Ever enjoyed the wonderful spinning and twirling that band majorettes or cheerleaders do during parades and rallies? This wonderful form of entertainment is actually a sport, called pep flag, and its competitors use twirler flags in their performance. The
custom twirler flag routines have even made its way to pop culture, featured prominently in Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl video.
Flag routines feature one or two twirler flags being used in a choreographed routine. Notable competitions include United Spirit Association (USA) Regionals and Nationals and the coveted Miss Dance Drill/Team USA. The popularity of
twirler flags is most prominent in the southern California area, and features several school sponsored competitions in the area, often drawing participation from elementary, middle school, high school and even college levels. Flag twirling has also become popular in other parts of the world.
Carson High School is a three time title holder of the USA competitions, and actually originated the routine featuring three flags. This team was featured in the Hollaback Girl video. Channel Islands High School, also a three time national champ, is the most decorated flag team in flag competition.
Most of the routines involve cheerleading elements, which include kicklines, pyramids, but feature twirler flag tricks such as twirls, tricks and flag tosses and exchanges. Flag routines are a separate discipline of cheerleading, different from the cheerdances and the routines with the pompom. Though twirler flag routines are in the spirit or cheer competitions, they also can be part of marching bands or color guards. Twirler flags are custom made to fit the competition, with colors and designs aimed at drawing attention and enhancing the performance. The
twirler flags also have specialized hardware, in order for the different tricks and tosses to be possible.
Labels: custom flag, customized flag, street banners, twirler flag
by:
The Flagman
