Center of Performing Excellence

Competition Rules

To ensure a fair, fun, and professional experience for every participant, we’ve outlined the official rules and guidelines below. Please review them carefully before competing so everyone can enjoy a positive and supportive environment.

I. General Competition Rules & Guidelines

The Contest Director reserves the right to make any changes necessary to any and all entries received. No changes may be made once an entry is received. ONLY errors made by the contest director will be corrected. Email or Phone entries are not permitted. NO ENTRIES will be accepted the day of the contest.

Please call or email the Contest Director if you have any questions or need clarification on any event or rule.
The Contest Director or hosting facility will not be responsible for participant or spectator injury traveling to/from or while at the event, nor will it be held responsibile for lost, stolen or damanged property belonging to individuals.
Late entries will be returned if postmarked after the deadline date.
video taping of other twirlers or groups will be allowed as well as by our staff for social media. If there are any concerns or complaints, please speak to director.
If you miss a division that you are to perform in while at the contest, the lane and division/event will not be re-opened.
The contest will start promptly at 9:00 a.m. with facility doors opening at 8:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted in advance of competition
Absolutely NO refunds are given.
No phone entries or email entries will be accepted, under any circumstances.
Any returned check will be charged a $40 fee in addition to amount owing.
All contestants in Championship events will be able to view all competitor scores on the internet at the Twirltacular “results” page.
Since the Championship and team events are not divided by organization, gymnastic moves will be allowed in any routine.
All organization rules, score sheets and judges will be used and followed on all OPEN events. All judges are qualified and briefed on all organization rules and standards.
The decision of all judges will be FINAL. Any discrepancy in scoring will be addressed by the contest director to the judge in question.
Judges are NOT to be approached at any time during the contest.
COPE competitions provide ALL twirlers from ALL organizations a “UNITY” atmosphere.

II. Level Guidelines

Solo & Individuals

Grand Champions

Novice

Limited to 2 spins with various catches
Limited to One 3 spin
Limited to Two single illusions
Limited to Two gymnastic moves with no releases
Limited to Four continuous rolls, before changing to another continuous roll

Beginner

Limited to 3 spins with various catches
Limited to One 4 spin
Limited to One double illusion
Limited to Two single gymnastic moves with release
Limited to Eight continuous rolls, before changing to another continuous roll

Intermediate

Limited to 4 spins with various catches
Limited to One 5 spin
Limited to double elements only
Limited to Two double gymnastic moves with release
Limited to Ten continuous rolls, before changing to another continuous roll.

In the spirit of Good Sportsmanship, these guidelines should be followed to determine your level of competition

III. Open Event Descriptions

IV. Teams/Corps Championships – Events/Time Limits

Best Appearing – Model in costume, any pattern, with or without baton. Judged on score sheet. (Most contestants use Circle “T” pattern, but not required) Time limit is 1:30 maximum

Military – Square pattern/box. Judged on score sheet, military beat or variation.

Basic – Square pattern/box. Judged on score sheet. Basic arm swing.

Strut “X” – X Formation. (Example NBTA-CNBTA) Same as organization rules

Strut – Freestyle format. (Example USTA-CBTF) Same as organization rules

Strut – Straight up and down floor. (Example DMA-WTA) Same as organization rules

Solo – Routine utilizing one baton, salute or pose, depending on organziation rules, gymnastics permitted or “not permitted” per organization rules.

Two Baton – Routine utilizing 2 batons with continuous movement of both batons at all times. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted. 2:30 min max

Three Baton – Routine utilizing 3 batons with continuous movement of all batons at all times. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted. 2:30 min max

Pairs/Duets – Routine performed by 2 persons with 1 baton each incorporating exchanges and teamwork. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted. Time Limit is :30 to 2:00 minutes max

Basic Skills I
(wrist spins right & left, Figure 8 right & left, reverse Figure 8 right & left, Horizontal
Spins right & left, 2-hand spins with body pass behind waist, 2-hand spins with leg pass under right & left leg)

Basic Skills II
(all of above, PLUS right thumb flips, left hand back hand flips, Little Joes [side flips] at each side, vertical split finger right or left, horizontal split finger right or left)

DANCE TWIRL TEAM
(3:00 minutes max)
Tiny Tot (0-5.99) Juvenile (6-8.99) Preteen (9-11.99) Junior (12-14.99) Senior (15+)
A team routine with one or multiple batons or props per member choreographing baton and dance movements that are both stationary and traveling with creativity and originality. The routine should incorporate variety and difficulty of dance and baton with perfect unison while performing with emotional character, projection, and enthusiasm. Group and partner sequences, floor coverage, patterns, alignments, spacing, and dynamic effects should all be incorporated elements with proper technique. This choreography should be the artistic explanation of your music creating a theme. Style should be created throughout routine with baton, dance and costuming. Music should be appropriate for age.

TWIRLING TEAM
(3:00 minutes max)
Tiny Tot (0-5.99) Juvenile (6-8.99) Preteen (9-11.99) Junior (12-14.99) Senior (15+)
A team routine with one baton per member incorporating variety and difficulty of baton movements with a balance of partner and group exchanges, floor coverage and patterns, dynamic effects with a creative style. Standard march music will be utilized and appearance/costuming should reflect choice. Projection, technique, and unison should be maintained throughout performance. NO PROPS.

HALF-TIME SHOW TEAM
(7:00 minutes max)
Kinder (0-7.99) Primary (8-10.99) Jr High (11-13.99) Sr High (14-17.99) Collegiate(18+)
A team routine incorporating baton and/or small props to portray a feeling or act out a thematic or character style to chosen music. Group and partner sequences, floor coverage and patterns, alignment and spacing along with originality and creativity are part of the routine.

