TWIRLING UNLIMITED 2008 GROUP EVENT RULES

In any event, no group member may compete in another unit in the same category (she may not compete against herself.) Occasionally a group competes with fewer than the required number of members, eg. Less than 10 twirling members for a corps or less than 3 members for dance twirl.  In this instance, they will be allowed to perform for exhibition, not competition.

In each division, a judge must evaluate each group’s performance in terms of a standard.  If judge feels that the performance does not merit a first place designation, a protection rule may be issued and the highest scoring group will receive 2nd place.  

A protection rule may be issued in any division.  

TEAMS – GENERAL RULES
(apply to all team events)

Minimum of 3 members

Ages:  (Avg)    

Up to 6.9 -  PeeWee
7.0 to 8.9 -   Tiny Tot
9.0 to 10.9 – Juvenile

11.0 to 13.9 Junior
14.0 and Up - Senior

Note: Contestant’s age is determined by their age as of the day of the competition.  

Number of members (for all team events):
3 to 5 members - small
6 to 10 members - medium
11 and up  - large  

General Penalties:  (assessed for all team events)

.5 per drop of baton or other equipment
.5 per fall
.2 per out of step
.1 per unison
.1 per alignment error
.1 per second over or under time

In all cases where individual music is used, music theme and lyrics should be appropriate for family entertainment.  Music should be on a cassette tape ready to play.  Contestants choosing to use a burned CD should bring a cassette or their own CD player.  A player will be available, but frequently CDs will not play properly  on foreign players – the volume and speed may be seriously affected.  

Dance Twirl Teams

Groups perform to their own music. Groups using any apparatus other than one baton for more than 30 seconds of their routine should be entered in the Novelty Team category.  Timing begins and ends with music.  Time Limit: 1:30-3:00.      If music stops for ANY reason after the first 10 seconds, the performing group may not start over.              

Additional penalties:   .1 per break/slip  

Pom Teams

Performed to own music.   

Time Limit: 1:30 - 3:00 

Twirl Teams

Routine is performed to standard march music.  Timing begins with salute by one or more members at starting line and ends with salute by one or more members at the finish line.  Formations and floor coverage are evaluated for the entire routine.  Entrance and Exit are optional..

Time limit: 1:30 to 3 minutes

Additional Penalties:       

Breaks:   .1 per error             
Off Pattern:  .1 per error  

Novelty Teams

Group will use any equipment except one standard baton but they must include apparatus.  Pompons, Color Guard and Dance Lines are not included in this category.  Judging emphasis is on audience appeal and unison. The focus is on equipment other than one baton, but one baton may be used as a small portion of the novelty routine. 

Time Limit: 1:30 – 3 minutes   

Strut Teams

Judged on routine content, unison, and ability to stay in step with music. Use own music. Floor pattern - down the length of the gym once or re-traced line, oblique movements permitted.  Timing begins with first movement and ends with salute or end of music.  

Time Limit: 1:00 to 2:30  

Duet Strut available as separate event (see individual events listing.)  

Production/Halftime Groups  

Minimum 10 members; Age groups same as Teams & Corps

Use Own Music.  Routine incorporates any form of novelty choreographed to music. Baton may be a portion, but the emphasis is on production and entertainment value rather than twirling difficulty.

Time Limit:  5:00-10:00

OTHER AUXILIARY EVENTS:
(standard age and group divisions do not apply)  

High School Majorette Squads/ Junior High Majorette Squads

Any type of baton work and props permitted. Use own music.

Division determined by school affiliation (Jr. High or Sr. High)

Time Limit:  

Up to 4:00 minutes  - short program
4:00 to 8:00        - long program

Additional Penalties:  .1 per break/slip  

Color Guard

Ages (Avg.):  Junior: 0-12.9    Senior:  13.0 +

Divisions:  Small  (3-10 members);  Large (11+ members)

Groups perform to music of their own choosing.  Timing begins and ends with music.

