WOMENS DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM
The Developmental program was started with the belief that all athletes, regardless of their potential, must have a solid foundation of basic skills in order to advance safely. The program allows the gymnast to advance at her own pace, competing at more than one level in a year, if she so chooses.
The Women's Developmental Program is divided into three major segments.
1. The Developmental Levels 1 through 3 may be used as a non-competitive and achievement-oriented program for use within a gym’s pre-team program, or they may be used as an introductory/recreational competitive program. States may also offer State Championships for these levels.
2. The second part consists of Compulsory Levels 4 and 5. Both of these levels are progressive in nature, building upon the skills required at the previous level. Competitive opportunities are provided up to and including the USA Gymnastics State Championships.
3. The third segment is Levels 6-10. Levels 6, 7, 8, and 9 have difficulty restrictions, while Level 10 has no restrictions in the skill choice. Composition is evaluated at Levels 8, 9, and 10.
Levels 6 & 7 have competitive opportunities up to and including State and possibly Regional Championships,
depending on the needs of each Region.
Additional competitive opportunities are provided for Levels 8-10, with the Level 10 competitive season culminating at
the DP National Championships, Level 9 at the Eastern or Western Championships and Level 8 at the Regional Championships.
Developmental Program competitions are conducted throughout the United States and are organized by the USA Gymnastics State and Regional Administrative Committees. Each state has the jurisdiction to determine its state calendar, according to the needs of its members.
A Developmental Program COMPETITIVE YEAR is defined as the period from August 1 through July 31.
A COMPETITIVE SEASON is defined as that period from the first designated qualifying competition through the culminating Championships at each level.
