Our team philosophy is twofold: individual potential and emotional growth. Each athlete that possesses the ability, the will, and the desire will be given the opportunity to achieve their highest individual potential in a safe and positive learning environment. In addition to our concern for each child’s physical development, we also seek to develop and enhance self-confidence, self-image, and responsibility.
The foundation of our team program is pre-team. Branch Gymnastics’ pre-team consists of noncompetitive teams that include Twinkle Stars, Hot Shots, Saltos, Flippers, and Tumblers. The purpose of these programs is to prepare young athletes for future competition by emphasizing strong fundamentals, strength, flexibility, confidence, and working independently. Gymnasts are hand-selected and evaluated for this program based on many factors including their attitude, work ethic, desire, strength, and flexibility. Vital to long-term success, proper skill progressions and techniques are emphasized. Time commitments are limited but will increase as gymnasts move up levels. These athletes will perform in the annual Spring recital.
The developmental team consists of Twisters, Starbursts, and Aerials and is used as an introduction to the competitive program. Compulsory routines, where all gymnasts perform the same routine, are competed on all four events at several local “fun meets” each season. No Individual placements or scores are given. Athletes are awarded with achievement ribbons based on each individual performance. The season ends with the “fun meet” state meet.
The compulsory team consists of competitive levels 3, 4, and 5. These levels are progressive in nature and build upon the skills developed at the previous level. Gymnasts are required to conform to the styles and techniques of the compulsory routines developed by USA Gymnastics where an emphasis is placed on form, posture, and presentation. The compulsory levels provide gymnasts with a foundation of strong basic skills and allow athletes to compete for individual and team placement awards. Competitive opportunities are provided both locally and out of state with the season culminating at the state meet.
The optional team consists of levels 6-10. These levels no longer compete in compulsory routines. At these levels, the gymnasts will begin performing more complex skills and combinations in routines designed specifically for the individual athlete. Gymnasts will be scored based upon their performance of level of difficulty, execution, artistry, and originality. Each level provides a new set of more difficult requirements on each event that must be included in each routine. Competitive opportunities are provided both locally and out of state with the regular season culminating at the state meet. In addition to the state meet, level 8 will have the opportunity to qualify for regional competition and levels 9/10 will have the opportunity to qualify for regional and national competitions.
The Xcel team, formally known as prep-opt, consists of five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The Xcel team program is a USA Gymnastics competitive program, which serves as an alternative to the Junior Olympic levels. These athletes compete optional routines on all four events at USAG sanctioned Xcel meets. Gymnasts of this program must be seven years or older. Competitive opportunities are provided both locally and out of state with the season culminating at the state meet and/or regional competitions.
The pre-team groups consist of our young Jr. Gym Stars and older Gym Stars. These levels are the building blocks of our men’s team program. The purpose of the program is to prepare young or newer athletes for future competition by emphasizing strong fundamentals, strength, flexibility, confidence, and working independently. Gymnasts are hand-selected and evaluated for this program based on many factors including their attitude, work ethic, desire, strength, and flexibility. Vital for long-term success, proper skill progressions and technique are emphasized.
The competitive team consists of levels 4-10. The first three levels (4-6) are progressive in nature and build upon the skills developed at the previous level. The routines are compulsory and provide options for added bonus. Level 7 is considered the intermediate level and encourages the transition from compulsory to optional routines at an appropriate age. The routines require a specified level of difficulty but instead of compulsory routines they require event specific skills. The advanced levels 8, 9, and 10 are optional levels, which require the gymnast to fulfill level specific requirements. Competitive opportunities are provided both locally and out of state with the regular season culminating at the state meet. In addition to the state meet, levels 6-7 will have the opportunity to qualify for regional competition and levels 8-10 will have the opportunity to qualify for regional and national competitions.
