Tips for Colorguard Beginners

Welcome to the wonderful world of Colorguard! Whether you have already joined a guard or are trying out for the first time these are great tips to get you started on the right path.

• Count! I know it's cliche, but honestly and truly counting is the best way to guard greatness. Not only does counting increase your timing and make your routine clean, but it also keeps you breathing.
• Practice the small stuff. It's great to go through an entire routine, but to really increase your potential, practice small moves. The traditional spin and single toss come in more handy than you know. Also, spins are a great way to keep your arm strength up and increase your stamina.
• Jog. I know it sounds less than appealing, but the standard guard routine is 7-10 minutes. You don't want to run out of steam half way through!
• Get the most out of stretching. The typical practice should start with 10-15 minutes of stretching. Don't let this time go to waste. The more limber your muscles are the less likely you are to cramp up while practicing. Be sure to take some time after practice to stretch as well to prevent soreness.
• Don't be afraid of the equipment. If it's a new toss or a move that looks complicated, just go for it! It's very hard to instruct when your members are afraid of tossing the flag or trying out the rifle. Don't be scared of getting it wrong, just try your best and you will be pleasantly surprised.
• Stop solid. The most impressive moment in a routine can be a very pointed stop. Whether it is a catch after a toss or a pop stop from spins making a crisp stop can make your routine look like it came straight from the Blue Knights.