Girls Team Programs
Levels 1, 2, & 3
Developmental Program
The developmental program is our entry-level team. The typical age range for athletes is from 5 to 9 years old depending on the level. Athletes are invited to join this group by the team staff or by referral by their coach. There are 3 different levels in the developmental program, and each level builds off the progressions learned in the previous level.
The required training time is 2 days a week, with varying lengths as athletes move up in level. Athletes in the developmental program will showcase their skills at in-house testing events throughout the year. After developmental 3 the goal is for athletes to move to compulsory level 4.
Levels 4 & 5
Compulsory Program
Compulsory gymnasts continue to build on the skills learned in the developmental program. Gymnasts are required to perform the skills, styles, and techniques developed by USA Gymnastics for each level. The emphasis in Compulsory gymnastics is on form, posture, & presentation. The requirements become more challenging as a gymnast moves from level to level. Compulsory levels 4 & 5 provide gymnasts with a foundation of competition skills as this is the first opportunity for athletes to compete for individual & team placement awards against other teams. Athletes in this group are required to practice 3 or 4 days a week, for between 12 to 16 hours in total.
Levels 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10
Optionals
Optional level gymnasts use the solid foundation of skills that were acquired in the developmental and compulsory levels to perform more advanced skills. Athletes have more freedom of choice in their routines by having their own skill set, choreography, and music, while meeting the requirements of each level as set forth by USA Gymnastics and the coaching staff. The commitment required to participate in these levels is 4 or 5 days a weeks, for between 16 to 20 hours of training in total. Athletes that perform well at the Michigan State Meet may have the opportunity to compete at Region 5 Regionals, and for levels 9 & 10 the Eastern National competition.
Silver, Gold, & Platinum
Xcel Program
The Xcel program runs parallel to the developmental, compulsory, and optional levels, providing athletes more freedom of choice in skills and a quicker path to competition. It offers a less intense training program in terms of commitment and demands of the athlete. Typically, athletes in the Xcel program are 9 and older. The training requirement is 2 days a week for silver and 3 days for gold and platinum. All Xcel levels compete against other athletes and teams in competitions outside of the gym, the same as compulsory and optional level gymnasts do. After the platinum level, the skillset is similar to the optional levels, and athletes may compete at the appropriate optional level.
