Flat spin baton twirl

One of the most basic tricks in baton twirling is the flat spin.   Fortunately, the trick is more difficult to explain than execute.  Once mastered, this trick can transform into its more difficult forms.  These more difficult tricks include flat spin toss catch left, flat spin toss catch right, flat spin toss catch same hand, and flat spin one-turn (which can be caught same hand or be tosses from one hand to the other).    This trick should be introduced with both hands.   When baton twirling, you should strive to be equally confident in both hands.

   This is a simple one handed trick.  Start with your dominant hand.  Start with the ball (or larger rubber end) pointing straight out in a horizontal fashion.   You should place your hand on the middle of the baton.   Your palm should be facing down.  The shaft or metal rod should go between the thumb and first finger with the other fingers going around the baton ( they should not grip the baton).  Make sure your arm is mostly straight.  Rotate the ball in circular fashion toward the left and back.  It should rotate counter clock-wise over your arm. At the same time the tip (small rubber end) should rotate counter clock-wise under the arm.  This trick is all in the rotation of your hand.  There is no need to move you whole arm all around.

    I have inserted an example of a basic flat spin.  Beware this video does include "tricks" (term used very loosely) not suitable for this age group.  They are closer to the 3-4 year old age group.  I don't know who her coach is, but throwing up a baton and clapping is a sad lesson.  The flat spin is at a first attempt level.  Your arm should not be bent.   Bent arms cause beat up arms.