View Xcel Program Updates and Overview
Updates
2/1/24
Xcel Updates
Please find below the most current Xcel Updates and clarifications. This is for both coaches and judges. If you or any of your coaches have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Erin Pettid at erin@dgagym.com.
USAG Xcel Code of points: Updates to the code of points can always be found at the below link, this page should be checked regularly for updates and clarifications. Print your replacement pages and update your code, all replacement pages can be found at this link. Scroll down towards the bottom and you will see the updates section.
https://usagym.org/women/xcel/
Sapphire Division:
Sapphire Division is now out of pilot program and available across all USAG Regions. All requirements are found in the updated Code of Points pages.
2024 Region 7 Xcel Regional Championships:
The 2024 Xcel Regionals for Region 7 will be available to Gold, Platinum. Diamond and Sapphire.
The 2024 Xcel Gold, Platinum and Diamond Regional qualifying score is a 35.00AA at the State meet OR by PREQUALIFYING (stipulations listed below) with 36.00 AA received at any USA Gymnastics sanctioned competition during the current season, WITHOUT PETITIONING.
The 2024 Xcel Sapphire Regional qualifying score is a 33.00 AA at the State meet OR by PREQUALIFYING (stipulations listed below) with 34.00 AA received at any USA Gymnastics sanctioned competition during the current season, WITHOUT PETITIONING.
Injury petitions are accepted for all levels following Injury petition regulations in R&P.
Stipulations for prequalification:
1. Register for and participate in their state meet and
2. Document the prequalification with their State chair if required.
Clarifications:
General:
Age/Entry Requirements Mobility
The overview has been updated with a few changes and can be found in the updated code of points.
Pre-requisite score for Platinum/Diamond/Sapphire are now 32.00AA or 8.50 IES
Entry Divisions have been adjusted to
Bronze – Level 1&2
Silver – Level 1-3
Gold – Level 1-4
Platinum – Level 5-7
Diamond – Level 7,8
Sapphire – Level 8-10
**Can be found in COP General/Judges Page 2 Chart**
Minimum Split Angle Requirement
Split angle requirements have been adjusted for Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire.
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 5 Section J.1**
Floor routine Music Failure
On floor exercise, continue to complete routine. At the completion of the routine. Gymnast and Coach must decide whether to resume routine at the point of music failure or accept the score given, Judges will not post score until that decision is made. No deduction taken for music failure if the decision is to accept the score.
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 11 Section II.A.2**
Inquiries
A Meet Referee may watch a video (if available) prior to the submission of an inquiry to determine if an inquiry should move forward. A video would follow the same criteria as other inquiries.
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 11 Section III.B.3**
Walkovers
Non-Flight walkovers and walkover-type elements (All walkovers forward or backward and walkover-type elements must demonstrate the split angle corresponding to the Division’s degree of split requirement (on that that event) at some point during the execution of the element.)
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 22 Medium Fault Section**
Injury Fall Times
The fall time is 45 seconds, if an injury occurs the time will not start until the medical assessment is completed.
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 16 Section III.M**
Landing Deductions
The squat landing deductions have been adjusted, when landing squatting down to hips being even with the knees will not occur a deduction. Once the hips pass below the knee’s deductions will occur.
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 22 Large Faults Section**
Short Exercise
There is now a 2.0 deduction for any routine with fewer than 3 value parts.
**Can be found in updated COP General/Judges Page 24 bottom of page**
VAULT:
Alternate Springboard Device clarification
The only alternate springboard device allowed is the alternative trampoline-like springboard apparatus. (the manufactured ‘Junior’ devices are NOT allowed)
**Can be found in updated COP Vault Page 2 Section I.D**
Vault Start Value Changes
There are some adjustments to the Vault start values for Diamond, and the Sapphire Chart has been added.
**Can be found in updated COP Vault Page 3**
Bars:
Gold circling skills updated and clarified:
The previous Gold routine of Cast Back Hip Circle cast Back Hip Circle on the same bar would not meet the special requirement or two circling skills. The requirement has been updated and clarified to:
Two circling skills (not mount of Dismount) must be one of the following:
– Two (2) directly connected same circling element performed on either bar: or
– Two (2) different circling elements connected or isolated (performed on either bar): or
– Two (2) of the same circling element; one performed on low bar and one performed on high bar.
**Can be found in updated COP Uneven Bars Page 2 I.C.2/3 and further clarified on Uneven Bars Page 3.III.B Gold 1 and Uneven Bars Page 10 Section I A.1,A and again on same page in examples**
New Bar Dismount in Code and Clarifications:
Bar Dismount 8.007 (Gold and Platinum Division Ony)
Tap swing Fwd. with ½ (180°) turn, ½ (180°) turn (twisting in one direction, touch of hand after first ½ (180°) turn is required.
