Junior Squad Programme

Core skills for every apparatus, with example circuits to help organise each session.

★ Must skills form the core of every session. Build skills are the next steps for gymnasts who are ready.

Read coaching guidance Hide coaching guidance

Start with the session priorities

Use the skill list to plan what your group will practise. Must skills form the core of each session; use the listed preparations and support where needed. Build skills are the next steps for gymnasts who are ready, not a harder task that the whole group must attempt.

Use the circuits to organise the work

Circuits 1 and 2 focus on core work; Circuit 3 shows progressions. They are example setups, not three circuits to run at once. Read the station positions before setting up: Start, Middle and End refer to the Air Track; Floor Beam, Low Beam and High Beam identify the equipment. Choose the examples that help you cover the session's core skills.

Coach the quality of each attempt

Give each station a clear focus and offer specific corrections, rather than simply keeping the rotation moving. Look for controlled, repeatable attempts. Keep a gymnast on the appropriate preparation or supported version when they are not ready to progress; others can work towards the listed Build skills.

Keep the support notes in place

Trampoline back somis are always spotted. Standing flicks and the specified supported handsprings also retain their spot. Check the setup and supervision before starting, and follow the notes attached to each skill. A video is a reference, not permission to attempt a skill independently.

Connect the skills to routines

Use the competition-routines link to include routine practice alongside individual skills. Help gymnasts learn the order, connections and finishes, while continuing to improve the skills that need more work.

Air Track

Tumbling basics down a single track, building from tick tocks towards somersault entries.

Skills & progressions

Tick tocks Must Can be done on a block at the end
Video
Backwards roll to front support Must
Video
Handstand forward rolls Must
Video
Standing flicks off the end Must With a spot
Video
Jump start round off Must Off a block
Video
Front somi off the end Build
Dive forward roll to handstand forward roll Build Travelling down the track
Video

Show example circuits Hide example circuits

Circuit 1 Core

Start: Handstand forward rolls
Middle: Backwards roll to front support
End: Tick tocks Can be done on a block at the end

Circuit 2 Core

Start: Jump start round off Off a block
End: White block vaults Alternative ending, with coach support

Circuit 3 Progression

Start: Dive forward roll to handstand forward roll Travelling down the track
End: Front somi off the end

Trampoline

Two trampolines running side by side, one skill on each.

Skills & progressions

Front somi Must
Swivel hips Must
Front somi pike Must
Back somi Must Always spotted
Fly spring Build
Front pike half twist Build

Show example circuits Hide example circuits

Circuit 1 Core

Trampoline 1: Front somi
Trampoline 2: Swivel hips

Circuit 2 Core

Trampoline 1: Front somi pike
Trampoline 2: Back somi Always spotted

Circuit 3 Progression

Trampoline 1: Fly spring
Trampoline 2: Front pike half twist

Floor & Bars

Floor and bars run as one rotation. One bar in the middle, with two floor skills either side of it.

Floor

Chassé cat leap Must
Video
One-hand cartwheel Must
Video
Full spin Must
Video
Full turn jump Must
Video
V-sits Build
Shoulder stands Build

Bars

Circle up with block Must
Casts and squat-ons Must
Back hip circles Build

Show example circuits Hide example circuits

Circuit 1 Core

Floor

Floor 1: Chassé cat leap

Floor 2: One-hand cartwheel

Bars

Circle up, with block

Circuit 2 Core

Floor

Floor 1: Full spin

Floor 2: Full turn jump

Bars

Casts and squat-ons

Circuit 3 Progression

Floor

Floor 1: V-sits

Floor 2: Shoulder stands

Bars

Back hip circles

Beam

Confidence first, from the floor beam up to low beam and high beam.

Skills & progressions

Handstand on every beam Must Floor beam, low beam, high beam
Cat leap and cat leap to straight jump Must Floor beam first, then progress up
Cartwheels Must
Half spins and dismount Must
Backwalkover Build Floor beam progression
Split jumps Build

Show example circuits Hide example circuits

Circuit 1 Core

Floor Beam: Handstands or mini handstands
Low Beam: Handstands or mini handstands
High Beam: Handstands or mini handstands

Circuit 2 Core

Floor Beam: Cat leap to straight jump
Low Beam: Cartwheels
High Beam: Half spins and dismount

Circuit 3 Progression

Floor Beam: Backwalkover
Low Beam: Split jumps
High Beam: Cartwheels

Vault

Block and springboard work, building towards handsprings.

Skills & progressions

Arm swing straight jump prep Must Side station
Forward rolls, or headsprings Must Main vault, depending on readiness
Handspring flat back onto the mat Must Side station
Handsprings with a spot Must Main vault
Handsprings Build Main vault progression

Handspring reference video Video

Show example circuits Hide example circuits

Circuit 1 Core

Main Vault: Forward rolls, or headsprings Depending on readiness
Side Station: Arm swing straight jump prep

Circuit 2 Core

Main Vault: Handsprings with a spot
Side Station: Handspring flat back onto the mat

Circuit 3 Progression

Main Vault: Handsprings

Programme pages

Choose the programme or reference you need.

Back to dashboard