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Q. What can be done to help a guard that keeps fighting?a>

Q. Help! I have just been put in charge of my daughter's color guard
and I know nothing (or very little) about color guard!  What do I do?

Q. Do you have any free videos / uniforms / flags you could send my way?

Q. I have to write drill.  What the heck is drill and how do I write it?

Q. I am a high school color guard captain.  I have suddenly been put in
charge of everything and I don't know where to begin!

Q. Any tips for making captain of a squad?  Anything that would make
me stand out?

Q. Do you have any advice on how to hold tryouts?

Q. What is the most effective way to hold practice?

Q. How do you construct a flag?

Q. I have to write a routine.  Where do I start?
 
 

Q. What can be done to help a guard that keeps fighting?

A. This has to be the one question I am asked the most, and probably the hardest to answer. First, it's important to relize that few color guards actually get along these days. If it is a minor problem, you're probably better to just grin and bear it. However, if a serious blowout looms in the distance or it is hindering practice, something should be done. What I do when this happens may not work for everyone, but I've had some success with this method. Everyone needs to sit down and address the problem(s) head-on. The group should make a list of what they see as problems and turn it over to the captains and/or instructor. The key is that this list has to be free from personal attacts and ramblings that have no point. Here's an example: A girl, we'll call her Susan, was upset that the director had grasped her shoulders and told her that if she continued to watch the other girls for the routine, Susan would not march at the state competition. Susan was very upset and yelled profanity at the director the next time they had practice. She did not like the fact that the director had grabbed her shoulders, but never told the director otherwise, so it built up into an all out war between the two. Once they sat down, Susan wrote on her list: "I don't think the director should have grabbed my shoulders so roughly." After reading the list, the director apologized and agreed not to do it again, also asking Susan not to use profanity anymore. From that point on, it was much smoother at practice. If the fighting is between the group, you could also try sitting down and talking about SOLUTIONS to the problems. I emphasize solutions because there will be a tendancy to sit around and point blame, rather than focus on moving forward. Once again, I stress that there are NO personal attacks because people can be very sesitive (especially high school ladies) and personal attacks are only going to further the problem. You could have everyone write down one complaint and put it in a hat. Mix them up and then go through them one by one to keep the comments anonymous.
 

Q. Help! I have just been put in charge of my daughter's color guard and I know nothing (or very little) about color guard!  What do I do?

A.  Start by reading as much about color guard as you can.  What to do next depends on what type of color guard you are in charge of.

            -A basic high school marching band color guard

                What kind of marching does the band do?  Roll step (glide step or DCI step), chair step (Big Ten), or a different type (high mark time)?  This is very important.  You want to start teaching marching before you work on flag technique.  Meet with the band director and marching instructor to discuss which is the best way to teach marching.  Next, if you don't know ANY flag technique you can't really fake it.  You're better off getting a choreographer or some videos that teach the basics.  I personally haven't ever used any videos so unfortunately I can't recommend any right now.  But you can order videos off of the commercial sites on my "Ordering Flag Equipment" page.  Ordering uniforms can be somewhat tricky.  You can order from catalogues, or get custom made uniforms.  Catalogue uniforms are going to be MUCH cheaper, but you have a very limited selection and they probably won't fit as nice.  (Also, they can be put on back-order and not arrive in time for the homecoming show...)  If you choose to go the custom-made route, make sure you choose something that will be flattering for small and large body types, warm in the winter, and complimentary to the band uniforms.  Easy, right?  See my "Tips" page for advice.
                Most color guards have to do their own fund raising to buy new equipment and uniforms.  Free car washes, bake sales, etc. work pretty well, provided you don't have to raise a whole lot of money.  If you need to raise more than $500, try some commercial sites that sell candles and offer a 60% payout.  I believe there are several of these sites...

            -A seriously competitive high school marching band color guard

                Oh boy.  You've got your work cut out for you.  Communication with the band director is vital.  In competition there are many rules and regulations you must follow, and they often change from competition to competition.  (And you'll probably have about one competition a week.)  For ordering uniforms and technique, refer to the the paragraphs above.  I'd suggest hiring a professional choreographer (or even two) because color guard is a major part of the competition. In the recent years, choreography is everything!

            -A winter guard

                Hmm... I'd be quite surprised that you have been asked to lead a winter guard with little or no experience.  Winter guard is a highly competitive sport and VERY expensive.  A new winter guard floor costs roughly $2000, and equipment can add another $2000... A successful winter guard need serious funding.  If you plan on instructing a winter guard you are going to need quite a bit of help.  Check out listings for choreographers and guard assistants.
 

