Self confidence - yes!

When you're twirling a steel rod with rubber knobs on each end, you learn to be confident. If you're not, you hit yourself in the jaw. If you falter, when throwing it in the air, you can even get it on the head. You have to be very accurate, very aware, and very well co-ordinated.

I think the second world war saw the rise of baton twirling. Those high-stepping majorettes were similar to the goose-stepping Germans. Many of the pin-ups during that time were drum majorettes. I think hollywood may have also played a part. Sometimes, its almost like can-can for little girls or a feminine version of the Army.