P.R.E.P. Optional Competition Rules THE PA RULES BELOW WILL BE USED AT THE WVGTC SEASONS GREETINGS MEET AND MOUNTAINEER CLASSIC Pennsylvania P.R.E.P. Optional Pennsylvania’s P.R.E.P. Optional program has been designed to enhance training for those athletes finding skill requirements, training time, burnout, or compulsory repetition a reason to give up a sport they still enjoy. It is divided into two divisions in an effort to meet the needs of the beginner optional levels through levels 8, 9, & 10. Complete elements from the Levels1-4 will be considered A value (ex. a glide, while considered an element in Levels 1-4 would not be considered a complete element and not receive A value). If a gymnast competes in a Prep Optional Sectional competition, she is ineligible to compete in any other sectional or state meet that season. These are NOT mobility levels, an athlete wishing to reenter the USAG Levels program must reenter at the level she last qualified to. Please Note: This is a PA state run program. Various states may have PREP Optional programs but requirements are up to each state’s board to govern. Please check out of state requirements for PREP before registering for an out of PA meet. NOVICE * Athletes for the Novice division must be registered with USAG as full athlete members at either PREP Opt., Level 5, 6, or 7. Completion of levels 1 through 4, verified by a qualified skills evaluator, is the only prerequisite for participating in the PA PREP Optional program. Levels 1 through 4 are not required to compete but must be approved by a skills evaluator. Since the full athlete membership form is the only one requiring this verification, PA athletes must use this form. An athlete at the Novice level may move to the Advanced level at any time. If a gymnast has ever competed in a Level 8, 9, or 10 State Championships she is NOT permitted at this level. Start Value – 10.00 if difficulty requirements of 6 A and 1 B elements are met. C, D, or E elements will void the entire exercise! Deductions – limited to the following Missing A element - 0.4 each Missing B element - 0.8 Execution/Amplitude – up to 6.0 total Artistry – up to 0.3 total Rhythm/Tempo – up to 0.3 total Dynamics – up to 0.2 total Uneven Bars must use both bars – 0.5 if not Balance Beam & Floor Exercise total lack of Acro – 0.5 Gymnasts and Coaches conduct/apparel per USAG Vault – Must use vaults from the current Level 7 Vaulting Chart. Start value 10.0 Uneven Bars – 6 A elements, 1 B element. Must use both bars (see deduction above). A change of direction is permitted but not required. Balance Beam – 6 A elements, 1 B element. Routine must contain at least one Arco element. Flight not required (see deduction above). Floor Exercise – 6 A elements, 1 B element. Routine must contain at least one, two or more element Acro series. Flight not required (see deduction above). ADVANCED ** Athletes for the Advanced division must be registered with USAG as full athlete members at either PREP Opt., Level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Completion of levels 1 through 4, verified by a qualified skills evaluator, is the only prerequisite for participating in the PA PREP Optional program. Levels 1 through 4 are not required to compete but must be approved by a skills evaluator. Since the full athlete membership form is the only one requiring this verification, PA athletes must use this form. Please Note: Gymnasts that have competed at a Level 8, 9, or 10 State Championships must enter at this level. Lower level athletes have the option of either Novice or Advanced. Start Value – 10.00 if difficulty requirements of 4 A and 3 B elements are met. C, D, or E elements will fall under the guidelines of USAG Level 8 Deductions - limited to the following Missing A element - 0.4 each Missing A element - 0.4 each Missing B element - 0.8 each Execution/Amplitude – up to 6.0 total Artistry – up to 0.3 total Rhythm/Tempo – up to 0.3 total Dynamics – up to 0.2 total Uneven Bars must use both bars – 0.5 if not Balance Beam & Floor Exercise total lack of Acro – 0.5 Gymnasts and Coaches conduct/apparel per USAG Vault – Must use vaults from the current Level 8 Vaulting Chart EXCLUDING ALL ROUNDOFF ENTRY VAULTS. Vault values will remain the same as Level 8 Chart. Uneven Bars – 4 A elements, 3 B elements. Must use both bars (see deduction above). A change of direction is permitted but not required. Balance Beam – 4 A elements, 3 B elements. Routine must contain at least one Acro element. Flight not required (see deduction above). Floor Exercise – 4 A elements, 3 B elements. Routine must contain one, two or more element Acro series. Flight not required (see deduction above).