How to Twirl Multiple Batons

Baton twirling is an exciting, artistic and challenging activity. Whether you twirl primarily as an individual in competitions or march with a high school or college band, learn how majorettes twirl multiple batons. Most college majorettes should expect to twirl three or even four batons at once. The spatial awareness of baton placement at all times is a skill that an intermediate majorette should start to master.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn to twirl two batons. Start with tossing tricks which include throwing one baton in the air and doing something with the other baton before catching the first one. An example is throwing one baton in the air, passing the other between your legs or around your waist and catching both batons successfully.

    • 2

      Master two baton-twirling routines. Most majorettes are right-handed and twirl the baton best between the fingers of their right hand. You must learn to twirl the baton equally well between the fingers of your left hand. You may twirl the batons horizontally with one baton held high and the other held low, then switch positions. Or, twirl them vertically, moving them back and forth behind, in front of and across your body.

    • 3

      Practice partner exchanges. If you march with a band, most likely you aren't the only majorette. A common multiple baton trick is to have two (or more) majorettes twirl two batons; then each girl exchanges one of her batons with a nearby majorette. The majorettes can stand in a circle and toss the batons to their neighbor; they may toss the batons over their shoulders to the majorette behind them, or they can line up side-by-side. (With the last two options, the majorette on the end can choose not to pass a baton at all or to throw the baton back to the first girl.)

    • 4

      Juggle multiple batons. When a majorette handles three or four batons, most likely she is juggling them. A popular way to do this is to start with one baton in your right hand and two in your left. Toss the right hand baton. Pass one of the left hand batons to your right hand and toss it. Pass the final baton to your right hand and throw it. Catch the first baton with your left hand. Pass it to your right hand and throw it again. Catch the second baton with your left hand. Repeat this procedure multiple times.