Team Gymnastics Levels & Ladders

LADDERS

There are two different USAG ladders that your athlete can use to reach their goals at Texas Dreams Gymnastics: the Junior Olympic Ladder and the TOPs ladder. Both are successful ladders that can prepare an athlete for elite level gymnastics.

The JO program follows the USAG level progression through Level 10 or Elite.

TOPs is an invitation-only program that fast tracks athletes by working towards Elite qualification by the age of 12.

The TAAF Ladder is the recreational competitive team.

> Click here for a complete Junior Olympic and TOPs Ladder Chart.

LEVELS

COMPULSORY Levels 4, 5A, 5, 6
Athletes at these levels begin making a serious commitment to their gymnastics. Training from 12 to 18 hours weekly, these gymnasts begin working more difficult skills and more strenuous conditioning to prepare their bodies for those skills. Athletes will learn routines and compete in 6-8 meets during the season, which typically runs from August - November.

At levels 4, 5A, 5P, and 6, all athletes across the country perform the same routines on each event. Athletes generally progress from one level to the next at the end of each meet season. However there are gymnasts who will move more rapidly or more slowly. Our goal is to have each athlete reach her potential and be able to compete successfully, regardless of the time it takes to move from one level to the next. Typically Level 5 is a two-year commitment - one year at the Achievement level and one year at the Placement level. Typically the Level 6 season is followed by one complete year of training before competing Level 7. Occasionally athletes will move through these levels at a more accelerated pace, but that is not the norm.

OPTIONAL GYMNASTICS Levels 7, 8, 9, 10
Athletes at these levels train from 21 to 30 hours each week, focusing on increasingly difficult skills and additional conditioning. The Optional season typically runs from January through April or May, depending on the level. Routines at the Optional levels are choreographed to focus on the athlete's strengths, while still meeting the requirements for each level. Athletes will progress through these levels at an individual pace.

Hopes, Pre Elite and Elite (Dream Team)
To reach this level of gymnastics requires serious commitment and extreme dedication. These athletes train more than 35 hours each week, continually adding to the difficulty of their skills and the perfection of their routines. These athletes will compete against the top athletes across the country and possibly internationally. Athletes must qualify to this level of competition each year at regional and national qualifying meets. Scores on compulsory and optional routines determine an athlete's status as pre-elite or elite. Athletes who achieve the elite status can vie for spots on the United States National Team.

TOPS and Dream Team TOPS
Athletes ages 7 to 11 are invited to participate in this program from any of our teams or pre teams. Training emphasizes strength and flexibility in addition to the regular conditioning and apparatus training. Our TOPS and Dream Team TOPS participate in several TOPS tests each year, where they are measured in the following physical abilities: left leg splits, right leg splits, shoulder flexibility, vertical jump, sprints, rope climb, press handstands, leg lifts, 30 or 60 second handstand hold, cast handstands. 9-11 year olds are also tested on gymnastics skills on vault, bars, beam and vault.

Each Fall their placement is announced, with the top 20 athletes in each age group from across the country being named to the TOPS National Team. In 2008, Texas Dreams Gymnastics placed 12 athletes on the National Team, the most of any club in the country. Participation in the TOPS program requires a serious commitment from the athlete and their families. Athletes must make a full commitment to the training schedule (which may involve alternate school choices) and cannot have regular absences or dismissals.