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.
| 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.
|
Check Current Price Here |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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.
View Comments (102)
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?