Rules & Governance
Competition Policies
Connecticut Rules and Policies intended to clarify those areas left to each state's discretion by the National Rules and Policies, and to clarify local procedures for implementing the rules. Nothing herein supersedes or changes any National or Regional Rule.
CT USA Gymnastics Mission Statement
The mission of CT USA Gymnastics is to promote, educate, and guide USA Gymnastics clubs in Connecticut to the highest level of achievement and to provide useful information and services to clubs involved in all aspects of gymnastics instruction. We strive to encourage education for gymnastics professionals of all levels and promote excellence with regard to the development of our athletes.
USAG Dress Code
Dress in appropriate attire that reflects the best image of gymnastics. At all USAG sanctioned activity, the coach's dress code is as follows:
- Athletic shoes with rubberized soles. Athletic warm-up pants or "Docker-style" pants (no jeans).
- Athletic or tailored shorts of a reasonable length. No holes, tears, or short shorts.
- Collared shirts, business casual shirts, or T-shirts with gym logo. No spaghetti straps, low-cut tops, or midriff-revealing shirts. No hats or visors.
USA Gymnastics Event Photo & Video Policy
Family members and coaches are permitted to photograph and/or video their participant only from designated spectator seating areas so as to not interfere with any portion of the event, event participants and their performance, the intended use of public areas, or the viewing ability of others. All photos and videos taken during the event must be for personal use only.
Unauthorized commercial use, sale, or third-party distribution is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from USA Gymnastics. Violators are subject to immediate removal.
Competitive Seasons and Structure
Compulsory Levels (2, 3, 4, 5)
Competition held in one season during the competitive year.
- All competitions on the state calendar count towards qualification.
- Out-of-state scores may count, but must be submitted within 48 hours to kimvail45@gmail.com and at least the Monday 3 weeks prior to the State Meet with a PTF file.
- If a PTF file is not available, score sheets must be scanned and emailed.
- Scores submitted after the 3-week limit may incur a $10.00 late fee.
Optional Levels
- Optional gymnasts may compete for qualification at any time up to two weeks before the State Meet. Only Level 10 can qualify one week prior.
- Out-of-state scores follow the same submission rules as compulsory levels.
Upper levels are strongly encouraged to participate in as many in-state meets as possible, attend state clinics, and open their gyms to observing judges.
Xcel Levels
- All competitions on the state calendar count towards qualification.
- Same out-of-state score submission rules apply.
Event Specialists
- Must have scored an 8.7 or higher twice during the season to compete at State Championships.
- Xcel Bronze through Sapphire and Levels 6, 7, 8: no competitions past state championships (cannot qualify to regionals).
- Level 9 and 10: must score a 9.0 or higher at State Championships to qualify to Regionals.
Entry Procedures
It is strongly recommended that you enter all meets as early as possible as they often fill up long before the technical deadline.
- Include: coaches' names, professional #, safety/background/U110 expiration dates, gymnast's name, USAG #, level, DOB, actual age, citizenship, and competition fee.
- Online reservations do not guarantee a spot.
- All entries and fees must be received two weeks prior to the meet or postmarked the Wednesday 17 days prior.
- Late entries: $10 late fee payable to USAG-CT (if accepted).
- Meet directors should notify the State Chair as soon as their meet is full.
- Refunds for scratches prior to the 2-week deadline are at the meet director's discretion. No refunds after.
Bad weather cancellations: All entry fees returned. Judge obligations cancelled at no charge, provided the Meet Director contacts officials before they attempt to reach the site.
Invitationals: Hosts may set their own deadline, refund, and substitution policies, but must clearly state them in the first meet information mailing.
State Meet Information
- Entries for all already-qualified athletes must be received by the 3-week deadline (postmarked the Wednesday before), or a $10.00 per gymnast late fee is assessed.
- Entries received within 10 days of competition are subject to the maximum $50 late fee per athlete.
- Level 10s may qualify one week before their State Championship, but the Meet Director must know the possibility exists.
- Late qualifiers from the last qualifying meet must have entry info to the State Chair and Meet Director by Monday noon following their meet.
Team Competition at State Meets
- Trophies or banners awarded to at least 33% of paid team entries per level.
- 3 scores count at all levels (Levels 2-10 and all Xcel divisions).
- Team entry fee: $40.00 per level.
- All teams with the proper number of gymnasts are expected to pay. All paid teams at Level 9 & 10 States receive trophies or banners.
