FAQ

IT IS PHYSICAL – Baton Twirling requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, feet and legs; in addition to extraordinary control of the back, stomach and torso, all of which are called to respond instantly to the sound the ear hears and the sight the eye sees. It requires endurance, agility, strength, and balance.

IT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL – Baton Twirling allows athletes to learn more about confidence and fear, self-esteem and self-image; it gives the chance to realize that attitude is what makes or breaks the competitive spirit, not anyone or anything else. It is a type of mind set with an increased awareness, which challenges an athlete to realize the potential she/he may possess. It requires self-discipline.

IT IS EMOTIONAL – Baton Twirling provides guided social interaction with other athletes. It offers the opportunity to participate and have fun in a healthy, wholesome activity and to develop lasting friendships. It provides the chance to recognize excellence and beauty, to be sensitive, to develop good character, and to have great youthful memories that last a lifetime.

IT IS A SCIENCE – Baton Twirling is exact, and demands precise execution. The baton is always pushing the laws of physics with force and speed, action and reaction, velocity and relativity.

IT IS MATHEMATICAL – Baton Twirling is a show, which can be entertaining and enlightening. It encompasses directing, acting, producing, managing and touring. It has colors, fashion, flair, excitement, pizzazz, sophistication and subtlety.

IT IS AN ARTISTIC SPORT – Baton Twirling requires the courage of a hockey player (without the padding), the concentration of a sprinter, the quick reactions of a boxer, and the stage presence and grace of a figure skater.

IT IS EDUCATIONAL – Baton Twirling allows our youth to learn how to take all of these elements, some dry and technically tiresome, some difficult and challenging, and create emotion, feeling, passion, develop a good work ethic, understand their own inner strengths and weaknesses, learn how to work with others and find a reason to stay focused on a quality life.

The Sport of Baton Twirling is a relatively new discipline that has evolved through many dimensions.
The distinguishing fundamental characteristics are:

• Handling of the baton instrument to create visual images, pictures and patterns, executed with dexterity, smoothness, fluidity, and speed, both close in and around the body and by releasing the baton into the air.
• Expression of the body through dance and movement to create a demonstration of strength, flexibility, physical fitness, beauty, aesthetics, and harmony in coordination with the manipulation of the baton.
• The incorporation of gymnastic movements adapted to baton twirling to create additional elements of risk and excitement.

The discipline requires the simultaneous blending of these fundamental characteristics all set to music, utilizing time and space to display both technical merit and artistic expression in creating a total package for the viewer’s eye.

Baton twirling encompasses the physical stamina and agility of gymnastics and dance, the beauty of figure skating and ballet, and the technical skill of all these sports combined. Baton twirling is an entertaining and exciting sport to watch. The intricate timing and precision required to perform these feats is difficult. Baton twirling requires complete concentration and coordination. It demands top physical conditioning.

Routines for competitive sport baton twirling are designed for athletes of novice through elite stages of development, experience and ability. Individual competitive events utilize one-baton, two-baton, or three-baton to standardized music while Group competitive events are performed with members twirling together with precision and unison. Groups utilize their own pre-recorded music. Professionally trained and certified WBTF Judges adjudicate the competitions.

There are 6 different pre-events that are often offered at open and fun competitions. These events include:

• Basic March
• Pre-Medley
• Pre-Solo
• Pre-Solo Dance
• Pre-2-Baton
• Pre-Group

There are 6 different major individual events that are held at every open competition, and Provincial and National Championships. There are also many different group and team events offered, please talk to you coach for more information on these. The 6 individual events are:

• Medley
• Solo
• Solo Dance
• Duet
• 2-Baton
• 3-Baton

There are also 3 different events that are held at Provincial Team Trials, Canadian Team Trials and the World Championships. Often an open competition will offer to have the judges critique the routines in these various events to give the athletes a chance to practice their routines and get valuable feed back on them. These events include:

• Freestyle - (Senior Women, Junior Women, Senior Men, Junior Men)
• Pairs - (Senior Pair, Junior Pair)
• Team

The Training Assistance Program provides funds to book gym time in both the North (Saskatoon) and the South (Regina) so that athletes can practice their skills. This service is available only to SBTA members.

The Badge Program is a Skills Development Program that was created and is administered by the Canadian Baton Twirling Association.

The program was developed to teach baton skills from basic skills to advanced tricks in a logical order, as to facilitate learning.

There are 19 different ribbons/badges/pins that can be earned through the program, these include:

• White Ribbon
• Yellow Badge
• Orange Badge
• Red Badge
• Maroon Badge
• Bronze Pin
• Grey Badge
• Green Badge
• Silver Pin
• Turquoise Badge
• Pink Badge
• Gold Pin
• Diamond Pin
• Rolls Badge 1
• Rolls Badge 2
• Rolls Badge 3
• 2-Baton Badge 1
• 2-Baton Badge 2
• 2-Baton Badge 3

There are 7 different types of membership that an individual can have. The type of membership that an individual has, as well as when the membership is applied for determines how much the membership fee will be. The follow is a list of the different types of membership, and their differences.

