Color Guard: Real World Application of the Rules According to Stonewall Independent (First 5 Rules)

I coach Stonewall Independent color guards (all three of them!) and we have some basic rules that we often talk about in rehearsals. They apply in a lot of scenarios beyond the color guard (or dance) world! After each Stonewall Rule, you'll see how it applies out in the real world.

(Update: see here for Rules #6-10)

  Rule #1: Fake It Till You Make It  

This is always the first rule that we share with any new members, or when we teach our annual summer spin clinic. If you don't know what you're doing, just look like you do! We would rather see you mess up fabulously large and confidently, than look meek and scared when attempting something new.

Real World Application: In my company, you're seen as a subject matter expert (SME) after doing something one time. That means, even though you may not really know what you're doing, you'd better act like you do, and do the best you possibly can to help the client by relying on what you do already know and asking questions when you don't know. In general, your presence will say a lot about you. Act likely you know what you're doing but be humble enough to ask questions when you don't.

  Rule #2: No Excuses, Ever!  

If you get a correction, just say "okay." We don't necessarily care if you were late on count 7 because you had a sail, or because you had an itch on your nose, or because Sally in front of you was late. Just be right on count 7 next time. Now, if you have a question about how to get to count 7, that's fine, but just ask, don't make excuses!

Real World Application: When you go into the workforce, your boss doesn't want you to give him or her a lot of excuses as to why you didn't get something done. If there was an obstacle or barrier, speak up and approach your boss to bring the challenge to them, but come to the table with a solution. Don't be known for complaining about your work. No one needs a negative Nancy on their team.

  Rule #3: If You are sick or injured, See Rules #1 & #2  

If you are sick or injured, unless you physically cannot practice or perform (as in you can't stop throwing up, or your dizzy which is just dangerous to spin), you should come to EVERY rehearsal. If you can, practice and learn everything as it's being taught and just follow Rule #1 - "fake it till you make it." If you can't, sit and watch it being taught. If you REALLY can't be at a rehearsal because of illness or injury, make sure you learn every single count, drill move, and detail before the next rehearsal and follow rule #2 - no excuses, ever. For example, here's Drum Corps International (DCI) performer from Blue Stars 2008 - Dan Federspill - who broke his nose in the middle of a show at DCI Atlanta, and kept performing!!

Dan Federspill - Blue Stars 2008 - DCI Atlanta Regional

Real World Application: This one's obvious. Don't cry wolf! Don't use sickness or injury as an excuse unless it really is one. If you are sick or injured, work around it however you can, because you're likely more capable than you think you are. If you can telework, do it. If you need an accommodation to get your work done, politely ask for it.

  Rule #4: Pointing Your Feet Makes Everything Look Prettier  

In dance and color guard, adding just a little bit extra finish on the end of your feet can increase the level of perfection just a bit more and give a better lasting impression to the judges. You want to remove the small distractions like a not-perfectly-pointed-foot so that they focus on the bigger picture of what's going on on the floor!

Real World Application: This is similar to saying "dot your i's and cross your t's." In other words, put the finishing touches on everything and it will stand out. Too often in the business world there are a lot of grammatical or spelling errors, or formatting isn't on par. If you take the time for those small details, your will prevent the audience from looking at those tiny details and get them to focus on the content of what you're saying/presenting.

  Rule #5: If You Don't Know the Free Hand, Make it a Pageant Arm  

At Stonewall, many of our free hands are a pageant arm, hand behind the head, or hand behind the back. So, if you don't know where the free hand is, assume it's one of those (and for us, it's usually pageant arm!). See below for a demonstration:

Emily - Sporting the "Behind the Back" Free Hand (Stonewall Independent, 2013 IA Silver Medalists)
(c) Jolesch Photography

Devon - Sporting the "Hand Behind the Head" Free Hand (Stonewall Independent 2, 2014 IA Semi-Finalists)
(c) Jolesch Photography

Kenny - Sporting the "Pageant Arm" Free Hand (Stonewall Guard Staff)

Real World Application: Oftentimes at work when you have a question, you can deduce the answer based on what you already know. Don't ask questions if you are likely to know the answer to them. First analyze what you know. Then determine if you know the answer and/or look around you to find the answer for yourself. THEN if you still aren't sure, you can bring it up to your boss. 


What rules does your team or group have that could apply to the real world?