Welcome

Baton twirling that is. Here are the facts, we don't spin sticks, it's a baton and this baton twirling is a sport. It involves strength, flexibility, endurance, and grace. Many people may say baton twirling isn't a sport, loads of people don't even no we exsist but until they've seen us in action, they don't know what they're talking about, and this year is ours!! Twirling is much more than marching in a parade. It is like a combination of dance and gymnastics...then add a baton to it! It's a VERY competitive sport and it takes ALOT of practice. Twirling: is a growing sport and it's on its way to the Olympics baby!! =) LMAO

Detailed Baton INFO...

For starters the parts of a baton are important to know, or you might get lost while I explain how to do certain tricks! Thats rite I will be giving full descripstions of what we do. So here goes the end of the baton that is largest is called the "ball", and the small end is called the "tip". Easy enough, huh? Well now it gets a litlle complicated...first off for actually twirling there are basic fundamentals you need to no. Very basic things, but also very neccessary if you wanna be able to no what your doing. All are listed below. Now, many people call them by different names but these are the "professinal" terms...

Terms:

Cradle
Forward figure eight
Backward figure eight
Horizontal Wrist Twirls
Vertical Wrist Twirls
Reverse Wrist Twirls (Vertical & Horizontal)

Cradle:
Very simple a cradle is just the expression in which we use to describe the position of the baton. When we "cradle" the baton we hold the baton (right hand) in the middle of course and with our forearm facing in. Now the ball is {always} on top and the tip is on the {bottom} but the tip is on the outside of our arm. Hard to explain but easily done.

Figure eights:
Are simple but pretty. To do them, (forwards) it's mostly wrist action. Hold the baton straight out from your body, ball out, (held in the middle!) and swing the ball down towards you on the inside of your arm. Then bring it up and straight out again. After it comes straight again, turn the ball down and towards you on the outside of your arm. Keep it going in succession, until it gets to be one easy movement.

Backward figure eights:
For backwards figure eights, it is the same movement, except instead of going down and towards you, you move the ball up and towards you.

Horizontal wrist twirls:
Also known as horizontals are easy as well. Hold the baton like you did to start the figure eight (the baton is straight out from your body, ball out, held in the middle!). Now spin the baton counter-clockwise but keeping it flat, and always keep the ball spinning on top.

Vertical wrist twirls:
Are exactly like horizontal ones, only you do them, well, vertically! =) Instead of spinning the baton flat, spin it up and down, keeping the ball on the inside of your arm.

Reverse wrist twirls:
Reverse wrist twirls of both kinds (Vertial and Horizontal) are done by simply spinning them in a clockwise direction instead of counter-clockwise.Now that you have mastered the fundamentals lets move on...It gets a little more TrIcKy now! Keep in mind though weather you have mastered fundamentals or not always try your hardest "Practice makes Perfect" and never put yourself or any one else down.

Tricks:

Handflips
Rolls
Wheels
Aerials (throws/tosses)

Handflips:
Handflips are easy and take no major fundamental skills but look awesome. Heres how they work-when you start off hold the baton in the middle with the "ball" up and "tip" down (in right hand).Then pass the baton to your left hand grabbing the ball. From this position flip the tip of the baton out of the palm of your hand, to the top of your hand, ending with the ball of the baton in your left hand. Now simply pass it to your right hand (grab the ball of the baton with your right hand). Repeat the process with your right hand, (flip the tip of the baton out of the palm of your hand, to the top of your hand, and ending with the ball of the baton in your right hand). Continue this process several times and you have completed handflips!

Rolls:
Rolls are any movement where the baton makes one or more revolutions on the surface of any part of the body without being held or caught in the hand. The only roll I have mastered myself is a hand roll so I will explain that, keep in mind timing is everything when doing hand rolls. With that said to complete a hand roll all you have to do is a few revolutions of a horizontal wrist twirl (this is done to gain speed), after you simply open your hand and let the baton spin in the palm of your hand without touching it. You'll be able to tell how long before the baton comes to a complete stop so before it does grab it and twirl in to a cradle. This description may be to broad for complete understanding of a hand roll but experiment and practice and you'll get it.

