5 Things Color Guard Members Should Do Over Winter Break

Many winter guards have camp days over the break, but just as many don't (especially high school groups). Instructors know that when there are long stretches without rehearsal, technique begins to fade, memory of details cleaned weakens, and the members aren't as strong as they were before the break.


Last summer I posted about things to do over your summer break (so some of this may look familiar!). Here are 5 things you can do over your break to come back strong!


1. Attend a dance class, or three
Most areas have dance classes over the winter break for teens or adults. Google search your area and see what you find. Oftentimes, studios offer the first class for free!!! Don't just stick with a style you are comfortable with, try new things too. I was trained in ballet and modern, but LOVED taking hip-hop master classes because the music was fun and the class was always energetic. I've also ventured out to take Irish dance, flamenco, and ballroom styles. Anything goes! Google Search "dance studios in" and your area.


2. Practice with a buddy
If you have fellow guard folks sticking around over the holidays, set up a spin date! Find a warm inside place (unless you're lucky and have warm weather in the winter where you are) and set aside 1-2 hours to just practice. Use the time wisely and make yourself a checklist of things you want to work on. The time isn't for goofing off and attempting crazy tricks, it's to build your strength and skill on equipment. Practice technique exercises and the work you have so far for your show. If you don't have much work yet, practice the work from fall or last winter. It will help you learn the new work quicker because most instructors have a style they stick to.


3. Post a video
Take a video of yourself practicing and post to your group's Facebook page. Here's the key though....ASK FOR FEEDBACK! Take everything said and figure out how to apply the correction. Go in assuming you need to fix everything and have an open mind.


4. Build your strength
Take the time off to make a plan to get stronger. You could set a specific goal like being able to do more pushups (correctly!) or run every day. Or you could change it up and do a few different exercises to build strength. As an example, every day you're off, you could decide to do more pushups. Here's a push up challenge you could try:

If this is too much, reduce it by 1 per day, or do only 1 repetition instead of 2. Or do one rep in the morning and one at night. Too easy? Add pushups or reps (but maintain the growth). The goal is that the last day of the challenge you are up to FIVE repetitions of 10 pushups...that's 50 pushups! They can be spread throughout the day.


5. Attend a performance of ANY kind
Find all the local venues that have performances of all types. Don't limit yourself to dance (though those are great!); seek out musical theater, plays, and acrobatic shows like Shen Yen. Also don't forget to check all the local dance studios for their performances, or local universities. Every performance you watch, good or bad, has something you can take away as a nugget of an idea or an inspiration.