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PARENT INFORMATION ON USA WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS
The Women’s Development Program (WDP) was created with the belief that all athletes, regardless of their potential, must have a solid foundation of basic skills in order to advance safely. In order to compete in a sanctioned competition, an athlete must be a registered USA Gymnastics Athlete Member. The WDP is divided into three major segments; developmental, compulsory, and optional.
Developmental
The first segment consists of Levels 1 through 3. These levels may be used as a non-competitive and achievement-oriented program for use within a gym’s pre-team program, or they may be used as an introductory/recreational competitive program. States may offer State Championships for these levels.
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In-gym or inter-club testing.
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Equipment should accommodate the size of the gymnasts.
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Athletes may not skip any level (exception…Level 6 may be skipped, see below). They must advance one level at a time by scoring the minimum mobility score at any USA Gymnastics sanctioned competition (Exception: Levels 1-3 do not have a mobility score).
Compulsory
The second segment consists of Levels 4 and 5. Both of these levels are progressive in nature, building upon the skills required at the previous level. Competitive opportunities are provided up to and including the USA Gymnastics State Championships.
Optional
The third segment is Levels 6-10. Levels 6, 7, 8, and 9 have difficulty restrictions, while Level 10 has no restrictions in the skill choice. The composition is evaluated at Levels 8, 9, and 10.
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Levels 6 and 7 have competitive opportunities up to and including State and possibly Regional Championships, depending on the needs of each Region.
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Additional competitive opportunities are provided for Levels 8-10, with the Level 10 competitive season culminating at the WDP National Championships, Level 9 at the Eastern or Western Championships and Level 8 at the Regional Championships.
USAG AGE/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND MOBILITY SCORES OVERVIEW CHART
Level 2 (Pre-Comp)
L. 2 - Reached 5th birthday
Level 3
Reached 6th birthday
Level 4
Reached 7th birthday
34.00 at Level 4 to move up to Level 5
Level 5
Reached 7th birthday
32.00 AA at Level 5 to move up to Level 6 or 7
Level 6
Reached 7th birthday
32.00 AA at Level 6 to move up to Level 7
Level 6 may be skipped if a 32.00 AA was achieved at Level 5
Level 7
Reached 7th birthday
32.00 AA at Level 7 to move up to Level 8
Ind. Event Specialist: 8.5 per event
Level 8
Reached 8th birthday
34.00 AA at Level 8 to move up to Level 9
Ind. Event Specialist: 8.5 per event
Level 9
Reached 8th birthday
34.00 AA at Level 9 to move to Level 10
Ind. Event Specialist: 8.5 per event
Level 10
Reached 9th birthday
Level Advancement *mobility charts specific to each level* This is determined by the potential success in the next level. While it is impossible to know how a gymnast will perform, specific benchmarks must be proven for advancement. Factors such as performance at the previous level, physical preparedness, work ethic, focus, age, dedication, and maturity influence the coaches’ decision on level placement. We want every gymnast to feel comfortable and be successful during the competition season. Level Placement evaluations will be done during the fall before the season starts. Compulsory evaluations are done every three months to track their progress throughout the year.