How to Select Color Guard Equipment
The right equipment makes all the difference in successful color guard routines. Flags, costumes, props and backgrounds reflect the story of your routine while poles, shoes and floors help you do it well. Read on to learn how to select color guard equipment.
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Instructions
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Select Flags and Equipment for Color Guard Routines
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Know that there are several different shapes, sizes and types of flags. Swing flags are smaller and held in each hand. Other common shapes include tapered, squares and rectangles. Poly China silk is the favorite flag material among experts, but other choices are tissue lame and shaded chiffon.
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Select a design that reflects the music of your routine. Colors are important and can set the tone while expressing creativity.
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Buy flags online or make your own. Experiment with colors and use computer programs to try different shapes and designs. Look for tips on how to how to make your own at the "Tips and Tricks" page on the Color Guard Central website. See the Resources section below for a link.
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Don't forget the poles. They come in variety of lengths, colors and materials. You should use one that is appropriate for the size of your flag. The most common size for high school is 6 feet.
Select Color Guard Equipment
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Select rifles and sabers for drills. You can find an assortment of color guard rifles on the Premier Rifles website. See the Resources section below for a link.
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Select props to convey the theme of your show and that can be incorporated into your routine. Choose exercise balls, brooms, trampolines, long streams of colorful ribbons and umbrellas.
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Select and design backdrops. You can hang tarp from a frame constructed of PVC pipe and paint designs appropriate to your theme.
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Select floors. They are used mostly in Winter Guard to protect gym floors, but they are also visually important and can be used on football fields. Just a warning, though, they are expensive.
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Select uniforms, shoes and gloves. Choose something functional that won't restrict flag moves. Shoes should be flexible and have good support. Find a variety of gloves, shoes and uniforms on the Avant Guard Flags & Costumes website. See the Resources section below for a link. This company can also be hired as consultants for flag, color scheme and backdrop design.
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Tips & Warnings
Create original designs and save money by making your own flags. Find tips on the Color Guard Central website. See the Resources section below for a link.
Be sure to have team members tape new rifles to extend their lifetime.
Weight your flag poles for more control.
