Knee injuries in baton twirling

http://www.bigkneepain.com/knee-exercises.html#kneestrengtheningexercises

The sport of baton twirling bring with it numerous injuries.  Knee injuries seems to be one of the most suffered from injury.   I encourage all twirling to take steps to help improve your chances of making it to adulthood with this injury.   Like most things in twirling, physical fitness seems to be a key to preventing injury.

I suggest researching the above link.  You may find a valuable resource.

Regionals

 

             Regional competitions are a very exciting event for twirlers.   The events can also be a little bit stressful.   The best way to reduce stress is to be prepared.  
             You may find that dressing areas can be a bit crowded and have difficulty finding a place to hang dresses and suits.  Since we now have two twirlers competing, we have started to bring a cloths rack.  It is a bit flimsy, but cheap.  The rack helps because all their cloths can be hung up without worry of lockers snagging them.   We also found it a good place to put jackets and cloths worn to the event.  Nothing is worse than going home in cloths with footprints, spilled liquids or other nasty dirt on them.    Other necessary items can be placed at the foot of the rack to save space.  
            You may also want to consider a hotel if the event is more than an hours drive from your home.   Some events start early and your twirler could benefit from a good nights sleep and reduced drive prior to the event.   Many regional run late and you may not be able to leave until close to nine o'clock at night.   By that time, both you and your twirler may be exhausted...too exhausted to drive home.
            Placing snacks and bottled water in competition bags can come in handy.  You do not have to worry about what you can find at the location or standing in line.  Seems like sweets and greasy food are norm at competition snack areas.   Try bringing a small vegetable tray, crackers and water.   The veggies are easy to munch on real quick.
          Lipstick seems to pose a problem at competitions.  You may want to bring a small pouch with room for essentials, such as money, phones and lipstick.  That last second dab of lipstick can make a difference.   By the way, lipstick does not do well in your pocket.
         Proper preparation prior to the competition can make your event less stressful.   So go out there and have some fun.

Costume changes

At times, your twirler will need to make quick costume changes.  
     I found that having her wear curlers to the competion and taking them out in the car once we were within a few miles of the place helps.  I also arrive early enough to recurl her hair.  As a rule, I try to arrive at least one hour prior to when we need to arrive.
   When she needs to put her hair into a bun, I use a bun maker.  Her hair seems to fall into place once I pull her hair into a pony tail.   I curl the hair into a circle and use V pins to keep it into place. 
     A skin colored leotard also helps to make the transitions quicker.   Try to hang the costumes in garmet bags.   You can put accessories in the bags, too.  Have a seperate bags for cloths worn to the competition and shoes.   The more organized you are the easier it will be. 
    We recently added a case for hair accessories and make-up.   Although you can go cheap, I recommend going for a bit better case.  We chose a case with 6 small trays that fold out and a lower area for larger items.   It cost thirty dollars, but is definately worth the price.  I've seen people with small caboodles, but they still seem to fumble through a mess of thrown items.   I loved the every item in its place effect caused by our case.  No wasted time fumbling through some mess.


Organization has a calming effect on parent and twirler!!!

Night before a twirling competition

     The night before a twirling competition can be stress.  Your mind will be racing about what will happen the next day.  
     I suggest purchasing garmet bags for suits and dresses.   A rack chiffrobe devoted to twirling supplies would also help.  Everything will conveniently in one location.   I leave the door open so the dresses and uniforms get a bit of air.  
     A cosmetic bag devoted to competition make-up only helps.  You can place extra booby pins, brushes, hair spray and hair ties in the bag.   If you go to several competitions through-out the year, you can keep the supplies in the bag from competition to competition.  You may have to reorganize and resupply after the competition.

