Reclassification Guidelines for 2025:

• RECLASSIFICATION:  Reclassification Guidelines for Colorguard for the 2025 season
  • 1st and 2nd place guards in each class will be auto-reviewed on the day of the show by the judges for reclassification.
  • Additional guards with one or more caption scores (ex. Mv, Eq, DA, GE) above the weekend’s reclassification threshold seen in the table above will also be reviewed. 
  • Notifications of reclassification will go out via email by Monday morning
  • Units can be reclassified 1 to 2 classes higher with each reclassification.
  • There will be an announcement at the beginning of each awards ceremony recognizing the units competing in a new class at that show.
  • There will be no change to the length of the reclassification period

AIA Regulations 3.0.0:

Colorguard groups may intentionally move to a higher classification during the off-season if they feel this is appropriate for their performers. Groups may choose to move down only one AIA class during the off-season. Units wishing to classify more than one AIA class lower must petition the Judge’s Coordinator with an explanation of why the lower class is warranted prior to January 1.

3.0.1 Independent Color Guard

World Class – these groups have elevated the degree of difficulty in the blend of equipment and body set in innovative programs that explore the abstract as well as the literal story of their creations. The score sheet class descriptive in each caption reflects this: “Sophisticated challenges emphasize the physical and mental capabilities of these more mature performers.” Years of performer experience give designers expanded choreographic and design choices. The collective life experiences of these mature performers have opened the door to limitless programming options considering theme, premise, physical and audio settings. Strength and maturity in this class yield a performer’s confidence that is reflected in full-out communication of the roles they portray bringing a professional level of performance to the stage. Creativity and imagination are cornerstones in this class.

Open Class – This class finds guards exploring greater challenges with emphasis on more complex equipment and body skills, set in more challenging programs. These guards explore more demanding equipment and body vocabulary. We can expect to see a greater variation on releases and catches as well as a more extensive blend between the equipment and the body. We also can expect to see extended phrasing on all pieces of equipment and the further development of traveling as vocabulary opportunities reflect the shift from ‘transition’ to connect events to ‘development’. As skills increase, so does the method by which skills are connected. You’ll notice a shift in the frequency of skills, connected in more challenging ways, that not only impact the range and variety of skills but also indicate an added depth to the vocabulary.

A Class – At the programming level, success is seen in choices that lead the performer’s understanding and achievement of excellence. Designers are sensitive to musical selections that offer clear guidelines for the performers to follow. Programming choices consider tempo, dynamic changes, and points of audio impact that helps these younger performers develop their range of performance skills in all captions. In this class, we look for some layering of equipment on body and some phrases done while traveling. Phrases will begin to lengthen, showing the performers’ skills in this area. Staging choices will provide the performers with the opportunity to show growing comprehension of challenging spatial relationships, speed/method of moving and orientation.

Regional A Class –  Reward is driven by the understanding and achievement of the principles of each caption. This emphasis on training should be accompanied by a limited vocabulary with priorities on establishing solid building blocks on which to develop the skills of the performers. These ensembles demonstrate a basic level grasp of logistics, show design, and performance quality. Units should look to advance beyond this class as soon as they’re ready.

Senior Class –  One or more members are over the age of 22, therefore being unable to compete in the Open, A, or Regional A class, and are judged on the WGI A class sheets but use World Class Regulations for timing.

3.0.2 Scholastic Color Guard

World Class – We see more advanced skills throughout these programs in both equipment and movement. Skills are connected in more complex ways over longer periods of time. More performance experience and training make choreographic and design options in this class greater than the other scholastic classes. As a result, expect stronger stylistic identities with a wider range of approaches. This variety can make comparisons in this class more challenging. These guards have strong defined personalities and are highly creative and unique. Programs are designed to showcase their impressive body and equipment talent. Their depth of training and skills are strong and push the limits of the top of the scholastic classes as this class strives to set new standards.

Open Class – This class finds guards exploring greater challenges with emphasis on more complex equipment and body skills, set in more challenging programs. These guards explore more demanding equipment and body vocabulary. We can expect to see a greater variation on releases and catches as well as a more extensive blend between the equipment and the body. We also can expect to see extended phrasing on all pieces of equipment and the further development of traveling as vocabulary opportunities reflect the shift from ‘transition’ to connect events to ‘development’. As skills increase, so does the method by which skills are connected. You’ll notice a shift in the frequency of skills, connected in more challenging ways, that not only impact the range and variety of skills but also indicate an added depth to the vocabulary.

A Class – At the programming level, success is seen in choices that lead the performer’s understanding and achievement of excellence. Designers are sensitive to musical selections that offer clear guidelines for the performers to follow. Programming choices consider tempo, dynamic changes, and points of audio impact that helps these younger performers develop their range of performance skills in all captions. In this class, we look for some layering of equipment on body and some phrases done while traveling. Phrases will begin to lengthen, showing the performers’ skills in this area. Staging choices will provide the performers with the opportunity to show growing comprehension of challenging spatial relationships, speed/method of moving and orientation.

A1 – Units in this class are performing skills at the intermediate level all of the time as outlined on the scoring rubric.

A2 –  Units in this class are performing skills at the intermediate level most of the time as outlined on the scoring rubric

A3 – Units in this class are performing skills at the intermediate level some of the time as outlined on the scoring rubric.

Regional A Class – Reward is driven by the understanding and achievement of the principles of each caption. This emphasis on training should be accompanied by a limited vocabulary with priorities on establishing solid building blocks on which to develop the skills of the performers. These ensembles demonstrate a basic level grasp of logistics, show design, and performance quality. Units should look to advance beyond this class as soon as they’re ready.

• SRA1 – Units in this class are performing skills at the basic/beginning level most of the time as outlined on the scoring rubric.
• SRA2 – Units in this class are developing skills at the basic/beginning level some of the time as outlined on the scoring rubric.

Middle School Class – These groups are made up of students at the middle school/junior high level. These groups will follow the timing of the Regional A class, but will be adjudicated on the Middle/Elementary class sheets.

Elementary School Class – These groups are made up of students at the elementary level. These groups will follow the timing of the Regional A class, but will be adjudicated on the Middle/Elementary class sheets.