Q. Do you have any free videos / uniforms / flags you could send my way?

A. No, sorry.  I didn't keep any uniforms or flags from my past color guards and I don't have any videos.
 

Q. I have to write drill.  What the heck is drill and how do I write it?

A. Simply, a blank drill sheet is a drawing of a grid on top of a football field.  A completed drill sheet is usually referred to as a "set."  You go from set to set to form a show.  The more sets, the more complicated the show.  When I was in high school (4 years ago) the average # of sets for a reg. high school band was 25, and competitive was around 50.  I've done 68 sets in a ten minute show and that's pretty rough, but not impossible.  I imagine the numbers are a little higher now.
    The grid is usually two steps per box.  It's 8 steps between yard lines, so that's 4 boxes between yard lines.  I've seen grids that are 1 step = 1 box, but they are tough to read, I'd suggest the 2 steps per box format.  I'd tell you how far it is between hash marks, but there are high school hashes, college and NFL.  You'll need to figure out how far between the hashes your own field is.  The chart is then divided into two parts by the 50 yardline.  When looking at the chart, the left side before the 50 yardline is Side I and the Right half is Side II.
    Now, the marching band itself is usually plotted as dots with numbers.  The percussion is probably either O's or S for snare, Q for quad, C for cymbal, etc.  Color guard is noted as something else... X, $, or even straight numbers.  Anything that distinguishes the auxiliaries from the band.  Now comes the hard part.  Drill tells the color guard EXACTLY where they are going and what they are doing.  If they are doing a difficult dance sequence, they better not be moving.  If there's a flag change, nobody better be on the 50 yard line on the front hash.  You must plan exactly how many counts a flag change will take and when in the music it will happen.  Plan around those first.  Then figure where you want the flags to start.  Sometimes you can use a trick called "Staging Area." You draw a big circle and write Staging Area in the center.  This implies that the guard is doing something other than regular flag work and requires the flags to break formation.  You can do the same for flag changes, since there's no need to chart the flags for three sets when they aren't moving.
    You must remember that movement takes time.  No one can move from the 20 on Side I to the 15 on Side II in 30 counts.  Trust me on this one.  No matter how large a step or even if they double-time, it's NOT humanly possible.  So don't chart for it and hope it will work out.  If anything, be a little generous in the time allotted for each set.
    The main goal of a drill writer is to present a visual effect from above that is complimentary to the band and eye-catching.  A word to the wise though, straight lines will almost never be straight and circles will usually look like kidney beans.  There are some tricks, so see the "Tips" page.  Curves are best, especially for a regular high school marching band.  In competitive marching bands, the trend has shifted dramatically away from formations that resemble anything.  Spelling out words or forming letters in a competitive show almost never happens and is viewed as outdated.  In a pregame show however, it is definitely okay.  (I think it's wonderful, personally, when a band spells it's name or something like AHS.  The crowd loves it and our goal is to entertain.)
    If the director has already charted the band and just wants you to add in the flags, you're job is a little easier.  You only need to focus on formations and directions.
    REMEMBER, flags need at least 4 steps of distance from one another.  I'm not kidding!  I've been charted 2 feet away from fellow flags and nearly lost an eye.  Also, you cannot walk through other people.  Make sure that if paths cross, that only one person is at the intersection at a time!
    If, after all that being said, you are nervous about charting, they offer drill-writing software programs through commercial sites.  I have not used one, but I hear they are wonderful for long-term directors.  They are pretty expensive, however, and take time to learn.
 

Q. I am a high school color guard captain.  I have suddenly been put in charge of everything and I don't know where to begin!

A. Congratulations!  You may have quite a bit of responsibility on your shoulders, but you get to ensure everyone's enjoyment in the show.  Here's a brief list on what to start with and what you should do to ensure a smooth season.

1. You get to make many important decisions, so make sure you're not indecisive.  Decide if you want to run the guard as a democracy or as a monarchy.  I don't mean to imply that a monarchy is bad.  More often than not, it's the right choice.  This just means that all decisions are yours and yours alone.  In a democracy you take a vote on the major decisions.  This can be a very bad idea in a larger guard or if you feel the vote is leaning towards something that has disaster written all over it.  (Example: Let's sit and talk instead of practicing...)

2. Is there band camp?  Make sure that the schedule has been outlined clearly for everyone.  (Including you.)  Confusion leads to frustration.  Plan how you want to spend your time, such as 15 minutes for stretching, 45 minutes marching, etc.  Be as clear as possible, tell them what to wear and exactly what is expected.

