How to Survive Your First Year in Color Guard

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Last Updated: February 15, 2023

Have you ever seen one of the half-time shows at your high school's football game and noticed all of the people who are spinning and tossing objects like flags, rifles, and sabers? Well, the people who do this are in what is called the color guard and although they are part of the band, they go by a different set of rules and standards. If you are interested in trying out for color guard this year, take advantage of the survival suggestions offered in this article.

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Before you even try out for a color guard, you need to be aware of all that goes into it, and you need to decide if this is something that you will enjoy. Many people go into color guard without even knowing what it is all about. If you enjoy dancing, being a part of a team, and can endure long practices, this is perfect for you!
Believe it or not, color guard is a sport. They go to competitions with the band, and even do competitions on their own as "winter guard". The best thing you can do before even trying out is to develop your endurance. You can do this simply by jogging and then running if you are not already in shape. Now, it is not required by most color guards that you are physically fit, but it will help you so much during all of the practices and games. Another thing to do is to strengthen your wrists. Without strong wrists, you could possibly get injured by all of the flag work and have to wear a brace for a while.

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Before you are in color guard, you will obviously need to try out for it. Don't be afraid to audition if you don't know the basics of the flag. The typical way they do auditions is to take four days to teach you the basics of flag work and teach you a short dance routine. On the fifth day, they will have you audition with a few other girls by doing what they taught you to do. The main thing they are looking for is not if you do it perfectly, but if you are teachable and really care about being in color guard.
So you made the team? Good for you! Now the hard part begins....practice. For the first few weeks, typically during the summer, you will be practicing basics and developing endurance. This is usually done separately from the rest of the band until much later in the summer. Be prepared for some yelling and try not to let it bother you. Counting during routine run-thus will help you a lot.
This is like practice x 100. After you have basically mastered the basics and have as much endurance as you are going to get, it is time to learn the routine for the show. That is what is done at band camp. There will be times when you are just with the color guard and times when you are learning positions on the field with the rest of the band. Make sure that you always have water, sunscreen, and a light snack on you. Another little warning for you, the very first time you do part of the routine with the band, don't let the drums or other instruments catch you by surprise.
This is where the fun begins! After marching in, you will be in your own section of the stands with the band. This is just a fun time for color guard people because they don't have to worry about playing an instrument. There are usually little dances that you do in the stands while certain songs are played. If so, the older members of the color guard will show you. Halftime is your time to shine, so enjoy it! Many people get nervous when they first see all of the fans in the stands when they are on the field. Just remember that all of those people are just family, friends, and fellow students. You have worked too hard to not enjoy this!
In this, you are basically doing the same thing as you would for a halftime show, but you will need to pay a little more attention to details. Even things as simple as how you step or facial expressions will need to be considered. Many of these judges have been in the band world for quite a while and have an eye for details. Don't let this bother you though, just remember everything you have been taught. Also, if you run into some competition, don't be mean. Show some class by being nice to all of the competitors.
You may run into some drama along the way. Make sure you are not the one causing it. Even if you are really miffed at a fellow member, don't do something stupid like mess with their belongings. Not only will you get in trouble, but band directors like to punish the color guard as a whole so that the other members will make sure it doesn't happen again. If you are being bothered by someone else in the band and it is threatening you in any way, don't just allow it to continue. You need to either talk to the band director, the color guard instructor, or your parents.
Anyone can learn how to spin a piece of equipment. However, when the breath is incorporated into the work you are given, it can make it much more consistent and graceful! Breathing also helps to calm you down, so whenever you have a chance to take a breath in between segments or right before a show, take deep and slow breaths to regain your calm. When you're nervous, you are much less likely to do well.

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I am in multiple extracurricular activities, but I really want to do color guard. How much time will color guard take up?

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It takes up a lot of of time. If you want to do color guard, you have to commit to it. But just ask the coach or person in charge to see if you could do all of your activities and color guard; they might not conflict.

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What if I am scared to do a certain move?

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Take a deep breath, force yourself not to think about what could happen if you do the move wrong, and think about how amazing it will look when you get it right. Set your goal and strive for it. Color guard is all mental; its all about pushing yourself, and that is what you have to do.

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What exact materials do I need to have for color guard?

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I'll list out the necessities: makeup and hair materials for show (your coaches will update you on that), electrical tape (both white and black), sunscreen (preferably over 30 SPF), sunglasses, hat, workout clothes, gallon or half gallon water bottle (especially useful for band camp), band-aids, extra sanitary items (if necessary/for emergencies), gloves, your equipment (your coaches will provide you with that), tissues, and an extra pair of clothing and socks (in case of rain).

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Tips

If you mess up during a game or competition, don't sweat it! Just get back into the routine as soon as possible.

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You will get frustrated, just take a deep breath and try again. If you don't get it today, just keep practicing. (Again, ask questions and go to older members.)

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Be confident in what you are doing!

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Hydrate often — bring plenty of water to practices and competitions. Other essentials: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, any equipment you need, and healthy snacks to keep your energy up.
Being part of color guard takes commitment and hard work. Before joining, honestly assess if you will enjoy long practices, choreography, being coached, and performing on a team.
Ask lots of questions! Captains and veteran members want to help you improve. Don't be afraid to ask for help with skills, choreo, expressions, or anything you're unsure about.
Picture yourself nailing tricky moves or choreography in your mind. Visualizing success can boost your confidence tremendously. And practice outside of scheduled sessions.
Messed up during a routine? Smile through it, get back in formation as quickly as possible, and move on. Dropping equipment can happen to anyone — react gracefully.
Band becomes like family. Make friends with members of all ages — they can relate to your experiences and will likely go out of their way to help you.

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Warnings

When tossing anything, especially in the wind, there is a large chance of getting hit, being afraid of your equipment makes it worse. to help fix this problem push your release hand in the opposite direction that the wind is blowing and if you do it right the flag will come right back to you.

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It may seem obvious, but don't spin in your house unless there's an approved spacious area without breakable objects like low lamps or big windows, like a gym (why you have one in your house is beyond me) or a big basement.

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After your first year, if you simply don't think this is for you, then just don't audition next year. Many girls feel forced to stay in color guard after the first year. If you decide not to try out again, talk to your color guard, and don't just quit. Explain why you don't think it's for you, and hopefully, you can leave on good terms with everyone.

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