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Each member school is allowed to send the following number of athletes to the meet:

3 Soloists in One Baton
3 Soloists in Two Baton
3 Soloists in Three Baton
3 Soloists in Free Style
1 Pair
1 Team

TEAM COMPETITION
Each member school is allowed to send the following number of athletes for this event:
One (1) Team:
A team will consist of a minimum of a minimum of (3) members and a maximum of (30) members.

ONE, TWO & THREE BATON & FREESTYLE COMPETITION
Each member school may have one (1) alternate for each event.

TEAM COMPETITION
Teams - there will be NO reserve team; however, each member school may have alternate
members in the team. Maximum number of alternates is two (2) per team; for serious illness
and injury or extra-ordinary reasons - situations only at discretion of the NCAA.

The Announcer's table and/or music table is to be placed in the arena in an area that will not be visible behind the athletes. This will allow the officials a better view of the athlete's performance

1) When the officials are ready, the announcer will call the athlete’s name and school she is representing.
2) When the athlete has completed her performance, the announcer will instruct the officials to prepare their mark for the Overall Degree of Excellence.
3) After all the officials have prepared their marks (the officials will hold the score cards at chest level, turned so that the marks are not visible when they are ready). When ready, the announcer will say: "Judges, your marks for "Name of Athlete and Name of School.” (The officials’ marks should always be displayed simultaneously.)
4) Scores should be read aloud from the Announcer's left to right, identifying the official by number (i.e. 1, 2, or 3)
As each official’s mark is announced, that flash card is lowered.

The preliminary scores at the end of the preliminary round will be made available to each member school’s coach.

ONE, TWO, THREE BATON & FREESTYLE COMPETITION
Athletes must wear a matching leotard
Athletes may wear a leotard with a design of their own choice bearing in mind this
is a sport.
Athletes have the possibility of choosing from the following type of costumes:

a) One piece leotard
b) One piece leotard with any kind of skirt (not required to be sewn or attached to the
leotard)
c) One piece leotard with any kind of trousers/pants or unitard (not required to be sewn or attached)

FOOT WEAR and LEG WEAR
Sport shoes must be worn bearing in mind this is a sporting event
HAIR
Must be secured by any method bearing in mind this is a sport. Hair decorations must be secured to the hair.
NO hats are allowed
MAKE UP
Moderate stage make-up, to enhance natural facial features, may be worn bearing in mind this is a sporting event
NO ornamentation or paint is allowed

UNIFORM FAILURE - ALL EVENTS

If costume failure becomes hazardous, indecent or embarrassing, the Chief Judge may stop the competition.
The Chief Official must handle the situation.
The Chief Official will contact the competition staff.
The Chief Official may order a restart.
Judging to commence at the beginning.

Athlete’s Membership Status:
All athletes must be enrolled full time at the participating universities and members of the school’s official team or club.
Student ID Information:
All athletes must be in compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations regarding scholarship and eligibility.
Medical Examination Form:
All athletes are required to submit a completed medical examination form, sufficient to satisfy the rules and practices of the athlete's country, stating that the athlete is physically fit to engage in the physical activities required by the sport of baton twirling.

The NCAA competitions will be held indoors in a gymnasium or auditorium. In selecting the competition site and facility, special consideration must be given to the need to provide certain services and conditions. These services and conditions should be in accordance with the following standards and requirements:
Competition facility must be consistent with the standards and requirements established by the NCAA.
Ceiling Height
The ceiling height is to be approximately 35 feet for the entire competition area.
Designated Areas
• Athletes to View Scores - preferably in the vicinity of the Announcer.
• Awards Area - A special area will be decorated for this purpose and will contain a display of the awards, risers and method for displaying flags of winning athletes’ school.
• Officials Room - For judges to be able to relax and have meals and snacks served to them.

Dressing Rooms
There must be a sufficient number of rooms for the athletes to change costumes and to provide isolation and privacy for the contestants and coaches.
The dressing rooms should be convenient in that the users would have swift and easy accessibility to the performing area.
Floor Size
Standard Size Basketball Floor
Performance area is 50 feet by 60 feet (+ 15m - 18m) for freestyle.
The boundaries of 50 feet by 60 feet for the freestyle will not be strictly interpreted as boundaries per se, but at the size of the floor that is available to the athletes. Should an athlete step on or across the lines, the judges will each determine, individually, whether or not this is cause for lowering the score, based on the athlete's floor pattern and use of the space.
The composition of the floor shall be of wood or any other substance that is smooth, level and free from any obstruction or hazard that may in any way hinder the athletes' performances. It is important that the floor not be too slippery and/or sticky.

The athlete, pair, or team enters the performance area upon signal from the announcer to "take the floor for competition".
Athletes may not take towels onto the competition floor (or other items).
Athletes may wipe hands or baton on their own person.
Some athletes may wish to do a little presentation before the music and timing begin. This will be permitted.
If an athlete leaves the competition floor for any reason during the performance, he/she shall be disqualified, unless minimum time has been reached –exceptions are made for music or uniform problems.
After each program is completed, athlete, pair or team goes to the designated spot near announcer.
Coach may join the athlete, pair or team at this time to view the scores.
Once an athlete has reached the designated area, the next athlete may enter the competition floor to await signal to begin.
All athletes must be prepared to perform under spot/television lights, if deemed necessary by a television production company.

