Technical Information

CBTF-certified coaches are governed by the CBTF Coaches Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics. The goals of the CBTF Coaching Certification program are many: 

• To provide a supportive and informative training ground for the technical community
• To provide baton twirling technical and practical information with emphasis on correctness of baton and body technique
• To successfully translate to prospective coaches how to communicate how the skills are to be executed: to acquire the knowledge concerning teaching the skills
• To create a better understanding for the necessity of proper baton and body technique and mastery of essential twirling skills
• To increase the longevity of the twirling life span by implementing a series of short term goals which may aspire into long term accomplishments
• To build a logical gap from the recreational to the world class athlete by presenting a logical progression for teaching baton twirling skills
• To create a safe and positive setting for participants by providing a desirable atmosphere for developing high self esteem and maintaining healthy perspectives
• To create a harmonious relationship amongst technical facilitators and athletes by which appreciation of quality and respect is paramount
• To maintain a national coaching directory
• To lend credibility to the sport of baton twirling in respect to the media, public, and the members of the twirling community

The CBTF Coaching Certification Program is divided into five levels that follow the NCCP and LTAD models. For those that are interested in coaching, but do not yet meet the minimum age (15 years old) to begin the certification program, we offer a Coach-In-Training Course.

COACH-IN-TRAINING (CIT) COURSE

The CIT Course is an optional two-year course, that will provide you with valuable learning and experience leading up to taking the Baton Twirling Foundations course when you are 15 years of age.

The pre-requisites for taking the Coach-In-Training Course are:

• You must be 13 years of age
• You must be registered with a club and hold a membership in your provincial association
• You must have a Mentor Coach in place

BATON TWIRLING FOUNDATIONS COACHING COURSE

The Baton Twirling Foundations Course is an introductory program designed to prepare prospective baton twirling coaches to introduce technically sound twirling fundamentals to athletes at the Active Start and Fundamental levels in the Long Term Athlete Development pathway.

The pre-requisites to taking the Baton Twirling Foundations course are:

1. You must be 15 years of age to apply for the THEORY portion of the course.
2. You must have general knowledge of and ability to demonstrate the skills in the SDP White through Bronze Pin.
3. You must have general knowledge of and ability to demonstrate the Pre-Competitive Level I & II standard routines.
4. You must have a Mentor Coach in place.
5. You must hold a Technical Association membership within your province.

COMPETITION 1 COACHING COURSE

The Competition 1 Coaching Course is the second of five courses offered, and is designed to prepare baton twirling coaches to coach athletes at the Fundamental, Learn to Train, and Train to Train levels in the Long Term Athlete Development pathway.

The pre-requisites to taking the Competition 1 course are:

1. You must be 16 years of age to apply for the THEORY portion of the course.
2. You must be fully certified at the Baton Twirling Foundations level to take the PRACTICAL portion of the Competition 1 Coaching Course.
3. You must have general knowledge of the skills in the SDP Bronze Pin through Silver Pin.
4. You must have good knowledge of the Pre-Competitive Level II standard routines.
5. You must hold a Technical Association membership within your province.

COMPETITION 2 COACHING COURSE

The Competition 2 Coaching Course is the third of five courses offered, and is designed to prepare baton twirling coaches to coach athletes at the Learn to Compete level in the Long Term Athlete Development pathway.

This course and certification has not yet been released.

COMPETITION 3 COACHING COURSE

The Competition 3 Coaching Course is the fourth of five courses offered, and is designed to prepare baton twirling coaches to coach athletes at the Train to Compete level in the Long Term Athlete Development pathway.

This course and certification has not yet been released.

COMPETITION 4 COACHING COURSE

This certification has not yet been released.

The Judges Certification Program is divided into four sections called Modules:

1. MODULE 1 – Pre-Events

• Seminar is approximately 15 hours in length
• Upon successful completion, the individual is certified to judge:
  
  • Basic March
  • Forward Motion
  • Pre-Medley
  • Pre-Solo
  • Pre-Solo Dance
  • Pre-Two-Baton
  • Pre-Group
• Certification requires:
  
  • Successful completion of Module 1 Course
  • Attendance at Coaches Level 1 and Level 2 Courses
  • All practice judging as determined by Module 1 Course Conductor for each individual (proof is required).
  • Minimum age of 18 years, and no longer competing (Candidates may participate in the course at the age of 16, but will not be certified until 18 years of age.)

2. MODULE 2 – Individual Events

• Seminar is approximately 17 hours in length
  Upon successful completion, individual is certified to judge:
  • Solo
  • Duet
  • Two-Baton
  • Three-Baton
  • Medley
  • Solo Dance Twirl
• Certification requires:
  
  • Module 1 Certification (including completion of all M1 requirements)
  • Successful completion of Module 2 Course
  • All practice judging as determined by Module 2 Course Conductor (proof is required).
  • Six hours of clerking Module 2 events (proof is required).
  • Minimum age of 18 years, and no longer competing (Candidates may participate in the course at the age of 16, but will not be certified until 18 years of age.)

3. MODULE 3 – Groups

• Seminar is approximately 8 hours in length
• Upon successful completion, individual is certified to judge:
  
  • Dance Twirl Teams
  • CBTF Teams
  • Theme Production
  • Pom Pom Teams
• Certification requires:
  
  • Successful completion of Module 2 Course
  • Successful completion of Module 3 Course
  • All practice judging as determined by Module 3 Course Conductor (proof is required)
  • Minimum age of 18 years, and no longer competing (candidates may participate in the course at the age of 16, but will not be certified until 18 years of age)

4. WBTF MASTERS – WBTF Events

• Seminar is approximately 20 hours in length
• Upon successful completion, individual is certified to judge:
  • WBTF Compulsory event
  • WBTF Short Program event
  • WBTF Freestyle event
  • WBTF Pair event
  • WBTF Team event
  • WBTF Artistic Twirl event
  • WBTF Artistic Pair event
  • WBTF Artistic Group event
• Certification requires:
  • Successful completion of WBTF Masters Course requirements
  • Completed Module 2/3 Certification requirements
  • All practice judging as determined by Masters Course Conductor (proof is required).
  • Minimum age of 18 years, and no longer competing (candidates may participate in the course at the age of 16, but will not be certified until 18 years of age)

Special Note: As of January 1 2017, the CBTF M5 certification is no longer recognized. Judges must hold the WBTF Masters certification to be eligible to judge the following WBTF events: Compulsory Moves (all Levels), Short Program, Freestyle, Pair, Artistic Twirl and Artistic Pair. Judges must hold the CBTF M3/4 certification or the WBTF Masters certification are eligible to judge WBTF Team and WBTF Artistic Group.

Only applicants of CBTF coaching and judging courses who are the minimum age or older within a year of the date of the course will be permitted to participate in the said course. However, applicants who are younger than the minimum age (but who will be turning the minimum age within a year of the course) must provide a written request to take the course to the National Representative (Judges Rep or Coaches Rep, depending on the course in question) for special consideration. A letter of recommendation from a CBTF Certified L2 Coach or a recognized CBTF Club Director must also be provided. The Course Conductor and Course Coordinator must also receive a copy of the request letter and letter of recommendation. The National Representative, in consultation with the National Technical Chair, shall determine whether permission to take the course shall be granted.