At Twirling Unlimited competitions, all contestants enter the division appropriate for their age as of day of the contest.  

SOLO TWIRLING

One baton only, entrance and exit are optional. Gymnastics moves are permitted.

Ages: 0-6, 7-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15+over

Timing begins with opening salute and stops with ending salute. 

Time Limits:

Level 1 (Special Beginner):  1:00-2:00
Levels 2 & 3 (Novice & Beginner): 1:30-2:00
Level 4 (Intermediate):  l:30-2:15     
Level 5 (Advanced):      2:00-2:30               

To protect the integrity of the developmental levels of twirling, the following restrictions apply to twirls allowed at each  level: (new restrictions effective Dec. 1, 2006 )

Level 1 (Special Beginner): No more than a 1 turn and  2 consecutive elbow rolls.

Level 2 (Novice): No more than a 2 turn and no more than 4 continuous elbows.

Level 3 (Beginner ): No more than a 3 turn and 6 continuous elbows

Level 4 (Intermediate):  No more than a 4 turn and 8 continuous elbows.

Any contestant performing or attempting tricks in excess of the applied standard for a given division will be presumed to be competing "for score sheet only” and will not be given scores, or issued any placing or award.

Note: Rules relating to spins and elbow rolls apply to solo twirling only.  They do not apply to two-baton,  parade march or groups.  

Penalties:   .5  drop               1.0  failure to salute             .1  break/slip                   

.5 sloppy or incorrect salute      .1 off pattern        .1 per second over or under time  

MODELING

No specific pattern is required.  normal">The contestant must complete the modeling in 1 ½   minutes.  Any time spent on the floor in excess of this will result in .1 penalty per second.  No specific dress type or length is required.  Music provided by TU.  

BEST APPEARING

Same as modeling, but in a costume.  Baton is optional – time limit is 1 ½  minutes.  

FANCY STRUTTING

Rules for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced divisions are the same.  There are no pattern requirements for Strutting; it may be in a T, a straight line, free style, super X or any other pattern.  Judging will be based on excellence within the style.  A minimum amount of twirls are permitted but no credit is given under difficulty unless coordinated with body work.  Opening and closing salute are optional and opening presentation is permitted.  Timing will begin with the first move and end with the final salute or pose.  A maximum time limit of 2 minutes is allowed.

Penalties:     drop  .5               *slip .1                      overtime  .1 per second

                          fall    .5             out of step .5/8 counts

*a slip is anything breaking up continuity of the routine - either baton or bodywork (example, fumble, loss of balance, stumble.)  

2 BATON

Timing begins with opening salute of at least one baton and stops with ending salute of at least one baton.  Time Limit for all levels: 1:30-2:00.  

3 BATON

Timing begins with opening salute of at least one baton and stops with ending salute of at least one baton. 4 baton permitted as a portion of routine, if desired.   Time limit for all levels:  :30 – 2:00.  

BASIC SKILLS (Level 1 and 2) PAGEANT

When available, the Basic Skills (Level 1 and 2) pageant will consist of 3 equal parts: Solo, Basic Strutting & Best Appearing (in costume). Contestants must compete in all 3 aspects and winner is determined using equal credit for all 3 parts.  In case of a tie, solo placement determines the winner. The basic skills pageant is restricted to Level 1 and 2 (Special Beg. & Novice) Twirlers Only.  Solo may include no more than a 2 turn and 4 continuous elbows.  

BEGINNER (Level 3)  AND INTERMEDIATE (Level 4) PAGEANT

When available, the Beginner (Level 3) or Intermediate (Level 4) Pageant will consist of 3 equal parts: Solo, Fancy Strutting & Modeling (Costume or Dress and no interview).  Contestants must compete in all 3 aspects and winner is determined using equal credit for all 3 parts.  In case of a tie, the solo placing will determine the winner. Contestant's solo classification determines which pageant is entered. * Note: Pageant wins do not count for advancement.  

BOYS SOLO

Ages: 0-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-over           Time Limit: l:30 - 2:30

Score Sheet and Penalties Same as Solo Twirling  

COLLEGE SOLO

Can do any combination of one baton and novelty. Performed to standard march music.  Time limit 1:30 to 2:30 minutes.  One baton minimum of 1 minute.  

SHOW ROUTINE (SOLO or DUET)

Show Routine is performed to taped music of contestant's choice.  Use of any type of twirling apparatus, multiple batons and novelty equipment with dance moves is permitted. Time limit for all ages is 1:30 to 3 minutes.  No salute is required.  Timing will begin and end with the music. Each contestant must have a separate tape marked with their name and ready to play. Contestants who choose to use a CD should bring a cassette or their own CD player as backup in case of technical difficulties. Props may be used but no other persons may appear on "stage" during the routine.

