Xcel Diamond is the fifth and last level in the Xcel gymnastics levels. To compete gymnastics in the Xcel Diamond Division, the gymnast must be able to do routines that meet these
requirements, as stated in the Xcel Code of Points, and have scored a 31 All-Around as a Platinum level gymnast. These requirements are paraphrased for easier comprehension; for precise information always refer to the official book published by USA Gymnastics.
The Xcel Diamond division is one level in the Xcel program; here is more information about all the gymnastics levels. The Xcel Diamond division is comparable in skill level to a Level 7 in the Junior Olympic program.
While these are requirements, some gymnasts compete in the Xcel Diamond level without being able to do all the skills listed below. For what requirements gymnasts don’t fulfill, the judges take deductions.
Diamond Vault Requirement
Diamond gymnasts must perform a minimum of a front handspring vault.
Diamond Bars Requirements
Diamond gymnasts must have the following in their bar routine:
- 5 “A” & 2 “B” valued skills
- A clear support skill finishing a min of 45° from vertical
- Circling Skill – minimum of a “B” value
- A Release, Pirouette or 2nd Circling Skill — minimum of a “B” value
- A Salto or Hecht dismount from the high bar
Diamond Beam Requirements
Diamond gymnasts must have the following in their beam routine:
- 5 “A” & 2 “B” valued skills
- Minimum of 1/1 (360°) turn on one foot
- Dance series with 2 skills (they can be the same or different skills)
- One jump/leap that reaches a 155° angle (ex. straddle jump) — can be included in dance series
- One acro skill that has flight (ex. back handspring) that can be isolated or in a series AND an acro series with or without flight (ex. handstand, back walkover)
- Salto or Aerial Dismount
Diamond Floor Requirements
Diamond gymnasts must have the following in their floor routine:
- 5 “A” & 2 “B” valued skills
- Two separate acro connections each with a minimum of two directly connected acro flight elements (ex. front handspring, front pike and round-off back handspring back tuck)
- Two different saltos (can be isolated or in a series) and one must be a minimum of a “B” value (the front pike and back tuck from the previous requirement would fulfill this one)
- A dance passage with a minimum of two different leaps, jumps or hops, one of which is a leap with a 155° cross or side split — they can be directly or indirectly connected
- Minimum of “B” turn on one foot ( A 540 degree turn is a “B”)
These are the gymnastics routine requirements if you want to compete Xcel Diamond. Here are the Xcel Platinum gymnastics requirements, Xcel Gold requirements, Xcel Silver requirements, and Xcel Bronze requirements.
Join SkillTrakker to Improve Your Gymnastics Skills (and Score!) Today!
View Comments (82)
What happens after you compete diamond?
You can then move on to compete in the JO program, the traditional levels 1-10.
Actually, at a lot of gyms, you cannot go from Xcel to JO. But for those gyms that do allow the transition, if you have competed Diamond, you would probably be ready for Level 7 or 8.
If you are at least 14, the coach could use video of your Diamond routines and other skills you have to petition you into Level 7. If you are under 14, you would have to score out of Level 4 and level 5 and then you could compete Level 7 (or also score out of Level 7 and compete Level 8).
What about Level 6?
You can score out of Level 6 if you are good enough at Level 5. If you competed Dimond Level 5 would be easy so you would score out and go on to Level 7
Now there’s a fifth level to excel which is saphare
I'm guessing that's not a April fools
in some regions, their is a level after diamond called Sapphire.
Yes, there is a new level called Saphire, However, Silver is like level 3 in USAG, Gold is like level 4 and 5 in USAG, Platnium is like level 6 and 7 in USAG, Diamond is like level 8 and 9 in USAG, and Saphire is like level 10 in USAG
So you move to the JO program after Diamond, Did not know that till now!
For most gyms xcel is a program that gymnasts can join if they still want to compete but can't make the commitment required for JO. You can also move from JO to xcel if you can no longer make the commitment or because of an injury.
Actually Excel is meant for a more relaxed setting and is not compulsory, every routine is more unique and they dont do the same skills
Yes, you can move to JO from Xcel. The Xcel program is mainly geared toward high school gymnstics and D3 colleges.
What if you compete Xcel diamond and score at least 31 but don't want to go JO because of time commitment or other reasons. Can you just "stay" in Xcel diamond level through highschool?
Yes, you can stay at Xcel Diamond if your gym will let you, but they might want you to move to JO.
What level will you move into after Diamond? Im guessing level 7.
I'm a level 7 gymnast, could I move to Xcel diamond if I wanted to?
Yes!
actually i think you have to score out of one routine in platinum; at least that is what my coach told me after coming out of level 6
You definitely could, for excel all u usually need is to try out and if u competed JO u will most likely be accepted too. Since your a level seven gymnast, what skills do your coaches require you to have that are higher than the USAG requirements? I want to switch to level seven out of Xcel gold ( I have higher skills than xcel gold requirements) and I looked at the 6 & 7 requirements and I fit all the 6 and most of 7 and all of platinum but it doesn’t seem like I have enough skills compared to what I hear and see 6 & 7 gymnasts do. Another factor is I’m also like 15 so I don’t want to be like made fun off or look stupid bc I’m older than what seems to be the normal age
I was recently a level 8 gymnast for two years, and now I want to switch to excel for inquiry and commitment purposes. I was wondering if I can compete a yurcanko pike for vault , a bhs layoutstepout on beam a double back on floor and also a double fly away,overshoot on bars?? Please replay and the main reason I am switching is too do the high school gymnastics team because my gym doesn't allow you to do high school and JO so I would go to excel!! I am so scared to tell my coaches but states is Sunday so we will see how it goes-xoxo Sadie
Hi Sadie! I think you should tell you coaches and talk to your parents. There might be another girl on your team who wants to go to excel.
you can go to xcel diamond but will not be able to compete a double back, because that isnt allowed at the diamond level
yea they changed it, it is allowed... i competed it hahaha
if I wanted to move from xcel platniam to level 7, do you have to compete as a level 5 gymnast first before you go to an optional team? and I have the skills for level 7.
I recently competed level 3 and I think excel would be fun but would it be like I'm givving up?
Nope! My coaches put me on xcel bronze because I wanted to it doesn't mean you are quitting!
I'm moving to X-Cel next year and I have just completed level three. My coaches are putting me in gold so your coaches might move you to gold as well. You wouldn't be giving up you are deciding. If you truly want to be in X-Cel you can be you will still be committed to your team. Good luck!
No!!! Why would that mean your giving up?? It's just different levels!!!
It's not like giving up. Acctually, some coaches think gymnasts thrive better in xcel than the compolsory levels.
Yes, and also excel can also be for gymnasts who don't have the flexibility to reach some of the requirements for compulsery, and excel is a better oppurtunity to actually get to move up levels without pain or flexibility problems.
I really want to go to excel but there are not many people in the program
The Xcel processed is growing.... Regionals just went to 4 days instead of 3. Many gyms are transitioning to Xcel. My girls shave only competed Xcel.
I can go into Xcel Silver if I get my pullover and back hip circle by July 26th. I've been doing workouts for the whole week. I've been to open gym and it doesn't feel like it's helped. I'm going to be using a theraband for my back hip circle fears. Do you think I could do anything else to improve??
If you don’t have a pullover or back hip circle you should go to bronze. Most of my girls in silver do their kip and a the girls from bronze all have their back hip circle. So maybe try pre team.