No substance such as powder, rosin, water or other substance may be used on the competition floor by an athlete for any reason. Penalty: 20 points (subtracted from final score).
There should be a table in the competition hall near the competition floor with rosin, powder and magnesium powder so that everyone can use these substances in the open.
Note: Rosin and magnesium powder is not required
No attachments may be made to batons, except tape or similar substance used as a visual or handling aid. The tape must be of one colour only.
Athletes may not take towel, sweatbands or other items onto the competition floor.
Athletic bandages for injuries are allowed, e.g. - ankle, knee, elbow, wrist, etc.

The lighting should be adequate, however, not too intense or directed so as not to create a glare or otherwise hinder the vision of the athletes.
The athletes should have an opportunity to rehearse under the same lighting condition as the competition.

1. All NCAA sanctioned competitions must use the official competition music for Solo, Two Baton, Three Baton, and Pairs Competition. Music selected for One Baton Free Style, Multiple Baton Freestyle and Teams is of own choice.
2. The National Anthem of the United States will be played at the beginning of every NCAA competition.
3. Timing for all events will begin on the first note of the music and end with the last move or acknowledgement by the athlete (s).

ONE BATON COMPETITION
2 ½ minutes maximum to a standard piece of music utilized by all competitors
TWO BATON & THREE BATON COMPETITION
2 minutes maximum to a standard piece of music utilized by all competitors
PAIR COMPETITION
2 minutes maximum to a standard piece of music utilized by all competitors.
ONE BATON FREESTYLE COMPETITION
2 ½ minutes maximum
The music for the one baton free style program will be selected and provided by the athlete on cassette tape or CD. The music must be labelled with the athlete's name, school, and category. A failure of the music after performance has started will constitute a restart.
MULTIPE BATON FREESTYLE COMPETITION
2 ½ minutes maximum
The music for the multiple baton free style program will be selected and provided by the athlete on cassette tape or CD. The music must be labelled with the athlete's name, school, and category. A failure of the music after performance has started will constitute a restart.
TEAM COMPETITION
3 minutes maximum
Teams will select and provide their own music on a cassette tape or CD. Same rules as the freestyle competition.
MUSIC – CEREMONIAL EVENT
Host school will select appropriate ceremonial music.

ONE BATON:
• 2 ½ minutes maximum to the official standard piece of music.

1. Athlete begins routine on first note of music. Entrance, exit, and salutes are optional.
2. Athlete will perform routine in the allotted time.
3. Timing begins on the first note of music. Judging will cease following the last move and acknowledgement by the athlete whichever occurs first.

TWO BATON
• 2 minutes maximum to the official standard piece of music

1. Athlete begins routine on first note of music. Entrance, exit, and salutes are optional.
2. Athlete will perform routine in the allotted time.
3. Timing begins on the first note of music and ends on last note of music. Judging will cease following the last move and acknowledgement by the athlete, whichever occurs first.

THREE BATON
• 2 minutes maximum to the official standard piece of music

1. Athlete begins routine on the first note of music. Entrance, exit, and salutes are optional.
2. Athlete will perform routine in the allotted time.
3. Timing begins on the first note of music and ends on the last note of music. Judging will cease following the last and acknowledgement by the athlete, whichever occurs first.

PAIRS COMPETITION
• 2 minutes maximum to the official standard piece of music

1. Athlete begins routine on the first note of music. Entrance, exit, and salutes are optional.
2. Athlete will perform routine in the allotted time.
3. Timing begins on the first note of music and ends on the last note of music. Judging will cease following the last and acknowledgement by the athlete, whichever occurs first.

ONE BATON FREESTYLE COMPETITION
• Time limit: 2:30 (2 ½) minutes maximum

A 10 second leeway in the timing is granted due to the difference in tape players, the electric current within the various building, etc., actually allowing legal time to be 2:40 minutes

MULTIPLE BATON FREESTYLE COMPETITION
• Time limit: 2:30 (2 ½) minutes maximum

A 10 second leeway in the timing is granted due to the difference in tape players, the electric current within the various building, etc., actually allowing legal time to be 2:40 minutes

TEAM COMPETITION
• Time limit: 3:00 minutes maximum

10 second leeway in the timing due to the difference in tape players, the electric current within the various building, etc. actually allowing legal time to be 3:10 minutes. Timing and judging begin and end with the first and last note of the music. Each team has one minute time limit to take their position on the floor from the time they are announced. No music allowed. Each team has 30 seconds to exit across the boundary line. No music allowed. Timing for entrance is to begin after the announcement - "to take the floor for competition", and finish when in a stationary pose. Teams must enter from official's left and behind the boundary lines. Timing for the exit begins with the first intended movement, after completion of the music and finishes with the last athlete off of the floor area (across the boundary line).
All Events: Official timing is done during the performance by an official timer and checked during the meet by an official timer.

