Please see the updates of the Freestyle Manual.  All updates are written in RED.

There is also a Powerpoint presentation to again go through all the updates.  Please do not miss this important information.

If you would like to become a Master Judge, please ensure you have completed Module 1,2,and 5 and also enrolled onto the Zoom sessions.  All details may be found below this announcement.

Thank you!

(Edited by Sandi Wiemers - original submission Saturday, 26 July 2025, 1:06 AM)

IBTF EDUCATION PROGRAM COURSES, SEMINARS, AND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION & PROCESS

The IBTF offers a series of seminars and courses designed to educate Coaches and Judges at all levels by providing a progression learning path from the very basic start to the highest level of certification.

A variety of learning paths are available for everyone.

IBTF has adapted an online learning format for all education, seminars, and exams, and is continuing to develop programs so that learning is more robust and accessible to our global baton twirling community.  The costs associated with the Educational Program outlined in the Learning Paths below are to cover the fees incurred to host courses on the Moodle platform named TwirlED, host Zoom seminars, and to develop and maintain the additional technologies required to support these programs. 

The beauty of the TwirlED Education System platform:  

• Courses that you register for in TwirlED are always available to you online. 

• TwirlED has an App available in Moodle so your course material is available to take with you on your phone or tablet for coaching or judging purposes.   

THE LEARNING PATHS: BEGIN AT MODULE 1

THE LEARNING PATHS MUST BE FOLLOWED IN SUCESSION FOR CERTIFICATION:

1. Module 1 (Technical Foundation Certification Training Course)

The Module 1 course is available in two learning paths covering education in theory and technique for both coaches and judges.  This is a self-paced course in TwirlED.  

Course Cost: $25.00 USD / Manual Purchase required: $25.00 USD 

2. Module 2 (Basic skills, Standard Solo and B level technical disciplines)

The Module 2 course also covers two learning paths covering education for both coaches and judges.   This is a self-paced course in TwirlED.

Course Cost: $75.00 USD / Manual purchase: $50.00 USD includes the IBTF Judges Manual for the Technical Events and the Education Framework Manual currently under development.

     3. Module 3 (A Level technical disciplines, currently under development and not required until completed 

4. Module 4 (Elite/World level technical disciplines, currently under development and not required until completed) 

5. Module 5 (Module 5 Technical Specialist and Master Level Judge Certification course.             This also covers training and certification for Freestyle Pair and Freestyle Team. 

The Module 5 Freestyle Program consists of several sections:  

THE MODULE 5 FREESTYLE SOLO EDUCATION PROGRAM

This section includes:

1. An online, self-paced EDUCATION course with Freestyle Judging System manual in TwirlED. 

2. A series of training seminars held via Zoom
   (Coaching and Judging certification requirement)

3. Certification exams in Moodle
   (Coach Technical Specialist and Judging certification requirement)

To be eligible for certification as a Module 5 Freestyle Technical Specialist or Master Level Judge, everyone must pass through the training levels presently developed (Module 1, Module 2)   

The Module 5 Freestyle Solo Education program and corresponding judging system will be implemented in full at the 2026 World Freestyle & Rhythmic Twirl Championship.  

This particular program has been in development for over ten years.  The Freestyle Solo education and judging system.  It is also designed to educate both coaches and judges on the new Freestyle Judging system and to certify Technical Specialists and Master Judges in each section of the New Freestyle Solo Judging system.   

Why would you participate in this program as a coach?  

The answer is simple: It is a progression guideline to correctly teach all disciplines and it will specifically give you all the tools to teach the Freestyle Solo Discipline.   

