Color guard is a year-long activity that consists of field season and winter guard. The guard dances and spins flag, rifle, sabre, and props. The color guard is the visual representation of the music.
A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians and color guard who perform while marching during half time shows and marching band competitions. Riverside Poly Color Guard is part of the Riverside Poly Marching Band, so what applies to Poly's marching band also applies to Poly's color guard.
Winter guard is a competitive, performance-based activity which incorporates choreographed staging, dance, and manipulation of equipment such as flags, prop rifles and sabres .
The Poly Color Guard is required to sign up for guard class and marching band class (counts as a PE class) for the whole year. This includes band camp, weekly evening rehearsals, Saturday practices, football games, school performances and competitions. Attendance is required at all events.