WAG What is Xcel?

[Gymnast's Journey]

I've heard of the Xcel program, but I'm not completely sure on what it is. Is the judging different from JO?

 

[raenndrops]

Xcel is another program from USAG. It is an all optionals program that allows gymnasts to compete routines that play up their strengths while minimizing their weaknesses.
It is also designed to be a lower hours / lower cost option to keep gymnasts in the sport while allowing them to still have a life outside of the gym. However, some gyms have their Xcel teams practice similar hours to their JO counterparts.

I happen to love Xcel. It kept both of my gymmies from being "stuck" in JO Compulsories over certain compulsory skills. It also allowed a friend of theirs to join the gymnastics team within 1 month of her first gymnastics class (she did 2 weeks ~10 days, 2 hours a day~ of rec camp and was invited to the Xcel team). She finished the season competing Xcel Gold after starting as a Silver.
There are 5 "levels" in Xcel: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
With JO, the first required level is Level 4. With Xcel, unless a gymnast is coming from JO, the first required level is Silver. USAG has a chart for gymnasts switching from JO to Xcel.

As with JO, the judging is based on the requirements. In Optionals (both JO and Xcel), they have to earn their start value by meeting special requirements and having at least the minimum number of skills. Since the routines are NOT compulsory, the judges have to judge what they see. They determine the start value after seeing the routine and then take any deductions from the start value.
Example: Even if an entire team of Xcel Bronze use the same music and are supposed to do the exact same routine, the judge can't judge little Sally's routine based on the skills little Lilly and little Zoey and little Addison did in their routines. If Sally did a handstand-step down when Lilly and the others all did handstand forward roll, the judge can't deduct for a "text error" or for the "wrong" skill.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you may have.

 

[Gymnast's Journey]

Xcel is another program from USAG. It is an all optionals program that allows gymnasts to compete routines that play up their strengths while minimizing their weaknesses.
It is also designed to be a lower hours / lower cost option to keep gymnasts in the sport while allowing them to still have a life outside of the gym. However, some gyms have their Xcel teams practice similar hours to their JO counterparts.

I happen to love Xcel. It kept both of my gymmies from being "stuck" in JO Compulsories over certain compulsory skills. It also allowed a friend of theirs to join the gymnastics team within 1 month of her first gymnastics class (she did 2 weeks ~10 days, 2 hours a day~ of rec camp and was invited to the Xcel team). She finished the season competing Xcel Gold after starting as a Silver.
There are 5 "levels" in Xcel: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
With JO, the first required level is Level 4. With Xcel, unless a gymnast is coming from JO, the first required level is Silver. USAG has a chart for gymnasts switching from JO to Xcel.

As with JO, the judging is based on the requirements. In Optionals (both JO and Xcel), they have to earn their start value by meeting special requirements and having at least the minimum number of skills. Since the routines are NOT compulsory, the judges have to judge what they see. They determine the start value after seeing the routine and then take any deductions from the start value.
Example: Even if an entire team of Xcel Bronze use the same music and are supposed to do the exact same routine, the judge can't judge little Sally's routine based on the skills little Lilly and little Zoey and little Addison did in their routines. If Sally did a handstand-step down when Lilly and the others all did handstand forward roll, the judge can't deduct for a "text error" or for the "wrong" skill.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you may have.

Is there limits on what you can compete in each level? W
Would a Bronze be aloud to compete a Front hand front tuck?

 

[raenndrops]

Is there limits on what you can compete in each level? W
Would a Bronze be aloud to compete a Front hand front tuck?

There are limits as to what can be competed at each level (Just like there are limits to what can be competed in JO levels 6-9).
Bronze would be like Level 1 - Level 2 skills.

 

[Sk8ermaiden]

No, bronzes don't flip. You would usually see a front-front in platinum, but I believe you could do one in Gold as well. Technically you can in silver too, but you're only allowed one flip in the routine.

 

[mls529]

A front handspring/front tuck can be competed in Gold, and is common in Platinum.
A gymnast with a FHS/FT type tumbling skills sounds above a bronze level. And what is nice about Xcel is that the range of skills that can be completed at each level is more flexible than JO , so it is common to have really strong tumblers do a more basic routine on beam or bars (obviously meeting the minimum requirements for the level).

 

[Gymnast's Journey]

A front handspring/front tuck can be competed in Gold, and is common in Platinum.
A gymnast with a FHS/FT type tumbling skills sounds above a bronze level. And what is nice about Xcel is that the range of skills that can be completed at each level is more flexible than JO , so it is common to have really strong tumblers do a more basic routine on beam or bars (obviously meeting the minimum requirements for the level).

Alright, thanks!