Level 5 is the second gymnastics level that gymnasts are required to compete. Level 5 is a compulsory level, which means every gymnast competes the same routines on each event. To compete in Level 5 gymnastics, athletes must:
- Be at least 7 years old before their first sanctioned meet
- Score at least a 34.00 All-Around as a Level 4 gymnast at a sanctioned meet
✅ This checklist and skills list has been reviewed and updated for the 2025 season.
Level 5 Gymnastics Requirements: Vault
- Front handspring vault
Level 5 Gymnastics Requirements: Bars
- Kip
- Cast to above horizontal
- Clear hip to above horizontal OR back sole circle to clear front support OR back stalder circle to clear front support
- Squat on or back sole circle
- Long hang kip*
- Long hang pullover
- Tap swings
- Flyaway dismount*
By Level 4–5, many gymnasts begin consistently using grips for hand protection and stronger swings.
Level 5 Gymnastics Requirements: Beam
- Back walkover OR back extension roll OR front walkover OR back handspring
- Straight leg leap with 150° leg separation
- Full turn
- Split jump
- Sissonné
- Cartwheel
- Back tuck dismount
Level 5 Gymnastics Requirements: Floor
- Straddle jump
- Stretch jump with full turn
- Front handspring step out
- Back extension roll
- Passé hop with ¾ turn
- Front tuck OR front aerial OR aerial cartwheel
- Split leap with 150° leg separation
- Full turn
- Roundoff back handspring back tuck
⭐ Recommended Equipment for Level 5 Gymnasts
If your gymnast is training Level 5, these tools are especially helpful for at-home practice:
#1 Home Bar for Kips & Flyaway Drills
Strong enough for kips, casts, and shaping drills.
#2 Floor Beam
Great for cartwheels, leaps, jumps, and turns with less fear than a high beam.
Frequently Asked Questions about Level 5 Gymnastics
Q: What age do you have to be to compete Level 5?
A: Gymnasts must be at least 7 years old before their first sanctioned Level 5 meet.
Q: Is Level 5 required?
A: Yes, Level 5 is the second required competitive level in the USAG Development Program (following Level 4).
Q: What score do you need to move from Level 4 to Level 5?
A: Gymnasts must achieve at least a 34.00 All-Around at Level 4 to move up to Level 5.
Q: What are the hardest skills at Level 5?
A: Many gymnasts find the kip on bars, the back walkover or BHS on beam, and the Round-off–Back handspring–back tuck on floor the most challenging.
Q: What comes after Level 5?
A: After successfully completing Level 5, gymnasts may move to Level 6 (optional routines) or higher, depending on scores and coach readiness.
Q: How can Level 5 gymnasts practice at home?
A: Focus on shaping drills (hollow holds, core strength), leaps & jumps to full 150°, beam basics on a floor beam, and kip drills on a sturdy home bar. For structure, check out SkillTrakker for daily drills.
Once a gymnast can perform all of these Level 5 skills and routines with confidence, she is ready to compete in Level 5. After completing Level 5, gymnasts can progress to Level 6 or higher.
Level 5 is the second gymnastics level that gymnasts are required to compete. Level 5 is a compulsory level, so each gymnast does the same routine. To compete in level 5 gymnastics, a gymnast must have reached her 7th birthday before her first meet and be able to do the following skills on each of the four events. She also must have scored a 34 AA as a level 4 at a sanctioned gymnastics meet.
Check out a suggested gymnastics outfit for Level 5 gymnasts below.
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AXS-XXL | This cute strappy back sports bra for gymnasts is a great option. | Check Current Price Here |
Destira Black Gymnastics Compression Sport Shorts |
Child XXS (3x) – Adult XL | Some gymnasts prefer to wear shorts over their leotard, either for modesty, comfort, or for whatever reason. These are a great option! | Check Current Price Here |
Customizable Gymnastics Grip Bag |
One size fits all | This grip bag is perfect for your tween/teen gymnast. It features a tie dye leopard print design with option to personalize with your fav event and your initial.