Adequate Warm up space and time is to be provided.
Priority of music and warm-up spaces are to be supervised by the competition director.

In the event that a finalist for any reason cannot compete in the finals, i.e. - sudden injury, illness or other, the finalist will have the notification "withdrawn due to medical/emergency reasons" of the official results of that round. An alternate will be allowed to compete in the finals providing it is possible to notify this athlete in time.

If an athlete is hindered in his/her performance by an obstruction or unusual circumstance, that athlete may have an opportunity to re-compete at the discretion of the Chief Official.

Individual, Pair and Team Competition
Officials must be seated at tables; all rows elevated during the judging of the individual, pair and team competition, in the exact center front of the competition floor.

This section may be in the "stands" but must be clearly designated as the "Official’s Area" and must be positioned away from any spectator traffic so that no person or object may pass between the official's line of vision and the competition floor. The "Officials Area" must also be isolated from any contact with any unauthorized person or group. It would be helpful if some type of small table or desk could be provided as a work surface for each
official.

One panel of three officials will be utilized.

SPECTATORS:
There should be adequate seating capacity with the location and arrangement of seats being convenient for viewing the competition.

Three (3) Officials will be utilized in all categories at an NCAA Competition.

1. The scoring process for all Individual Categories is by flashcard on a 10-point scale utilizing hundredths (Olympic Scoring System). The officiating judges assign a numerical score to each contestant’s performance immediately after it occurs and flashes said score.
2. Scoring is based on athlete’s proficiency. The subjective scoring process is as follows:
Working through a series of stages from general to specific

Step I
A. Determine the proficiency range on the linear scale based on the official’s impression of the Overall Degree of Excellence displayed.
B. Officials analyze their impression through a self-questioning process to determine whether or not their original impression is correct. In this stage the official must seek reasons to support or modify the original impression. (This is the first time the official seeks to determine whether or not you are
over or under reacting to positives or negatives.)
Step II
A. The official further refines his or her impression into the appropriate sub range (low,
mid or high), representing the athlete’s level of development. This utilizes the
official’s knowledge of and skill in evaluating the following:

Technical Excellence - The evaluation of the quality of the technique displayed for all moves in the program.
Composition - which includes the moves and twirls and how they are put together. Appropriateness is a major consideration.
Performance - Evaluating the performer’s ability to bring the written program to life through technical excellence, musicality and style.

B. The officials choose a specific score within the sub range based on a comparison among:

1. All the performances in this event that you have ever seen
2. All of the performances in this event that you have seen thus far in this competition

C. The officials then compare the number they have selected to the other marks given in the same round/category. This is a cross-checking process to determine the validity of the judgment with respect to the score itself and to the numerical interval between this score and the others already given.

10 Point Olympic Scoring Scale

• 10 Point Scale will be utilized for all events
• An Overall Degree of Excellence Score will be given. (No caption scoring)
• Technical Merit and Artistic Expression should be given equal credit
• Scale of proficiency established:

0.00 – 3.99 = Fair
4.00 – 5.99 = Average
6.00 – 7.99 = Good
8.00 – 8.99 = Excellent
9.00 – 10.0 = Superior

Penalties:
Drops = .05 per infraction
Fall = .05 per infraction
Overtime = 1.0
Penalties to be deducted from the total score.

Athletes, Pairs & Teams in all classifications will only use one standard baton per team member.
Additional batons will be considered props and will result in disqualification. Note: Team routines
can contain sections where some members will be twirling multiple batons; however, only 1 baton
per member can be taken onto the floor. The use of props such as hoop, ribbons, whips, pom pons, flags, lighted batons, banners or costuming which is removed will be cause for disqualification.

The following steps will be utilized, IN ORDER, to determine the final placement in a
category:

• STEP #1 – Any majority of firsts will determine the first place winner ONLY. If
there are no majority of firsts, revert to the lowest total PLACE POINTS (adding up
the places each competitor received).
Example: if the athlete receives 1st place from one official and 2nd place from the
other two officials, that athlete’s place points would total 5. She would place
higher than any athletes who did not receive two firsts and received a total of 6
place points or more.
• STEP #2 – When there is a TIE in the place points, revert back to the total numerical
score from all officials. The highest total score breaks the tie and determines the
higher placement.
• STEP #3 – If tabulation has followed Step #1 and Step #2 and a TIE still remains
for first place, the tied athletes must re-compete to determine first and second
place. In all other instances the athletes will remain tied.

a. Upon the conclusion of the division, the tabulator assigns the placements for each official.
b. The place points (the places each team received) are then added.
c. Any majority of firsts will determine the first place winner only. If there are no majority of firsts, the lowest total place points determines the winner. The remaining teams are placed according to place point total with the lowest total place points receiving the highest place.
d. When there is a tie in place points, revert back to the total numerical score of the judges (determined by adding the total score given by each judge). The higher total score determines the higher place. If a tie remains after following these steps, the teams will remain tied. Exception: in Conference Championship, Regional and National Championship there cannot be a tie for first place. The tied teams would re-twirl to determine the winner.
e. Each team will receive a recap sheet indicating the scores and placement of each team in its division.