Purpose

The purpose of a grading programme is to develop baton, body and performance of athletes and align those of a similar level with their learning plan and their correct competition level. It allows coaches to design classes according to the levels of their athletes and plan development of their competitive twirling career, providing the tools to know what is required in twirling routines based on the athletes’ level. Athletes from all clubs and backgrounds will have the same opportunities as each other.

TWIRL IRELAND thank Japan Marching band and Baton Twirling Association and the World Baton Twirling Federation for the development of the programme from which the TWIRL IRELAND grading and levels were inspired.

Each grade is broken down into small parts and builds upon the fundamentals of the preceding grades. There is a training programme, workbook and a club examination. Grades Primary, E, D, C, B have a set/standard solo which must be passed to graduate to the next level and be permitted to compete in that level.

Athletes record their training hours, home drills, and successes to achieve the grade, being awarded with stickers for completing goals and eventually a certificate and patch to sew on their club tracksuits.

Once a grade is passed, athletes can begin the next grade programme which works in the same way as the next step in the athlete’s development.

Each grade has a minimum number of hours required, and within or after this time, athletes will need to demonstrate each basic skill a set number of times as per the corresponding video and record it in their workbook. Between lessons, they will need to record home drills to prepare for the examination. The basic skills are categorised under:

·         Basic Knowledge

·         Basic Twirls

·         Basic Moves

·         Footwork

·         Applied Twirling

·         Combinations

·         Routines

·         Review

The athlete will demonstrate each skill under its category a minimum of 3 times. Correctly executed gains a ü, incorrectly gains an X. Only when each skill has 3 üs can the athlete progress. They should not be provided with another opportunity to demonstrate the skill in the same training session if they are unsuccessful. This allows the athlete to understand the importance of focus, recovery, and discipline which is needed in competition. There must be 3 attempts recorded for each page, but only 1 per training session. Once the athlete has been successful 3 times in total, they gain a ü in the blue highlighted section. This means that area is complete. When a whole page is complete, the coach signs it off and awards the corresponding sticker in their portfolio. When all the pages are complete, the athlete then performs a review to ensure the training is secure and they are prepared for the exam. Below are some sample pages from the Primary Grade.  

Coloured stickers are awarded for all sections completed, with a gold for the final ‘review’ section.

The athletes are required to complete home drills to maintain their skills and progress their development at a steady and consistent pace. Mandatory home drills must include at least the flip drills associated with that level. The coach can add any twirls or body work from within the grade or assign videos to watch between training sessions as they believe is necessary for the athlete’s development.

Flip drills

These are one of the most important fundamentals of twirling and gauge the athlete’s development. The flips are counted for 1 minute and recorded and provided with a coloured grade which gives a visual on the athlete’s position in their development and how they are progressing. While the flip drills are required for specific levels, it is encouraged to begin them as early as possible in the athlete grading programme, when they do not need to be counted unless the coach feels necessary. Athletes must achieve a minimum count for a minimum number out of the 20 required attempts detailed within each grade.

Examination – basic skills certification

Once all the stickers for the grade have been achieved, the athlete can complete the examination. The basic skills have a teaching video of what is required. The athlete may present any element performed incorrectly up to two additional times, either immediately or at the end of the session. Any incomplete elements will constitute a failure. Examinations must be conducted to competition standards with the rules followed fully.

Any coach, including a home coach, who has been licenced by TWIRL IRELAND to examine athletes are permitted to assess the examination.

The athlete will demonstrate each skill according to the corresponding grade checklist and score sheet. They will be awarded a letter grade from A-E

Set Solo

Primary, Level E, D, C and B all have a set solo which must be completed as prescribed to the TWIRL IRELAND solo music. Timing is 1 minute and the music changes corresponding to a change in element, athletes are expected to perform to the music. While developing athletes may be slower, athletes of a higher ability must not twirl faster than the music – the purpose of the music is not just for timing, but also to learn musicality, counts, and discipline.

Similar to the basic skills which focus on solo twirling and strut, the Multiple Baton basic skills develop athletes who have achieved a minimum standard of 1 baton twirling into a progression of 2 and 3 baton twirling. This programme is still in development with international experts and will include a workbook and end with a set solo.

Athletes of all levels are invited to participate in the national and international clinics offered by Twirl Ireland. These include practical and theory based programmes and are offered throughout the year.

The concept of the National Development Squad is that athletes from across Twirl Ireland will be invited to participate in the squad for the forthcoming competitive year. The squad will assemble for regular development and training sessions which will incorporate a variety of aspects of both baton and body work, delivered by a panel of coaches / instructors. 

Participation in the Development squad is subject to; 

• Athletes being Twirl Ireland members. 

• Athletes having completed required grades – athletes wishing to participate in development squad are required to have passed the National D Level Grade Solo before the 1st of September of the forthcoming competition year. 

• Athletes being able to commit to the Development squad schedule for the full competitive year (including international competition as appropriate). 

• Athletes having the accompanying commitment of their home club. 

• Athletes, and their coaches, signing the required contract. 

• Athletes being a minimum of 12 years of age 1st January – 31st December of the year the competition is being held. 

The development squad is conducted throughout the competition year based on a schedule which is defined at the beginning of the competition year and under the guidance of the Development Squad team (full details of which are provided prior to the squad kick off in September). 

The squad will assemble at least once a month for a one or two day training weekend with the location being fixed at a central Dublin location – this location is currently Tallaght, Dublin (exact halls may vary). In addition, there is one mid-week session per month. 

All athletes, as well as their home club coaches, are required to attend each of the training days. The frequency of the sessions may be increased depending on the specific team or groups formed as part of the overall development squad – typically the frequency will increase as we get closer to the competition event(s). 

The composite teams or groups which emerge from the development squad will compete as outlined in the plan for the competitive year – this will include, but is not limited to, Twirl Ireland Nationals, Twirl Ireland trials, Twirl Ireland open competitions and international events as detailed in the yearly squad plan. 

Participation in squad events 

The national development squad is designed to bring together athletes from across Twirl Ireland to collectively represent Ireland in events as outlined in this document. Athletes are required to register for general participation in squad after which the squad coaching and technical team will determine the specific events that will be offered in the upcoming season