1. That First Practice Is Equally The Best And The Worst
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656163111306-930021801_LHaIoir.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=638&h=34224484d60efe52978f59ff194955f5a769fcf2c7e47c0bba398e13e90d396a&size=980x&c=955723117 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656163111306-930021801_LHaIoir.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D638%26h%3D34224484d60efe52978f59ff194955f5a769fcf2c7e47c0bba398e13e90d396a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D955723117%22%7D" expand=1]
On one hand, you are reunited with all of your friends, and on the other, warm-ups are killer, because you are so out of shape.
2. Exercise Is So Much Better With Your Friends
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656165581487-21600249_richard7.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=39&h=af2c2d22fcfc8a7206adb888d94efaf7e94d9046542df5ebbea2f5512eb1e7d5&size=980x&c=1889273955 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656165581487-21600249_richard7.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D39%26h%3Daf2c2d22fcfc8a7206adb888d94efaf7e94d9046542df5ebbea2f5512eb1e7d5%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1889273955%22%7D" expand=1]
Whether it is group/partner workouts or by communal complaining, it just helps.
3. When You Can't Figure Out A Move, Then It Clicks
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656165741575-1336787077_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=1013&h=c48c70d51b733936214d278774682bd50edc2681a0b9edacf8a795c0d6b3c168&size=980x&c=3111752606 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656165741575-1336787077_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D1013%26h%3Dc48c70d51b733936214d278774682bd50edc2681a0b9edacf8a795c0d6b3c168%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3111752606%22%7D" expand=1]
You can spend days or weeks working on a specific move and dropping it every time, until that magical moment when it clicks and you catch it. The left side is another issue all together.
4. Not Knowing What Moves Other Guards Are Talking About
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656165440083-192400906_tumblr_lqbgc5jhV91qcorie.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=559&h=a258fbbacacad41aa6e3d105d8ba217075587e1f4857fe8985bc3a6a22c9fcf2&size=980x&c=2939557405 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656165440083-192400906_tumblr_lqbgc5jhV91qcorie.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D559%26h%3Da258fbbacacad41aa6e3d105d8ba217075587e1f4857fe8985bc3a6a22c9fcf2%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2939557405%22%7D" expand=1]
Stir the pot? Crazy eights? What are you talking about? Oh, witches brews? Okay, sure.
5. That After-Show Feeling
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F6361026712585387501758757028_bgXRY.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=682&h=1900237e10affb1fc2f9c7fa02277970ff799333e7b593d11fdb61fbc3b186bf&size=980x&c=1860712475 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F6361026712585387501758757028_bgXRY.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D682%26h%3D1900237e10affb1fc2f9c7fa02277970ff799333e7b593d11fdb61fbc3b186bf%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1860712475%22%7D" expand=1]No matter how well you did, you always walk away, heart pounding, wondering, "did I breathe at all during those last five minutes?" Wow! What a rush!
6. Dropping A Big Toss
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F6361026561690445551409298942_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=111&h=1b9c621e50ff50505435adc647ee9ebaeb88a8ead7edabdcda869f0ef68132cb&size=980x&c=1804030582 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F6361026561690445551409298942_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D111%26h%3D1b9c621e50ff50505435adc647ee9ebaeb88a8ead7edabdcda869f0ef68132cb%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1804030582%22%7D" expand=1]
Even though everyone else says that no one noticed, you did, and wow is it disappointing. But you'll get it next time!
7. Outsiders Not Knowing What Guard Is
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656172635297114397567_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=215&h=fb2d5297611e088b1dcd3987d40552d313683e741ffdb1980fe27962c2ef3333&size=980x&c=185712280 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656172635297114397567_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D215%26h%3Dfb2d5297611e088b1dcd3987d40552d313683e741ffdb1980fe27962c2ef3333%26size%3D980x%26c%3D185712280%22%7D" expand=1]
So, like, the national guard or something?
8. Randomly Appearing Bruises
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656170758506323392063_tumblr_n2lli3Hewq1qikmd9o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=437&h=7bc91f6a7346e412ac6e32f235219f8bd93c653f6e800e660cf0caa226ee40f0&size=980x&c=1598582872 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656170758506323392063_tumblr_n2lli3Hewq1qikmd9o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D437%26h%3D7bc91f6a7346e412ac6e32f235219f8bd93c653f6e800e660cf0caa226ee40f0%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1598582872%22%7D" expand=1]
Who knows how they get there, really.
