​Congratulations Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland for celebrating 50 years as Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland (BTSAI)!

We loved watching you shine as you celebrated in this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade!

​The Competition Policies & Procedures Handbook for the 2022 IBTF Nations Cup and World Baton Twirling Championship is attached below.

The disciplines included in the 2022 Nations Cup and World Baton Twirling Championship competitions are: Solo Two-Baton Three-Baton Artistic Twirl X-Strut Duet Artistic Pair Twirl Team Artistic Team The additional disciplines included in the 2022 World Baton Twirling Championship only.       

2020 was supposed to be monumental for our baton twirling community. There were two world championships to look forward to, countless local and national contests to help our twirlers prepare for their shining moments, and a beginning to the new era for baton twirling led by the IBTF. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, much of the hard work was cut short, seasons ended prematurely, and dreams were put on hold. The hearts of our athletes, coaches, and leadership broke, having to decide to postpone these major events, but ultimately the right call was made.

The International Baton Twirling Federation is now receiving bids to host the 2022 World Freestyle Championship. All bids must be received no later than August 1, 2020.

The IBTF World Freestyle Championship is a 5-day event held during the first two weeks of August on the even-numbered years.

The Bid Document package includes 3 documents:

1. Hosting Bid Process (V4): This document provides a complete guide to the IBTF Bid Process. It explains how to prepare a bid, the requirements of the event, and a detailed description of the content that a bid should include.
2. Hosting Bid Metrics & Priorities Form: This document identifies the key attributes of the event and the key IBTF priorities that will be considered when evaluating a bid.
3. Hosting Agreement Check List: This document delineates the roles and responsibilities of the IBTF and the successful hosting organization.

Any questions about hosting bids should be directed to the IBTF President, Sandi Wiemers ([email protected]). Completed hosting bids should be submitted by email to the IBTF President.

About the IBTF
The IBTF is an umbrella organization that brings together the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF) and the World Federation of National Baton Twirling Associations (WFNBTA). The WBTF was founded in 1977 and has held World Championship competitions since 1980. NBTA World Championship competitions have been held since 1990 under the authority of various organizations, with the WFNBTA being formed in 2013. The IBTF will hold a World Baton Twirling Championship in the odd-numbered years (beginning in 2021) and a World Freestyle Twirling Championship in the even-numbered years (beginning in 2022).

The official music selections for the 2021 World Baton Twirling Championship are attached below. You can also visit the Official Music page to download the files.

These selections are reproduced with permission from the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF) and the World Federation of National Baton Twirling Associations (WFNBTA).

Click the links below to download the music files:

• Solo
• 2-Baton
• Duet
• Artistic Twirl & Artistic Pair
• X-Strut
• Twirl Team

To see all rules and regulations pertaining the 2022 IBTF World Baton Twirling Championships see the 2022 Baton Twirling Rulebook.

1. TRADITIONAL MAJORETTE CORPS
A corps routine which shows the majorette tradition. The emphasis of this event is marching and manoeuvring using any chosen style of marching. Simple dance series may accompany the marching. Only basic dance steps executed in step may be included. Unison and Perfection are key to the event. The team may use a drum major or leader, there will be no separate score for this member. Every member of the corps must use a baton.

Only basic baton handling and twirls are permitted (i.e. full hand material, finger twirls, loops and swings, NO releasing/tossing of the baton is permitted, NO release/catch exchanges, ONLY hand to hand exchanges permitted). Kneeling is not allowed.

COSTUME Style of Costume is optional (free choice). Hats are optional. Must follow footwear rule.  Costume should be appropriate to the age/style/music.

TIMING 2-3 minutes


2. EXHIBITION MAJORETTE CORPS
The emphasis of this event is a corps performing a routine with marching and changing formations, with timing, perfection and precision. The routine may begin and end anywhere on the floor. The choreography should be a mix of various styles of marching and dancing with the emphasis being on the marching drill design, manoeuvering, staging and creating pictures and patterns. All modes of twirling, exchange work and dance footwork are permitted. Multiple baton work is permitted to a maximum of 2-baton work. No floor movements are permitted with exceptions of opening and final position. The choreography should display good quality of twirling skills and concepts. Continual changing of formations and precisions and unison are the key elements during the entire routine.

RULES SPECIFIC TO EXHIBITION CORPS

• All members must use one baton.
• More than two-baton work is not allowed.
• Exchanges are permitted
• No floor movements are permitted with exceptions of opening and final position
• No props permitted
• No acrobatics allowed
• Maximum of 2 spins permitted
• Illusions not permitted
• Kneeling is ONLY allowed at the beginning and close poses

COSTUME Style of Costume is optional (free choice.)  Hats are optional. Must follow footwear rule.  Costume should be appropriate to the age/style/music.

