# Create subdivisions

> Split gymnasts within a competition into sub-groups for scheduling and optionally for awards.

## Prerequisites

* [Create a level](https://docs.gymart.org/levels/create-a-level)
* Decide your structure: see [Age groups vs subdivisions](https://docs.gymart.org/competitions/choose-age-groups-vs-subdivisions)

## Steps

You have more gymnasts than fit in one session, or you want separate award groups within an age group. Here's how to split them up.

1. From the meet admin, go to **Levels** and select your level.
2. Navigate to the **Competitions** section for the level.
3. Select the competition you want to subdivide (the "All Ages" competition if no age groups, or a specific age group competition).
4. Click **Add Subdivision**.
5. Optionally give the subdivision a **name** (e.g., "Group A", "Saturday AM", "Flight 1").
6. **Assign gymnasts** to each subdivision:
   * Drag gymnasts between subdivisions, or
   * Use automatic assignment tools
7. Repeat to create additional subdivisions as needed.

## What subdivisions control

| Feature                 | How subdivisions help                                          |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Scheduling**          | Each subdivision can be assigned to a different session        |
| **Award groups**        | When enabled, each subdivision has its own rankings and awards |
| **Rotation assignment** | Gymnasts within a subdivision compete together in rotations    |

## Default behavior

Every competition starts with **one subdivision** containing all gymnasts. You only need to create additional subdivisions if you want to split gymnasts across multiple sessions or create separate award groups within the same age group.

## Subdivision naming

Names are optional but helpful. Common conventions:

* **By session**: "Saturday AM", "Saturday PM"
* **By letter**: "Group A", "Group B"
* **By number**: "Subdivision 1", "Subdivision 2"

If you leave the name blank, subdivisions are displayed by their index number.

Subdivisions can have different numbers of gymnasts. They don't need to be equal. You can move gymnasts between subdivisions at any time before competition. After [assigning subdivisions to sessions](https://docs.gymart.org/competitions/assign-subdivisions-to-sessions), changing membership may affect session assignments.

## What's next

* [Assign subdivisions to sessions](https://docs.gymart.org/competitions/assign-subdivisions-to-sessions)

## Related

* [How to create age groups](https://docs.gymart.org/competitions/create-age-groups)
* [How do competitions, age groups, and subdivisions work?](https://docs.gymart.org/competitions/index)
* [Create a session](https://docs.gymart.org/scheduling/create-a-session)