off one or two feet – both will receive VP and SR credit.

Element #5.001, Lever: Change wording to read “From a lunge or stand, Lever to touch beam.” The “from a lunge or stand” wording is new.

Bronze Division: #5.002 Partial handstand with feet closed at a minimum of 45° (same criteria as Silver handstand) may receive “A” VP.

The following phrasing was updated for consistency with other Divisions: “Sapphire SR#2 – Dance Series -Minimum of Two Group 1, 2 or 3 elements (same or different)-AND one (1) Leap or Jump with a minimum 180° Cross or Side Split (Isolated or in a Series)”

Xcel Beam and Floor Updates

General Beam/Floor Updates

If a dance element requiring a specific split angle does not achieve the angle (within the 20° allowable variance), the Up to 0.20 deduction for insufficient split will NOT be applied. Instead, judges will apply appropriate deductions for the skill that is credited.

Clarification: If the front leg of a leap is in the stag position, the leap may NOT be used to fulfill a Special Requirement that requires a split angle. The leg must be extended to fulfill this requirement.