How I Started Our Gymnastics TOPs Program (and What I Learned Along the Way)

When I first decided to launch a TOPs (Talent Opportunity Program) for gymnastics, my goal was to create something that challenged athletes without overwhelming them. It’s easy to get caught up in the intensity of high-level training, but the demands of a TOPs program can be a lot — especially for athletes under the age of 10.

Over time, I’ve learned that starting intentionally and building slowly is the key to creating a sustainable program. Here’s how I built our gymnastics TOPs program from one athlete into a thriving training group.

Start Small with Your First Gymnastics TOPs Program

When launching a new program, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I began with just a couple of athletes who showed potential with the Physical Ability Requirements and the mental capacity to handle the added workload.

Next, I made sure each athlete fell into the correct TOPs age range — this is crucial, as even a few months’ difference in birthdays can impact eligibility. (For example, one gymnast born in December and another in January could be in different testing age groups.)

Before getting started, I also met with parents to discuss expectations, time commitments, and the financial aspect of joining the program. I started with only one athlete for a season and built it up to 7 athletes in two separate training groups. This allowed me to experiment with training schedules, testing different drills, and figure out what worked best for our program.

By focusing only on training the required skills (and not promising competition), the experience felt manageable for the athletes, the parents, and myself as a coach.

Plant the Seeds Early with Foundational Skills

Long before gymnasts are old enough for official TOPs testing, I introduce the basic concepts in regular training. I’ll sprinkle in strength circuits, rope climbs, shaping drills, and handstand work with pre-team and lower-level athletes.

Planting these seeds early has several benefits:

• It helps identify potential TOPs athletes early on.

• It reinforces strong gymnastics fundamentals for everyone.

• It helps gymnasts see these skills as part of normal training — not an extra chore.

Even if an athlete doesn’t end up competing in TOPs, these drills build strength and body control that benefit every level of gymnastics.

Make TOPs Training Complement Your DP Program

Our TOPs training is designed to complement, not compete with, our Development Program (DP) training. It runs alongside regular practice instead of replacing it.

That means the focus stays on building strength, flexibility, and shaping that directly benefit compulsory and optional routines. I never want athletes to feel like they have to choose between TOPs and team gymnastics — both paths support each other.

Because TOPs testing takes place in the summer and early fall, it naturally fits into our gym’s DP off-season. This makes it easier to add extra hours without overwhelming young athletes.

Think Long-Term: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

TOPs success doesn’t happen overnight — and that’s okay. I’ve learned to prioritize long-term progress over quick results.

Instead of pushing for instant improvements, I focus on gradual, consistent gains. For example, rather than forcing athletes to hit a 1 minute handstand hold in a few months, we build it up through conditioning goals and progressive drills.

This marathon mindset keeps athletes healthier, prevents burnout, and ensures they peak at the right time.

Tip: Start introducing the program between ages 5 and 6. This gives you plenty of time to develop the strength, shaping, and confidence needed before testing years begin.

Find Ways to Keep it Fun

TOPs is hard work, no denying that. So I make it a point to add fun challenges, games, and team activities to keep energy high during training. Whether it’s timing handstands for a little friendly competition, or celebrating personal bests with silly prizes and stickers, or allowing them to “play” gymnastics at the end of practice to let them explore and flip, keeping the environment positive helps athletes stay motivated.

At the end of the day, the best results come from athletes who enjoy the process and celebrate the small wins.

Final Thoughts

Starting a gymnastics TOPs program doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By starting small, introducing skills early, balancing it with DP training, and keeping things fun, you can build a program that develops strong athletes and a healthy culture around hard work.

Remember, TOPs isn’t just about testing — it’s about building a solid foundation for each gymnast’s future and fostering an early love for the sport.

 Helpful Links

• USA Gymnastics TOPs Program Overview

• Check out our gymnastics strength and conditioning plans designed to help young athletes build the foundation for TOPs and beyond.

• Read our blog with a TOPs based workout for bar conditioning