9. Looking At Show Pictures Once They Are Posted
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F6361026561707585061167706781_Ravi%252Bexcitement.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=350&h=467bbcc1137e68b7336681dfb06aa50536bffa1853290f3bf182994ad1373fe0&size=980x&c=3782925639 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F6361026561707585061167706781_Ravi%25252Bexcitement.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D350%26h%3D467bbcc1137e68b7336681dfb06aa50536bffa1853290f3bf182994ad1373fe0%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3782925639%22%7D" expand=1]
And that one picture that shows everyone in synch becomes everyone's cover photo on Facebook.
10. The Joy of New Costumes
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656172145499-1209457114_1452082631-blake.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=678&h=2ca51703bd95d6ccd72dc84a4fbba43ea9086aea212d7a7438b019be3c390c4c&size=980x&c=3873179518 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656172145499-1209457114_1452082631-blake.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D678%26h%3D2ca51703bd95d6ccd72dc84a4fbba43ea9086aea212d7a7438b019be3c390c4c%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3873179518%22%7D" expand=1]
Guard unitards are notoriously unflattering, but there is just something about new costumes that get you into character.
11. The Curse Of, "Just One More Time"
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656172635297-733099060_tumblr_o036fhF43g1rhoaz0o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=716&h=f8a67cc07498be6f7b0a23c64133b48ff7d718b718329e916980343fa1f058f6&size=980x&c=1131511000 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656172635297-733099060_tumblr_o036fhF43g1rhoaz0o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D716%26h%3Df8a67cc07498be6f7b0a23c64133b48ff7d718b718329e916980343fa1f058f6%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1131511000%22%7D" expand=1]
There is no bigger lie in guard than this.
12. Wearing Team SWAG Everywhere
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656176206279173945439_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=71&h=db60dc660fb03a1de0b2f99010b86bdab5f12dafec61e73a5e9dc2d6d4281ab6&size=980x&c=4215413248 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656176206279173945439_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D71%26h%3Ddb60dc660fb03a1de0b2f99010b86bdab5f12dafec61e73a5e9dc2d6d4281ab6%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4215413248%22%7D" expand=1]
Once you get that season's swag, the whole team wears them everywhere, and you can spot a team member a mile away based on their jacket.
13. Calloused, Red, and Aching Hands
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F6361026561773019331114076975_tumblr_nsxjd9XZXD1ur6ghso1_400.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=604&h=2f6ff13ce44acde1c5ffa00103bc63c4b9c277b56a45762a9ed0b6b4fba81106&size=980x&c=11595925 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F6361026561773019331114076975_tumblr_nsxjd9XZXD1ur6ghso1_400.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D604%26h%3D2f6ff13ce44acde1c5ffa00103bc63c4b9c277b56a45762a9ed0b6b4fba81106%26size%3D980x%26c%3D11595925%22%7D" expand=1]
Depending on your guard, you may or may not wear gloves for spinning, but by the end of the season you'll probably have lumberjack hands either way.
14. Immediate Nostalgia Following The Last Show
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F636102656177660468853968586_deepbreathcalm.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=53&h=56d9166cfc5ed4420fa2a202303221acd92145efc8a36103ccd6746da8d7f8e3&size=980x&c=328346802 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F636102656177660468853968586_deepbreathcalm.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D53%26h%3D56d9166cfc5ed4420fa2a202303221acd92145efc8a36103ccd6746da8d7f8e3%26size%3D980x%26c%3D328346802%22%7D" expand=1]
Saying goodbye is hard and the last show of the season makes it real.
15. Teams That Spin Together, Stick Together
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F23%2F63610265617860624394081611_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=812&h=8541efa3be6787198011702ee60657097840f1a1fe3bffc4b3c4451d51c3a469&size=980x&c=2576305033 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F23%252F63610265617860624394081611_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D812%26h%3D8541efa3be6787198011702ee60657097840f1a1fe3bffc4b3c4451d51c3a469%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2576305033%22%7D" expand=1]
Guard girls will always have your back.
See Sapphire Winter Guard at Geneseo perform this year in the Northeast Color Guard Circuit. Interested in joining? Contact wguard@geneseo.edu.