Optional competition allows coaches and gymnasts to choose which specific skills they compete on each event and allow them to choose their own floor music.  Theoretically this allows them to showcase their talents and minimize their weaknesses.  USAG optional competition levels include Level 7, Level 8, Level 9 and Level 10.

No Freedom of Choice
Coaches used to be able to place new competitive gymnasts at whatever level they decided the gymnast should compete, including at the optional level.  For liability reasons, USA Gymnastics no longer allows this and gymnasts must first compete and score out of the Level 5 and Level 6 compulsory levels to reach the first optional level..

Skill and Combination Requirements
Each optional level has its own specific and general skill and combination requirements which optional gymnasts must meet to avoid deductions.  Optional level skills are all rated at some difficulty from the lowest (and theoretically easiest) to the most difficult (A to Super E).  Certain optional levels are restricted from competing some of the more difficult skill levels.

Where Did the Originality Go
Current combinational requirements seem however to have limited choices and the amount of time which could be devoted to individual and original skills.   Uneven skill rating assignments have resulted in many coaches and gymnasts choosing the easiest skills necessary to meet difficulty requirements.  The combination of these two factors has resulted in many similar looking routines and a noticeable lack of originality at even the highest levels of the sport

Purpose – Elite Training
Their goals may affect the training of optional gymnasts.  For those who have really chosen the Olympics as a personal goal, training must, of necessity move forward ever learning and perfecting new and more difficult skills.

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