How to Twirl Rainbow Ribbon Sticks

A ribbon stick -- rainbow or not -- can add some fun to your dance or playtime.

If you don't think that a ribbon tied to the end of a stick can be loads of fun, think again. For junior gymnasts or adult dancers alike, ribbon sticks or ribbon wands can add a bit of fun and flair to your movement. You can buy them ready-made or construct them yourself using items you can buy at a craft store. Twirling a rainbow ribbon stick is similar to twirling a baton.

Instructions

1. Hold the stick horizontally in your right hand, fist down, with your hand in the middle of the stick. The left end of the stick should be the side with the ribbon attached. Keep your elbow close to your body, and your forearm perpendicular to your body.

2. Rotate the stick a bit past 90 degrees clockwise, as far as you can rotate it. Let it travel into the hook between your fingers and thumb.

3. Bring your left hand to the left of your thumb, fingers flat and facing upwards. Press the side of your hand into the baton so that it continues its clockwise rotation.

4. Catch the baton in your left hand once the baton has completed a full rotation around the thumb. Then grasp the stick with your right hand, release your left and begin again at step one.

Tips & Warnings

• Because you're twirling a ribbon stick, not a baton, keep in mind that you should start out slowly. Experiment with how fast and how many rotations you can do before the ribbon becomes tangled.

References

• The Pride Baton Corps: Learn Some Basic Baton Twirls