A color guard is a group that performs with a marching band and provides a visual representation of music. Flags, batons, rifles, and swords are some of the most common color guard items. A color guard frequently wears uniforms or costumes that match.
Color guard started as a way for countries to show off their national flags or colors. A color guard, which is usually performed by a marching band or drum corps, adds movement and pizzazz to a musical number today. During halftime shows at sporting events, these groups are frequently seen on game fields. A color guard is present in almost all high schools and colleges.
Flag spinning is a popular color guard routine, and flags are frequently regarded as essential color guard equipment. The flags, which are usually made of silk or polyester and are attached to poles, come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They are usually twirled, tossed, and spun to the beat of the music.
Flags are usually taped or Velcro® attached to another type of color guide equipment, flag poles. Swing flags are small flags attached to short poles that are usually sold in pairs so that each member of the group can hold one flag. Flags that are longer than 9 feet (2.7 meters) can be attached to poles that are up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. Color guard flags are usually brightly colored. They could, for example, be made up of the national colors during a patriotic display.
Another type of color guard equipment is batons. These are essentially long poles that color guard members can toss and twirl. On average, a baton is about the same length as the user’s arm. Some batons can also be decorated with streamers and ribbons.
Because the color guard has military roots, rifles and swords are frequently seen in color guard performances. These color guard uniforms are replicas, usually made of plastic. Because tossing these types of color guard equipment requires more skill, more experienced members of the color guard are usually assigned to this position.
Another type of color guard equipment is uniforms and costumes. They usually match and give the group a sense of cohesion. They should also be made of a stretchy fabric, such as spandex, to allow for a full range of motion. Color guard uniforms are usually coordinated and correspond to the music being performed.