**Can be found on Uneven Bar Elements Page 45 section A 8.007**
Judges/Coaches: Due to the safety factor, failure to tap after the first ½ turn will result in No VP awarded which would mean there would be no SR of the dismount as well.
Coaches for safety and avoid these deductions please train this to clearly show the tap after the first half before the 2nd half is initiated.
Bar Dismounts direction clarification:
There is no deduction in Xcel Code for performing the Low Bar dismount in either direction, so long as matting is regulation. This is not the same for Compulsories.
Cast Squat on, Jump off Dismount Clarifications
The Cast to Squat, straddle or stoop on (A 2.102) and the From Squat, straddle or stoop on to Stretched jump forward to stand (8.004) are two different skills.
Similar to this is
The Cast to Squat, straddle or stoop on (A 2.102) and the toe on underswing to stand (toe on includes pike(stoop) or straddle) (8.006) are two different skills.
*Low bar dismounts may be performed either facing the High Bar or away from high bar.
** If the gymnast attempts her squat on and jumps off backward, the dismount was not completed and would incur a .50 deduction for no dismount. But she could continue, either redo the squat on or climb on to squat and jump off to fulfill the Dismount requirement.
**Can be found in updated COP Uneven Bar Elements Page 13 Column A 2.102 **
**Can be found in updated COP Uneven Bar Elements Page 45 Column A 8.006 **
Beam:
Partial Handstand (5.002) Clarifications:
**Can be found on Balance Beam Elements Page 1 Group 5)
Split Angle Clarifications:
**Can be found on Balance Beam Page 12 Section 6**
Non Flight Walkovers and walkover-type elements must demonstrate the split angle corresponding to the Divisions degree of split requirement
Partial Handstand (5.002) Clarifications:
**Can be found on Balance Beam Page 15 Section I.15**
Bronze Division Lever Clarification:
Lever to touch beam, free leg must be at or above horizontal (shape deductions may apply). Lever back foot need not return to beam to receive VP credit.
**Can be found on Balance Beam Elements Page 1 Group 5.001**
Partial Handstand
Bronze – Both feet must be off the beam and one (1) leg must achieve 45° from Vertical
Silver/Gold – Feet must close together and be a minimum of 45° from Vertical (both criteria must be met simultaneously to receive VP credit for a partial handstand)
**Can be found on Balance Beam Elements Page 1 Group 5.002**
Handstand (vertical) clarifications:
The body must be within 10° of vertical, with hips over the shoulders in a balanced position to be recognized as vertical.
*The legs may be together or in a split, straddle, stag or double stag position.
*(A) VP handstands do not require a hold in any Xcel division
* Any (B) VP or higher Handstand required a 2 second hold
*Press handstand performed within the routine does not require a 2 second hold
**Can be found on Beam page 13 section G-2**
Floor:
Gold Floor Update/Clarification
On SR #2 2nd Acro Pass either 2nd min two directly connected Acro Flight Elements OR one (1) Aerial/Salto. The Salto can be an A Salto or NON TWITSTING B SALTO. (For example, Front Layout or Pike is acceptable but Back Layout half twist is not)
**Can be found on Floor Exercise page 1 section Gold #2 with notes in the Difficulty restrictions column**
Diamond Floor Update/Clarification for SR #1
Two separate Acro passes each with a minimum of 2 (2) directly connected Acro flight elements OR One (1) Acro Flight Pass with Two (2) directly connected acro flight elements AND One (1) separate/isolated “C” Salto.
**Can be found on Floor Exercise page 1 section Diamond #1**
Procedure for music failure due to technical error:
1. a. Gymnast may continue routine: Gymnast and coach must decide whether to resume routine from the point of music failure or accept score given.
b. Judges will not post score until decision is made.
c. no deduction will take place for absence of music (if decision is to accept score)
2. Gymnast may stop her performance immediately
a. Request permission from Chief Judge to continue from the point of interruption.
b. Once permission is granted, after reasonable amount of rest time the gymnast may perform from point of interruption or the series/combination when music failure occurred.
c. no score would be given for partial routine, all deductions prior to the equipment/music failure will still be applied.
**Can be found on Floor Exercise page 17 section B**
Clarifications regarding connections – Floor Exercise
Please make sure you read through the detailed clarifications regarding connections, the whole page has been updated.
**Can be found on Floor Exercise page 20**