TWIRLING UNLIMITED is a consortium of twirling teachers and judges who have united to best serve common goals. The rules that follow have been designed to permit twirlers from all organizations to meet and compete on an equal basis.

TWYRL TYPE is the official organ for Twirling Unlimited and is published monthly. It is distributed without charge to twirling teachers and judges.  Others may subscribe for $5.00 yearly.

It is the hope of all TU officials that twirlers will continue to compete in their respective organizations and that all twirlers, teachers and judges will conduct themselves in a manner which will enhance the image of twirling in the mind and eye of the general public and in a manner that will help to promote the spirit of competition.  

TWIRLING UNLIMITED is incorporated as a non-profit organization and is so registered in various states and with the Federal Government.

GENERAL RULES

Twirlers or groups may not receive "coaching" from the sidelines while actually in competition.  This includes help with hearing the beat of the music, a time limit signal or any other assistance.  

Still pictures and videotaping are permitted at TU competitions.  However, it is understood that videotapes will only be made of one's own child or students, or with the explicit permission of the performer.  No flash pictures are permitted as it interferes with the concentration of the judges and contestants.  

Judges’ observations and decisions are final.

ELIGIBILITY

All contestants enter TU  competitions by their age as of the day of the event.

Entry to TU competitions is available for all (restricted to girls for TU World Majorettes and fancy strut) regardless of race, religion, organizational affiliation or place of residence.  There is no minimum or maximum age limit for contestants.  However, after a twirler has been a registered twirling judge for one year, they may no longer compete.  

The designation REGIONAL does not denote a geographic area but rather the classification of competition.  When a state solo is specified, entrance to this division is restricted to residents of that state.  

All International and Regional events are open to contestants from any geographic area and any level of twirling (Levels 1 through 5).  No International or Regional titles will be awarded to a division that is restricted to beginner or intermediate twirlers.  

Solo categories and advancement is as follows:

Level 1 (Special Beginner): A contestant who has never won first place in solo competition.  Not counted toward advancement.

Level 2 (Novice): Has not won three first place awards in solo twirling, (Level 1 win does not count)  

Level 3 (Beginner): Has not won five additional first place wins (for a total of 8) in any solo competition (i.e. open, visitors, or instate, combined). Five wins in Level 3 (beginner) will move contestant to advanced if no Intermediate category, eg  Basic strut, 3 baton, etc.

Level 4 (Intermediate): Has not won eight additional first place wins (for a total of 16) in any solo competition.

Level 5 (Advanced): Contestant who has won 8 first places at Level 4 (Intermediate) or a total of 16 solo wins.  

ALL first place wins count for advancement, regardless of organization or number of contestants in the division.  The exceptions are pageant wins and twirl-off wins that need not be counted.  

Advancement is in like manner for Fancy Strut and other novelty events.  

Advancement for Modeling and Best Appearing is as follows:

Modeling and Best Appearing are two separate events and the wins are not combined.  A contestant may be advanced in modeling and intermediate in Best Appearing or vice versa. Sportswear wins do not count towards any modeling or best appearing advancement.  

Contestants are permitted to “double enter” (enter at their current level and the next higher level).  If a contestant wins first in the more difficult division, it is simply counted as another win toward advancement. If the twirler has not exceeded the number of wins for their current level, it is not necessary to advance to the higher level.   

0-6 is a sheltered division; the same rules for advancement apply as above, but when contestant turns seven, he/she automatically may revert to beginner category in any and all events and then accrue awards as above.  This applies only to 0-6 division and is an option only if started at first contest entered after contestant turns seven.

PROTECTION RULE: In each division, the judge must evaluate performances in terms of a standard and in terms of the twirler's capability to move to the next level and compete there.  He/she may then award a protection rule, if desired. In this case, the highest scoring twirler receives a 2^nd place award and other twirlers follow below. A protection rule can be used in any division, even title events.  Judges are advised to consider this carefully in terms of what is best for the twirler and the integrity of a title.  If a contestant receives a protection rule in 2 out of 3 pageant events, she will not be awarded the pageant title.