1. Check your garmet bags, cosmetic bags and suitcases early the day before the competition.
2.  Make 2 checklists of what you need.
3.  Print out the flyer for the competition and use something like mapquest to get directions.  Place them on the drivers seat the night before.
4.   Get a full tank of gas.  You don't know where you might find a gas station out or anything else about them.  You will feel so much better if you don't have to worry about gas levels.
5.   Check oil, coolant and windshield washer fluid levels.  Have filled if low.
6.   I have my daughter get a bath and put up her hair before bed time.
7.   Set out cloths for the car ride and after the competition before going to sleep. This goes for both parent and child.
8. Decide on something simple to eat in the morning and stick to it.  Nothing is worse than a car ride accomponied by fast food stomache aches.
9. It is important for the twirler to get to bed early the night before.  Remember, it will be a long day and tired twirlers don't do as well. (parent and child)  I suggest a bed time at least one hour earlier than the school bedtime.  Car rides are very tiring.
10.  Plan to arrive at least an hour before your scheduled time...just in case you need dress quickly.  11. Decide on schedule for next day ...write it out so your twirler knows what to expect and you don't have to say hurry up.
12.  Write out or make a dvd of your child's routines to watch on the trip. Personal DVD players help, but keep with you.
13.  Charge any equipment you plan on taking with you.

The day of the competition:
Since my daughter is still young, I do many of the morning chores before I wake her up. Parents really don't need as much sleep as the kids.  Expect to leave a minimum of 1-2 hours to get ready.
1.  Load the car early...this reduces a lot of stress. Use you first checklist.
2.  Get up early enough that you (as a parent) can get ready in peace. (If you are already ready, this may emphasize to your twirler that they need to be serious about getting ready.  It also frees you up to help them.)
3.  Set out breakfast early..don't add milk til ready to eat.
4. Wake up twirler.  (leave the TV off ;unless playing a DVD of her routine)
5.  Have the twirler eat before anything other than bathroom.  (So you don't end up stopping to use bathroom.)
6.  Twirler should brush teeth before changing. 
7. Change into day-time cloths and leave hair up until you get to the competition. Car-rides destroy hair.
8. Take a second to recheck your car...you may have forgotten something.  Use second checklist.  This can be done while twirler eats.
9. One last bathroom break for all before leaving.

 

Neck wrap

The neck wrap can be a beautiful trick.   It may start out as a clumsy horizontal pass.   As you practice, it will progress into a beautiful horizonal roll worthy of your routine.  

Lasso do a flat circle over your head (with baton in your right hand).  Start with start up. Rotate the baton to the left and around to the right.  End with baton in original position.  Stay horizontal and place free hand on hip. 

An easy way to start this routine is to do a lasso over your head w/ baton in right hand.  Continue rotating arm around left side of neck.    Allow baton to roll over neck.   Cross left arm over body and catch baton in left hand.  You can lean slightly forward and kick your left leg back.

Get the most out of your twirling lessons

         Want to learn more at your lessons?   The amount you learn at lessons depends partly on you and partly on your coach.    First, find a coach who wants to progress at the same speed as you.  Second, research what twirling has to offer.  Third, learn what types of events you can enter a competition.  Fourth, what is you goals for twirling.  I would recommend the Annetta Lucero's videos.  She describes what a twirler can accomplish so eloquently.   Fifth, video tape your lessons (if allowed).  If you are not allowed to video tape at the lessons, be sure to review the lesson on your own as soon as possible.  It is sometimes difficult to remember everything as time passes.   Sixth, practice what you learn every day.  Seventh, use resources such as U Tube to attempt a new trick.  Learn a new trick to demonstrate for your coach every week.  (Be sure to ask your coach if it is ok.)  This effort will show that you are motivated, as long as you are learning the core material.  Your coach may correct your attempt.

Trick of the day:

Is baton twirling a team sport?

   Yes, but the sport of baton twirling is not as limiting as other team sports.   High school students can participate at their school's majorette team.  Many of these teams compete for trophies.   There are also many private companies/ studios that offer baton twirling teams.   The teams may participate in only parades, compete or do both.   Be sure to do your research on the websites that host the competitions these groups participate.  A win can seem more impressive than it actually is.
    The great thing about baton twirling is that you do not need a team to compete.  While many solo competitors are part of a team, it is not necessary.  Some coaches will teach the students who wishes to compete on their own.  Other competitors have parents who twirled as children and choose to teach their own child.   It is possible to teach your own child even if you do not have prior experience.   You just need the ambition to do you research and practice, practice, practice.  There are numerous videos out there to choose from.  I plan on doing a review of these videos at a later date.

Please feel free to ask me any question.