TEAM GYMNASTICS

Xcel is a program for athletes who require more flexibility in their training program. This is a competitive program with four levels, Xcel Silver, Xcel Gold, Xcel Platinum, and Xcel Diamond, offered at GTC. Requirements for this program allow for a wide variety of skills to be performed to match the strengths of each gymnast. Hourly commitments in this program are lower, which allows the gymnasts to pursue other activities without compromising their training schedule. The main goal of the Xcel Program at GTC is to be competitive and disciplined, become good teammates, and most of all, have fun!

The Compulsory WDP program is a competitive division of USA Gymnastics. At GTC, we currently offer Levels 3, 4, and 5 in the competitive compulsory program. Each gymnast performs the same routines in these levels where their skill level, attention to detail, and performance quality are judged. Gymnasts in this program compete locally, and athletes from this program have the opportunity to move to the optional team when they show they are ready based on skill level and competitive performance. Athletes from Hot Shots and Team Training are invited to become a part of the Compulsory team based on their desire to continue with competitive gymnastics, their ability to make corrections, their strength and flexibility, and skill readiness. 

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 to advance safely. The program allows the gymnast to advance at their own pace. Each athlete will compete the skills they have already mastered within their current level and will work to attain skills for the next level at their own speed. Advancement is based on mastery of skills. 

Optional gymnastics consists of levels 6-10. Levels 6, 7, 8, and 9 have difficulty and skill choice restrictions along with requirements a gymnast must meet for each respective level. Level 10 has no difficulty restrictions, but there are skill selection restrictions and skill requirements. Composition is evaluated at Levels 8, 9, and 10, where the level of difficulty the athlete competes is factored into their final score. 

Levels 6 and 7 have competitive opportunities up to and including State. Depending on the needs of the Region, level 6 and level 7 gymnasts have the opportunity to attend the Regional Championships. Levels 8, 9, and 10 have competitive opportunities up to and including State and Regionals. National level competitions are available to level 9 and 10 gymnasts through a qualification process. 

Hot Shots  prepares athletes to join one of our competitive teams (Development Program or Xcel). The goal of this program is to prepare gymnasts physically and mentally for our competitive teams and teach them work ethic, discipline, and teamwork. The Hot Shots program focuses heavily on developing strength, flexibility, and the basic skills required for competitive gymnastics in a safe and progressive way. Children who love gymnastics, want to make corrections, and will try new things are most successful in this program. Girls between 3 and 5 years old are eligible to try out.

Team Training is another pre-team training program offered at GTC. This program is for girls who do not meet the age requirements for Hot Shots but are great candidates for competitive gymnastics due to their skill level, work ethic, and love for gymnastics. 

Athletes in the Team Training program have the opportunity to try out for the Developmental Program or the Xcel Program periodically. 

Gymnasts asked to join the Team Training group are often selected from GTC's recreational program. They are typically between the ages of 8 and 12. The goal of the Team Training program is to mentally and physically prepare gymnasts to compete in the WDP or Xcel program. Gymnasts will develop strength, flexibility, and the basic skills required for competitive gymnastics in a safe and progressive format. It is a good program for children interested in competitive sports, love gymnastics, and will try new things often.