Colorguard

Colorguard Reclassification Matrix 2023

Reclassification Guidelines for 2023:

• RECLASSIFICATION:  New Reclassification Guidelines for Colorguard for the 2023 season, as discussed and placed into effect at the September Membership Meeting.
  • 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

Colorguard Timing Interval (click here to access)

AIA Classification Descriptions:

Elementary / Jr – adjudicated on the AIA Elementary / Jr. Sheets (New for 2020 Season). Elementary Guards are elementary school aged students. There are no restrictions regarding the use of props, tarps or equipment choices. Programs should focus on ACHIEVEMENT of INTRODUCTORY skills in movement and equipment Here, more than any other class, the judge should “wear the teacher hat” and teach. Listening to the judges’ audio files is an integral part of training for students of this age. Judges should assume that the students will listen, so be sure to speak TO the students as if you are in their classroom. In this class we use the standard five judges. Judges will only use Box 3 and Box 4.

Scholastic Regional A2 – adjudicated on the WGI Scholastic Regional A Sheets. This is the most beginning level of competition in the AIA circuit. Winter Guards entering this class of competition are the “youngest” or least experienced guards both in terms of individual training, design and instruction. These programs are in their first few years of winter guard participation in terms of both instructor and performer. Programs should focus on ACHIEVEMENT of INTRODUCTORY skills in movement and equipment. We do not anticipate groups should stay in this class for more than a few years as groups and instructors mature. Groups with the ability for high production value (digital floors, large props, etc) are not appropriate for this class. Soundtracks allow for performers to easily understand and follow a music structure. Equipment releases should max out at doubles.

Scholastic Regional A1 – adjudicated on the WGI Scholastic Regional A Sheets. This class is for the more experienced performer, designer and instructors of the two regional A classes in AIA. Units in this class are composed of beginning level performers and content is developed to allow the performer to MASTER BASIC SKILLS. The goal of this class is uniform ACHIEVEMENT from all performers, designers and instructors. Groups in this class are (re)building. Equipment releases should max out at triples; attempting higher releases is not appropriate for this class.

 Independent Regional A – adjudicated on the WGI Independent Regional A Sheets. This class is focused on teaching and achieving MASTERY of BASIC SKILLS. Groups in this classification may be middle or high school students for which scholastic classifications are not practical. College-age students are discouraged from competing in this class. Equipment releases should max out at triples; attempting higher releases is not appropriate for this class.

 A3 Class – adjudicated on WGI Scholastic A Sheets (“national” level). Units whose program includes a low to intermediate level of basic equipment and body handling. These groups exhibit achievement of basic skills and are exploring intermediate skills and longer phrases. Soundtracks are still straightforward, but begin to show more variety. These units are the newest to the A Class and would typically be competitive at local AIA events, and do not attend or are not generally competitive at WGI events. These groups may be transitioning from Regional A programming to A programming. Programs in this classification may also be restricted by resources, but find creative ways to achieve general effect and program success.

 A2 Class – adjudicated on WGI Scholastic A Sheets. Units with programs that include an intermediate through high level of basic equipment and body handling. These units may attend WGI Regionals, but do not attend WGI World Championships with a competitive intention. These groups are teaching beginning and some intermediate skills. Exploration of more sophisticated soundtracks is appropriate in this class (3/4, 6/8, moderate to faster tempos, etc) and will likely show more production value (floors, props, etc) than the lower classes.

A1 Class (National A) – adjudicated on WGI Scholastic A Sheets. Advanced caliber locally. Units whose program includes a high level of basic equipment and body handling and demonstrate some open class skills, particularly in equipment. These units are the National teams and are generally the only AIA Scholastic A class that attend WGI World Championships where they are intend to be competitive. They are likely to have larger, more experienced staff. These programs may exhibit sophisticated production value.