Xcel Sapphire is an advanced division in the Xcel program designed for athletes progressing beyond Diamond. Below you’ll find event requirements for vault, bars, beam, and floor, plus safe at-home practice ideas and recommended home gymnastics equipment. Always confirm choreography, value parts, and bonus with the current Xcel Code of Points and your coach.
✅ This page was reviewed for the 2025 season. Always verify routine composition and start values with the latest Xcel Code of Points and appendices.
Eligibility
- Minimum age: 12 by the first competition date.
- Typical mobility into Sapphire: 34.00 AA at Xcel Diamond at a sanctioned meet or prior DP experience (Levels 8–10). Regions may publish additional guidance—check with your coach/program director.
Sapphire Vault Requirements
Sapphire athletes must perform a minimum of a front handspring vault over the table. See the current Xcel vault chart for all allowable options and start values.
Sapphire Bars Requirements
Bars routines must include:
- 3 “A”, 3 “B”, and 1 “C” value parts
- One “B” 360° circling skill (not mount/dismount)
- Minimum of “B” skill finishing in clear support at Vertical
- “B” turn or 2nd “B” 360° Circling Skill
- “B” dismount or a “C” connection into a salto dismount
Sapphire Beam Requirements
Beam routines must include:
- Value parts: 3 “A”, 3 “B”, 1 “C”
- Minimum 1/1 (360°) turn on one foot
- Dance series (two elements), including a leap or jump showing 180° split (series or isolated)
- Acro series with at least one flight skill (one skill must pass through/achieve vertical or be salto or aerial)
- “B” dismount or a flight acro directly connected to a salto/aerial dismount
Sapphire Floor Requirements
Floor routines must include:
- Value parts: 3 “A”, 3 “B”, 1 “C”
- One acro pass with two saltos (same or different)
- Three different saltos total; at least one “B”
- Dance passage with two different elements (direct or indirect), including a leap with 180° split
- Minimum “B” turn on one foot (e.g., 540°)
What to Practice at Home (Safe Ideas)
- Core & shapes: dish/arch rocks, compression lifts, shoulder flexion control
- Handstand quality: chest-to-wall holds, line drills
- Leaps/turns: tape markers to train 180° pathway; relevé balance → 540° turn progressions on a floor beam
- Bars prep: kip/cast/clear-hip shaping on panel mat or home bar (with supervision)
- Tumbling: emphasize handstand mechanics and body position; complex salto work belongs in the gym under coach supervision
⭐ Recommended Equipment for Xcel Sapphire
To support high-level basics safely at home, we like:
#1 Sturdy Home Bar (kip/cast + clear-hip shaping)
Stable for glide swings, kips, casts, clear-hip shaping and strength.
#2 Panel Mat (foundation for shapes & flexibility)
Great for handstands and other tumbling skills.
#3 Floor Beam (confidence for leaps & turns)
Practice walks, 360°+ turns, 180° leaps at floor height.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Xcel Sapphire
Q: What age do you have to be for Sapphire?
A: The minimum age is 12 by the first competition date.
Q: What mobility score is typical from Diamond?
A: Many programs use 32.00 AA at Diamond for mobility into Sapphire; check your region’s policies and your coach’s guidance.
Q: How big are the leap splits at Sapphire?
A: Beam and floor require a leap/jump with a 180° split (meeting value-part and special-requirement standards as written).
Q: How many saltos on floor?
A: You’ll need one pass with two saltos, and three different saltos total (at least one “B”).
Q: What comes after Sapphire?
A: Sapphire is intended as an advanced Xcel division—athletes may continue in Sapphire or pivot to other pathways (e.g., college club/intramural, Acrobatics & Tumbling) with coach guidance.
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