U.S. PreTrials Program

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

*Attention Regional PreTrials athletes, parents and coaches: Remember the PreTrials entry deadline is March 31! Also remember that all PreTrials athletes must wear the official Challenger Warm Up and Compulsory Leotard, available here. They must be ordered by April 12, 2010.

* The 2010 U.S. PreTrials Manual is now available to Elite members in the Members Only section.

The U.S. PreTrials Program is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing programs offered by USTA.  It is designed to prepare athletes, coaches and judges for the prestigious U.S. Trials program, through:

• proper preparation and development for the athlete: physically, psychologically, socially

• logical progression for the athlete from Pre Trials to Trials Competition

• proper preparation for coaches and judges to challenge them creatively and professionally

The PreTrials Program is available to individuals, pairs and teams.  It has 4 levels of competition: A, AA, AAA, and Elite.  The first three levels have content restrictions to ensure that athletes are utilizing the proper skills by performing movements that are of their ability level.

The A Level is offered only at USTA Regional Competitions.  AA, AAA and Elite Level athletes must receive a qualifying score at a Regional Competition in order to continue to the U.S. PreTrials, held each July during the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships.

Individual PreTrials athletes compete in Compulsories (which count for 25% of the overall score) and Freestyle.  They must have passed each level from C through the level they are competing.  For example, an athlete wishing to compete at the AAA level must have passed all levels of compulsories from C through AAA.

Movement Technique Status:

In 2009, the A level of MT is required for all athletes entering A freestyle.  The AA level of MT is required for all athletes entering AA, AAA and Elite level freestyle. In 2010, A level MT will be required for A level freestyle, AA MT for AA freestyle, and AAA for AAA and Elite freestyle.  In 2011, Elite level MT will be required for Elite level freestyle.

All Pair and Team athletes must have PASSED the A level Movement Technique to be allowed to compete at the Regional and U.S. PreTrials.

For more information about the U.S. PreTrials Program, please see the U.S. PreTrials Handbook, available to Elite Members in the Members Only section of the Web site.