Now, I have my own twirling classes. I love teaching twirling, and I try to model my class structure after Diana's. To help some of you get a better understanding of twirling, I will attempt to explain the fundamentals, rountines, and tricks.

A baton is the length of a twirlers arms. It is usually measured by placing a yard stick under the arm pit and extending the arm level with the shoulder. The measurement is taken from the closest even number to past the finger tips. The baton is made up of three main parts: the ball, tip, and shaft. The ball is the bigger rubber end, and the tip is the little rubber end. The shaft is the metal rod joining the ball and the tip. The shaft can vary in size. Normally, beginners twirl with a smaller shaft. (The skinnier the shaft, the easier to hold the baton). Older, more advanced twirlers twirl with a thicker shaft (7/16 inch). The baton should always be held with the thumb facing the ball. And remember... what you do in your right hand, you must do in your left hand! (exceptions with only a FEW things)

Forward figure eight = this is the basic "dig and dump". The ball scoops down (on the inside of the arm) and up towards the twirlers nose. Then, it scoops down (on the outside of the arm) and up towards the nose. When done well, the baton should look nothing more than just a skinny line to a view standing directly towards the twirler.

Reverse figure eight = the ball comes towards the nose and goes down (on the inside of the arm). Then, the baton goes up and down on the outside of the arm.

Horizontals = this is the "stir the pot" situation. When done well, the baton should simulate a table top. The baton spins in a counter-clockwise position.

Horizontal tosses = this has to be done after the horizonal twirl is mastered. It is just a simple release and catch. Horizontal tosses include four tosses. Release from right hand, catch with right hand; release from right hand catch in left hand; release from left hand catch in left hand; release from left hand, catch in right hand.

Two hand spin = it begins with the baton in the right hand (parallel with the ground); rotate the ball up to the sky (baton should be held between thumb and side of hand); with the left hand (which is palm up) chop the baton with above your right hand; let baton roll in left hand; rotate left hand so that the baton is parallel to the ground and do a simple pass so the baton is in the right hand; repeat

Two hand spin, pass around the back= it is the same as two hand spin, but instead of a simple pass, you put the baton behind your back and grab it with your right hand; then repeat.

Time tosses right hand = thumb toss after thumb toss, etc (see thumb toss)

time tosses left hand = the ball goes down and elbow is pointing to the left, and pop the baton up.

Little Joe Flips = start with a reverse loop and thumb toss on the outside of your arm; catch the baton in left hand; reverse loop and thumb toss and catch in right hand, repeat.

FINGER TWIRLS

8 finger = start with a forward finger 8 loop, let baton roll through four fingers; trap the baton in the pinky finger; turn palm facing down and finish the fingers.

4 finger over the hand = start with a forward finger 8 loop, let baton roll through four fingers; trap the baton in the pinky finger; turn palm over and roll baton over the back of hand.

2 finger = start with a forward figure 8 loop, and let baton roll through fingers until it it comes to the ring finger. squeeze the baton to hold it still; scoop down on the inside of the arm and finish let the baton roll back through the fingers, repeat

reverse 2 finger = start with a motion similar to a reverse figure 8 but go into the finger twirls right away, again, stop at the ring finger and complete the loop to the outside and make the baton go back through the fingers.

Military solute = hands on a hips with baton resting on shoulder and hip. the ball is down towards the ground. lift right arm up; drop arm and baton so that the baton lies next to side of body; solute (where the back of right hand touches left shoulder); back down by side, up, then back to starting position.

Rountines consist of a lot of dance (both ballet and modern), gymnastics, and actual twirling. A solo/dance rountine usually lasts between 1 and a half minutes up to 5 minutes. A dance twirl routine usually starts off with one baton. As the rountine progresses, the twirler picks up a second baton. Towards the end of the rountine, a third baton is added. Rountines are usually finished with one baton. Rountines are made to any and all types of music. It is good for the song selection to be a perky, entergetic song to keep the audience's attention. In a good routine, a twirler covers most of the floor space and is rarely standing still.

Many backgrounds and came from this site: http://www.monmouth.com/user_pages/warprcs/index.htm