The Flag & Positions
Take a moment to learn the anatomy of your flag.
It is important to know which part of the flag your instructor is referencing.
Remember, guards from around the country may call parts something different, and that is okay!
Just make sure you know what your coach calls it!
The tab and the top and bottom thirds are marked by electrical tape wrapped around the pole. Sometimes the "thirds" are called "cheats."
Sometimes the "bottom crutch tip" is called the "butt".
Flag & Hand Positions
You guard instructor will likely tell you to set at certain positions. Here are some basic ones to familiarize yourself with.
Remember, each position has a specific place for your flag as well as your hands!
Left and Rights are referring to YOUR left hand and YOUR right hand.
Hand Positions
Your hands will have a specific spot on the flag. The will also be grabbing the pole "over" or "under."
When you grab over, the palm of your hand is facing down as you place it on top of the pole.
When you grab under, the palm of your hand is facing up as you place it under the pole.
Flag Positions
These pictures are NOT mirrored, so you are viewing them from the audience's point of view.The Flats
You will often begin at left or right flat for many different flag basics such as drop spins and double fast spins.
The Shoulders
The shoulders work well for moving exercises or parade routines.
The Angles
Think of geometry when creating your angles. 45° is half of a 90° or "right angle".
We also call them
"Shoulder-Hip" or
"Seat-Belt" positions.
When the silk is up we often say
right or left "angle".
When the silk is down we often say
left or right
"slant" or "slam".
The Perfect Catch Position
This is where you would catch a basic toss with the silk up.
This is also our "hit" position when ending drop spins.