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Check Current Price Here |
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Bailie Beginner Dowel Buckle Gymnastics Grips
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XXS-L | They are a great first pair of dowel grips because they are narrower and smaller than a standard grip. The leather is easier to break in, and they let the gymnast keep more of their hand on the bar so they can feel their swing. | Check Current Price Here |
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Work Hard Dream Big Gymnastics Backpack
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One size fits all | This gymnastics backpack is uniquely designed. There is a TON of space with many pockets, including the bottom section for shoes! | Check Current Price Here |
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NA | This gymnastics journal is what your gymnast needs to improve her gymnastics and have her best season yet! It’s over 100 pages long with mindset exercises, meet logs, end of season reviews, a place to collect autographs from her teammates. | Check Current Price Here |
Once a gymnast can perform all of these skills and she has learned the Level 5 gymnastics compulsory routines, she is ready to compete in a Level 5 meet. And once she successfully completes Level 5, she can move on to learning Level 6 skills.
111 Comments
I have a question about the new level 5. Will the girls be scored different if one does a back walker, or a back handspring. Are their starting scores higher if they do the more difficult tricks.
What score is needed to qualify for states?
Thank you for your time.
Lucinda
Hi Lucinda,
There is no change in start value for choosing to do either a backwalkover , a back extension roll, or a backhandspring step-out (on beam). So, in other words, they won’t be scored differently. In higher levels starting scores change for doing more difficult tricks,but not in compulsory levels.
And as far as score needed to qualify for states–that is decided by the state for level 8 and below. But, frequently it is around 31 or 32.
I hope this helps.
Jessica
hello i was put in the wrong lower level when i can do all the level 5 skills what should i do? i have perfected all my skills and am ready to move on.
You should talk to your coaches or district coordinator and see about it then at the next level test try for a higher level.
If it’s level 4 then that is a required level
They probably want you to stay in that level because you would do better.
I am currently in Xcel and want to join Compulsories. I can do all of the level 5 skills. How can I join compulsories?
Thank you,
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay,
You would need to ask your gym about doing Compulsories. If your gym doesn’t offer it–you might want to check other gyms in the area.
Good Luck!
actually your coaches are probably keeping you in that level so you can perfect the skill because come meet season you get all 1st place
When a gymnast is ready to qualify out of level 5 does it have to be done at a state qualifier meet or is there another way it can be done so she can move up to optionals without having to wait until the meets start
Hi Sharon,
Some gyms host mobility meets, which are small meets specifically for moving gymnasts from one level to the next. But they are still USAG sanctioned meets. Any meet which is USAG sanctioned will work for qualifying out of a level 🙂 Hope that helps!
I am a self-taught gymnast at level 5. How do I know when I’m ready to advance to the next level?
I can do a rounduff tuck on floor and a 180 in all my slip jump and I working on my backhand spring on vault beam I have my full turn split jump to 180 and my cartwheel and front tuck off beam for bars I have my sole circle kip on low and high bar and I have very high tap swings what level is this
level five maybe or Xcel gold
Is there a certain score they need to reach to quality out of Level 5?
Hi Jeneen,
They need a minimum of 31 All-Around to qualify out of Level 5. This has to be at a USA Gymnastics sanctioned meet.
I’ve heard that you have to score above a 34 AA to move to level five, do you know if it has changed?
-Anna
Yes, it has changed to 34.00 to qualify up to Level 5.
I have a question concerning level 5 vault … Is there a regulation hieght for vault to be set at ? My daughter is very short for her age and vaults very well when vault is set at lowest position , she can vault when it is raised but does better when it is at lowest setting . I just want to know if the vault can be set there or if there is a specific hieght it needs to be set at? Thanks
Hi Frank,
No, there is not a regulation height for the vault–the coach is allowed to change the vault settings for each gymnast. I hope that answers your question. 🙂
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Is there a choice for your leap pass on level 5? Most gyms in our area are doing a switch leap but we don’t ours is more like a hopping pass? Thanks
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Level 5 is a compulsory level so all gyms must do basically the same routine, however there is an option in the leap pass to either do a regular split leap, or a switch leap. So I’m guessing your “hopping pass” is the straight leg leap. 😉 Hope that helps! – Jessica
I can do everything g in level 5 except for the back tuck, Any tips???
Are u sure these are all the skills my child needs to know for lvl 5 because we are working up to competition in her gym thx bye
Hi im am a self taught gymnast currently level 2 but im planning for more kevels right now is that good?