TIMING 2-3 minutes

No music for entry and exit


3. PARADE CORPS
A Parade Corps routine should be suitable for a street parade, maintaining continuous foot motion throughout entire performance. Limited props that can be carried in a parade, e.g. pompons, flags, hoops, banners, streamers, sabers, etc. are permitted but at least 10 members of the corps must use a baton. All modes of twirling and dance footwork are permitted. Parade Corps may only execute a
2-Spin and single element stationary or traveling complex moves.  Immediately upon completion of the spin or complex move, the parade corps must step off on the correct count and resume continuous foot movement in step to the beat of the music.

Continuous foot movement: defined as the placement on the floor of the whole foot by stepping, tapping, jumping, or hopping at least every second count.  Parade corps must incorporate continuous foot motion throughout the entire performance, but is NOT required to always be moving forward.  Maximum 16 counts without marching for presentation/beginning of the street parade is allowed.

Allowable:

• Marking time with On beat-foot hitting every count of music.
• Half-time foot hitting every 2nd count.
• Double time-foot hitting twice every beat.
• Twirling: while twirling, individual must maintain continuous foot movement.
• Marching half steps, step kicks, etc., may be used as long as unit keeps moving continuously.
• All members must start continuous foot movement within 16 counts after timing begins

Required Structure of Routine:

1. Parade Corps must enter from the judges’ left and exit to the judges’ right.
2. Parade Corps may present a 16-count introduction with the music before stepping off into the forward movement section of the routine.
   • Forward: meaning ahead, front, up front
   • Movement: meaning action, transit, change, motion.

This requirement applies to all members, including auxiliary units.

Types of moves which can be executed during forward continuous foot movement:

• Any type of footwork or dance work combination that allows the group to continue moving in unison.  It is possible to utilize half steps, step ball changes, pas de bourrée steps, step kicks, etc.   It is also possible to turn around and march or step backwards and still continue moving.
• When standard marching procedure is utilized, it is proper procedure to step on the left foot on the odd counts of the beat and the right foot on the even counts of the beat.
• Drill design work should be constructed in a manner which allows all members of the group to continuously advance.
• Exchange work may be choreographed provided it does not inhibit movement.

STREET PATTERN: Corps must stay within the approximate 25’ alley through three left turns to the reviewing stand section.  The 3rd left corner may not be executed until after the front line of the of the corps passes the mid court line.  Once a member turns the 3rd corner, that individual can move anywhere on the floor.

AFTER COMPLETING THE STREET PATTERN – the corps may use the entire gym floor provided the corps maintains drill movement within their program.  The corps has to follow the street pattern as mentioned. All members must cross the mid court line to the judges right for the end of the performance.

COSTUME Free choice. Must follow footwear rule.  Costume should be appropriate to the age/style/music.

TIMING 3-4 minutes

Today’s news brief focuses on the 2023 IBTF World Freestyle Championship.  

Looking ahead to the disciplines of the Championship, the competition will offer both WFNBTA’S Rhythmic Twirl and WBTF’S Freestyle Solo.   

So, what are the major differences between the two disciplines?    

Both disciplines are choreographed programs and interpretive routines that integrate blended baton skills in the modes of aerials, rolls, and contact material and body skills technique using the space allotted (performing area) for maximum effect allowing the athlete to display the technical and artistic aspects of baton twirling and body movement in a creative and entertaining performance to music of the athlete’s choosing.  
​

• FREESTYLE SOLO - is a composite program that also involves a SHORT PROGRAM. The Short Program is a choreographed program demonstrating 8 required technical elements to a prescribed musical selection. 25% of the athlete’s total score is based upon Short Program and 75% of the athlete’s total score is based upon Freestyle.
  
  
• RHYTHMIC TWIRL - is a standalone program that does not incorporate the use of a short program and also limits the use of acrobatic moves.
  
  
• FREESTYLE PAIR - is a choreographed program and interpretive routine of two athletes similar to the "Pair" of figure skating demonstrating blended baton, body, and partnering skills to music of the athletes’ choosing. The Freestyle Pair discipline is a combination of the freestyle and team concept. A pair should perform as one with the same style and ability level. These standards are in agreement with those of "freestyle" with some additional responsibilities. The most obvious are exchanges. A pair is expected to exhibit variety in the exchange work with respect to pattern, planes, levels, paths, modes, releases, catches, bodywork, number of batons involved (i.e. one, two) stationary or moving.
  
  
• FREESTYLE TEAM- is a choreographed program and musically interpretive routine with a maximum of eight athletes all using one baton each to demonstrate baton, body, and group skills of synchronic twirling and interactive elements blended together with both stationary and traveling complex body movements, along with exchanges with respect to pattern, planes, levels, paths, modes, releases, catches, bodywork, number of batons involved,  stationary or moving executed to music of the team’s choosing.

The FFSTB, our host organization for the 2019 Grand Prix, has prepared a 'Road Book (attached below) that is full of useful information that will make your stay more enjoyable and your competition more serene.