Men’s Development Program

The USA Gymnastics Men’s Development Program provides training and competitive opportunities for beginner to elite gymnasts from ages 6 to 18 years old.

The Development Program is organized into ten different levels of training or competition. Each level has multiple age groups and opportunities for participation. Competition is carried out at the local, state, regional, and national levels through USA Gymnastics sanctioned invitational and championship meets. The MDP National Championships are held for eligible athletes in Levels 8, 9, and 10 who have qualified through their Regional Championships. The season culminates for eligible Level 10 athletes at the P&G Gymnastics Championships.

The MDP is organized into the following three areas:

• Essential Elements: At Clovis Academy, Level 3 is used as an introductory competitive program and focuses on athletes becoming proficient in foundational areas of boys’ gymnastics.

• Compulsory: Levels 4, 5, 6, and 7. The first three Levels, 4 through 6, provide basic routines for all boys who desire to participate in competitive gymnastics. These routines start with simple skills and progress developmentally with each competitive level. Level 7 is designed to encourage and prepare the gymnast for the transition from compulsory to optional routines at an appropriate age by providing skill direction and combinations which can be used as the basis for entry-level optional routines.

• Optional: Levels 8, 9, and 10. The Optional Levels require the gymnast to fulfill most FIG requirements or the Development modifications for those requirements approved for the program.