And im only doing ones that i kmnow I can do
My 8 yr old daughter was a level 3 last season and she did well. Really well. But her gym is priming her to be a level 5. I guess my question is how do you feel about skipping levels, is 4 a very important level. She’s young it won’t hurt her to go to each level. I’m just afraid she’ll be bored. She’s got almost all the level 5 skills they need perfecting but the 4 skills are basically mastered. Thanks
If she has already mastered the level 4 skills–then I would say there is no reason to worry about skipping a level. You definitely don’t want her to be bored! 🙂
Hi! My daughter is 8 years old and on level 4 and I was just reading this to see what skills she would need for level 5, and I was just wondering why you have to be 7 years old to compete in a level 5 meet? I know it doesn’t affect her but I was just wondering.
Thanks!
The move-up scores changed, level 4 to 5 is a 34 AA I believe now
Yes, you’re correct. It did change to 34.00.
What is the AA to test out of level 5?
Hello!
I just finnished my level 3 state competition today with a 37.4 AA. I have already mastered level 4 skills, and I am 13 years old. I was wondering if it is possible to skip level 4 and go directly into level 5. I have all of my level 5 skills but they just need a little cleaning up. With the score I got at state is it possible to skip level 4 and go directly into level 5? Or must I score out?
Thanks
Sofia
From what I know, you have to score out of level 4 first.
i keep putting my hands down on the arial cartwheel, any advice?
Me to and I’m 13 and started late at 10 I am level 5 but I need it for a meet in 3 weeks
Hello,
My daughter is 8 and working at level 5, which she will do this July. Will she be in age or out of age?
Anna
hi, my name is AHSAN TAUFIQUE I was wondering if I were a gymnast what level I would be here are the following skills I could do: arabesque, arched handstand, backward roll, bridge(almost), cartwheel, candlestick, dive roll, dive cartwheel, forward roll, front tuck, handstand, hand splits, all of the jumps, kick, leap, needle, needle kick, one-handed cartwheel, one-legged cartwheel, roundoff, somersault, and SPLITS!!!!!!!! so plz tell me which level I would be by, ahsan.t
Probably about a level 2
Can you do any ba kearss tumbling? If not probably 1or 2
If a gymnast scored out of level 5 with a 31 is she allowed to skip level 6 and move right to level 7?
My coach says that I’m ready to go to level 6/7 but my head coach says that my bars and flips need too improve. Should I go to level 6/7, 5/6 or stay on level 5.
P.S My sister says I should go to level 5/6 (I have competed.
Hi! Love your website! How is your $19.99 Skills Progressions Checklist different from the free Skills Checklist (ie Level 3, Level 4, etc.)? Thank you!
Hey, i am 14 and i am currently still working on my straddle jump any advice ?
Maddie
I am 11 and have all the skills for level 5 am i to old
I’m 11 years old too, and I’m pretty sure that this is a good level for you to be at for your age.
I think you are a level 1 or 2. Most likely 2. I know this was 3 years ago, but whatever.
Hey, for floor, the ending pose. Do you hips have to be on the ground or can they be off the ground?
I was wondering, what is the usual age for level 5?
i heard the average age for level 3 is 8 so if you moved up 1 level per year then you would be 10 at level 5. but the average is about 10-13 im asuming. but remember its not about age its about skill level. 🙂
If it says like level 5 requirements does that mean you have to be able to do all of these to be on level 5 or does it mean you are learning this in level 5?
hey I am 12 and want to go into competitive gymnastics and it says I need to have scored a 34 AA as a level 4 at a sanctioned gymnastics meet am I too old, and also I was wondering If I feel I would go into level 5 could i ?
Hi! I’m currently 15 and a level 4. You’re definitely not too old! If you’ve mastered all of the level 4 skills and can make most or all of the level 5 skills, then I’d say you are ready- but that’s just how my gym does it. Check with your gym and see if you can meet all of their level 5 requirements, and if so, talk to your coach and they might just move you up 🙂
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Hello, my name is Allie and I have been doing gymnastics for almost 4 years. The only reason my coach won’t move me up to level 5, is because of my round off backhand spring. I’ve been working on it SO much for the past 3 and a half years, but my bhs keeps going SOOOO high. I really need to fix it, but my coach doesn’t help me. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Allie
Hey
I can do all of these skills but I really do not like doing back handsprings I just get really scared I’m going to break my wrist when I have been able to do one on air tracks and floor for ages what shall I do to overcome my fear
Same! I used to be really scared of doing back handsprings. But, once you just go for it, it’s not THAT scary. Besides, I would suggest practising it on a mat or a trampoline. (These are just my personal opinions!)
