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Level 3 Gymnastics Requirements

These are the Level 3 gymnastics requirements. Level 3 in gymnastics is not a required competitive level; learn more about the
gymnastics levels here.

To compete in Level 3 gymnastics a gymnast must be able to do the following skills on each of the four events and have reached her 6th birthday.



✅ Level 4 gymnastics requirements: This checklist and skills list has been checked and updated for the 2025 season. 

I’ve starred the skills that are generally the hardest for gymnasts to learn and most often prohibit a gymnast from moving on to Level 3.

Level 3 Gymnastics Requirements: Vault

  • Handspring over a raised mat surface

Level 3 Gymnastics Requirements: Bars

  • Glide swing & pullover OR kip*
  • Cast
  • Back hip circle
  • Front hip circle
  • Squat-on, stretch jump dismount

Starting in Level 4, many gymnasts start wearing grips to protect their hands on bars. Check out our guide to
the best gymnastics grips.



Level 3 Gymnastics Requirements: Beam

  • Handstand
  • Leap with 90° split
  • 180° heel-snap turn in passé
  • Straight jump
  • Pivot turn
  • Cartwheel to side handstand, 1/4 turn dismount*

Level 3 Gymnastics Requirements: Floor

⭐ Our Top Equipment Picks for Level 3 Gymnasts

If you’re setting up safe at-home practice for Level 3, start here:

#1 Must-Have: Panel Mat



✅ Check Price on Amazon

Perfect for bridges, kickovers, handstand snap-downs, and safe landings.

#2 Confidence Builder: Floor Beam

✅ Check Price on Amazon

Great for straight jumps, pivot turns, handstand holds, and building beam confidence.

What to Practice at Home for Level 3

Skill: Handstand

Drills: Wall handstands, spider-man holds, body line drills

Why: Foundation for beam & floor; improves control and alignment.

Skill: Cartwheel / Round-off Prep

Drills: Cartwheels on a tape line, fast cartwheels, snap-downs off a
panel mat

Why: Builds tumbling power and straightness.

Skill: Leap – get that split to 90°

Drills: Split stretches, kicks, jumps onto a
panel mat

Why: Improves height and flexibility for beam/floor requirements.

Skill: Bridge Kickover

Drills: Bridges, bridge rocks, kickovers with feet on
panel mat

Why: Builds back/shoulder flexibility and backward confidence.

Skill: Bars Strength (Pullover/Kip)

Drills: Hollow holds, hanging knee/leg raises, glide swings with
sliders

Why: Core + shoulder strength for pullover; foundation if working toward kip.

Skill: Beam Basics

Drills: Straight jumps, pivot turns, handstand holds on a
floor beam

Why: Confidence and balance for the routine elements.

Skill: Flexibility

Drills: Daily splits, pike stretch, shoulder openers

Why: Cleaner lines & easier leap/jump shapes.

✨ Want structured at-home drills? Join SkillTrakker for daily practice plans designed to upgrade your Level 3 skills.

Gymnastics Gear for Level 3 Gymnasts Sizes Description Price
Tie Dye Lovin’ Leotard


CS – AS Eye-catching tie-dye style with comfort and performance. Check Current Price Here
Mindset & Meet Journal


NA Over 100 pages of mindset work, meet logs, and reviews. Check Current Price Here
Destira Black Gymnastics Compression Sport Shorts


Child XXS (3x) – Adult XL Comfortable shorts many gymnasts prefer over a leo. Check Current Price Here
GYMNAST Belt Bag
One size fits all Keep essentials close and hands free for practice and meets.

 

Once a gymnast can perform all of these skills and she has learned the Level 3 gymnastics routines, she is ready to compete in a Level 3 meet. After passing out of level 3, gymnasts move on to Level 4.

Frequently Asked Questions about Level 3 Gymnastics

Q: What age do you have to be for Level 3 gymnastics?
A: Gymnasts must have reached their 6th birthday to compete Level 3.

Q: Is Level 3 a required competitive level?
A: No. Level 3 is not a required competitive level in the USA Gymnastics system, though many gyms choose to compete it.

Q: What are the hardest Level 3 skills for most gymnasts?
A: Common sticking points are the glide swing & pullover (or kip alternative) on bars and the cartwheel to side handstand 1/4 turn dismount on beam.

Q: Do you need grips at Level 3?
A: Most gymnasts begin using grips at Level 4. Some Level 3 athletes train without grips, depending on coach preference and bar work volume.

Q: Is a kip required at Level 3 bars?
A: Bars allows a glide swing & pullover OR a kip. Many athletes compete the glide swing & pullover, while some advanced Level 3s show a kip.

