| In the USA there are eleven achievement levels for | | | | performed on a gymnastics mini bar. These short high |
| women gymnasts. These have been established by | | | | bars are designed specifically for children. They are |
| USA Gymnastics (USAG), the national governing body | | | | usually 48" wide and permit a standard 4 ft. wide mat |
| for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. | | | | to be used underneath. Most models are height |
| Levels 1, 2, and 3 are known as the Competency | | | | adjustable from about 30" tall to around 50"-60" inches |
| Levels and focus on teaching basic gymnastics skills. | | | | tall and can support gymnasts weighing up to 125 lbs. |
| When the gymnast completes each skill, she may | | | | The Jr Kip Bar is one popular model. Norbert's Althletic |
| move on to the next level. Levels 4, 5, and 6 are the | | | | Products Inc. in San Pedro, CA also supplies a popular |
| Compulsory Levels and consist of pre-choreographed | | | | mini bar model. Visit to learn more about gymnastics |
| routines containing a series of skills that each | | | | training bars. |
| gymanast must perform. Levels 7, 8, 9, and 10 are the | | | | Level 5 routine, Uneven Bars |
| Optional Levels--each gymnast performs her own | | | | This is the second compulsory level. There are twelve |
| routine. Level 11 is the Elite Level; each gymnast | | | | skills, in order, to be completed at this level. The Level 5 |
| performs an optional routine. Depending on which | | | | skills are: (1) Glide Kip (straddle or pike), (2) Front hip |
| category they compete in, Elites may also compete in | | | | Circle, (3) Cast to horizontal and return to support, (4) |
| skills testing. | | | | Cast squat or pike on, (5) Long hang kip, (6) Cast to |
| The four Olympic events in women's artistic | | | | horizontal, (7) back hip circle, (8) Underswing, (9) |
| gymnastics are vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and | | | | Counter swing to 30° below horizontal, (10) Tap |
| floor exercise. In this article, we will descibe the routines | | | | Swing forward, (11) Counter swing to 15° below |
| for the uneven bars for Level 1 through Level 11. | | | | horizontal, and (12) Tap swing forward with ½ turn |
| Level 1 routine, Uneven Bars | | | | dismount. |
| Four skills make up this routine: Pullover, Cast, | | | | Level 6 routine, Uneven Bars |
| Backward hip circle, and Cast push away. When these | | | | This is the highest of the three compulsory levels. The |
| skills are completed, the gymnast may graduate to | | | | twelve skills for Level 6 are: (1) Glide Kip(straddle or |
| Level 2. | | | | pike), (2) Cast to 30° above horizontal, (3) Free hip |
| Level 2 routine, Uneven Bars | | | | circle to 30° above horizontal, (4) Glide kip(straddle or |
| This level includes three skills from Level 1 plus two | | | | pike), (5) cast squat or pike on back tuck sole circle |
| new skills: Pullover, Cast, Backward hip circle, Cast | | | | jump to high bar OR squat on jump to high bar, (6) |
| straddle on, and Sole circle dismount. After completing | | | | Long hang kip, Cast to 30° above horizontal, (7) Baby |
| these skills, the gymanst may move to Level 3. | | | | giant, (8) Underswing, (9) Counter swing to 15° below |
| Level 3 routine, Uneven Bars | | | | horizontal, (10) Tap Swing forward, (11) Counter swing |
| Eight skills are required for Level 3. This level continues | | | | to horizontal, and (12) Tap swing forward to flyaway in |
| to build on skills learned in Levels 1 and 2. The Level 3 | | | | tuck, pike, or layout. |
| skills are: Pullover, Cast, Backward hip circle, Single leg | | | | Levels 7 through 11, Uneven Bar routines |
| cut forward, Forward stride circle, Single leg cut | | | | These are the optional levels--there are no |
| backward, Cast legs straight on, and Piked sole circle | | | | pre-choreographed routines. Gymnasts perform their |
| dismount. Gymnasts move to Level 4 after completing | | | | own routines. The routines are based on the latest |
| these skills. | | | | rules published every four years by the Federation of |
| Level 4 routine, Uneven Bars | | | | International Gymnastics (FIG). The FIG rules dictate |
| In most areas of the country, gymnasts have their first | | | | the composition of each routine (what it must contain), |
| competition at Level 4. This is the first of the | | | | the difficulty, and how to evaluate how well it was |
| compulsory levels. Unlike the previous levels, the | | | | performed. |
| gymnast must completes these skills in order. The | | | | Level 11 is the Elite Level--these are Olympic-caliber |
| seven skills, in order, are: (1) Glide (straddle or pike) and | | | | gymnasts. At this level, they are performing complex |
| return to stand with feet together, (2) Pullover, (3) Front | | | | and difficult routines requiring all of the skills listed |
| hip circle, (4) Cast, single leg shoot through, (5) Forward | | | | above. It takes much practice and a very high degree |
| stride circle, (6) Single leg cut the leg backward, and (7) | | | | of dedication to reach this level. Good luck, and bring |
| Back hip circle - underswing dismount. | | | | home the gold! |
| Note: Level 1 through 4 bar exercises can be | | | | |