To compete in Level 6 gymnastics, a gymnast must meet specific event requirements and composition rules. Below you’ll find the skill requirements for vault, bars, beam, and floor, plus at-home practice ideas and recommended equipment to support safe progress.
✅ This checklist and skills list has been reviewed for the 2025 season.
In addition to the skills listed below, Level 6 routines must include 5 “A” skills and 1 “B” skill on each optional event. “A” elements are easier than “B” (difficulty increases A → E). Choreographers should verify routine composition and bonus with current rules. For a quick overview, see the USAG cheat sheet.
Level 6 Gymnastics Requirements: Vault
You may compete one of the following vaults:
- Front handspring onto the table
- ¼–½ on (Tsukahara entry), land to mat stack
- Round-off entry (Yurchenko) onto table, land to mat stack
Level 6 Gymnastics Requirements: Bars
- Cast to a minimum of 45° above horizontal
- At least one bar change
- One 360° circling element: underswing, clear hip circle, stalder circle, or hecht
- Minimum “A” dismount
Many gymnasts begin consistently using grips by Level 4–6 for hand protection and better swing control.
Level 6 Gymnastics Requirements: Beam
- Either a non-flight acro series (e.g., backwalkover + backwalkover) or one acro flight element
- One leap or jump showing 180° split
- 360° turn on one foot
- Minimum “A” dismount
Level 6 Gymnastics Requirements: Floor
- One acro series with at least 3 elements; 2 must have flight
- One salto or aerial acro element – can be isolated or in a different connection
- Dance passage with 2 different leaps/jumps/hops — one must show 180° split
- 360° turn on one foot
⭐ Our Top Equipment Picks for Level 6 Gymnasts
If you’re building a safe, effective at-home setup for Level 6, these are smart investments:
#1 Sturdy Home Bar (for clear hip + kip drills)
Stable enough for glide swings, kips, clear-hip drills, and shaping work.
Check out a suggested gymnastics outfit for Level 6 gymnasts below.
| Gymnastics Gear for Level 6 Gymnasts | Sizes | Description | Price |
Pink Rays Leotard |
CS – AS | Beautiful, soft, ombre ray leotard with a rhinestone belt – perfect for your tween/teen gymnast to feel gorgeous at practice in! | $47.95 |
Mindset & Meet Journal |
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. | $24.99 |
|
|
XS-XXL | This cute strappy back sports bra for gymnasts is a great option. | $16.55-19.54 |
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! | $28.00 |
Customized 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.
|
$27.95 |
|
Bailie Beginner Dowel Buckle Gymnastics Grips
|
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. | $34.95 |
|
Work Hard Dream Big Gymnastics Backpack
|
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! | $39.95 |
| Beige Velvet Cotton Mid-Rise Waist Gymnastics Underwear
|
Kids 3-5 – Adult Large | Great for your gymnast if she feels more comfortable wearing underwear under her leotard. Nude, high cut and seamless. | $24.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Level 6 Gymnastics
Q: What age do you have to be for Level 6?
A: USA Gymnastics does not set a strict minimum age in the same way as compulsory levels, but athletes typically reach Level 6 around ages 10–13 after Levels 4–5. Always follow your gym’s mobility policies.
Q: Can you skip Level 6?
A: In many programs, Level 6 may be skipped if the gymnast achieved at least a 32.00 AA at Level 5 (coach/gym policy applies). Your gym’s director has the final say on mobility.
Q: How many A/B skills are required at Level 6?
A: Optional events at Level 6 require 5 “A” skills and 1 “B” skill in each routine, in addition to the specific event composition requirements listed above.
Q: What are common “sticking points” for Level 6?
A: On bars, clear-hip to the required angle and dismount selection; on beam, either an acro series (non-flight) or a single flight element plus a true 180° split; on floor, a clean salto or aerial and dance passage showing 180° split; and on vault, consistent front handspring entry with strong block.
Q: Do Level 6 athletes need grips?
A: Many athletes consistently use grips by Level 4–6 for hand protection and better swing control. See our guide to the best gymnastics grips.
Q: What’s the start value at Level 6?
A: Level 6 is optional; start values depend on fulfilling both the event’s composition requirements and the value part requirements (A/B). Missing elements, angles, or insufficient splits can result in start value deductions.
Q: What tumbling passes are typical for Level 6?
A: Routines often include a three-skill acro series with two flight elements (e.g., RO–BHS–back layout), plus an additional salto or aerial (which can appear in a different pass) and a dance passage that achieves 180° split.
Q: How can we safely practice at home for Level 6?
A: Focus on shaping and strength: hollow holds/arches, shoulder conditioning, split flexibility to true 180°, leaps/jumps on a line or floor beam, and bar drills (glide swings, kip/clear-hip shaping) on a sturdy home bar. Need structure? SkillTrakker provides daily drill calendars.
Q: What home equipment is most useful at Level 6?
