Ok, here are just a few for starters...

Spins(Toss Turns)...

Begin with the toss, vertical thumb flip, fairly low (for a 1 spin no higher than shoulders)...ideally, though this is pretty tough when you're new to twirling. The baton does one revolution for each turn, so the tosses get higher for each added turn. For the turn part...You're standing(of course) I take my L foot and move it slightly to the side (l) Put your weight on the ball of your toes, bring your R foot to the side of your LF and lock it there. For multiple spins, a big no-no, don't push yourself around with your RF (paddling your way around). What to do with your hands? There are many different ways to hold your arms in place during the turn before you catch your baton...behind your back,flat at your side,wrapping your arms around you (usually L in back, R in front),or in what we call the "birds nest" arms are in front of you, under bellybutton L hand on bottom, R hand clasped on top of LH. Another tip, DON'T TIP YOUR HEAD BACK AND WATCH THE BATON WHILE SPINNING!! Pick out a spot in front of you, and watch it almost all the way around, then snap your head around as you turn, and catch! Also you can catch turns almost anyway you want...RH,backhanded,blindly,under a leg, be creative.

My best toss turn ever is a 4 turn, I can catch 1,2, and usually 3s consistently. I've met other girls, one her best was an 8, and when I went to Crimsonette tryouts, most girls did no lower than 2 turns and up to 5 turns.

Toss Bows/Suicides....

Definitely one of my favorites, crowd pleaser too b/c it looks kinda dangerous, ok, it is if you don't know what you're doing! First, Free Arm (L Arm) is out from shoulder, in pretty hand form( either the L hand (HS) or college free arm thinks sideways P) ok... The toss is simply a 4 count thumb flip, toss 1, 2 and 3 you're bowing, 4 back up (CATCH). I've always done mine, with my feet at 10 and 12, RF in front for the actual bow. Don't bring your arms UP before the bow. Free arm drops a little and both arms end up being at your sides in a low V for the actual V. There are variations to this, and you can add things to it, how you catch it for example, again, normal catch is with RH, or behind back. You can add difficulty to it by doing a suicide, then a one turn etc under the same toss. Or doing a Double Suicide (2 under the same toss)

*Last Updated 6/13/01*