Penalties:  .1 per sec under and over time     .5 drop      .1 break        .5 fall  

PARADE MARCH

Parade March is performed in a straight line covering a distance of 100 feet to be completed in one minute (at local contests a twirler may choose to perform in a square or retraced line). Twirlers will perform to a standard march record and only one baton may be used.  There is no penalty for oblique moves, hesitations or backsteps, but a forward motion is recommended so that the twirler may complete the distance in the allotted time.  Timing will start with the first movement and will end when the twirler crosses the 100 foot mark or ending pose (whichever is first).  If the twirler fails to cross the finish line or does not do so within 60 seconds, a .5 penalty will be assessed.  All judging and penalties will stop after 1 minute or when the line is crossed, whichever comes first.  Penalties:    drop   .5   out of step    .5   

MILITARY STRUT

Marching to be performed in a square, straight line or "L".  Contestants must demonstrate an ability to beat time.  Judging is on posture, bearing, leg lines with a particular emphasis on timing.  No penalty or extra credit for variations.  If no one in the division remains in step for an entire square, no first place will be given.  Awards in this case will be given beginning with second place.  

BASIC MARCH

Basic marching in a square either singly or follow-the-leader (judge's discretion).  Contestants are evaluated on posture, leg lines, carriage, with a particular emphasis on timing.  If no one in the division remains in step for an entire square, no first place will be given.  Awards in this case will be given beginning with second place.  

SPECIAL BEGINNER BASIC MARCH (offered at some competitions)

Same rules as basic strut; for contestants who have never won 1^st  place in basic strut.  

BASIC TWIRL SOLO

This is a prescribed routine designed for beginning twirlers. Contestants are judged on accuracy of twirls plus speed, smoothness and showmanship.  This division is only open to Level 1 and Level 2 (Special Beginner and Novice) twirlers.  Competition in Basic Twirl Solo is offered at all TU contests.  Penalties:  same as solo twirling.  

BASIC X STRUT

This is a prescribed strutting routine designed for beginning strutters.  Contestants are judged on the accuracy of the routine, in addition to body form, timing and showmanship.  Penalties: same as Fancy Strut.  

A copy of the Basic X Strut or Basic Twirl Solo may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to TU Headquarters or online at www.twirlingunlimited.com. In addition an instructional videotape of these two routines and other teaching information is available for purchase.  Write: TU, 700 Ghent Rd. , Akron , OH   44333 .  

DUET TWIRL

Two contestants compete together with one baton each. Standard march music. Division determined by averaging ages: 0-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15+ over.  Timing begins and ends with a salute.   Time Limit: Beginner: 1:30-2:00       Advanced: 2:00-2:30  

DUET STRUT

Two contestants only.  Use own music.  Floor pattern:  down the length of the gym once or re-traced line; oblique moves are permitted.  Time limit: 1:00 – 2:30   Timing begins and ends with music.  Avg. Ages: 0-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15+  

DRUM SOLO

Music need not be memorized.  No time requirements.  At discretion of judge, contestant may be asked to perform specific rudiments.

Ages: 0-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15 + over

POM SOLO OR DUET

Use own music.  Time Limit: Max. 1 ½ minutes; timing begins and ends with music. No equipment other than poms.  Ages 0-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15+  (Avg. ages for duet)

RIFLE/ COLOR GUARD SOLO or DUET

Use own music       Time Limit:  Maximum of 3 minutes; timing begins & ends with music.   Ages: 0-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15 + over (Avg. ages for duets)  

RATING FESTIVAL

This is an opportunity for Level 1 twirlers (Special Beginner) to perform for a minimal cost in the event of his/her choice.  They are not judged on a comparison basis, but rather against a standard.  Therefore, there is no "first" or "second" place but immediately upon completion of performance each twirler is given a rating ribbon reflecting the quality of the performance.  Ribbons are: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Participant.   

SCORE SHEET ONLY

Twirling for "score sheet only" is permitted, if designated before performing.  Twirler will then perform in front of the same judge as her division, but she will receive comments only - no scores and no awards.  Twirling for score sheet only does not constitute "competing" and therefore does not qualify one for either the twirl-off or high points.  

Contests in certain regional areas may have additional unsanctioned events.  

FLEXIBLE AWARDS SYSTEM

At all TU open competitions, awards are presented based on the number of contestants in the division.

1-3 Contestants  …..  1^st place trophy; 2^nd & 3^rd place rosettes
4-7 Contestants …..1^st & 2^nd place trophy, 3^rd place rosette
8-10 Contestants…..1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place trophies
11-14 Contestants …… 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place trophy, 4^th & 5^th rosettes
15-20 Contestants….. 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th place trophies

For each increase of 5 contestants, a trophy will be added