Wheels:
What I like to call wheels are a little more tricky. It's a mixture of a vertical wrist twirl and a simple spin. Make the motion of a vertical wrist turn but *without* moving up or down. With the baton facing {ball} down towards your left side use the vertical wrist twirl. Now move it up-straight out to your left side, above your head, straight out to your right side and then flat down on your right side. There should be about 8 revolutions of the baton. You now have yourself a wheel!!

Aerials:
Aerials are one of the most fun but dangerous. An areial is just a toss of the baton in the air. Thats right the AIR! =) Position the baton (in the middle of your hand) ball facing down to your right side about an inch or two out. Bring it up to about yor waist and release! The amount of force you use will determine how many revolutions the baton makes. If you are inexperienced I suggest you use little force. Always keep an eye on your baton after one or two revolutions when the baton goes flat (horizontally) hold your hand out and catch it. You have just completed an aerial!! I do how ever caution you to do this in a wide open space **away** from others to ensure you cause harm to no one. LOL Have FUN! So thats all of em' Fundamentals and Tricks but one thing is still missing...

So where do we do all these tricks?...

We cheer at:
Basketball games

Football games
Pep rally's and...
We march in the Saint Patricks Day Parade!

St. Patricks Day Parade INFO

At the Saint Patricks Day Parade the order in which we march is as folows:

Banner holders (2 people hold the school banner)

TWIRLERS

Cheerleaders

Boosters

Band
While we march we do what are called sequences. Sequences are movements of the baton in a count of 8. There are several sequences and all are done 3 times. We also stop and cheer. The cheers we do are:Aim, We're from Utrecht, and Hey gather around. Permission slips must be handed in to go. The parade is in Manhattan, and all squad members meet at N.U.H.S (at whatever posted time) to get on our rented cheese buses lol.

Parade Cheers:

*AIM*

We AIM for the top
and expect no less
N.U.H.S the BEST!

*We're from Utrecht*

We're...From...Utrecht
We're from Utrecht and we got spirit
SP*IR*IT
We're...From...Utrecht
We're from Utrecht and we got spirit
SP*IR*IT

*Hey gather around*

Hey gather around
Utrecht is here
and we're glad to be here
cheering today
Hey gather around
Utrecht is here
and we're glad to be here
cheering today

Did ya know? Competition INFO:...

There are many specific components when competing some are:
Solo (Twirling 1 baton.)
Strut (In an X form. Dance and twirling moves combined. There is no tossing of the baton.)
2 Baton (Twirling 2 batons.)
3 Baton (Twirling 3 batons.)
Modeling (A slow walk with turns in a circle T form.)
Teams (A group of twirlers twirling together, working for unison.)

Poem to live by:

Twirling is a way of life, shared by only a chosen few,
It is working in a unit in everything you do.
Twirling is a rivalry; the competition makes you strong.
It is sharing secrets and tears, learning to get along.
Twirling is that ongoing drive to be the very best.
It is patience, perseverance, and very little rest.
Twirling is having poise and charm with every word you say,
It is total dedication twenty-four hours a day.
It is always being ready with encouragement or a smile.
Twirling is your chance to express your own individual style.
Twirling is reaching out to comfort a sister who is sad.
It is defending each other in the good times and bad.
Twirlers are always there whenever someone asks,
They treasure the present moment and forget about the past.
Twirling is a talent to be able to shine on cue.
It is hiding the pain and anguish that if only people knew.
Twirlers after all, are real people that sometimes get down,
but when they're in the spot light they must never put on a frown.
Twirlers are actresses, always ready to go.
That's why it's important for all the world to know.
Not every girl can be a TWIRLER
It takes a special kind,
Twirlers are full of life....and a little bit out of their mind!!!

Together we stand
Together we fall
All for one and one for all!!

Some Linkz:
N.U.H.S offical site!
Batons and Accessories
Twirl Mania-Loads of Twirler INFO

Questions? Comments?
Email me at: BkLyNzSkEmA@aol.com

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