3. Are you in charge of choreography?  If yes, a sneaky trick is to buy old WGI videos and steal INDIVIDUAL moves from the tapes.  I caps-ed individual because "borrowing" more than a move from another show is a huge no-no.  It's like plagiarism.  Also, check out my "Tips" page for stuff.  Remember to write a routine that not only illustrates the music, but is also easy.  Why do I say easy?  Because no matter how easy you try to write it, it will still be a harder routine than you expect.  Trust me, you won't realize how hard a routine is until you try teaching someone else.  Moves that are easy as pie for you can make another person cry in frustration.  You can always go back and make it harder if it is too easy.  Look for an edge.  Are your fellow flags good dancers, good performers, precise?  Find something that your team does well and flaunt it.  I've seen a show based on nothing more than one girl's repeated backflips...but hey, it worked.

4. If you are supposed to order uniforms, get sizes and order the uniforms as soon as possible.  Don't forget about shoes, gloves and other accessories.

5. Write a warm-up routine.  It saves time, and surprisingly calms nerves before a big show.  Make it easy and balanced, warming up both sides of the body.

6. Decide what type of equipment to buy.  Do you need flag poles, swing poles, rifles, etc.?  The sooner you can get this, the better.  Find someone who can sew and make friends.  No matter what you do, a flag will rip or a uniform will bust.  They will be your best friend.

7. Go to the hardware store.  Find cheap stuff.  Electrical tape, bolts, metal poles, & rubber stoppers.

8. When the uniforms arrive, make sure they fit.  No one wants to discover that their pants are too tight an hour before the show.

9. What's the make-up situation?  The hair?  Try to be flexible, but not indecisive.  I promise at least one person will protest your decisions.  Take suggestions, but be firm once the decision's been made.

10.  Be in constant contact with the director.  What's the budget?  Have him outline your exact duties so you don't slack off or overstep your boundaries.
 

Q. Any tips for making captain of a squad?  Anything that would make me stand out?

A. Here are a few tips, but obviously if the tryout requirements don't allow the following you'll have to try something else.

    1) Can you spin your own flag, or must you use one provided by the school?  If you can make or buy your own, I'd suggest doing that because it will help you stand out.  If your in a tight money or time situation, you might get lucky at the fabric store.  Some places sell fabric that has patterns on it that look like sequins.  When the flag is spun, it looks like liquid metal.  I've used that fabric and it's cheap. (Under $5 a yard)  The great thing about finding a good pattern / fabric is that you can just cut it in a rectangle or an arch and sew around the edges.  It saves a ton of time cutting each different color and piecing it together.

    2) If you are using a flag the judges have never seen before, try folding the flag up (see the tips section to learn how) and don't revealing it until you start your routine.  It's a nice added surprise.

    3) Make sure you are prepared for your interview.  Even if you don't think there will be an interview, still have a couple answers prepared just in case.  They will probably ask you questions like why you want to be captain, and what makes a good captain.  Have a friend or parent help you come up with the best answers.

    4) Walk in with confidence.  Smile.  Make eye contact.  Have fun, and good luck!
 

Q. Do you have any advice on how to hold tryouts?

A. When I held auditions a few years back, I started by teaching some basics- drop spins and some positions.  After everyone was up to speed, I taught a 1 minute routine that used all the basics plus a couple more complicated moves, like a lateral and a double-fast toss. I gave them a couple days to practice (I thought this was best because it gave them time to get used to twirling and it shows who will really practice.) I also wrote out the counts on a sheet of paper so they wouldn't have any problem remembering sequences.  For the audition process, everyone got a number and tries out in groups of three.  We finished up with an interview process.  I did this so I could see what their personalities were like.  Another thing I like to do is show the full routine before they start learning it so it gets them interested, but make sure you stress that it is easier than it looks!  (Don't want anyone to get scared off!)
 

Q. What is the most effective way to hold practice?

A. This all depends on the guard and your personal preference.  The following is an example of what worked for me.  I personally don't think you need to spend more than 5 minutes stretching and 10 minutes warming up.  When learning a new routine, I think it's important to show the color guard the routine in its entirety before you begin so they can understand the general flow of the work.  The best way I believe to teach a routine is to teach the first 8 counts.  Then go on and teach the second 8.  Next, do both 8s together.  Teach the third 8 and then work the transition from the second 8 to the third.  Then start from the beginning.  I do that until I get all the way through.  Teaching an 8, working the transition from the 8 before, and then all the way from the beginning.  If you are teaching a really long routine you might want to go back to the middle instead of the beginning to save time.  Once the routine is learned and you've moved on to cleaning, I'd suggest breaking down each 8, making sure all the checkpoints are clear.  I like to do a couple 8s and then work on something else (like tosses) so that no one gets burned out.  Once you go back to breaking the 8s down, make sure you review because I swear sometimes it's like it goes right back to the way it was before you cleaned!
 

