So Jim, you're in the Winterguard?
No, I'm in the Winterguard crew. I can't twirl well, but I can move walls.
Whoa, like JUGGERNAUT moves walls?
No, I'm far more like the Kingpin, before he got beaten. There are foam walls that crew members (like me) move on and off of the portable floor.
How big are these walls?
Good question, they are about 6.5-7 feet, I'm a bad judge of height and such.
How does a guard win?
Guards on scored on the following criteria: drops, coordination, equipment, body, and performance. Drops are bad, body refers to the eloquence of dance and how pointed the guard's feet are. Coordination is exactly what sounds like, as is performance. Althugh I should note facial expression is an important part of performance. I need to research equipment a bit more, but I think a moderate amount used skillfully is best.
Wait, what's Winterguard?
I'd like to preface this with saying I'm shocked how often this is asked of me. There's no good way to describe it besides what SkippyPBGirl said, "The art of Sport"
Particularly, they use sabres, flags, and rifles to express the emotion of the music. Really neat guards use other props too, but we won't get into that.
"Winter guard is an artistic, coordination building, muscle structuring sport...or color guard indoors, without the band, and a more exciting choice of music. Winter guards use fun/symbolistic, or even historical themes, with matching music, and perform with the use of flags, rifles, sabres, and other props that fit the show."-BroadWayKitty of the MHHS Winterguard lent me her insights.
Are all the guys in Winterguard gay?
No, just the, "...overwhelming majority," according to a respected member of the MHHS Weapons line. Another person added that many are also in it to be part of a group filled with girls.
Where does this happen?
Good guards only go to guard competitions, other guards frequent basketball and football games.
Wait a second, you said weapons line, like real weapons?
Only on the college level are real weapons used, no real sabres or rifles are used on the High School level. Would you trust girls from Pequannock Marching Band with weapons? That's an obvious no.
What do you mean good guards?
Like Morris Hills's guard.
The Things I'm Frequently Asked Questions about
