Requirements › Xcel Gold
USAG Requirements
Xcel Gold USAG Requirements
Everything a gymnast needs on each event for Xcel Gold — the official-style requirement list, broken down the way a coach actually teaches it.
Vault
- Front Handspring Vault with Repulsion
Runway hesitation: 0.10 · Failing to stick: 0.10-0.30 · Body position errors: up to 0.30 · Lack of dynamics: up to 0.30
Bars
- Minimum of 6 "A" value skills
- A clear support skill finishing at horizontal or above (ex. cast to horizontal)
- 2 circling skills -- the 2nd can be a repeat or a different skill
- A dismount from the HIGH BAR -- Gold is the first Xcel level to use the high bar
Arched/piked body: up to 0.20 · Lack of control: up to 0.10 · Bent arms in hip or sole circle: up to 0.30 · Landing errors: up to 0.30 steps, 0.50 fall · Bent knees: up to 0.20
Beam
- 360° turn on one foot
- Two different dance skills -- isolated or in series
- One jump or leap reaching 120° angle (ex. split jump with 120° split)
- Two acro skills -- one must achieve or go through vertical
- A dismount (ex. roundoff off the beam)
Balance errors: up to 0.15 · Incomplete turn: up to 0.20 · Falling off: up to 0.20 · Incorrect body position: up to 0.20 · Lack of split angle: up to 0.20 · Landing errors: up to 0.20
Floor
- Minimum two directly connected acro skills -- both must have flight
- Second pass of 2 connected acro with flight, OR an aerial, OR a salto
- Dance passage with two skills -- one must be a leap with 120° cross or side split
- Minimum of 360° turn on one foot
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What are the USAG Xcel Gold requirements?
Xcel Gold requires specific skills on Vault, Bars, Beam, and Floor set by USA Gymnastics. This page lists every required skill by event, and KINETIC breaks down exactly how to teach each one — cues, drills, common errors, and spotting.
Is Xcel Gold compulsory or optional?
Xcel Gold is part of the USAG Xcel program. Compulsory levels (1–5) use set routines; optional levels (6–10) and Xcel let gymnasts build their own routines within the requirements.
How do you move up from Xcel Gold?
Xcel gymnasts move up at their coach’s discretion once they meet the division’s requirements and scores.
How do I teach the Xcel Gold skills?
Open Xcel Gold in KINETIC free to see each skill’s teaching progression — the correct position, coaching cues, drills, and error fixes. Level 1 is free; unlock every level for $4.99/mo.
Common Xcel Gold deductions
Judges take small deductions for form on almost every skill. These are the basics to clean up first — they apply across vault, bars, beam, and floor:
- Bent legs — keep the legs straight and squeezed together.
- Bent arms — lock the elbows on handstands, casts, swings, and supports.
- Toes not pointed — point the feet on every jump, leap, hold, and landing.
- Legs or feet apart — keep legs together unless the skill calls for a split.
- Loss of balance — wobbles, extra arm swings, or a foot coming off the beam.
- Steps or hops on landing — stick the landing — a step, hop, or lunge is a deduction.
- Low chest or poor posture — stay tall and lifted through the whole routine.
- Not enough height or extension — show full amplitude and finished, stretched shapes.
KINETIC breaks down the exact deductions and error-fixes for every Xcel Gold skill — with the drills to fix them.