A: A stable home bar for glide/kips/clear-hip shaping, a panel mat for shaping and leap/jump work, and a floor beam for acro basics and turns. See our recommendations above.
Q: How do you move up from Level 6 to Level 7?
A: Meet your gym’s mobility score standard, consistently fulfill Level 6 composition with good execution, and demonstrate readiness for the increased “B” part demands of Level 7. Your coach will guide timing based on meet results and training consistency.
Once a gymnast can perform routines that meet all these level 6 requirements, and she has passed out of level 5, she may compete in a level 6 meet. Level 6 may be skipped if a 32 AA was scored at Level 5. After successfully completing level 6, she can move on to level 7.
101 Comments
Is there any gymnastics places in South Korea?
Hi Elizabeth,
I would think there are, but honestly I have no idea 🙁 Sorry! Maybe someone else here can help?
Yes!! Not many, but there are quite a few gyms for tumbling. (*Not many actual “gyms” with teams and all the apparatuses for artistic.) Rhythmic gymnastics is a lot more common so there are more competitions for rhythmic. I started off with rhythmic because I wanted to compete, then switched over to tumbling.
What gymnastics place did u go to
i go to west side academy of gymnastics in dent ohio
The Gymnastics place that I go to is Sunburst Gymnastics Union, New Jersey
I go to World Champion Centre , which is Simone Biles gym it’s very nice there , you can make lots of friends also i’m a level 6 gymnast so its very nice.
I go to Universal Gymnastics, Mt. Juliet and I’m in level 3 competitive team
OMG!!! |U DO??? DAT MUST BE NICE
OMG!!! |U DO??? DAT MUST BE NICE.
Btw I go to Impact Gymnastics Academy in NH. I’m a level 5 training level6
Is anyone else an xcel training to be in level 6?
I’ve went there before for open gym but I’m level 4
I go to Universal Gymnastics, Mt. Juliet and I’m in level 3 competitive team
I go to World of gymnastics and cheer, which is in Georgia.
I go to Universal Gymnastic in Mt. Juliet, TN
love gymnastics
Same
Many of our gyms.in our area don’t compete Level 6? Is that because this level can be skipped without a mobility requirement?
What if you can do a back handspring but not a back walkover
Im pretty sure you need to get a back walkover because a back walkover is a very importent skil in gymnastics
It is a good skill to have but no it is not required. I also have a BHS but not a BWO.
I agree. I have both and it depends on the level. But after level 4 it is never a requirement. Especially in optional you choose skills that show off your strengths.
A back walkover is not a necessary skill. Most people in high levels compete a back handspring instead of a back walkover.
it is necessary to have a strong back walkover that you can do at any time no matter circumstances in order to do backhand spring which is a whole different ball game
I think a back walkout is a unnecessary skill
It’s actually really good skill to have since lots of level 5 gymnasts do it and level 7 gymnasts often do back-walkover back-handspring.
Unfortunately I dont know. But my daughter has the same issue. Her coach makes her do cartwheels instead of a back walkover. I just dont get it because she wont be going down a level so she is practicing for nothing.
keeping basics strong creates a good gymnast a gymnast who can do crazy flips but no basics is toast in the competitive world
Hi, cartwheels are very important. They teach basics. You need basics. For example you might be working a Roundoff backhandspring back tuck but if you don’t have a good hurdle you can’t do the skill correctly. Cartwheels teach landing on your bad leg, levering, hand placement, and help with upgraded dismounts for beam.
You don’t need a back-walkover in level 6 as long as you have a flight skill to replace it so you can compete a backhand-spring instead of a back-walkover
How long do the level six floor routines have to be ?
I think 1minute and15 seconds. Not completely sure
Ok between 50 seconds and 1 minute 15 seconds I believe 🙂
Do you have a list of what “A” and “B” skills are? My daughter is working on some of the dance portion of her floor routine with a dance teacher, not a gymnastics coach. We are trying to determine which moves are “poses” and which are considered “jumps/leaps”, and what their value is.
You can find this information in the JO code of points. Or my skill progression charts denote which skills are “A”s and “B”s
What does min “a” dismount mean and and acro series and acro element or salto basically all of this plz email and tell I’m a level 4 and hoping to skip to level 6 and I would like to know all the meaning of this
Do you ever have to get a presshandstand ?
I don’t know if I am level 5 or 6.
If you can do everything in Level six then you’re level six if not probably level 5 cause to be a level you have to be able to do everything in that level.
I love gymnastics
#gymnast
Yes, I just looked it up it’s in Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hey, I was wondering if there was any gymnastic places in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam? i’m moving there and gymastic is my dream… even though im 11 and i can’t do anything.
What do you mean by an “A” dismount
Yeah, I need that one answered also!
“A” is the level of difficulty. A is the easiest. Then there’s B, C, D and I believe E. Once at the Olympic level.. I think it goes all the way up to H. But Olympic level gymnasts will mostly be performing D and E level moves… to give you some perspective. If you want to know what a particular skill is worth you could probably just google it or something.
