USAG XCEL Team

 First of all we are thrilled to have you here. You may ask “What is the XCEL program?” “What are the levels?” “What are the benefits of XCEL?” and “How will my athlete progress?” Here are the answers to these commonly asked questions.

 

  The Xcel Gymnastics Program is a competitive gymnastics program created by USA Gymnastics (USAG) to provide a flexible and accessible pathway for gymnasts of all levels. Unlike the traditional Developmental program (previously known as the Junior Olympic (JO) Program), which follows a structured progression of compulsory and optional levels, the Xcel Program allows gymnasts to customize their routines to showcase their strengths while competing at an appropriate level.

 

The Xcel Program consists of six competitive divisions, arranged in ascending order of difficulty:

• Bronze: Entry-level competition for beginners, equivalent to DP Levels 1/2

• Silver: Intermediate skills with improved execution, equivalent to DP Levels 2/3

• Gold: More advanced skills, including flight elements, Equivalent to DP Levels 4/5

• Platinum: Increased difficulty with stronger tumbling and acrobatics, equivalent to DP levels 6/7

• Diamond: High-level skills, including twisting vaults and connected flight elements. Equivalent to DP levels 7/8

• Sapphire: The most advanced Xcel level, equivalent to DP Levels 9/10.

 

Each level has its own minimum age requirement, skill expectations, and scoring guidelines. The program is designed to offer a rewarding gymnastics experience for gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels.

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XCEL Gymnastics is not like school where you move up each year.  Each athlete will advance at a different pace. XCEL levels encompass a broad spectrum of skills, so while your athlete may stay at the same level for multiple seasons there are many skills of varying difficulty they can work on. Move ups are based on not only skill, but attitude and work ethic as well.

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On the documents below you can see some of the common progressions we work on in the XCEL program at JAG for each event.