Q: What should a Level 3 gymnast practice at home?
A: Focus on handstands (wall holds, body line), cartwheel and round-off mechanics, bridges and kickovers, split flexibility, basic beam shapes on a line or floor beam, and core work (hollow holds).

Q: How do you move up from Level 3 to Level 4?
A: Master all Level 3 skills and routines with good form, meet your gym’s mobility standards, and be age-eligible. Level 4 competitors must be at least 7 years old.

Q: How can parents support a Level 3 gymnast?
A: Ensure consistent practice, quality sleep, and recovery; encourage safe home drills and flexibility work; and use simple equipment like a panel mat or floor beam for fundamentals.

Q: Are private lessons necessary at Level 3?
A: Not required. Some families add privates to target specific skills (e.g., pullover, beam dismount), but steady class attendance and at-home conditioning are often enough.

Q: Where can we get structured at-home Level 3 plans?
A: Programs like SkillTrakker offer daily drill calendars and video guidance designed to improve Level 3 fundamentals and confidence.

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View Comments (193)

  • My daughter is on Level 3 and can do all of these things already and we feel that she should be able to go on to the next level. They keep repeating easy things and we feel that she is being left behind and it's hurting her skills.

        • If you can do your skills on the ground perfect but if you can't you will have to do them at practice when you go in tell you get a new trampoline.

          • Samantha, if you have one on the tramp try going to an airtrack first. It's still bouncy, and it easier than floor. A great drill to practice your floor backhandsprings is to found a mat half your size and jump fast back on to it. Also, in your back handspring make sure you reach instead of bringing your hands in close. Good luck!

      • Hello I’m a nine year old level two gymnast how long should I be able to hold a handstand to be a level 3 gymnast?

    • I know that's how I felt in level two. I would recommend talking to the coach or someone else at the gym. That's what I did and I got moved up to level three and since then, the coaches in the gym have really payed attention to these things!

      • Hi
        I'm currently a level 3 gymnast and i'm getting worried for my competition coming up, i struggle mostly on bars, have you got any suggestions for helping me get my back-hip circle

          • Lizzzz, it depends what your struggling on, but first, for pullovers don't forget to pull your hips toward the bar. On back hip circle, make sure your hips touch the bar first and you don't throw your head back. Don't forget the big cast! A good thing to practice is to take a pool noodle and have someone hold it bar level, and then kick it before Jr cast. Good luck

        • Hey girl! Don't worry you'll do great! Here are a few tips for getting your back hip circle-
          First don't throw your head back. Throwing your head back not only decreases the possibility of a rotation, but it always makes it scarier and can cause mental blocks.
          Make sure when you go under the bar, your hips reach the bar first.
          A great drill to practice for your back hip circle is to put a high mat under the bar, but where u can cast, then cast and land on the mat, but keep your hips on the bar.
          I hope this helps with ur back hip circle! And also, again ur gonna do great! Don't be nervous and just do it to have fun. Before your dismount, take a deep breath, on every event. Also, if your scared you might fail or hurt yourself, it easier to just go anyway, otherwise you'll be embarrassed, and it helps with mental blocks. Good luck with everything!

        • Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What I do is push through it. I can totally relate. My father hates gymnastics so I have to teach myself. You are not alone.

          • hi I know some tricks u can have some one put like a stick or some thing behind ur back and then have them take it out from behind ur back while ur doing this I went through the same thing good luck

      • i am a level 5 gymnast to get your back hip circle you want to try to almost pull the bar down and cast big and pull your legs over the bar

    • Hi,
      Im a level 7 gymnast! I think that you should talk to your gym manager and get her moved up on her classes! If your gym is realy sincire about what their trying to do for your child, i suggest that if their is no room in the next class, have her stat to practice the skills that are in level 4 in the level 3 class that she is taking!

      Thanks and I wish the best for you and your child,
      Ariana Kolah

        • Hello, I am a level 5 gymnast with my roundoff back handspring back tuck. I would recommend using a long trampoline in your gym and make sure you have your back tuck perfectly on floor. Try to bounce as high as you can on the trampoline and get the motion.

          When you get to your gym first practice the roundoff back handspring back tuck on trampoline then try to do exactly the same on floor.
          This is what I did to learn mine!
          :) Kassidy

    • I am a coach and I understand where your coming from. One important thing to remember is how high are her scores when she competes. You may feel she can do the skills but they may not be completely perfect looking.

