# Choose age groups vs subdivisions

> Choose the right structure for grouping gymnasts within a level.

> **Visual guide:** [View the decision tree in Figma](https://www.figma.com/board/VSa3rYgMnJS96opwqzJv50/)

## Prerequisites

* [Create a level](/levels/create-a-level.md) first.

## The decision

When you set up a level, you need to choose between two structures:

1. **Subdivisions only (2-layer)** - All gymnasts compete together. You split them into groups only for scheduling purposes.
2. **Age groups + subdivisions (3-layer)** - Gymnasts are separated by birth date for ranking. Then you can optionally split each age group into subdivisions for scheduling.

Here is how to figure out which one you need.

## Do gymnasts of different ages need separate rankings?

**Yes** - Use **age groups**. A 7-year-old and a 12-year-old in the same level will be ranked against others in their own age range, not against each other.

**No** - Use **subdivisions only**. All gymnasts in the level compete head-to-head regardless of age.

## Do you have more gymnasts than can fit in one session?

**Yes** - Add **subdivisions** to split them across sessions. This applies to both structures.

**No** - A single subdivision (the default) is fine.

## Should each session group have its own awards ceremony?

**Yes** - Enable **"treat subdivisions as award groups"** in [score settings](/levels/individual-score-settings.md). Each subdivision gets its own 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

**No** - Leave it disabled. All subdivisions are ranked together for a single set of awards.

## Quick reference

| Scenario                                                          | Structure                                        | Award groups? |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------- |
| Small meet, all ages together                                     | Subdivisions only, 1 subdivision                 | No            |
| Large meet, all ages together, multiple sessions                  | Subdivisions only, multiple subdivisions         | Optional      |
| Age-specific awards (8-9, 10-11, 12+)                             | Age groups + subdivisions                        | Yes (usually) |
| Age-specific awards, large level, multiple sessions per age group | Age groups + multiple subdivisions per age group | Yes           |

## Examples

### Small recreational meet

Level 5 has 20 gymnasts ages 7-12. They all compete in one session and are ranked together.

Use **subdivisions only**, 1 subdivision, award groups off.

### Large state meet

Level 5 has 80 gymnasts. You want ages 8-9 and 10-11 ranked separately. Each age group has 40 gymnasts split across two sessions.

Use **age groups** (8-9 and 10-11), 2 subdivisions per age group, award groups on.

### Split sessions, same rankings

Level 7 has 50 gymnasts. You need two sessions (Saturday AM and PM) but want all 50 ranked together for awards.

Use **subdivisions only**, 2 subdivisions, award groups off.

## What's next

* [How to create subdivisions](/competitions/create-subdivisions.md) - For the 2-layer approach
* [How to create age groups](/competitions/create-age-groups.md) - For the 3-layer approach

## Related

* [How do competitions, age groups, and subdivisions work?](/competitions/index.md)
* [How to configure individual score settings](/levels/individual-score-settings.md)


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