| Southeast Area Twirlers Twirl Advice |
| The Southeast Area Twirlers are dedicated to helping our students strive for excellence in their twirling endeavors. We are also glad to assist twirlers from any organization, team, or school in learning the sport of baton twirling. Our director and instructors have designed this page to assist twirlers in finding various techniques and tips that might assist them in learning the art of baton twirling. |
| HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP? If you have any twirling questions or need help on a particular item, we will be glad to assist you in any way possible. Just send us an email with your question. If needed, we will also be glad to direct you to others in the sport that may be able to assist you as well. To email us, just click on the link below. Some questions may be placed on the website in order to help other twirlers. |
| DEFINITION: To commit to memory, learn by heart. Memorization is a technique that all twirlers struggle with when learning a routine. It is a vital part of the performance aspect because once achieved, it allows the performer the opportunity to focus on additional performance techniques such as free-hands, showmanship, receptions, and releases. Every twirler is different. One must find the techniques that works the best for them. |
| Practice your routine even when you do not have a baton in your hand. Memorization of your routine can be done at any time. Prime memorization times are when traveling, when your resting in bed at night, or when you have just a little bit of time to sit in a quiet room and concentrate on your routine. Practice each routine in sections. Try to perfect each section and then put the sections together. Have a "PRACTICE BUDDY" with you when you work on your routine. This can be a parent, a friend, or a fellow twirler. Your buddy should have a written copy of your routine so that they know what moves you are suppose to be performing and in what order they go in the routine. If another twirler is your practice buddy, then you can each take turns performing your routine for one another. CONCENTRATE.....remember that when you are practicing, the most important thing is practice. Try to clear your mind and focus on your routine. Your memorization will be clearer and your twirling will be sharper. |
| A FEW SUGGESTIONS: |
| Watching the Advanced twirlers at competition, creates a spark in even the youngest of twirlers. Multiple spins, rolls, and extremely difficult tricks are a show-stopper for sure. Twirlers who have mastered these will tell you that they didn't catch or learn them over night. It takes months, even years of hard practicing to master these types of tricks. What should a twirler do to learn harder tricks? Well, that answer is simple PRACTICE! A good twirler can manage their time wisely and STILL have time for other things, however, if one wants to be an ADVANCED twirler and twirl like an ADVANCED twirler, one must focus primarily on the sport itself and dedicate the majority of hours to baton practice. |
| Set designated practice times each day and stick with them. In the event that you should have to alter one day of practice, be sure to schedule a different time for that day to practice, don't skip it and think you can make up for it tomorrow. Be sure you have a location to practice in the event of cold or bad weather. Don't let those be an excuse NOT to practice. Decide "HOW FAR" you want to go in twirling and practice to match that level. For twirlers who want to PERFECT and ADVANCE their twirling ability a suggested practice length of 2-4 hours per day is recommended. Age and twirling level will cause variations in the length of practice, but the older and more advanced the twirler is the more time they should spend practicing EACH DAY in order to advance their twirling abilities. Keep a positive attitude when practicing! If you are having trouble with a trick, don't get frustrated. Keep an open mind and keep practicing. If needed, go to something different and then come back to that trick. Some tricks take more than just a few practices to get, so UNDERSTAND and ACCEPT the fact that you may not catch it the first time. Increase your speed. Advanced twirlers not only have more advanced tricks and moves, they have a faster speed than that of other levels. You want to strive for a speed that is faster, but still remains the same through-out the routine. |
| A FEW SUGGESTIONS: |
| Do you have other tips on memorization that might help twirlers? If so, complete the form below and submit to our director. |
| Do you have other tips on advancement of tricks that might help twirlers? If so, complete the form below and submit to our director. |
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