Good luck!
Same! I used to be really scared of doing back handsprings. But, once you just go for it, it’s not THAT scary. Besides, I would suggest practising it on a mat or a trampoline. (These are just my personal opinions!)
Good luck!
Me to I got my airtrack on Xmas day and did it but after that I had a mental block so couldn’t do it . I would recommend practising on trampoline and really thinking about what your doing br going for it
Hi I just wanted to know what the average age is for a level 6 gymnast I just turned 11 is that fine?
Hey I got a 9.3 on my level 5 bars and I am excited are you excited for me…
Yaaayyyy!!!!!
Hi i’m starting gymnastics at 13 is that too old?
no its not old. you can start whenever dont be discoraged 🙂
you are never to old to start gymnastics
NO WAY I only started last year and I’m 14
I am 10 and tommorow is my mobility meet, any tips?
No, 13 is a perfectly fine age to start at. I personaly started when i was 12 so you should be fine
i heard the average age for level 3 is 8 so if you moved up 1 level per year then you would be 10 at level 5. but the average is about 10-13 im asuming. but remember its not about age its about skill level. 🙂
I am in level 4 and I struggle with tumbling and back extension rolls. Any tips for level 5 tumbling and back extension rolls?
Honestly push ups lots of push ups
Hello! I am on a competition team and recently tried out for top gun. I´m a ending level 5 gymnast and the last thing I need to advance to level 6 is my round off series handspring to a tuck, Is there any tips to not get tired out after a round off handspring 2? Because I can never get to the back tuck, I can do a standing and a round off back tuck but I always either fall or just scare myself. Any tips to help?
um so i dont really know
Hi,
I am a self taught gymnast but…..
Where do I do a back and front tuck in my house!?!?
With out the inside going boom!
Ok I know u should do it out side
Do you have an airtrack?
I’m a level 4 trying to skip level 5 and go to level 6. But I need my backhand spring on beam any advice
-emma
First try to master two step outs and a floor line and then when you build up the courage stack up some mats on high beam!
Hii!So I’m a self taught gymnast training to be level 5- Do you have any tips for learning a back handspring and a back walkover?
I think if you went to a gymnastics place and then did drills there, you would be able to learn skills quicker. I am in level 4 and In my floor routine there is a back walkover and a round off back handspring and then a front handspring step out cartwheel back extension roll. If I were you I would train for level for. The level 5 routine has like a back handspring back tuck, so maybe train for level 4 at a gymnastics place with proper training to help you learn faster.
Hi I’m almost ending level 5 but I need my back tuck any tips
Isn’t a back handspring step out harder than backwalkover (on beam)
But it shows backhandspring = backwalkover (on beam)????????
Hey so you can either do a backwalkover on beam or a backhandspring step-out or back extension roll I would say the hardest one is a back extension roll but for the back handspring and backwalkover they are probably both just as hard they are more mental than skill you have to think about your hands landing in the right place, not arching to much and stuff like that in level 5 you have the option or doing either of those
Sorry this is kind of confusing hope it helps a little
Anna
Hi I’m Katie,
I’m a level 9 gymnast and a very helpful coach for tumbling!If you have any questions, feel free to leave some in the comments comments.
Could I go from xcel silver to level 6? Also I’m 12
Either level 3 or level four if your very lucky
Wow gymnNastics is fun
What is the * for on some of the skills? What does it mean?
I think it means that those skills are harder.
I am the best gymnast in the world you all are horrible you can never beat me 🙂
Have an aweful day
– Simone Biles
I think that whoever left this comment is wrong. Everyone is good at different things in gymnastics.
The person who left it probably can’t do gymnastics them selvs
im 12 and just completing level 5 can i still make it to the olympics bc its always been my dream x
Quick question: I am in xcel gold, could I be a level 5 if I switched?
You would go to level 4
I think it means that those skills are harder.
I am a level 5 gymnast, but I am currently injured. Any tips to help keep my skills without going to practice?
What injury???
I want to know more information about the level 5 and what tipe of excercise can help the gimnast to be more stronger
Hand stand hold squats lots of squats banana hold (banana hold and just head and shoulders and legs and hand off the floor) plank holds push ups and one leg squats
I like how this guide highlights both the required skills and the scoring expectations—it really shows how competitive Level 5 can be
Great resource for parents and gymnasts, the checklist and skill list make it much easier to understand what’s needed to move up.