Senior Elite Squad Programme

Senior Elite Requirements

A clear all-around guide showing the floor, vault, bars and beam requirements that Senior Elite gymnasts should be working towards across the term.

SE

What this programme is for

This programme gives coaches and gymnasts a clear direction for Senior Elite squad training. It shows the main requirements across floor, vault, bars and beam.

The aim is not just to try harder skills. The aim is to make the important skills consistent, clean, repeatable and competition-ready. Skills should be trained in isolation first, then connected when the gymnast is ready.

This is a guide of expectation, not a rigid script. There is room for coaching judgement, drills, stations and variety, but the main direction should stay clear: build the skills Senior Elite gymnasts are expected to become proficient at.

Must = required priority Option = suitable choice Build = harder progression Tap i for goals
Floor requirements are built from acro series, dance series, mixed series, spin and a stand-out skill. Must skills sit at the top because they are the main priority.
AC

Acro Series

Two connected acro skills

These should be trained as individual skills first, then connected into a series when both parts are ready.

Round-off + flick Main backward acro series
B B Must
Dive forward roll + handstand forward roll Forward acro series option
B A Option
Front handspring + dive forward roll Forward acro series option
B B Option
Harder acro series where suitable Only once the base series is consistent
Build
DC

Dance Series

Two connected dance skills

Leaps and jumps should be trained in isolation first, then connected with rhythm and clear shapes.

Chassé scissor kick + chassé split leap Main dance series
A B Must
Chassé cat leap + chassé split leap Alternative dance series
A B Option
Chassé cat leap full turn + chassé split leap Harder dance series build
C B Build
Chassé cat leap full turn + chassé split change Advanced dance build
C C Build
MX

Mixed Series

Dance skill into acro skill

The gymnast needs the dance skill and the acro skill separately before trying to connect them.

Cat leap + one-handed cartwheel Main mixed series
A B Must
Cat leap + forward walkover Alternative mixed series
A B Option
Cat leap + one-handed forward walkover Harder mixed series build
A C Build
Backward walkover + full turn Additional build connection
B B Build
Backward walkover + tuck jump Additional build connection
B A Build
SP

Spin

Turn requirement

Spin work should be clean, upright and controlled enough to use in a routine.

Full spin Main spin requirement
B Must
One and a half spin Harder spin build
C Build
ST

Stand-out Skill

Extra allowed skill from the code

This is an extra skill that has not already been used in the routine. For this level, options can generally come from allowed A-C skills, as long as they are suitable and performed cleanly.

Full turn jump Main stand-out skill option
Must
V-sit Main stand-out skill option
Must

These are possible stand-out skills. Avoid using a skill that has already been used for acro, dance, mixed series or spin unless the routine rules allow it.

B Backward roll to front support Good option
A V-sit Good option
B Forward walkover Good if not already used
B Backward walkover Good if not already used
C One-handed forward walkover Good harder option
C Backward roll to handstand Good harder option
B Straddle jump Good option
B Split jump Good option
C Split change Good harder option
A Straight jump Simple option
A Scissor kick May already be in dance
A Handstand Simple option
A Cartwheel Simple option
B Front handspring Only if not in acro
C Korbut flick Harder option
A Cat leap Likely already in routine
B Round-off Likely already in acro
B Flick Likely already in acro
B Round-off flick Likely already in acro
B Dive forward roll Likely already in acro
A Handstand forward roll Likely already in acro
B Split leap Likely already in dance
C Cat leap full turn Likely already in dance
Vault requirements should be trained with the same clarity as floor. Senior Elite gymnasts should be building towards a confident full vault direction while keeping the entry and block technically sound.
VT

Vault Requirements

Entry, block and landing

Vault should be built progressively. Do not rush full vault if the entry, shape or block version is not consistent.

Arm swing entry Vault approach and take-off rhythm
Must
Handspring over block Main vault preparation skill
Must
Handspring on full vault Full vault requirement
2.0 Must
Dive squat-on Additional vault progression
Build
Bars requirements should build a routine structure. Must skills come first because they form the base of the routine. Build skills should only be pushed once the basics are consistent.
UB

Bars Requirements

Support, casting and transitions

Bars should be built with clear shapes, body tension, confidence and enough control to create a routine structure.

Circle up Clean pull into front support
A Must
Cast Basic cast shape
A Must
Cast to horizontal Stronger cast requirement
B Must
Back hip circle Close to bar and controlled support
A Must
Squat on Safe foot placement and shoulder control
A Must
Undershoot Safe dismount and controlled landing
A Must
Pike on Harder bar transition build
B Build
Squat on to catch Catch progression
Build
Beam requirements should build confidence, posture, balance and controlled acro. Must skills should be trained first, then suitable options and harder build skills.
DC

Dance Series

Two connected dance skills

Beam dance work should show rhythm, posture and balanced landings.

Cat leap + straight jump Base beam dance series
A A Must
Cat leap + half turn Harder beam dance series
A A Build
SP

Split & Spin

Shape and control

Split skills and spins should be controlled enough to show clearly on beam.

Split jump Split shape in the air
B Must
Split leap Beam leap requirement
B Must
Half spin Main beam spin
A Must
Full spin Harder beam spin build
B Build
AC

Acro

Handstand, cartwheel and walkover

Beam acro must be confident and controlled. Do not rush harder acro if hand placement and balance are not secure.

Handstand Beam acro requirement
A Must
Cartwheel Beam acro requirement
A Must
One-handed cartwheel Harder beam acro build
B Build
Backward walkover Harder beam acro build
B Build
DM

Dismount

Finish and landing

Dismounts should be safe, confident and land with control.

Straddle jump dismount Beam dismount requirement
B Must
Back somersault dismount Somersault dismount requirement
B Must
Front handspring dismount Alternative beam dismount
B Option