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What is colorguard? Colorguard is the group of people who perform with the band at halftime during football games. They use flags, rifles, sabres, and sometimes other props to create a visual effect that compliments the band's music and marching. Colorguard members are either part of a high school band or an independent drum corps. Their season usually goes from band camp in August to the end of football games in early November. We like to say that the crowd is listening to the band, but they're watching the colorguard! How is colorguard different than winterguard? Colorguard performs outdoors on a football field, whereas winterguard is indoors on a gym floor. In colorguard, a band provides the music, but in winterguard, music is recorded. Winterguard is judged, whereas colorguard is not. Winterguard has a lot more dancing involved than colorguard. In winterguard, because there are fewer performers than colorguard, there's a lot more pressure put on you to do well. This means that winterguard practices are more demanding and you'll have to work harder than in colorguard. What are the requirements to join colorguard? There are no sex, height, or weight requirements. You'll probably have to be between 14 and 22 to be in a competitive guard. You might be required to audition to join guard. After making the team, you'll be required to attend all practices and performances. You might have to pay for dues or your outfit. In high school, you'll have to be passing to perform. The biggest colorguard requirement is that you are willing to work hard, smile big, and be completely dedicated. What is the different equipment you can spin in colorguard? The 3 basic pieces of equipment are flags, rifles, and sabre. Flags range from 5 feet to 10 feet or more, but the most common size is around 6 feet. Flags have a silk attached that can be any shape imaginable, but are general rectangular. Rifles are just pieces of wood shaped like a rifle, with a plastic bolt and a strap. 36" and 39" are the most common sizes. Sabres can be metal or fiberglass and have a hilt attached. What if my school doesn't have colorguard? Talk to the marching band director about starting one! Have a list of ideas about how you're going to pay for it, how you're going to get members, and when and where you'll practice. If you come organized and well-prepared, the band director is more likely to be receptive. Finding a guard director will be the band director's job... so if they agree to having a guard, encourage them to start looking for a guard director.  
 
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