Q. How do you construct a flag?

A. It depends on what you want to use- fiberglass, PVC, or aluminum.  Fiberglass poles are usually white and have a core, whereas PVC is hollow and has give.  PVC poles are very complicated to spin and even more difficult to toss, so I'd suggest aluminum.  The diameter of the pole should be somewhere between 1 1/4" and 1 1/2".  The length of the pole is up to you, college level and some high schools use 6' and the rest usually use 5'6" or 5'.  Some people use less, but I think it's less impressive and difficult for the members to get used to more length later on.  I believe you can buy aluminum poles at hardware stores or Home Depot- otherwise check with a plumbing supplier.  The best way is to order two or three really long poles and then have them cut down to your specific size so that you don't end up paying more for less.  After you have the poles, you need two rubber stoppers for each end.  The color and style is totally up to you and you can find these in different sizes at your hardware store.  Now, depending on how advanced you want to go, you might want to consider weights for the flag.  Some people like to buy washers and others prefer bolts.  If you are going all out, I'd suggest the bolts. Get two per flag, one long and one short.  The long bolt goes in the top (where the silk is) of the flag.  Use electrical tape to cover the bolts and to tape the bolts down to the pole.  Not everyone does that, but I urge you to do so!  If you do not wrap the bolts, they will chew away at the pole, and if you do not tape them down they will fly out and hit someone.  It's never fun to get beaned in the back (or worse) with a bolt!  If you are not going to be tossing, a couple washers taped to the top of the flag should be fine.  Make sure your rubber stoppers fit over the bolt/washers if you decide to go that route.  Okay, so you have all the parts for the pole.  All you need to do now is take off the top stopper, slide the pole into the sleeve of the flag, tape (electrical tape) both ends of the sleeve to the pole and put the stopper back on.  That's it!
 

Q. I have to write a routine.  Where do I start?

A. Don't let this goal overwhelm you.   A lot of people fear writing routines, but it actually isn't as challenging as it seems and can be a great deal of fun.  First, choose a song.  (See my music link for some ideas if you haven't already decided on a song.)  Make sure you have the song cut down to the time you want it to be.  Take a piece of loose-leaf paper out and listen to the song.  Write down "8" on the left side of the margin for every 8 of the song.  Sometimes you might have to write in a 4 instead of an 8, depending on the meter of the song.  Now, go back and listen to the song again while looking at your sheet of 8s.  Draw a square around the 8s that are the chorus, because this will occur more than once in the song.  If there is an eight where the music calls for a toss, circle the eight.   These are cues to help you when you actually begin writing the routine.  If you want to repeat your routine during the chorus, it will help knowing exactly how many 8s are in between the first and second chorus. 

Now you actually get down to the writing.  Think about the style of the music.  Can you be creative with the moves to reflect the theme?  (ie. for a Spanish song you could do salsa moves with your feet as you spin.)  Is there a particular move, like your signature move that you know you want to work somewhere into the routine?  It might help you to keep a list of moves you want to incorporate, because once you start writing its easy to get stuck doing the same moves over and over again.  Think about the details like level changes and body movement.  Remember, variety is the key.  You want to keep your audience wondering what you're going to do next.  Also, its OKAY to not write flag work for every single count.  Save some room for personality and dance.  If your routine is for more than just you, you might want to keep it simple, but think about envolving some A-B work, ripples, etc.  Okay, so let's say you've figured out your first 8.  You're starting position is going to be facing the back with your flag at flat.  Counts one thru 4 are going to be a butterchurn (carves, witches brew, figure 8, whatever you call them) and you're going to turn around to face front counts 5 & 6, then dig up to Right Shoulder.  Jot this down shorthand.  Something like 8: Butterchurn to 4, turn 6, up to RS 8.  That's much easier than writing everything out.  Do that shorthand for the whole routine, unless you think there is a complicated sequence you need to write out completely.  Don't be afraid to name certain moves with crazy names.  (ie. Hand flip thing, Body roll, etc.)   Just use what helps you remember.  As you practice, you'll be greatful you have it all written down so that you don't forget and can see what moves you've done recently so you don't repeat them too often.  And if this routine is for more than just you, you can make copies and give them to everyone else so they can use them for help.  I hope that helps you write a clever routine, have fun with it!

That's all I can think of for now.  Good luck!