USAG JO Program

Optional Levels

• Level 8
• Level 9
• Level 10
• FIG Element Groups
• Equipment Specs

Level 9

Level 9 is an optional level, governed by both FIG and USAG JO Program rules.

Age Groups

• 12-13

Level 9 gymnasts compete in the above age group up to the National level.

Start Value

The start value of a routine is the sum of all it's parts.

1.5 Difficulty + 0.6 Element Groups + 6.7 Presentation + 1.2 Difficulty, Connection, and Element Group Bonus + 0.5 Special Bonus = 10.5 (Maximum Start Value)

The maximum overall score can not exceed 10.0.

Difficulty:

Level 9 gymnasts are required to have at least 7 skills in each of their routines (except Vault). One (1) skill must be of C value or greater, two (2) skills must be of B value or higher, and remaining four (4) skills must be of A value or higher.

There is no deduction for exceeding 7 skills in a routine, but if a routine is short of the required number of skills there is a 0.5 deduction per missing skill from the exercise presentation.

Any skill that is recognizable as a legitimate gymnastics skill but is not currently listed in the FIG Code of Points, official FIG Men's Technical Committee newsletters or NGJA/USAG Interpretations, should be given an A value.

Element Groups:

Level 9 gymnasts must complete any 3 of the 5 FIG element groups (worth 0.2 each) with skill of minimum B value.

The junior program will not recognize the FIG non-commensurate dismount deductions. Dismounts are required to be of A value or higher for all optional levels. Dismounts that are not of A value (no dismount), or dismounts that are partially shown would receive the appropriate FIG deduction. Level 10 athletes who demonstrate an A value dismount will lose only 0.2 for not fulfilling Element Group 5 with skill of B or higher value.

Bonus (Difficulty, Connection, and Element Group):

Difficulty

• Each FIG C = 0.1 in bonus
• Each FIG D = 0.2 in bonus
• Each FIG E = 0.3 in bonus
• Each FIG SE = 0.4 in bonus

Connection

Connection bonus will be awarded for D, E, and SE parts as per FIG.

Element Group

A 0.2 Element Group bonus is awarded when the gymnast completes additional Element Groups (not already completed) in their routine. The total bonus can not exceed 0.4.

Bonus (Special):

There are four separate ways to receive special bonus:

1. Virtuosity Bonus = up to 0.2 (maximum 0.1 per skill) as a result of:
   · Flawless execution
   · Any flawless skill performed with extreme amplitude
2. Stick Bonus = 0.1
   Only dismounts of C value or higher that are stuck may receive this bonus.
3. General Performance Award (GPA) = 0.1 (except Vault)
   Earned when the cumulative deductions in execution are ≤ 0.5. The maximum with any execution errors is 9.95
4. Originality Bonus = 0.1
   Earned for an original or rare skill or sequence, determined by the age and level of the gymnast. The skill can be of any difficulty value.