      • Remember you cant always be perfect the most important thing is she loves to do gymnastics and she has the skill good enough

    • Hi! I am a level 8 gymnast! Usually your daughter will have to compete in a meet and get a certain all round score to move up so it sometimes takes longer than others to move up. It can be hard but training on one level for a while means her form will get better and better and that is what you need to move up. x

      • is this really Ciera from TC2 OR Cheernastics2 because I am a big fan and I would love to do some sort of meet if you would? I love your videos as I was a self taught gymnast until my parents started to believe in me that I could be a gymnast, and my aunt wants me to do cheer and it seems to be really fun.

        love, flip-in-the-gym

  • >>My daughter is on Level 3 and can do all of these things already and we feel that she should be able to go on to the next level.<<

    Some gyms keep their gymnasts in their current level until they achieve a certain score on each event or all-around. The best thing you can do is talk with your daughter's coach to A) let him/her know that your daughter is eager to advance and, B) discover if the gym/coach has specific criteria the gymnast must meet before moving up.

  • I can do all of the level 1 2 and 3 skills except for a round off back handspring. I am also a deft taught gymnast but I might join a gym soon, when they ask what level I am should I say I don't have a level bc I'm a self taught gymnast for about 6 years now or should I say level 3 but I am working in my round off back handspring

    • <<>>

      Nikki, Most gyms test new comers to see where to place them so you won't really need to explain yourself. You can just demonstrate what you can do! Also, they may place you in a lower level briefly before moving you up to polish the skills you've learned on your own. If you are interested in being involved in the competitive team at the gym, they look for kids who are very focused, are teachable, have beautiful form, and are STRONG. Something to think about :)
      Best of luck to you! I'm happy you are getting into a gym (if even just for safety!) I know you are going to love it!!!!

  • Thanks for posting this! My daughter is 5 1/2 and has been in gymnastics for a year now. I just wanted to see whereabouts her skills lie, and she has a bit of work to do to get to competition level, which is fine. But, what is the typical age that a girl gets into competition at level 3? I would hate for her to be 8 years old competing with a bunch of 5 year olds. That just may have us concentrate more on a different sport, to be honest. For now, it's fun, but as a former gymnast myself, I want to see her take it far! Thanks for your two cents.

    • Hi Laura,
      So the age of gymnasts at different levels really varies but honestly you are right that level 3 kids tend to be younger. However the minimum age to compete is at age 6, so there are no kids younger than that competing at level 3. Also that is not the only level gymnasts start competing at. Many gyms will start competing their slightly older gymnasts at either level 4 (minimum age 7) when they have learned those skills or they will compete them in the Xcel program. The Xcel program is a really great way for medium age to older kids to compete. It's more flexible and in my opinion, more fun than compulsory gymnastics. So--I definitely would not be worried about her at age 5 or at age 8 being too old for the sport. In the Xcel program kids 5-15 have fun and compete with all the benefits of being involved in a sport.
      I hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions :)
      Jessica

    • Laura,

      My daughter is 8years old and a level 3 gymnast. Most of her teammates will be 8yrs by competition time except two who are 7yrs. However, she also competed as a level one at 6years! Help that helps!

      Terrie

  • I'm 13 years old and I just started gymnastics a year ago. I'm a fast learner, but I feel hopeless because I just started. I truly love and enjoy gymnastics but my parents arent willing to take me more than once a week. Also they don't really care about gymnastics.

  • Hi! I am a level 3 gymnast and I MUST practice my floor routine but I do not know all of it yet, do you know of a website where I could get the full floor routine in words? Thanks!

    • Hi Sophia, you would have to pay for the compulsory book to get the full routine in words. I would suggest looking on YouTube at videos of other gymnasts doing the routine! Hope that helps.

  • I have a 12 year old girl who has been doing gymnastics and loving it since she was a toddler. She just made team and all of the sudden she wants to stop. When I asked if she wanted me to withdraw her she said no she wanted to think about it... Any advice? She has a big smile on her face when she practices. Feeling perplexed

    • Hi Stephanie,

      I don't know--do you think she has a fear of competing ? If so you could try explaining to her that her scores at the meets don't really mean anything ? Especially if she still enjoys her time in the gym...

  • Hi, I'm a 14 year old mostly self taught gymnast and I've been looking into which skill level I would fit into since I'm contemplating joining a gym again soon. From what I've seen so far I would fit best into level 3 or 4. Would that be mostly younger gymnasts at most given gyms? Would you have any suggestions for someone older like me with not as much practice in an actual gym to be able to train with people more my own age?

    • I was a level 4 at about your age. I started late 11/12, as gymnasts go. Yes, most of my team/classmates were much younger than me, but it didn't seem to matter to them. And honestly, it didn't really matter to me once we were all working on skills. I was there first and foremost because I loved it. If you love the sport, the age of your classmates really doesn't matter. You can have fun with the younger ones, like you would a younger sibling, but you can also connect with your teacher in a way younger gymnasts don't/can't. Never let age determine what you can't/won't do. Do what you love!

  • I just need my 5 glide swing dismount and round off back handspring. To be able to get into level 3. Any advice?

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