Level 3 Program:

The rhythmic level 3 program is the first “evaluation” stage in an athlete’s competitive development. The goals of the Level 3 program are to focus attention on skill development, not the score of the exercise. Also an emphasis will be placed on proper self-presentation and the preservation of the athlete’s physical and emotional well-being. Level 3 gymnasts will compete in Local and Invitational meets only.

Level 4 Program:

The rhythmic level 4 program is next in the development of rhythmic gymnastics. The gymnast will perform three routines including a compulsory floor routine. The goal of the level 4 program is to further develop the basic fundamental skills of the sport. Athletes will receive achievement awards based on their proficiency in skill performance. Level 4 gymnasts will compete in Local and Invitational meets, State Meet, Regional Meet and may gain a spot on the Regional Team for the Level 4/5 Championships.

Level 5 Program:

Level 5 is for the gymnast who can successfully perform the skills and routines from Level 4. Gymnasts will compete one at a time. The routines incorporate critical rhythmic skills that, when learned, will enable the gymnast to move easily and successfully into more advanced optional work.

· All routines should be judged with one panel of two judges with both judges judging everything (Composition and Execution/Artistic Value). Each judge will judge independently & the 2 scores are averaged.

· Event Awards will be given by age category and ranking.

· All gymnasts will be ranked age category and awarded all-around medals and ribbons up to 12 places.

· The length of the music is 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds in length.

· The routine will be comprised of 8 body skills and optional chorography

Level 6 Program:

Level 6 is for the gymnast who can successfully perform the skills and routines from Level 5. Gymnasts will compete one at a time. The development of the optional routine will emphasize a greater mastery of apparatus handling and a higher level of body skills. Gymnasts compete a floor routine and 3 apparatus events. Difficulty and skill selection is based on the FIG code of points.

· All routines should be with one panel of two judges with both judges judging everything (Composition and Execution/Artistic Value). Each judge will judge independently & the 2 scores are averaged.

· Gymnasts compete 1 at a time

· The length of the music is 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds in length.

· The routine will be comprised of 8 body skills and optional chorography

Level 7/8 Program

The Level 7 and 8 optional program is designed to prepare gymnasts for the advanced skills of the FIG program. All routines should be judged as per FIG standards for validation. Each judge will judge independently & the 2 scores are averaged.

• Eligible Age Categories: Child, Junior , Senior
• The length of the music is 1 minute 15 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds in length.
• The routine will be comprised required composition and optional chorography.
• Gymnasts compete 1 at a time.
• Apparatus will follow the rotation as written.
• The optional program will utilize the FIG Code of Points.
• The Floor routine for Level 7 will be judged out of 10.0 and for Level 8 out of 12.0
• All athletes must complete the FIG form for difficulties and Artistic Value and submit prior to the competition.
• Technical Value is outlined on the chart following.
• Artistic Value is outlined on the chart following. Music = 1.00, Basic Choreography = 2.00 and CAP value is stated below.
• Execution – All optional apparatus routines will be judged out of 10.00
• The scores for Level 7 and 8 will be calculated by adding the averages of the Difficulty score and the Artistry score and dividing by 2 and then adding the Execution score. (D (TV) + AV)/2 + EX = Total Score

	D(TV) – Max Value	TV - # of Difficulties	TV – Allowed Value	Min – Comp Body Group	Max – Other Body Group	AV-Basic Comp	AV- Music	AV – Max Value CAP	Execution	Max total Score
Level 7	3.00	10	A, B, C, D, E	5	2 from each	2.00	1.00	3.00 max	10.00	14.50
Level 8	5.00	12	A, B, C, D, E, F	6	2 from each	2.00	1.00	4.00 max	10.00	16.00

Score Calculation = (D (TV) + AV)/2 + EX = Total Score

Level 7

Floor Routine – Max Score = 10.0

Difficulty (TV	Artistry	Execution
Max = 3.00	Max = 2.00	Max 5.00
Skills – A, B, C, D, E # of skills = 10 ** equal distribution of body groups	Basic Composition = 1.50 Music =0.50

Level 8

Floor Routine – Max Score = 12.0

Difficulty (TV	Artistry	Execution
Max = 5.00	Max = 2.00	Max 5.00
Skills – A, B, C, D, E, F # of skills = 12 ** equal distribution of body groups	Basic Composition = 1.50 Music =0.50

** Equal distribution of body skills is required. Only a difference of 2 is allowed between fundamental body groups.
Ex 12 skills = 3,3,3,3 or 3,4,3,2 are allowed.

Level 9/10

Level 9 and Level 10 are governed by the rules set by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG). Rules and updates may be found at www.fig-gymnastics.com All Level 9 gymnasts must compete and qualify at a regional competition. All qualified level 9 gymnasts and all current level 10 gymnasts may compete at Eastern/Western Qualifiers. Eastern and Western Qualifier serve to qualify the top 20 Junior and top 20 Senior category gymnasts to the Elite National Championships. At National Championships the top 8 juniors in the All Around competition are named as the USA Gymnastics Junior National Team. The top 8 seniors in the All Around competition are also named as the USA Gymnastics Senior National Team. In the early spring of each year the National Teams, both Junior and Senior compete at USA Gymnastics Rhythmic Challenge. The Challenge competition re-ranks all team members because many juniors have changed age category to the senior category and ranking must be re-done for the International season. The Challenge competition does not “drop” gymnasts from the National Team, but simply re-ranks the gymnasts.

More information regarding policies can be found at www.usa-gymnastics.org Rhythmic Program.