Completion of Module 5 Freestyle Solo education course has several sections, in self-service mode on TwirlED, prior to an online Workshop:

1. Online Presentation dedicated to the Freestyle Concept

2. Online Training Seminars Introduction to the Freestyle Solo New Judging systems (videos and presentations on charts, how to fill in the fiche, execution and components)

3. Self-Study the New Judging Freestyle Manual

4. Online Training seminar 1 - Compiling the Fiche

5. Online Training Seminar 2 - Execution

6. Online Training Seminar 3 - Components

7. Online Training Seminar 4 - Freestyle Pair and Freestyle Team

8. Module 5 Virtual Workshop Online Testing

1. If registering to test for Technical Specialist Certification or Master Judge Certification:    

completing any assigned pre-work before the online Workshop

2. Attend the Module 5 Online workshop for Freestyle Solo on September 19-20, 2025 

3. Complete the Exam for the Freestyle Solo (open for 1 week after the online workshop)

THERE ARE SEVERAL LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THE MODULE 5 FREESTYLE PROGRAM: 

They include courses for:Education Use only (for anyone who just wants to learn about the system) 

• Coaches and/or Judges that wish to certify as a Technical Specialist. 

• Master Judges and Judges that wish to certify as Technical Specialist, Execution and Components judges.

The learning paths are outlined below. Detailed information about the contents of each program/seminar, how to register, and payment is included at the end of this document.

Here are the details of each option of Learning Path Bundles to learn more about what is included. 

Learning Path 1 which includes the Freestyle Solo Education Program Manual and seven 

(7) sections of self-paced online courses with a review at the conclusion of each:

Section 1: THE FREESTYLE SOLO EDUCATIONAL AND JUDGING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANUAL
Section 2: BODY MOVEMENT
Section 3: RELEASES AND CATCHES
Section 4: ROLLS
Section 5: COMPONENTS
Section 6: DEGREE OF EXECUTION
Section 7: HOW TO FILL THE FICHE

Learning Path Bundle 1 is for anyone who wishes to fully learn and study the information about the system.NOTE: 

The Freestyle Education Manual (only) may be purchased separately on TwirlED for $50.00 USD 

NOTE:  

Current Master Judges who would like to certify as a Freestyle Judge are required to complete all exams but are not required to meet the minimum passing score of 70%.  (Please note: IBTF’s Moodle platform requires a completed exam to maintain progression of educational segments, to denote successful course completion, and to confirm attendance).

WHAT IS A “TECHNICAL SPECIALIST??? 

An individual (Coach or Judge) who identifies elements and checks to see if the elements listed on the fiche match what the athlete executed. This person(s) will be responsible for confirming the base value of the movements performed and adjusting if different from the submitted fiche.

ARE THEY PART OF THE ACTUAL JUDGING PANEL FOR COMPETITION??? 

Yes.  There will be two Technical Specialists per panel. 

Now on to what is required for Judges ……………….

NOTE: The Freestyle Education Manual may be purchased separately on TwirlED for $50.00 USD

If you already have a TwirlED account, all registrations for the Module 5: Freestyle Solo Education Course and manual are in TwirlED , which can be accessed at https://twirled-test.ibtf-batontwirling.org   

If you do not have a TwirlED account, please email TwirlED at education@ibtf-batontwirling.org with your first and last name, country, and email address so that an account can be created for you. You will be provided with your login credentials.

An applicant will be allowed to re-test one section ONLY if they fail the exam. The score must be between 50-69.99% to be allowed to re-test that one section.

The re-test should be taken within 18 months and may be done virtually if approved as an IBTF sanctioned Webinar. If the applicant fails the section he/she has re-tested for a second time then they must retake the whole exam.

If the applicant fails only one section but the score was less than 50-69.99% the applicant must retake the whole exam.

QUESTIONS???

For Technical or Freestyle Solo Questions:  

Email Paola De Marchi, Technical Director 

at technical-director@ibtf-batontwirling.org

For TwirlED or Zoom Registration Questions:

Email TwirlED at education@ibtf-batontwirling.org

To access TwirlED if you already have an account: 

Go to https://twirled-test.ibtf-batontwirling.org

(Edited by Sandi Wiemers - original submission Thursday, 22 May 2025, 10:35 AM)

(Edited by Sandi Wiemers - original submission Thursday, 22 May 2025, 10:35 AM)