Squad Assessments

Every few months the gymnasts are assessed on a standard set of skills to enable the coaches to select the correct squad for each gymnast. From the results of these tests the gymnasts may advance to the next squad.

Acrobatics Competitive Grades

How the grades work:

Floor

The first competitive level is Preparatory A, which is basic balances and elements, then the gymnasts progress through to Preparatory B.

These grades are for pairs only and are NOT included in the Regional Prelims Competition.

The grades then continue as follows:

Grade 1 - 4  Pairs and groups

When Grade 3 and 4 are reached the gymnasts need to perform two routines: Balance (static holds) and Dynamic (throws and catches.

Tumbling

Tumbling is an individual, explosive, dynamic and fast moving aspect of acrobatic gymnastics, incorporating power, agility, courage and aerial awareness.

The gymnasts combine various elements together to produce a tumble run. There are four basic tumbling levels Regional A –D which then lead on to the National levels 1-4 and finally the complex Elite levels1-4.

Competitive Tumbling Levels

Grade A

1. Forward roll straight jump, forward roll star, forward roll straight jump
2. Backward roll, ½ turn forward roll, ½ turn backward roll, straight jump
3. Chasse, cartwheel chasse, cartwheel chasse, cartwheel ¼ turn in

Grade B

1. Stretch jump, cartwheel chasse, cartwheel chasse, roundoff
2. Roundoff, ½ turn cartwheel x 3, ¼ turn in backward roll
3. Cartwheel chasse, roundoff, ½ turn tuck jump, forward roll

Grade C

1. Standing on reversed springboard, handspring pause jump to 1 roundoff, backward roll with straight legs
2. Side cartwheel, half turn, side cartwheel (other leg), side cartwheel, roundoff
3. Roundoff, ½ turn cartwheel, cartwheel roundoff, half turn

Grade D

1. Handspring jump to 1 roundoff, ½ turn roundoff ½ turn
2. Roundoff ½ turn cartwheel, cartwheel roundoff 360 turn
3. Stretch jump to 1 cartwheel, cartwheel, roundoff ½ turn handspring

National 1

1. Roundoff, flic, ½ turn roundoff, flic rebound jump
2. Handspring jump to 1 roundoff, flic, flic, ½ turn
3. Roundoff, flic, flic, rebound jump

National 2

1. Front somersault jump to 1 roundoff, flic, flic, rebound jump
2. Roundoff, flic, flic, flic, flic, ½ turn
3. Roundoff, flic, tuck back somersault

National 3

1. Front somersault walkout, roundoff, flic, flic, flic, tuck back
2. Roundoff, flic, flic, flic, flic, pike back
3. Roundoff, flic, flic, flic, flic, straight back

Individual Elements

The following details those elements required to achieve given standards

Preparatory Individual Elements

 

Forward or backward roll to straddle stand Bridge Japana or splits Headstand Handstand forward roll Tuck, piked or straddle lever Forward roll straight jump, forward roll straight jump to one leg cartwheel, cartwheel Chasse cartwheel, cartwheel Round-off 180◦ jump to one leg cartwheel, cartwheel Chasse step spring to two feet 180◦ jump Chasse step spring to two feet, 180◦  jump, 180◦  jump, star jump Tuck Jump, Star Jump, 180◦ jump

  

Grade 1 & 2 Individual Elements

Back or Forward Walkover or Valdez Change Leg Walkover or One Hand Walkover forwards or backwards Back Walkover or Forward Walkover to any splits or Healy Turn or 360◦ jump to splits or One Handed Valdez Headstand 2” or Arabesque 2” or Half lever or Straddle Lever 2” Handstand 180◦  turn or Wine Glass 2” Handstand 360◦ turn or Chest Balance or Tuck Top Planch Backwards Roll to Handstand or Flick To Walkout or Dive Roll Headspring To Stand or Flick To Knee Free Cartwheel or Headspring 180◦ Turn To Front Support or Hecht Dive Roll Round Off, 1/2 Turn, Cartwheel or Round Off, 1/2 Turn Round Off Handspring or Fly Spring or Round Off, Flick 2 Handsprings or Round Off 2 Flicks, or Handspring To One, Round Off Flick