Competition Philosophy

American Gymnastics Leagues Competition programs There’s plenty of room at the top!! At all levels, safety is the highest priority. The AGL competition equipment specifications allow for significant and unrestricted additional matting. The AGL level mixing concept allows gymnasts to develop each event at its own pace. This concept is designed to eliminate the all too common pressure on young athletes to perform on weak or under prepared events. The AGL is unique in that its competition rules do not require specific skills. This concept is designed to reduce the risks athletes incur when they are forced to perform skills that they may lack a natural propensity to perform. The American Gymnastics league professional division is predicated on the conceptual model of “Competitive” Gymnastics as opposed to “Artistic” Gymnastics. While artistry is certainly welcome and appreciated, Scores are based on fairly calculable athletic performances as opposed to subjective interpretation of artistic content. The AGL amateur progressive developmental levels are consistent with this philosophy. The focus is on the excellent execution of gymnastics acrobatic and dance skills. Artistry is encouraged and appreciated, but due to the subjective nature of evaluating artistry, it is not factored into the scoring. AGL beginner, intermediate and advanced competition levels are designed to allow the long term development of the competitive gymnast to occur at the rate that is appropriate and ideal for each individual athlete. It is a philosophical imperative that AGL participants and coaches consider the whole person and not just the athlete. Gymnastics is the ultimate developmental sport and the process of development should always include the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of the participants. At all levels, safety is the highest priority. The AGL competition equipment specifications allow for significant additional matting and the AGL level mixing concept allows gymnasts to develop each event at its own pace. Age groups for AGL developmental meets are determined when all meet entries have been collected for a given competition. Once all entries have been received, the meet director will evenly divide each level into four age categories by birth date. This ensures that each meet has a relatively even number of athletes in each category in each meet. This method also allows the meet director to make an accurate assessment of the number of awards that need to be ordered. At least fifty percent of competitors on each event must receive a placement award at all AGL competitions below the professional level.