Time Limit: 

Short Program:  Up to 4:00 minutes
Long Program  4:00 - 8:00  

Solo and Duet Color Guard events available (see individual events listing)  

Drum Ensemble

Ages: (avg.) 0-12.9 Junior                
13.0 + over  Senior

Music need not be memorized.

Time Limit: 

Short Program:  up to 4:00 minutes
Long Program  4:00 - 8:00  

Drum Solo event available (see individual events listing)  

Cheerleading is offered as an exhibition opportunity at any TU competition (other than regional or International).  

CORPS - GENERAL RULES  

Maximum set-up time for groups - 5 minutes. Penalty - Judge’s Discretion (5 pts maximum). Entrance is optional. There are 3 classifications of corps competition: Street Parade corps, Mini Corps, and Floor Corps.

These rules apply to all corps, no matter what classification.  

1.  There must be a minimum of 10 twirling members.

2.  All corps provide their own music, whether live or recorded.

3.  Age divisions (average age)

0 - 6.9  - Peewee
7.0 - 8.9 -Tiny Tot
9.0 - 10.9  - Juvenile
11.0 - 13.9 - Junior
14.0 & over - Senior

2/3 of the members of a corps or large performing unit shall be the age of the category in which they are competing.

4.  Penalties:

.2 drop of baton or other equipment        
.1 alignment error
.2 out of step
.1 unison error
.2 fall                                                              
.1 boundary error per person
.1 per second under/overtime

5.  Any corps member may not compete in more than one unit in the same category and age bracket. (He/she may not compete against herself).

6.  Any corps may have auxiliary sections, but none is required.

7.  At TU International Competition, the floor boundaries will be 50 x 84.  

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RULES FOR MINI CORPS  

Corps may begin in any formation on or off the floor.  Timing and judging will begin with the first movement of any member or the first note of music, whichever is first, including the commanders.  Timing and judging will end with the last member stepping over the boundary line or the last note of the music, whichever is last.  Can use props.  

Time limit is 2 to 4 minutes; no minimum twirling time.

There are no formation requirements.

Penalties:  See General Rules

Score Sheet Categories: 25 points each

Routine Content
Twirling Precision and Unison
Strutting Precision and Unison
Overall Effectiveness  

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RULES FOR STREET PARADE CORPS (INDOOR COMPETITION)

The corps will perform in a U formation beginning and exiting to the judge's left.  There is a constant 20 feet width for the entire U.  All members of the corps must stay within that boundary.  There is no spread beyond the 20 feet boundary allowed.  

The maximum time limit is 2 minutes - there is no undertime or minimum twirling time.  All members of the corps must cross the finish line in the allotted 2 minutes.  If any member remains on the floor after 2 minutes has passed a .1 per second penalty will be assessed.  Continuous footwork is not required but a general forward motion should be maintained to cover the required distance in the allotted time.  

Timing and judging will begin with the first movement or first note of music (including the commander), whichever is first.  Judging and penalties (excluding overtime) will end when the last member has crossed the finish line or when 2 minutes are up, whichever is first.  

Corps may use ½ length of the floor within the 20 foot boundary to set up in.  Can use novelty equipment, if desired.  

Score Sheet Categories: 25 points each

Routine Content
Twirling Precision and Unison
Strutting Precision and Unison
Overall Effectiveness

ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC RULES FOR FLOOR CORPS

Corps may begin in any formation on or off the floor.  Timing and judging will begin with the first movement of any member or the first note of music (including the commander), whichever is first.  Timing and judging will end with the last member stepping over the boundary line or the last note of the music, whichever is last.

 

Time Limit: 5-10 minutes.  There is no minimum twirling time.

     

Score Sheet Categories: 25 points each

 

Twirling Routine Content         

Twirling Precision and Unison

Overall Effectiveness

Effectiveness of Marching and  Maneuvering

Click Here for Solo Event Rules

Click Here for International & Regional Event Rules

Return to Main Page

Do you have a question regarding rules?  Click here to email TU

Website questions, comments or problems?  Email Webmaster
Last Modified: January 20, 2008