The World of Gymnastics

Archive for the ‘LEVEL 1 REQUIREMENTS’ Category

USAG has established10 Junior Olympic levels in gymnastics. After the 10^th level there is elite gymnastics. Gymnastics level 1-6 are known as the compulsory levels. In the compulsory levels every gymnast performs the same gymnastic routines on each event (floor, balance beam, vault and uneven bars).

Levels 1-3 are usually non competitive gymnastics levels. There is no official or sanctioned meets for theses level. Although some gyms may have small competitions so the gymnasts can have fun and gain experience. USAG has set forth mandatory ages for each level of competition. To compete as a gymnastics level 1 or 2 the gymnast has to have reached her 4^th birthday. To compete as a level 3 the gymnast has to have reached her 5^th birthday.

Gymnastics level 1-3 teach basic gymnastics skills, body positions and techniques. At these levels the gymnasts should be learning skills on floor, balance beam, vault and uneven bars. All of the gymnastics skills learned in these levels are the foundation and building blocks needed to start making a great gymnast.

Here are the main basic skills you will learn in level 1, 2 and 3!!

VAULT

• Level 1 Vault- arm circle, punching the spring board, straight jump on an 8 inch mat
• Level 2 Vault- Handstand on spring board, blocking off, landing in a flat back position on a 16 inch mat
• Level 3 Vault- run, hurdle, punch board, dive forward roll to a stand on a resi mat (waist height)

UNEVNE BARS

• Level 1 Bars- 2 foot pullover, casting, back hip circle, push away dismount
• Level 2 Bars- 2 foot pullover, casting, back hip circle, straddle on, sole circle dismount
• Level 3 Bars- 2 foot pullover, casting, back hip circle, cut over, mill (stride) circle, cut back, squat on, pike sole circle dismount

BALANCE BEAM

• Level 1 Balance beam- front support, candle stick, arabesque, coupe walks, releve (tiptoe) walks, straight (stretch) jump on beam, straight (stretch) jump dismount.
• Level 2 Balance beam- front support, v-sit, forward roll, arabesque, leg swings, releve balance, tuck jump, tuck jump dismount.
• Level 3 Balance beam- front support, swing push-up, arabesque, partial handstand, running steps, pivot turns, split jump, cartwheel to side handstand dismount

GYMNASTICS FLOOR

• Level 1 Gymnastics floor- forward roll, backward roll, cartwheel, candlestick, bridge up, side roll, leg swings, coupe walks, tuck jump
• Level 2 Gymnastics floor- straddle roll to straddle stand, headstand, back bend from knees, cartwheel, backward roll to pike, handstand, leg balance, split jump, pivot turn, chasse
• Level 3 Gymnastics floor- handstand forward roll, round-off, backward roll with straight arms to pike, backbend kick-over, leg balance, chasse, leap, heel-snap turn, straight jump, tuck jump

The USAG level 1 uneven bar routine is competed on the low bar. You may use a spring board or gymnastics mat to mount the bar, but it must be removed immediately after the mount. If it is not removed a deduction will be awarded.

GYMNASTICS LEVEL 1  UNEVEN BARS

PULLOVER- Make sure to take off of both feet at the same time ( – 0.30)

Finish in an extended front support (up to -0.10)

CAST-incorrect body alignment- Must have straight arms, straight hollow body position, and legs must remain together (up to – 0.20)

BACK HIP CIRCLE- You must maintain a tight, straight hollow body position throughout the entire back hip circle (up to – 0.20)

Hips or thighs must maintain bar contact throughout the back hip circle (- 0.20)

CAST- Incorrect body alignment- Must have straight arms, straight hollow body position, and legs must remain together (up to – 0.20)

PUSH AWAY DISMOUNT- Shoulders must be in front of the bar until the peak of the cast (up to – 0.30)

Arms and legs must remain straight throughout the entire routine (up to – 0.30 for each bend)

Legs must remain together at all times (up to – 0.20)

It is recommended to master the majority of these gymnastics skill before moving on to the next gymnastics level.

USAG has set forth specific gymnastics skills for each and every gymnastics level.  Level 1 is the first compulsory gymnastics level. The requirements, faults, deductions, and gymnastics skills  set by USAG for the level 1 gymnastics vault are as followed:

Level  1 gymnastics vault in nutshell

Run 7 to 9 steps, hurdle, punch spring board, rebound from spring board, straight jump on to an 8in gymnastics mat , stick landing.

VAULT

GYMNASTICS SKILLS, REQUIREMENTS, FAULTS, and DEDUCTIONS

• APPROACH-

1.       Incorrect arm swing (arms should swing backwards at the same time and end up by ears) (up to – 0.20)

2.       Arms must be in a forward-low position when you contact the spring board (up to – 0.02)

3.       Do not lean TOO forward when punching the spring board (up to – 0.30)

4.       Must punch spring board with both feet together at the same time (up to – 0.20)

5.       Can only punch board one time (cannot bounce more than once) (- 0.30 for each additional bounce)

• JUMP FROM BOARD TO MAT-

1.       Must show height (up to – 0.30)

2.       Maintain a straight-hollow body throughout jump (no arch, pike, or tuck) (up to -0.50)

3.       Arms and head must be aligned (up to – 0.30)

4.       Bent legs (up to – 0.30)

5.       Legs not together (up to -0.20)

6.       Point toes (up to – 0.1)

7.       Land in demi-plie, show control and stick landing (up to – 0.50)

• EXTRAS

1.       Run in a straight line (up to – 0.30)

2.       If you touch the spring board but doesn’t vault (VOID)

3.       Does the wrong vault (VOID)

4.       Lack of power and speed (up to – 0.30)

5.       Help of coach on landing ( – 0.50)

*Make sure to put the spring board in front of an 8 inch gymnastics mat to perform this gymnastics level 1 vault.