Incentive Awards
The Gymnastics Incentive Awards Programme is a series of sequences graduated into seven levels: Grade 1, Grade 2, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Elite.
These can be used to check the progress made by gymnasts in a general gymnastics teaching programme. The activities have been selected to encourage
children to become more proficient in general gymnastic skills. Each level requires a broadening of gymnastic skill and continuity with a 
minimum
increase in difficulty.
The fundamentals of the programme are the movement patterns unique to gymnastics called Dominant Movement Patterns (DMP's). Each DMP has a relatively simple mechanical base which, when patterned well, allows the gymnast to extend this pattern to other skills and combinations of similar difficulty. All gymnastic skills are made up of a blend of movement pattern elements.
- Landings - on feet, hands, all parts of body - a basic safety skill. Landings practiced correctly and often increase safety in the gym and also in the playground, etc.
- Statics - a state of rest, or equilibrium during movement - hangs, supports and balances. Body management and body tension in all kinds of positions need constant development.
- Spring - an explosive rebounding movement, from feet or hands, requiring power and rapid use of strength. Many activities help to develop spring, while circuits and spring series help children to learn correct body posture for power movements in vaulting and tumbling.
- Rotation - turning around an axis which passes through the body. Includes rolls, turns, spins and twists. Rotations promote body management, coordination as well as developing the vestibular system of balance and sense of relocation.
- Swing - Rhythmic turning of the body around an external axis. Grip, arm strength and coordination must be developed to support body weight.
- Locomotion - traveling, using hands, feet and other body surfaces on the ground, in the air, or over, under, along, through and around all kinds of equipment.
When a gymnast is competent in all activities within a level (confirmed by the head coach of the session) they can be tested by a GNZ-qualified tester. MIGS usually holds 2 testing sessions per year for Grade 1 to Bronze badges and there is one testing per year for Silver - Elite badges. There are GNZ-set age requirement for testing: gymnast must be over 7 years old to sit Grade 1 and 2, and over 9 years old to sit Iron or above.
Cloth (Grade 1 & 2) and metal (Iron - Elite) badges can be purchased on completion of each level.