An introductory guide to Marchpast for beginning teams. Introduction

Marchpast is a traditional team event to display marching, formations and drills within specified rules combined with the skills of baton twirling. There is to be a minimum 5 members including Leader – Maximum does not apply.

The routine should demonstrate good teamwork, discipline, accuracy of skills in forms and twirls as well as the dignity and deportment of traditional marching. There should be variety of formations and twirling. The versatility of teams will be shown in their ability to use speed, patterns, arms, and bodies. The performance should project the overall picture.

Teams will march to their own choice of music which must meet the requirements as detailed in the policy and procedures (music is maximum 7.00 minutes with a 10 second leeway. No minimum time). Designers must be mindful of the tradition of the Marchpast event and ensure music is suitable to showcase all the required elements.

Rhythmic movements may be performed to enhance theme of routine with care being taken so that rhythmic movements do not overshadow other requirements of the marchpast event. All members to hold baton throughout the routine. A maximum of 8 counts is allowed for an individual member to place the baton on the ground.

Check Point B

 Standard Wheel must be performed.

Standard wheel defn: A movement by which a body of team members changes direction, each rank or file pivoting on the inner flank whilst retaining its dressing.

Standard wheels can incorporate a variety of arm and baton movements. A more experienced team will be able to perform the wheel correctly, whilst incorporating the baton.

The time taken to complete the wheel will be dependant on the number of athletes within the team (i.e. a larger team, with more lines, will take longer to complete).

The end of the wheel is identified via the leaders whistle.

Check Point C

This is also known as ‘the Free Choice Corner’.

There is no set time allocated for the work performed here. This is generally where teams display their multiple baton work, exchanges, intricate body combinations and acrobatic moves. Choreography is free choice, yet, it should remain within the style and theme of the routine. Team members can move about freely to create a visual display. It is preferred that teams face towards the centre of the floor (on the diagonal) to properly present to the judges and the audience.

The free choice corner usually ends with a type of acknowledgement to the judges and audience before changing formation, ready to commence the 3rd side. The end of the free Choice Corner is identified via the leaders whistle.

Check Point D

At Point D a Block Turn must be performed.

Block turn defn: A turn in which each athlete in team formation turns in the same direction at the same time and steps off in a new direction in team formation with the inside line becoming the front line.

This means that the team completes the block turn (no minimum or maximum counts required) to change from moving in the direction of Point D to then be facing Point E. During this block turn, the team formation / spacing does not change. The leader, after the block turn, resumes their position at the front of the team.

Point D to Point E

The team commences the 4th side heading towards the Final Check Point (E). It is not necessary to complete a twirling series on the 4th side, however it is encouraged that the team performs at least one formation change prior to Judges Salute.

What are the fundamental requirements of a Marchpast?

Diagrammatic format and written route explanation, with required elements:

Check Point A

Start of routine. Free choice choreography to establish the theme and style of the upcoming performance. It should be no longer than 64 counts. Formations/spacing is free choice, however, the Leader should be prominent. (A detailed explanation of the leaders role within the team from start to finish can be found in section 3). A variety of twirls and dance moves can be performed in this section and team members can move about freely to create a visual display. At the completion of the beginning choreography, however, team members must be in formation, ready to commence 1st side.

Point A to Point B

The National Standard is performed from Point A to Point B as per the Twirling Australia provided example. No variations or changes are allowed to this routine.

There is also to be no change to the formation of the team during this section. This means that once the team begins the National Standard, they remain in those positions/spacings until the completion of Check Point B (The Wheel).

After the National Standard is completed, teams may perform a short combination prior to entering the Wheel. No restrictions on choreography, however, formations must remain the same.

Point B to Point C

The 2nd side is where the team can demonstrate numerous formations, twirling series and a variety of foot and body work. This is quite a long section, therefore the scope is unlimited. A team that utilises all the distance from Point B to C without repeat movements and continuous routines would score higher than a team with long breaks of marching in the one formation with little or no twirling. The choreography is free choice.

Take note: Batons may be placed on the floor, but for no longer than 8 counts. It is preferred that teams continue moving in a forward motion throughout the 2nd side.

Point C to Point D

The whole team must exit Point C and head to point D for minimum of 16 counts. (There is no maximum). It is not necessary to complete a twirling series on the 3rd side, however it is encouraged that the team performs at least one formation change prior to the block turn.

Check Point E

This is the teams opportunity to acknowledge the Judges table and audience via a ‘Judges Salute’.

This takes place centre floor. The Salute should be directed to the Judges who will be positioned directly in front of Point E. The middle of the team should be centre of Judges table. (However this is not expected if the Salute is on a diagonal to the judges).

The Salute must be a definite pose, held for at least 8 counts, and all members of the team must have a baton during the salute.

Free choice routine/s may be performed before and after the salute, however they must not exceed 96 counts in total (96 counts maximum for routine + salute + routine).

The end of Check Point E is identified via the leaders whistle.

To exit the floor at the completion of Point E, the leader will escort the team directly towards the judges table and off the performance area.

Take note: Judging ceases at the completion of Point E, as identified by the Leader’s Whistle.

What is the role of the Leader?

The leader is responsible for the overall navigation and presentation of the team before, during and after the performance.

A leader is required to position their team on the floor prior to costume inspection (Check  Point A). He/She should take into consideration the spacing, lines and body position of each member. The leader will then acknowledge the Adjudicator and they will walk together to inspect the team. He/She will acknowledge the adjudicator once again before taking their place to commence the Marchpast routine.

The leader is a prominent figure at the start of the routine in Check Point A. This is where they can establish their individual style of leadership and performance through a variety of dance and twirling skills before taking their place at the front of the team to commence 1st side.

Throughout the routine, the Leader will perform ‘Signals’ which are usually between 8-24 counts in duration displaying their performance qualities and showmanship. The purpose of these signals is to allow the team time to make changes in formation and prepare for upcoming choreography. The Leader will signal using a whistle to indicate to the team when to commence the choreography. Whistles styles vary from leader to leader; examples include 1 or 2 short start blasts, or longer sustained trills. Whistles should be clear, concise and able to be heard over the music. Whistles may also be used for other purposes including, but not limited to, directing the team to adapt to changes in environment. E.g. Three short blast variation to indicate faster or slower forward movement.

Additional Resources

Take note: leaders should not remove whistle during performance, and drops made by the team, also come off the Leader’s final score.

The leader is responsible for getting their team around the floor successfully, keeping within dimensions of the performance area and hitting specific check points. 

*** diagram of march past set up

In check point C (Free Choice Corner) the leader is presented out the front of the team and uses this time to showcase their individual twirling style and performance qualities. He/She usually performs twirls, dance and acrobatic moves that are not representative of signals I.e moves that can not be done while in forward motion. The leader finishes check point C by signalling to the team when it is time to move to the next stage of the routine.

The leader is responsible for getting their team around the floor successfully, keeping within dimensions of the performance area and hitting specific check points.