GEMnastics Developmental Program

GymQuarters' "GEMnastics" Developmental Program is specially designed to enhance and nurture each child's physical, social, and emotional skills while providing basic gymnastic skill development. The program is divided into eight levels, offering a challenging and rewarding gymnastic progression for students simply enjoying the sport, or who are working towards a competitive level. We have used the USA Gymnastics National Program as a guide, and girls who complete this program will be ready to compete on a USAG Level 4 team if they so desire.

Our program is unique in that we allow the gymnasts to progress at their own pace. Gymnastics is in itself a very individual learning process and each child progresses at their own rate. GymQuarters places each child in their own most appropriate skill level. As the gymnast achieves the skills required for each level, she is promoted into the next level. Evaluation of each gymnast is an ongoing process. As soon as an instructor feels a student can successfully perform the skills in a particular level, the gymnast will be invited to join a new group. Each child's progress will be unique. Because gymnastic skills build upon each other, we are careful to help each child build a strong and safe basis for progression. Sometimes it is necessary to be repetitive to ensure safety, and other times it is necessary to be challenging to encourage enthusiasm. At GymQuarters, you can be assured that each child will receive individualized instruction as they progress through each skill level at their own unique, individual pace.

Classes are of one or 1 1/2 hours in length and include warm-up and stretching time, and three or four apparatus events. Longer classes also include a fitness station. Instructor to gymnast ratios are kept low to assure each gymnast receives individual attention and instruction. Students rotate through the following stations: a standard floor ex mat, vault station, tumble trak, inground trampoline, a high and low balance beam station, uneven bars, multi-plex station and in-ground foam safety pit. Our goal is to provide each student with the best gymnastics experience in a safe and fun environment. The highlight of the year is the annual Spring Show, where students have the opportunity to show off the gymnastics skills they have learned.

These are entry levels that teach basic tumbling, trampoline, gymnastics skills, strength and flexibility. Gymnasts are expected to have a minimum proficiency of each skill to move to the next level.

 
Level 1 - Pearl and Topaz
 
Pearl
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Bridge, candlestick, wall handstand
Uneven Bars: 3 tuck ups, cast off to stand, hand 1/2 turn
Balance Beam: High beam walks, straight jump dismount, safety roll
* Average length of time to complete skills is 4-6 months
 
 
 
Topaz
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Backward roll, headstand, tree fall
Uneven Bars: "L" hang, 3 casts, pike over to front support
Balance Beam: Releve walks, straight lunge, grapevine walks
* Average length of time to complete skills is 4-6 months
 
 
 
Level 2 - Amethyst and Opal
Amethyst
Examples of Key Skills

Floor: 3/4 handstand, cartwheel, kickover down incline
Uneven Bars: Pullover, single leg cut, "L" hang
Beam: Lock steps, lever to lunge, cartwheel dismount on wall
* Average length of time to complete skills is 8-10 months

 
 
 
Opal
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Backbend up incline, roundoff, treefall
Uneven Bars: 3 casts back hip circle, 1/2 turn to front support, 3 straddle swings
Beam: Lever touch lunge on high beam, lock steps on high beam, straight jumps, cartwheel to treefall
* Average length of time to complete skills is 8-10 months
 
 
 
Level 3 - Emerald and Turquoise
Emerald
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Backbend up incline to stand, backbend kickover, back extension roll to handstand/bent arms
Uneven Bars: Pike pullover, 1 cast back hip circle, 3 tuck swings with regrip
Balance Beam: Cartwheel dismount on floor beam/wall, waltz step to lock, leap to arabesque
*Average length of time to complete skills is 8-12 months
 
 
 
Turquoise
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Hold handstand to lunge, front limber, back walkover
Uneven Bars: Bent arm swing to pullover, 1/2 underswing to hold, back hip circle to straight shape
Balance Beam: Cartwheel dismount off mat, handstand on low beam/wall, 2 straight jumps in lock
*Average length of time to complete skills is 8-10 months
 
 
 
Level 4 - Ruby and Saphire
Ruby
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Back handspring down incline, hurdle roundoff rebound/line, back extension down incline/straight arms
Uneven Bars: Front stride circle, back hip stop underswing hold, standing swing kip drill
Balance Beam: Cartwheel on low beam with mats, handstand on low beam, cartwheel dismount on low beam
*Average length of time to complete skills is 8-12 months
 
 
 
Sapphire
Examples of Key Skills
Floor: Roundoff back handspring, front handspring, back extension roll with straight arms
Uneven Bars: Front hip circle, squat on, underswing dismount
Balance Beam: Handstand on high beam, cartwheel dismount on high beam, cartwheel on low beam
*Average length of time to complete skills is 12-15 months