Baton Events

Pre-Competitive Events º Competitive Individual Events
Competitive Group Events º World Level Events

Pre-Competitive Events

Pre-Competitive Events were introduced into to Canadian Baton as of the 1996-1997 season. They are an excellent way to introduce new students into the competitive side of Twirling without as much pressure to place. Their introduction has helped to establish set guidelines for the development of the individual's twirling skills across the country. Each athlete competes only against his or her self for a grading and ribbon, as seen in the chart below.

Basic March
The athlete marches in a square (8 counts per side) in front of the judge, once marching clockwise and once counterclockwise. He or she must demonstrate the ability to stay in time with the music and be technically correct.
Availabilty: Pre-Competitive Class, Competitive "Rookie" Class.

Forward Motion
The athlete does a simple dance combination from the right back corner to the front left corner, and from the left back corner to the right front corner. The Pre-Solo event helps the athlete to learn basic movements required in Baton, as well as helping with timing.
Availabilty: Pre-Competitive Class, Competitive "Rookie" Class.

Pre-Solo
This routine is much like the full Solo routine, having a vertical section, finger twirls section, rolls section, and horizontal section. While the routine is itself standardized, if the athlete's proficiency allows it, more complex moves may be added. The length of the routine is 32 counts and is set to modified solo music. Its prupose it to introduce the athlete to the basic moves involved in Baton Twirling.
Availabilty: Pre-Competitive Class, Competitive "Rookie" Class.

Pre-Medley
This routine uses the first 32 counts of the Medley music, and like its larger counterpart, the athlete must perfrom each of the following elements in the proper order: a turn, a kick, a leap, a lunge and a spin. The baton may not leave the athlete's hand. The Pre-Medley routine teaches the athlete musical timing and introduces dance elements that he or she may require. As with the Pre-Solo routine, more complex moves may be added based upon the individual's ability.
Availabilty: Pre-Competitive Class, Competitive "Rookie" Class.

Pre-Solo Dance Twirl
This routine is another set routine which allows for the athlete's indiviual twirling skills. The athlete must show use of the musical phrases in corellation with Baton handling. It is designed to teach the athlete timing and rhythm, dance steps and to incorporate the moving Baton.
Availabilty: Pre-Competitive Class, Competitive "Rookie" Class.

Pre-2-Baton
Much like the full length 2-Baton routine this event involves the manipulation of two batons by one person. Unlike the full event, however, it is only a fraction of the length and is a standardized routine across the country. The athelete must show the manipulation of the batons through both patterns (vertical and horizontal) and each mode of twirling (arials, rolls and contact material).
Availabilty: Competitive "Rookie" Class.

Pre-Group
Also standardized by the Canadian Baton Twirling Federation is Pre-Group, however this is not offered by the studio at this time.

Competitive Individual Events

These events have the more serious twirler in mind and are longer, more complex, and allow for competition between people of similar ages and skill levels. The divisions are as outlined in the following chart and help ensure competition between athletes is as fair as possible.

Ages Category 4-8 Primary 9-11 Juvenile 12-14 Junior 15-17 Senior 18+ Collegiate

Level & Name Championship Grouping Score to Advance C : Beginner N/A 2.5 B-N : Novice B 4.5 B-I : Intermediate B 6.0 A : Advanced A N/A

Solo
This is a stationary twirling event where the athlete demonstrates the three modes of twirling: Aerials, Rolls and Contact Material. It is divided into 5 separate sections (vertical section, finger section, roll section, horizontal section and ending vertical section). The Solo is performed to a set piece of music that is two minutes in length. This music is selected and distributed by the Canadian Baton Twirling Federation and is uniform throughout competitions across Canada.
Availability: Competitive "Rookie" Class, Solo Class.

2-Baton
This is also a stationary twirling event involving the continuous and simultaneous manipulation of two batons by one person. It combines mastery of timing, co-ordination, concentration, control, dexterity, pattern/plane treatments and the demonstration of a broad base of two baton skills. It uses the same music as the Solo routine.
Availability: 2-Baton Class.

Duet
In this stationary twirling event, two athletes must demonstrate profiency in all three modes of twirling (aerials, rolls and contact material) in both vertical and horizontal patterns, as well as 2-baton tricks and baton exchanges. Emphasis is placed on timing and unison and the silent communication between the two athletes. The routine is also performed to the same music as Solo and 2-Baton.
Availability: Duet Class.

Medley
This event demonstrates progressional body and baton movement, meeting the requirements of the 3 sections, with musicality. In the first section, five dance elements must be performed in correct order (turn, kick, leap, lunge, and spin). In the second section, the baton movement is limited to full hand twirls, one revolution flips and "dead stick" tosses. The third section is a freestyle section with no limits on the baton or body elements. The athlete must be in time with the music and use space effectively, blending the baton and body simultaneously.
Availability: Medley Class.

Solo Dance Twirl
This event combines baton and body movement, correlating to the musical phrases, tempos and rhythm of the music, making use of all floor space.
Availability: Solo Dance Twirl Class.

Competitive Group Events

Group events allow the athlete to develop his or her twirling skills in a less threatening environment, as there are new friendships to be made and he or she is not "going it alone". Members of the group create a feeling of togetherness and team spirit by sharing the degree of success and errors. The emphasis on basic twirling skills, performance skills, rhythm, timing, musicality, body positioning and conforming to the level of the group is the primary focus. As with individual events, groups are divided along age and skill divisions.

Name Age of Members Primary Average age between 4.0 & 8.999 Juvenile Average age between 9.0 & 11.999 Junior Average Age between 12.0 & 14.999 Senior Average Age over 15.0

Level & Name Placings to Advance C : Beginner 4 First Place Finishes B: Novice-Intermediate 4 First Place Finishes A : Advanced N/A

Dance Twirl Team
A Dance Twirl Team must have three or more members and both dancing and twirling are incorporated into the routine. The routine itself is between 2:00 and 3:00 minutes long. The ultimate expression of this event would be; if the baton were taken away, we would still see a viable dance routine and if the athlete's feet were fixed to the floor the baton would still be in near constant motion. There are 2 sizes of teams - small (3-6 members) and large (7 or more members).
Availability: Dance Twirl Team Class.

Twirl Corps
The Twirl Corps focuses on all modes of baton twirling. The Corps must display musicality, a logical theme, synchronized twirl sections in a variety of forms, clear transitions, precision and unison among the members. The minimum size is 10 members.
Availability: This event is no longer offered by the company.

Theme Corps
The Theme Corps develops twirling, prop handling, movement, music, transitions, forms and dance around a specific theme. Music selection, props and costumes must reflect the chosen theme. The program should tell a story with an evident opening, climax and finale and should be entertaining. The minimum size is 10 members.
Availability: Theme Corps Class.

Military Corps
Info coming soon.
Availability: This event is in the process of being phased out of the sport.

Parade Corps
Info coming soon.
Availability: This event is not offered at this time.

CBTF Team
Info coming soon.
Availability: This event is not offered at this time.

World Level Events

Information on these events coming soon.