New York State USAG 
Level 9 Competitive Program

The New York State USAG Level 9 Competitive Program is the third segment of our optional program. 
Level 9 has no restrictions in skill choice. Composition is evaluated.
Competition Season: August 1st to the Eastern National Championship
Requirement: To compete in the USAG JO Program all athletes must be registered with the USAG and be assigned an USAG Athlete number. No athlete can enter a sanctioned USAG Competition without an USAG athlete number. All USAG Level 9 gymnasts must have  scored the minimum mobility (34.00AA) at one sanctioned Level 8 USAG NYS competition. Gymnasts do not have to compete in a State Championship to move up one level.

USAG New York State Qualifying Competitions and Scores
Local Competition - Sectional Qualifying Meet. 

bulletAll USAG New York State gymnasts may begin their competition on the local level 
bulletThere are no qualification scores to enter any sanctioned USAG local competition. 
bulletThe gymnasts must meet the mobility requirement stated above to enter a level 9 USAG sanctioned local competition. 
bulletGymnasts do not have to compete on all 4 events at the local level.
bulletDesignated State Qualifying Invitational Competitions allow gymnasts to qualify directly to their State Championship without competing on a local and/or sectional competition. The purpose of these designated competitions is to reduce the number of competitions our gymnasts need to attend to qualify to the State Championship, save the parent/guardian money in meet fees and travel costs and provide the Coach additional training time. New York State was the first State to have this rule, now Massachusetts is following our lead.
bulletFrom a  local competition the gymnasts qualify to:

Sectional Competition (State Championship Qualifying Meet)

bulletThe qualification score to enter a USAG sanctioned Level 9 sectional from a local competition is 31.00 All Around. 
bulletThe qualification score must be attained once in any USAG sanctioned local competition or the NYS recognized State Qualifying Invitational Competitions.
bulletAutomatic Qualification: Any gymnast who qualified to the previous years State Championship and has not changed their level of competition automatically qualifies to the sanctioned sectional competition without competing on the local level.
bulletDesignated State Qualifying Invitational Competitions allow gymnasts to qualify directly to their State Championship without competing on a local and/or sectional competition. The purpose of these designated competitions is to reduce the number of competitions our gymnasts need to attend to qualify to the State Championship, save the parent/guardian money in meet fees and travel costs and provide the Coach additional training time. New York State was the first State to have this rule, now Massachusetts is following our lead.

State Championship (Regional Qualification Meet)

bulletThe qualification score to enter the USAG NYS Level 9 State Championship from the sectional or State Qualifying Invitational is 32.00 All Around. 
bulletThe score must be attained once in a USAG sanctioned sectional or from a NYS recognized State Qualifying Invitational.
bulletAutomatic Qualification: Any gymnast who competes in any of the recognized New York State Qualifying Invitational and attains the State Championship Qualification Score automatically qualifies to the State Championship without competing on the local level.
bulletAll NYS gymnasts have three chances in qualifying to the NYS State Championship from either the local or State Qualifying Invitational Competitions. FYI: State Qualifying Invitational Competitions count as local competitions if the gymnast does not attain the State Championship Qualification score.
bulletGymnasts scoring 34.00AA or higher at the State Championship automatically qualify to the Region 6 Championship (National Qualifier)

State Championship

bulletIndividual and all around champions are recognized at all State NYS Championships 
bulletTeam Champions are recognized based on the top 5 individual scores from each of the 4 Olympic Events, regardless of age divisions. The Team recognition is done at the end of the entire State Championship (last day, last session).
bulletAwards are based on the recognized NYS Age divisions
bulletScores are flashed and posted in the concession area at each State Championship. Scores posted and flashed are not official. The scores verified by the score team and Officials are.
bulletAt the conclusion of each competitive session each competitor receives a "Champions Medal" for being the champions that they are.
bulletAll scores will be posted on the New York State Web Page 48-72 hours after the competition
bulletGymnasts are allowed to be in two State Championships per year, on the same or different levels of competition.

Regional Championship

bulletThe qualification score to enter the USAG Region 9 Championship from the New York State USAG State Championship is 34.00 All Around. 
bulletThe score must be attained at the New York State USAG Level 9 State Championship.

Age Divisions for Level 9
 The Level 9 Age Divisions for the Regional and National Championship will be determined by the National Office 48-72 hours after the State Championship. For the 2006 Regional and National Championship there will be 4 divisions of juniors and 4 divisions of seniors

Mobility  

bulletTo go from a Level 9 gymnast to a Level 10 gymnast, the gymnast must score a 34.00 All Around once in any sanctioned NYS USAG competition. 
bulletGymnasts cannot move to the next level of competition until this score is achieved. 
bulletGymnast may move to the next competitive level without participating in a State Championship. 
bulletGymnasts may not skip any of the competitive levels. 

NYS Awards

bulletLocal Competition: Medals are given at all NYS local competitions. Placement is based on the number of competitors per age division.
bulletSectional Competition: Medals are given out at all NYS sectional competitions. Placement is based on the number of competitors per age division.

Competition Organization
Gymnasts are organized by age divisions for two session competitions. Local and sectional Meet Directors have the option to group gymnasts by either age divisions or teams. Regardless of the age grouping the gymnasts must received their awards by their age division performance.  It may be that gymnasts have their awards mailed to them if the grouping is by team in a multi session competition.

Equipment. All equipment used must meet the specifications of the FIG and / or USAG. The equipment specifications are explained  in the USAG Rules and Policy Book that all Professional Members receive.

Schedule
For local level 9 competitions: Local Meets
For sectional competitions, state qualifying invitational competitions and the Level 9 State Championship: Schedule