JO/Xcel

Comparison between JO (Junior Olympics) and Xcel competitions

Students can compete in the Xcel and/or JO program. Students in both programs receive the same quality of coaching for competitions from the experienced coaches with judge qualification.

JO Team (Invitation only)

• Practice: 4 days/week (11 hours/week) in the gym.  Stretching and practice at home are also expected.
• For students who will devote time and effort to become competitive and have appropriate parent support mentally, physically, and financially
• Level 3-8 (Level 9/10 are called Elite or FIG)
• Only invited students with appropriate skills and behavior for practicing to become a competitive gymnast
• Routines will be choreographed to satisfy the requirement in the code of points
• Gymnasts can be awarded only by achieving placements against other competitors
• Local and travel competitions everywhere

Xcel Team

• Practice: 2 to 3 days/week.  Additional practice only to invited students.
• For students who want to compete but also want to do other activities or whose parents are not ready for JO commitment
• Level A-C
• Open to all students who regularly attend the class.  No advanced skills or talent required.
• Routines will be judged only on the declared achievable elements of individuals
• Awards will be on individual achievements, not on placements against other gymnasts.  All gymnasts will be awarded.
• Local competitions.

JO: Competition for placement

            Xcel: Competition for self-achievement

JO: Compete against many gymnasts in the same level (Level 4-10)

            Xcel: There is no competition against other gymnasts (Level A-C)

JO: Routines are made to satisfy the requirement of the JO rule

            Xcel: Same routine as JO with adjusted difficulty

JO: Correctness of performed skills is strictly scored

            Xcel: Achievement of individually declared skills is scored

JO: As judges, our coaches have a general idea of the placement of each gymnast

            Xcel: As judges, our coaches declare only achievable skills in the routines

JO: Not awarded unless get placements

            Xcel: Everyone is awarded based on individual achievements

JO: All 3-4 routines are required (3 for Level 4, 4 for Level 5+)

            Xcel: The number of routines will be selected (up to 3)

JO: Serious commitment with many hours of practice at gym and home

            Xcel: Only limited hours of practice at the gym is offered

JO: Local and travel Competitions

            Xcel: Mostly local competitions