POM PON
(3:00 minutes max)
Tiny Tot (0-5.99) Juvenile (6-8.99) Preteen (9-11.99) Junior (12-14.99) Senior (15+)
A team routine that is choreographed with dance movements that emphasize uniformity and utilization of pom pons for maximum visual effect. Music is usually a fast tempo to create energy and enthusiasm related to poms.

DANCE LINE
(3:00 minutes max)
Tiny Tot (0-5.99) Juvenile (6-8.99) Preteen (9-11.99) Junior (12-14.99) Senior (15+)
A team routine choreographed to portray a themed or character style approach to the music piece. Jazz, Funk/Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Ballet, etc. T

SHOW/THEME CORPS
10:00 min max (Juv 0-10, Jr 11-14, Sr 15+)
A group of 10 or more members utilizing batons, props and backdrops. Choreography of baton and props with dance movements and maneuvering that are both stationary and traveling with creativity and originality. This choreography should be the artistic explanation of your music creating a theme. Style should be created throughout routine with baton, props, dance and costuming.

PARADE-TWIRLING CORPS
5:00 min max (Juv 0-10, Jr 11-14, Sr 15+)
A group of 10 or more members performing a parade style routine. Any formation is acceptable.

IV. State Games Events and Rules

Individuals

Teams

RULES & EVENT DESCRIPTIONS FOR BATON TWIRLERS

Title and Open Events Age Divisions: 0-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15+
Competition Age: Actual age as of Date of Contest

ROUTINE GUIDELINE FOR CHOOSING YOUR LEVELS FOR:
NOVICE, BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE

This applies to SOLO only !

NOVICE
• Limited to 2 spins with various catches
• Limited to One 3 spin
• Limited to Two single illusions
• Limited to Two gymnastic moves with no releases
• Limited to Four continuous rolls, before changing to another continuous roll

BEGINNER
• Limited to 3 spins with various catches
• Limited to One 4 spin
• Limited to One double illusion
• Limited to Two single gymnastic moves with release
• Limited to Eight continuous rolls, before changing to another continuous roll

INTERMEDIATE
• Limited to 4 spins with various catches
• Limited to One 5 spin
• Limited to double elements only
• Limited to Two double gymnastic moves with release
• Limited to Ten continuous rolls, before changing to another continuous roll.

In the spirit of Good Sportsmanship, these guidelines should be followed to determine your level of competition

SOLO (1 baton)
Routine utilizing one baton, salute or pose accepted. Gymnastics permitted
Penalties: Drops, breaks and Under/Overtime at .1 per second
Solo Time Limit (00:30 – 2:30 minutes max)

STRUT patterns accepted (1 baton):
Strut “X” – X Formation. (Example NBTA-CNBTA)
Strut – Freestyle format. (Example USTA-CBTF)
Strut – Straight up and down floor. (Example DMA-WTA)
Penalties: Drops, out of step w/ music and Under/Overtime at .1 per second
Strut Time Limit (00:30 – 2:30 minutes max)

DUET
Routine performed by 2 persons with 1 baton each incorporating exchanges and teamwork. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted. Perform to standard march music in a lane.
Time Limit: (00:30 – 2:00 min max)
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate

TRIO
Routine performed by 3 persons with 1 baton each incorporating exchanges and teamwork. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted. Perform to standard march music in a lane.
Time Limit (00:30 – 2:00 min max)
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate

TWO BATON
Routine utilizing 2 batons with continuous movement of both batons at all times. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted.
Time Limit (00:30 – 2:00min max)
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate

THREE BATON
Routine utilizing 3 batons with continuous movement of all batons at all times. Salute or pose and gymnastics permitted.
Time Limit (00:30 – 2:0 min max)
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate

ARTISTIC TWIRL
Perform to music of choice. A routine consisting of one or multiple batons that portrays a feeling or interprets a thematic or character style approach to the selected music of the competitor’s choice. Gymnastics permitted. Time Limit (2:30 minutes max) – Timing starts when music starts
1 or multiple batons only (Baton: A hollow metal rod with rubber tips. No attachment(s) of any kind.)
NO props or other twirling apparatus (Disqualification if prop(s) utilized) Flag and Hoop baton is considered a prop.
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate

BEST APPEARING – Model in costume, any pattern, with or without baton. Judged on score sheet. (Most contestants use Circle “T” pattern, but not required)
Time limit is 1:30 maximum

MILITARY – Square pattern/box. Judged on score sheet, military beat or variation.

BASIC – Square pattern/box. Judged on score sheet. Basic arm swing.

TITLE EVENTS

State Games Miss Majorette
Solo Level determines division to enter. 3 events make up this Title

– Novice and Beginner (perform model in costume/no baton/no interview) “T” pattern preferred
Best Appearing, Basic Strut in Square and Solo with 1 baton

– Intermediate/Advance/Elite/Collegiate (perform model in costume/no baton/no interview) “T” pattern preferred. Best Appearing, Strut (X/L/Straight) and Solo with 1 baton.
Collegiate participant must currently be enrolled in college/university

State Games Solo Champion
(Perform solo only) Under/Overtime and drops will be only penalties (:30-2:30 min max)
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate

State Games Strutting Champion
(Perform strut only) Under/Overtime and drops will be only penalties (:30-2:30 min max)
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite, Collegiate
Pattern allowed:
– X Pattern Strut
– Straight Line Strut
– L Pattern Strut

State Games Miss Strut Queen
Strut Level determines division
Perform Best Appearing in costume, no interview, no baton
Perform Basic Strut in Square Pattern and Military Strut in Square Pattern, back to back in same lane
Novice, Beginner, Intermediate, Advance/Elite