In the Olympics it goes up to J
i am an level 5 gymnast and i am trying to get to level 6 what in need the most is a cast handstand on bars and i am happy because yesterday at open gym i have got my flyaway of the bars
if you can cast to where you body is vertical get a spotter who can help you get all the way up to a handstand and in no time the muscles you need to do a cast handstand should be ready
Hi, I’m a young gymnast in level 6, and I’m moving soon. I’m moving to South Carolina, does anybody know good gyms there? thanks.
The front handspring vault also must go up to the mat stack. The reason is to have kids be more ready to flip their vaults in level 8, gyms are now being forced to work the timers thoroughly
The mobility scores were changed last year, it was raised from 31 to 32 to score out of level 5
I purchased the progression checklist in 2016 (I think). Has it changed?
Hey Jess! Just wondering if this version is updated to the new code, as I may be going into lvl 6 and I am unsure if I am ready. Please respond soon!
I’m trying to get a backbend can someone give me some tips on how to get it?
My daughter is competing level 6 this year and doing front HS to Front tuck can she change to Front HS to front layou? Or is that not allowed in 6?
I go to the YMCA of Thomasville. I will be on their competitive team in December
google
can you skip level 4 and 5 and still compete level 6
No the first level required in Jo is level 4
Hello! For the level 6 floor leap/dance pass, is it acceptable to do 3 chaine turns with the middle one having a jump in it, connected to a chasse straddle jump? I’d like to make it that instead of a switch split because my straddle is better, but I thought you’d have to do some type of leap (with a one foot take off) and not a jump. Thank you.
Hello! For the level 6 floor leap/dance pass, is it acceptable to do 3 chaine turns with the middle one having a jump in it, connected to a chasse straddle jump? I’d like to make it that instead of a switch split because my straddle is better, but I though you’d have to do some type of leap and not a jump. Thank you.
Level 6/7 vault yurchenko entry can anyone answer the question when girls hit mat with feet and fall to back arms at side? Or finish high above head? I see so many different ways and been checking usag site for new video on deductions, so far nothing posted.
You have to get a 36 to score out
I go to All Around gymnastics, GA
OMG SAME! what were the odds i find someone who goes to the same gym as me!!!!!!
Same I am on level 6
Are giants allowed on bars as the circling element? For example, could my bar routine be:
kip -> squat on -> kip on high bar -> straddle handstand -> giant -> flyaway
PIease what are gymnastics level one steps.I don’t have any gym equipments and I don’t know any gymnastics steps.
how come i can do everything on this list, do 2 backhand springs on the beam for flight, can do a full, and can do giants but i’m on level 5? i feel like i could be on level 6 anyone have any opinions?
I competed Xcel Bronze, and then Level 3, and then Xcel Silver, and then Gold. I want to switch back to JO and go to Level 6 next competition season. With having competed those levels in the past and having all the skill requirements for level 6, would I be able to compete 6 or would I have to score out of level 4 and 5 first?
I go to GSA in Lancaster I’m a level 6
My daughter is really good at gymnastics and is in level 4 but she can do a full twist
In level 6 does a BWO BWO start at the same score as a BHS? I was just wondering because my BHS is inconsistent but my BWO BWO is.
I go to FCC in NC and I’m a level 5\ platinum?
I go to NSG (Nebraska School of Gymnastics). Lincoln NE I’m a level 4 training levels 5 and 6.
So, I’m level 9 and I’m 11 yrs. old. all the girls think I’m too young. Is that so???
For vault, I am doing a front handspring full. Is it okay to have a full onto my back on a mat? Also, is it okay to have an up rise clear hip on bars?
Am level 10 and am 11 yrs old is that to young
I need some tips on how to get my kip!!!
(Please ignore the rhyme! XD)
Wow, level 6 gymnastics requirements are much more challenging than I expected! As a parent of a young gymnast, I’m impressed by the level of skill and dedication required to compete at this level. My daughter has been working hard to improve her skills and reach this level, and I’m excited to see her progress. Thanks for sharing this informative post!
Keep educating and inspiring others with posts like this.
This helped clarify a lot of questions I had.
This helped clarify a lot of questions I had.
Keep writing! Your content is always so helpful.
This post gave me a new perspective I hadn’t considered.
I’ve been looking for a minimalist yet challenging racing game, and I stumbled upon poly tack game unblocked for free . The physics-based mechanics are surprisingly smooth, and the built-in track editor is a game-changer. It’s rare to find a browser-based game with this much creative freedom. If you enjoy time-attack challenges and building your own stunts, this is definitely worth a bookmark.
I’ve been looking for a minimalist yet challenging racing game, and I stumbled upon poly track game unblocked for free . The physics-based mechanics are surprisingly smooth, and the built-in track editor is a game-changer. It’s rare to find a browser-based game with this much creative freedom. If you enjoy time-attack challenges and building your own stunts, this is definitely worth a bookmark.