TOPS
TOPS
Talent
Opportunity
Program
TOPS
HISTORY
Introduced 22 years ago
Developed by Gary Anderson
Search and discover young talent
TOPS
BENEFITS OF TOPS
Discipline
Strength
Talent
TOPS
Ages of TOPS Athletes
7 -10 years old
Based on the age of the gymnast on
December 31st of the testing year.
TOPS
TOPS testing combines both
•Physical Abilities
•Basic Skills on events
TOPS
Physical Abilities Testing includes:
 Flexibility
 Rope Climb
 Handstand Hold
 Press to Handstand
 Leg Lifts
 Cast to Handstand
TOPS
Flexibility Testing
Sequence of 6 Kicks
Sequence of 6 Holds
TOPS
Rope Climb
Gymnast must climb up to 12 feet on the
rope in a pike position. Starting position is
sitting on a 8” mat in a pike position with
heels off the mat.
There are deductions for legs being bent
or dropping below horizontal. Deductions
are seconds added to the final time.
Scoring is based on national testing
results.
TOPS
Handstand Hold
Gymnast must hold a handstand for 30 seconds.
Gymnast may do the handstand on the floor or beam.
Deductions are taken for alignment, bending of the
arms, bent legs and feet apart.
Deductions take seconds away from the total time in
handstand.
TOPS
Press Handstands
7 and 8 year old gymnasts must do 5 complete
presses.
9 and 10 year old gymnasts must do 10 complete
presses.
Points are given for each phase of the presses.
½ point for 7 and 8 year olds
1 point for 9 and 10 year olds
Athletes may start on the floor, low or high beam
or parallettes.
TOPS
Leg Lifts
Athletes perform 20 leg lifts.
Gymnast must start in a horizontal 90º hold and return
to that position after every leg lift.
Gymnast must touch or go under bar for the leg lift to
be counted.
Bent legs and failure to complete leg lift will result in
deductions and not counting that leg lift.
TOPS
Cast to Handstands
Gymnast must complete 5 cast to handstands.
Gymnast must start in the front support position on
the low bar.
Handstands must be within 15º of the vertical.
Two points are awarded for each successful cast to
handstand.
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL TESTING
Same 6 Physical Abilities Test in State Testing
Sprint Run – tested only at TOPS National
Testing
TOPS
TOPS STATE TESTING
Each test is worth 10 points for a
maximum score of 60 points.
TOPS
7 Year Olds
Only test physical abilities no skill testing.
Only eligible for state testing not
TOPS National testing.
TOPS
TOPS DIAMOND TEAM
The top 50 scores of 7 year olds are
named to the TOPS Diamond Team.
They are recognized on our website
and receive exclusive GK Elite TOPS
leotard and certificate.
TOPS
TOPS Diamond Team Coaches
Invited to observe either TOPS A or
B National Team Camps in December
USA Gymnastics pays their camp
fees and room/board.
TOPS
8-9-10 Year Olds
Basic Skills Testing
Uneven Bars
Balance Beam
Floor Exercise
No Vault at State Testing
TOPS
Each age level has their own set of
basic skills for TOPS State Testing.
Text and video of basic skill testing is
available on the USA Gymnastics
website on the Women’s page under
the TOPS section.
TOPS
TOPS STATE TESTING RESULTS
8-9-10 YEAR OLDS SCORING
60% SKILLS
40% PHYSICAL ABILITIES
TOPS
The top 100 per age
group is invited to TOPS
National Testing in early
October.
TOPS
TOPS STATE TESTING
June and July
Dates and sites listed on our website.
Registration is through club-online
registration with USA Gymnastics.
TOPS
TOPS STATE TESTING
COST: $50 per test
Must register one week prior to test.
$25.00 late fee
Gymnast may test multiple times.
Gymnast may test in any state.
TOPS
TOPS STATE MANAGERS
List of TOPS State Managers is on
the USA Gymnastics website.
Information on test dates, sites and
possible clinics.
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL TESTING
Lists announced at the end of August.
National TOPS testing takes place at
USA Gymnastics National Team Training
Center, at the Karolyi Ranch, a USA Olympic
Training Site in Huntsville, Texas.
Cost: $75.00
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL TESTING
Testing is done in two days.
Physical Abilities Testing is the same as state testing
with the addition of the sprint run.
Basic Skill Testing is different than state testing.
National skill testing text is available on usagym.org.
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL SKILL TESTING
Vault
Bars
Beam Acro
Beam Dance
Floor Acro
Floor Dance
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL SKILL TESTING
For both beam and floor exercise:
Acro counts to 80% of the final score event
Dance counts to 20% of the final score event
Each event counts 10 points or 40 points maximum
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL TESTING
8 Year olds: 50% Physical Abilities – 50% Skill Testing
9 Year olds: 40% Physical Abilities – 60% Skill Testing
10 Year olds: 30% Physical Abilities - 70% Skill Testing
TOPS
TOPS NATIONAL TESTING
All age groups are combined
Top 50 – TOPS A NATIONAL TEAM
Next 60 – TOPS B TEAM
TOPS
TOPS A NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS
Receive exclusive TOPS Leotard and Warm-up provided by GK Elite.
Invited to the TOPS A National Team Camp in early December.
USA Gymnastics pays for the camp fees and room/board plus
transportation to the ranch.
Coaches are responsible for their own transportation costs and $300
room/board costs. USA Gymnastics pays the camps fees.
TOPS
TOPS B TEAM MEMBERS
Receive exclusive TOPS leotard provided by GK Elite.
Invited to the TOPS B Team Camp in early December.
Athletes: $550 for camp fees and room/board
Coaches: $300 for room/board
Athletes and coaches are responsible for their own
transportation costs.
TOPS
TOPS A and B Camps
Training two-a-days
Camp director: Valeri Liukin
Working with National Coaching Staff
Coaches Lectures
Why TOPS?
 Gym Benefits
-Revenue
-Updated curriculum for strength/conditioning training
-Marketing
-More visibility for high quality training/gymnasts
HOW To START TOPS in YOUR
GYM
 Suggested requirements:
-Limit the amount of gymnasts within specified age
groups
-Find a TOPS gym that can mentor your club in the
beginning phases
-Hand select gymnasts from your program
that demonstrate high a skill level
TOPS
Add TOPS into your
club for stronger
gymnasts
TOPS
The start of
something
BIG!
Contact
 Kim Riley
Managing Director of Athlete and Coaching Programs
[email protected]
317-829-5627
 TOPS State Managers