Baton Twirling Tips

My daughter, Lyndsay, has been twirling for 2 1/2 years.  She tried twirling with a local group.  She did not feel like she was progressing.   She would have been OK with marching in parades, if she felt like she was learning.   Unfortunately, she felt like watching videos online was the only way to progress.  As she quickly discovered, there is not a site that gives sufficient instruction.   Since then, she has found a private instructor.  She has started going to competitions.     She loves every minute of it.Choosing a quality coach will affect your twirling experience for years to come.
Picking a coach:
1.  Decide what type of twirling you want to participate in.
     a.  Parade Marching
     b.  Parade Marching and Competition
     c.  Majorettes
     d.  Competition only
     e.  Recreation only
2.  Research coaches in your area.  Consider these factors:
     a.  Time commitment needed
     b.  Level of accomplishments.  Confirm on websites!!
             a. Level 1 Special Beginner
             b. Level 2 Novice
             c. Level 3 Beginner
             d. Level 4 Intermediate
             e. Level 5 Advanced
     c.  Cost (Some are much more costly than others.)
     d.  Fundraising (can be good or annoying)
     e.  What type of twirling do they specialize in?
     f.   What are the coaches accomplishments?
     g.   If a group, who will be actually teaching?  (some use teenagers as primary teachers)
     h.   Does the coach allow students to take studio classes?
     i.    Make sure you are comfortable with teaching style. (some are nicer than others)
     j.    Ensure that you are comfortable with any paperwork that needs to be signed.
     k.   List of coaches in your area can be obtained from competition websites.
3.  Do you wish to be your child's coach?
     a.  Research video resourses...they are numerous videos online.
     b.  Be prepared to learn alongside your child.

Tips:
1.  Be sure to familiarize yourself with the website of the competition you wish to attend.  There are rules involving tricks, length of routine and ethics.
2.  Visit a competition ahead of time to make sure your child will be comfortable with their first time out on the floor.
3.  Remember most people at the competition are too busy with their own child to be overly critical.   There is no need to be nervous.  Take a breath and be confident your own ability.
4.  When you practice, smile as big as possible.  If you smile while practicing, it will be automatic.
5.  Practice a little bit every day.   If you keep practicing, your body will know the routine.
6.  Take the time to practice at the competitions.  It helps to make the setting more comfortable.
7.   Don't expect to win every time.  Be prepared to recieve last place.  As you learn how to do routines in front of judges, the better your scores will become.   
8.  Every contest is a learning lesson.  Be sure to read the comments given by the judges.  They mean more than the number scores.   Just keep practicing and you will improve.

9.  Take time and step back.   Video tapes are an excellent way to track your progress.   Tape your performances.   Keep score sheets and review them periodically.   Speak with your coach.