Type A Competitive - This type of membership is for all competitive athletes (Level C - Level A).

Type B Pre-Events - This type of membership is for all pre-competitive athletes, those that participate in the pre events.

Type BR Recreational - This type of membership is for recreational athletes, or those athletes that are participating in the badge program, and are not competing.

Type C Technical - This type of membership is for coaches, judges and adjudicators.

Type D Board, Executive, Full Member - This type of membership is required if you are a member of the Board of Directors, the Executive, or can be applied for if you would like to have the rights of a full member.

Type E Volunteer - This type of membership is for parents and club volunteers that do not fall into on of the other categories.

Type F Club - This type of membership is required of each club. It also provides the membership for three of the club's executive.

Type G Group - This type of membership is for athletes who only participate in Pom Pom events.

A member can hold 2 different types of membership. For example, an athlete can have both an athlete membership and a coaches membership (if they have completed the necessary certification to be a coach).

A member can change, or upgrade their membership through out the year by filling out a change of data form.

It is important the office has current information of all members, if you move or have a change in your information, please fill out a change of data form.

There are different status levels of competitive athletes. Age divisions and status levels are used to determine which category an athlete will compete in. The following are the different status levels and how an athlete moves from one level to another.

Status Levels:

LEVEL C (Beginner):  Is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 0.00 and 2.49 in that particular classification (type of event).  A score of 2.5 or greater will advance a Level ‘C’ Competitor to Level BN regardless of placement.

LEVEL BN (Novice): is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 2.50 and 3.99 in that particular classification. A score of 4.0 or greater will advance a ‘C’ or ‘BN’ Competitor to Level BI regardless of placement.

LEVEL BI (Intermediate): is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 4.00 and 5.99 in that particular classification.  A score of 6.0 or greater will advance a ‘C’, ‘Bn’ or ‘BI’ Competitor to Level A regardless of placement.

LEVEL A (Advanced):  is the status level of an athlete/duet whose scores range between 6.00 and 10.00 in that particular classification. 

The athlete of the year award is given to the A athlete that achieves the highest score from a predetermined formula that uses placings from Regionals, Provincial Championships, Provincial Team Trials, Canadian Championships, Canadian Team Trials, and the World Baton Twirling Championships. The award is given to one Junior athlete and one Senior athlete. The award is presented annually, at the SBTA awards banquet.

The pair of the year award is given to the pair that achieves the highest score from a predetermined formula that uses placings from Regionals, Provincial Championships, Provincial Team Trials, Canadian Championships, Canadian Team Trials, and the World Baton Twirling Championships. The award is presented annually at the SBTA awards banquet.

The team of the year award is given to the team that achieves the highest score from a predetermined formula that uses placings from Provincial Championships, Provincial Team Trials, Canadian Championships, Canadian Team Trials, and the World Baton Twirling Championships - presented annually, at the SBTA awards banquet.

The recognition award is given to the B level athlete that achieves the highest score from a predetermined formula that uses placings from Regionals, Provincial Championships, Provincial Team Trials, Canadian Championships and Canadian Team Trials – presented annually, at the SBTA banquet.

Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is presented to the volunteer, as nominated by the clubs and/or board of directors who has made an exceptional contribution to Saskatchewan baton twirling in the previous year. This award is presented annually at the SBTA awards banquet.

Elva Taylor Award

This honorary membership award is bestowed upon those, whom the SBTA board of directors wishes to honour for long term service to Saskatchewan baton twirling.  This award may not be awarded every year.

We, the athletes, promise to maintain a positive and friendly attitude on and off the competition floor. We will adhere to the rules and regulations at all time and demonstrate respect for judges, coaches, parents, volunteers, competitors and, most of all, ourselves.

Nous, les athlètes, promettons de conserver une attitude positive et amicale dans le cadre et a l'extérieur des compétitions. Nous observerons les règlements en tout temps et aurons du respect pour les juges, les entraîneurs, les parents, les bénévoles, les concurrents et, surtout, nous-mêmes.

We, the coaches, will display professionalism, integrity and respect for the letter and spirit of the sport by adhering to the rules and regulations of the CBTF. We will provide a supportive and informative foundation by striving to seek knowledge and gain experience expressing the highest regard for all members of the community.

Nous, les entraîneurs, ferons preuve de professionnalisme, d’intégrité et de respect pour la lettre et l’esprit du sport en adhérant aux règlements de la CBTF. Nous offrirons information et soutien en nous efforçant d’acquérir les connaissances et l’expérience reflétant le plus grand respect pour tous les membres de la communauté.

I will always conduct myself in a professional manner, adhering to the rules and regulations of the CBTF. I will strive to make fair and unbiased decisions based on knowledge and objectivity, keeping in mind the spirit of the sport.

Je ferai toujours preuve de professionnalisme et respecterai les règlements de la CBTF. Je m’efforcerai de prendre des décisions justes et impartiales fondées sur la connaissance et l'objectivité, sans oublier l’esprit du sport.