Progression pathways at SWL Gymnastics
Gymnasts move between classes based on ability, consistency and maturity. Coaches are looking for safe technique, repeatable skills and coachability so gymnasts are placed where they can progress confidently without rushing.
Skill readiness
Safe shapes, prerequisites and technique for the next group.
Consistency
Skills are repeatable most attempts across weeks not just one session.
Maturity
Focus, safe behaviour, taking feedback and working independently.
We review progress throughout term and most moves happen around term changes. If a move is clearly the right fit we may do it mid-term.
Clear steps into each class type
Recreational classes are the main route. Squads are by invitation or trial. Development Squad sits between recreational and the main squad routes.
Main programme for learning foundations and progressing safely.
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Advanced recreational (main pre-squad pool)
Bridge group for gymnasts with strong potential who need time to build training habits and foundations.
- More focus on basics, shapes, strength and flexibility
- Preparation for higher squad training expectations
Focused training routes. Gymnasts are graded each term: In-Club, Prep or Performance.
- Floor and Vault Squad
- Competition Squad
- Tumbling pathway (alternative external route)
Recreational pathway
Most gymnasts start here. The goal is confident fundamentals, safe progressions and enjoyment while skills become repeatable and well-shaped.
Confidence, coordination, safe landings and basic shapes.
- Simple rolling and safe fall patterns
- Jumping and landing control
- Balance basics and general movement
More technique, better form standards and early linking.
- Handstand shapes and progressions
- Cartwheels and bridge work
- Bars, beam and vault basics with stronger control
Higher expectations around consistency, conditioning and focus. Main pool for squad trials and invites.
- Round-off and handspring development
- Flight skills when ready, with safe progressions
- Working in longer sequences and set goals
We look at the full picture: skill pace, consistency, maturity, attendance and how well a gymnast handles a more structured training environment.
Development Squad
Development Squad is for gymnasts who show strong potential but benefit from a period focused on foundations and training habits before moving into a main squad route. The goal is to build the engine: shapes, strength, flexibility and consistency.
Typical reasons a gymnast is invited into Development Squad.
- Strong natural ability but needs more consistency
- Good basics with clear potential to progress quickly
- Ready for a more structured session and higher expectations
What improves fastest and what coaches prioritise.
- Core shapes and body tension (dish, arch, straight)
- Handstand quality, shoulder strength and control
- Flexibility routines and basic conditioning habits
- Bar and beam fundamentals with safe technique
What we look for before moving a gymnast on.
- Basics are reliable across sessions
- Coachability and consistent focus
- Attendance and effort matching squad expectations
- Readiness for routine structure and higher training load
It is not a permanent holding group and it is not only about harder skills. It is about making the basics strong enough that harder skills become safer and easier.
Squad routes and grading
Squads are focused training routes. Each term gymnasts work in a grade: In-Club, Prep or Performance. In-Club is the default. Prep is selected when building towards external standards. Performance is the only grade where a gymnast is in line to be entered into the next suitable external competition.
Floor and Vault Squad
Focused on tumbling and vault. A clear route for gymnasts who develop power quickly and want a tighter apparatus focus.
Build routines and habits for internal events with strong technique and safe landings.
- Floor line routine structure
- One strong vault option with clean landing
- Conditioning for power and impact control
Training shifts towards external standards while still competing In-Club.
- More consistent routines and cleaner execution
- Pressure sets and quality targets
- Harder skills only when shapes stay safe
Competition-ready routines and planned external entry.
- Polish, stability and confidence under pressure
- External entry planned for the next suitable event
- Score detail and safe execution focus
Competition Squad
All-around route using vault, bars, beam and floor. Higher commitment and higher expectation around pace, conditioning and focus.
Core routines across all four pieces for internal events.
- Floor basics with music and set habits
- Beam basics with posture and calm work
- Bars basics with shapes, strength and safe dismounts
- Vault basics and consistent landings
Build towards external standards while still competing In-Club.
- Higher composition and form standards
- Consistency targets across all apparatus
- Stricter discipline and training habits
Competition readiness and planned external entry for the next suitable competition cycle.
- Routine polish and stability under pressure
- Confidence sets and meet preparation
- External entry planned when ready
Probation grade
Probation only applies to Competition Squad. If a gymnast is placed on probation they have one more term to meet expectations.
- Skill pace not matching the group
- Or attendance, attitude, behaviour and expectations not aligning
This route allows gymnasts to gain external competition experience through tumble runs while other apparatus routines continue developing.
Build control, confidence and competition habits.
- Clean basics and safe take-offs
- Repeatable tumble lines
- Landing and endurance habits
Raise difficulty and consistency towards an external cycle.
- Stable connections and higher standards
- Pressure sets and consistency targets
- Meet habits and confidence building
Entered for the next suitable external tumbling event.
- Polish and calm execution under pressure
- Consistency and safe delivery focus
- External entry planned when ready