Erie Gymnastics Center

Curriculum

Erie Gymnastics Center is a National Member Club of USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics is the National Governing Body for gymnastics in the US. When you are watching the Olympics, all of the athletes and coaches are members of USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics has developed a nationalized curriculum for its members. The curriculum is divided in 10 levels - kind of like grades of school, or belts in the Martial Arts. Level 1 Gymnastics is our Beginner Levels and Level 10 is what you typically watch on TV.

As students train gymnastics, they advance in Levels. The average student should expect to remain in a level for a school year. Unlike school however there is no mandatory time that a student remains in a level. Some students can advance more quickly, and some more slowly. It is fairly common for a student to remain longer that a year at a level, especially with Advanced and Team Levels. Students are encouraged to move levels as soon as they are competent at a level. Students must be 75% proficient at the skills in a level before becoming eligible for the next level. Many of our staff are trained Skill Evaluators, and move students as they become proficient.

COMPETITIVE TEAM LEVELS

Level 4 - Beginner Compulsory - Level 4 is where most Olympians got their start. This is the Little League of the gymnastics world. This level consists of predetermined routines on the various apparatus. Gymnasts train to master the basic skills and routines. Form & Technique are Judged at competitions (meets) and the students compete for awards. Level 4's compete for qualification scores to attend the State Championships.
Level 5 - Intermediate Compulsory - Level 5 is the next more difficult level. This is still Little League but with more difficult skills. This is a Compulsory level as well and consists of predetermined routines on the various apparatus. Form & Technique are Judged at competitions (meets) and the students compete for awards. Level 5's also compete for qualification scores to attend the State Championships. Gymnasts also compete for mobility scores to advance levels.
Level 6 - Advanced Compulsory - Level 6 is the first 'true' level of competition that involves 'Saltos' (flips) on all the events. This is the first Level of competition in which the state awards "Team Awards" (similar to the Olympics) to clubs with strong team programs. Again, form & technique are Judged at competitions and the gymnasts compete for awards. Level 6's compete for qualification scores to attend the State Championships. Gymnasts compete for mobility scores to advance to Level 7.
Level 7 - Beginner Optional - Level 7 is the first level that resembles gymnastics that most people are familiar with. Each gymnast has their own floor music where their individual personality is shown in the routine. Gymnasts construct routines of their own with skills that show their strengths. Level 7's compete for qualification scores to attend the State Championships & advance levels.
Level 8 - Intermediate Optional - Level 8 is competed Regionally (7 States). Gymnasts here are performing more difficulty and intricate skills. Level 8's compete for qualification scores to attend the Regional Championships.
Level 9 & 10 - Advanced Optional - Level 9 & 10 are National Levels of Gymnastics. Gymnasts here are performing the most difficult and intricate maneuvers & combinations. Gymnast here start must combine difficult skills to earn bonus points which are added to the routines. These are the levels you typically watch on television. Gymnasts here compete for Titles and to try to qualify to National & International Elite Competition.

EGC RECREATIONAL LEVELS

Level 1 - Beginner - All new students start with the ABC's of gymnastics. We begin with the basics on all events. We have 3 divisions of Beginner based on age. Preschool (age 3-4) / Kinder (age 5-6) / and Beginner (age 7+) Examples of tumbling skills would be Cartwheels, Rolls, Headstands. These students typically train an hour a week, however some choose to attend more classes to increase the learning speed.
Level 2 - Intermediate - These students have accomplished the ABC's of the Sport. They are familiar with the basics, and our Intermediate Classes expand on their knowledge. Intermediate students expand on the basics on all events. We have 2 divisions of Intermediate based on age - Advanced Kinder (age 6 & under) / and Intermediate (age 7+) Examples of tumbling skills would be Back Walkovers, One handed Cartwheels, Handstands.... More intense Strength & Flexibility skills are concentrated on as well. These classes typically run for 1 1/2 hours per week. Again, some student choose to come to additional classes to expedite their progress.
Level 3 - Advanced - These student have passed the Intermediate Level and are ready for more difficult skills. Skills at the Advanced Level require more strength, flexibility & time to master. As a result, students at this level can expect to work more strength & flexibility as part of their class. Upon passing this class, 90% of our students pass the US Presidential Physical Fitness Tests in the top 10 percentile. We offer 2 divisions of Advanced based on age - Advanced (ages 7+), and our Lightning Bugs (Mini Team athletes - age 7 & under). Typical tumbling skills include Round-offs, Back Handsprings, Front Tucks.... Advanced students train 3 to 4 hours per week. Students who pass this level are typically invited to our Competitive Team.
Level 4 - Advanced II Recreational - These student have passed the Advanced Level Classes. This class is offered for students (for whatever reason) choose not to join the Competitive Team. Students at this level train competitive level skills, only do not compete them. This class is popular for kids who love gymnastics but also have interests in other sports, thus limiting their time. Typical tumbling skills include Back Handsprings, Back Tucks, Layouts, and Twisting Skills. Advanced II students train 3 hours per week.

EGC 3 time National Competitor - Kevin O'Brien

Allyssa Patterson - National Competitor & Regional Balance Beam Champion

"It takes a little more to be a Champion" - Champion Sportwear

Erie Gymnastics Center 4725 Park Harbor Drive Erie, PA 16511-2359 814-898-2936 Email Inquiries to: Doug Pershun, EGC