Why you should consider marching with a color guard
By: Miriam Cohen
You’ve seen them at football games. You’ve seen them in parades. You’ve even seen them spinning in the gym at school, or out on the turf field. You’ve always wondered what exactly they’re doing. You’ve always wondered what it’d be like to do what they’re doing.
Color guard is a sport that isn’t very well known to many as a sport, let alone something that exists. Color guard is a sort of art form that not many people understand, let alone do, but it’s an incredibly rewarding activity. Here are five reasons to consider joining a color guard:
1. You can expand your knowledge of dance.
When I first joined color guard, I had never danced a day in my life. Through color guard I’ve learned various dance moves, how to spot, and how to emote and express using body language. Color guard teaches you more than basic dancing; it teaches you how to perform using the body.
2. You can make lifelong friends.
Whether it be your college or high school’s marching band guard, a winter guard, or a drum corps, you will find friends through color guard that will last you a lifetime. Through the sweat, tears, and laughter during practices, you’ll find a family within your guard no matter where you decide to spin.
3. You get buff.
Whether you’re constantly moving in an effort to learn drill, or you’re doing intense one hundred drop spins per side warmups, spinning in color guard gets you pumped. Trust me, after a while, you’ll see the results.
4. You can learn how to work and move with a group.
Being on a color guard team isn’t exactly easy. In order to do well as an individual on a team, the group has to do well. Working with your peers is a crucial part of being in a color guard. If you don’t work together, you won’t spin in time together, and you’ll just end up looking like a mess. Being in a color guard teaches you how to work cohesively with others to make an outstanding end product.
5. Expand your horizons!
You’ll never know if you like something if you don’t at least try it. Dip your toes in the water, and see what it’s all about. Color guard may not be for everyone, but there’s no point in giving up before you’ve even started.