Entry Fees (2024-2025)
| Level | Local | State |
|---|---|---|
| Xcel Bronze | $65 | $100 |
| Xcel Silver | $65 | $100 |
| Xcel Gold, Platinum | $65 | $100 |
| Level 2 | $65 | $85 |
| Level 3 | $65 | $100 |
| Level 4, 5 | $65 | $100 |
| Level 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Diamond & Sapphire | $80 | $125 |
In-House Theme Meets Fee Caps
- $100 for Levels 6-10 and Xcel Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire
- $95 for Levels 1-5 and Xcel Bronze, Silver, Gold ($55 if 1-judge panel allowed for Levels 1-3, XB, XS, XG)
- $40 for team (not required)
- 2-judge panel for Levels 4-10, Xcel Diamond, Platinum, Sapphire
- 1-judge panel allowed for Levels 1-3, Xcel Bronze, Silver, Gold ($75 entry fee)
- Medals or trophies for placement; participation memento for all competitors (50%+ strongly recommended)
Admission Fees
The State Committee strongly discourages charging admission for local in-gym meets. If charged, comfortable and adequate seating must be provided.
State meet prices may increase due to inflation.
Assignment of Officials
The CT State Committee has voted to accept NAWGJ-CT as the assignor to contract officials for all qualifying competitions on the State Calendar.
- All contracts follow the current USAG-NAWGJ National contract; the assignor assigns judges who are available and hold the correct rating.
- Meet directors must keep in direct contact with the assignor to give specific and detailed meet information.
- Each meet director is billed by NAWGJ at end of season: $3.00 per assigned official.
- The State Committee oversees selection of officials for State Championships and makes recommendations for regional assignments.
- NAWGJ provides a list of eligible/available officials; the SJD and coach/judge reps present State Championship judge recommendations to the committee for vote.
- Invitational meet directors may request specific judges (up to half the total) through the NAWGJ assignor. This applies to invitationals only, not local meets.
- Invitationals with one-judge panels are required to have a non-judging meet referee.
Meet Director Responsibilities
- Must hold Meet Director Certification.
- Apply for a sanction at least 30 days in advance. Host clubs for state meets must also procure a sanction.
- Notify all assigned officials individually about any changes in meet times, sessions, levels, etc. Also notify the assignor.
- ProScore is the designated scoring system for all qualifying meets. You may not host a qualifying meet without it.
Meet Reports
Reports must be sent within 48 hours of the meet to:
- National: Original Sanction Report, Original Coaches Sign-in Sheet, additional $50 Sanction Fee if appropriate.
- Regional: Sanction report form (page 2 only) and $2 per gymnast payable to USAG Region 6. Email to region6usagym@aol.com or mail check to: USAG Region 6, PO Box 294, Ashburnham, MA 01430.
- State Chair: All pages of sanction report and $2 per entered gymnast payable to USAG-CT. Mail to: Kimberly Vaillancourt, USA Gymnastics SACC-CT, 1280 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Plantsville, CT 06479.
- PTF ProScore file must be emailed to kimvail45@gmail.com
Failure to file reports on time may result in loss of the right to host qualifying competitions.
For State Championship meets and State Cups: $5 per athlete payable to USAG-CT.
Age Group Policies
- Levels 2-6: Competitive age determined by date of state meet/cup.
- Levels 7 & 8: Based on age as of the last day of Level 8 Regionals.
- Local meets (achievement awards only): Age groups do not need to be considered.
- Local meets (placement awards): Use R&P age groups. May subdivide large groups but not combine (except as specified in R&P). Priority: level first, team second, age group last.
Level 9 & 10 local meets: Permissible to combine age groups into Junior (15 and under) and Senior (16 and over) if numbers are limited.
States: Age groups based on equitable division, determined by SC and level reps.
Regionals/Easterns/Nationals: Determined by the National Office based on birth dates of all State Qualifiers.
Invitationals: May deviate from established age groups if info is included in the original mailing.
Qualification Scores
Must be earned in a designated qualifying meet listed on the State Schedule within the mandated competition season dates. A competition not on the State Calendar cannot be used for qualifying.
| Program | Score |
|---|---|
| Level 2/3 State Cup | 31.00 AA |
| Level 4 & 5 States | 31.00 AA |
| Level 6 States | 31.00 AA |
| Level 7 States | 32.00 AA |
| Level 8 States | 32.00 AA |
| Level 9 States | 32.00 AA |
| Level 10 States | 32.00 AA |
| Xcel Bronze | 30.00 |
| Xcel Silver & Gold | 31.00 AA |
| Xcel Platinum / Diamond / Sapphire | 32.00 AA |
| Event Specialist (Level 9-10) | 8.7 twice during year |
State Competition Schedule
The State Schedule is developed by the SC and/or Competition Chair in conjunction with the USAG CT State Committee and published at the beginning of the competitive year.
- Clubs wishing to host meets need to be flexible and responsive to requests for information.
- Cancellations or additions after the calendar is set will be posted on the State Website.
- All requests for meets should go through kimvail45@gmail.com
- The last qualification meets are a minimum of two weeks prior to the State Meet. Only Level 10 can qualify one week prior.