KEYS TO SUCCESS IN COMPETITIVE COLORGUARD

In Colorguard, it is not one thing that creates success. In fact, it is a culmination of several points that we must build over time. As we all know, success doesn’t happen overnight and we must FIRST understand where we plan to move, and set goals for achieving this standard. SECONDLY, we must define how long it will take to move our team forward to achieve greatness. From this point, we can establish specific processes to learn, retain, and achieve.

ESTABLISHING OUR GOALS:

Evaluate the current level of ability for your team:

Blue Diamonds Colorguard has about 7 years of Colorguard success. However, the team is moving into advanced competitive divisions. The team has moved through several instructors in the past and recently dealt with the transition of a new Band Director. With a new Director as well as a new coach, the team had to decide where it was headed. The Coach planned the year to be a Training/Transition Year. This is when the members of the Colorguard learn new approaches to technique and focus on developing their abilities. Now that the guard has completed this year, where do they go?

In this example, the team has some stablished technique, as well as a decent knowledge of performance. Therefore, it is safe to say, that the team may set goals for Intermediate Choreography, with High Success and Achievement.

What does that mean?

Transition from Horizontal/Vertical Planes to Multi-Planar Choreography Increased difficulty of Dance/No Equipment Sequences Multiple Groups/Different Choreography at Same Time Beginning Weapons Line (1s,2s,3s on Rifle)

ESTABLISHING A TIMELINE:

A Great tool to help set your timeline, is your team calendar. Make note of ALL performances, Competitions, and Especially Regional/Finals Competitions.

Another important piece to your timeline is your school calendar. Knowing when school starts, Band/Guard Camp is scheduled, and taking note of sport/extra-curricular activities your members could possibly be involved in can help you avoid scheduling conflicts with your students and rehearsals.

Blue Diamonds of Skyview High School begin summer break in late May/early June. With school beginning in late August, the team is left with about 2 months of summer break. By giving students time off when school first gets out, it allows them to really feel a break and NOT like school never stopped. It is also important to give them a break in the MIDDLE and END of break. This gives students time to go on vacation and visit family.

ESTABLISHING SPECIFIC PROCCESSES:

Now that we know where we plan to go, and how long we have to get there, we can begin outlining very detailed plans to achieve these goals.

Knowing that this is a highly athletic activity, and that for teams without Winterguard their students have not all been as physically active since November, it is a good idea to get your students back in shape. A good way to do this is by having team workout days, where there is no equipment rehearsal, or specific outline, other than being active. I like to have my students meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for about an hour of cardio. This includes stretching as a team, walking in a group, running, and even some calisthenics.

With our workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Saturdays are a great chance to begin introducing equipment. This is where we must be VERY cautious and TAKE OUR TIME!!!!! Establishing a very strong Basics Program, team members elevate their ability immensely. This cannot be stressed enough that basics MUST be well established before learning competitive choreography.

How long should we spend on basics? I like to give myself an entire Month of Basics Training. It sounds like a lot of time, however this time is vital to the future of your team. By taking the time NOW to set a strong foundation, choreography will move faster, and cleanliness will be achieved easier. Remember, “It is better to take the time and do things RIGHT the first time, then to rush them and leave mistakes for the future.”