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17th Century Drill Team Competition Observations

GENERAL

The drill team competition has been designed so that the greatest range of units may participate in it without having to modify their basic "exercise" to any great extent. It is understood that certain manuals do not always contain the exact commands necessary to perform the routine as laid out. However, there is much evidence to support the fact that unit commanders improvised many "exercises and maneuvers" to meet their requirements. This is still being done today. Where units feel their manuals of instructions are not up to the needs of the competition they may adopt the pertinent sections of others of the same period or devise their own, keeping the same feel and flavor of the originals.

THE COMPETITION ROUTINE

This is a drill competition, so arguing whether a certain unit would or would not have done a specific movement, is irrelevant. They did it because they were ordered to do so and adapted as necessary. Therefore, consider this competition routine your "orders."

UNIFORMITY AND ECONOMY OF MOTION

The whole point of drill, any kind of drill, is to get everyone to do the right thing at the right time with a minimum of fuss. To that end the philosophy of uniformity and economy of motion was devised. Simply stated this means that everyone does a predetermined thing in the same way and at the same time, every time, nothing else.

We normally do not try to emulate the Brigade of Guards performing the Queen's Birthday parade but for this competition we should. This does not mean to use modern drill, it means to aim for the standard of uniformity and expertise in drill that they display on such occasions.

The biggest offenders in this competition are those individuals who are always moving around the check something or correct something. There is nothing that stands out more than someone moving when everyone around them is still. Anyone with a terminal case of the fidgets does not belong on a drill team. Also, it is better to be in a slightly wrong position, unnoticed for a few seconds, than to move to the correct position and announce the error to everyone. Make your corrections when everyone is moving, otherwise - FREEZE

SUPERNUMERIES AND MUSICIANS

By 'supernumerary' is meant a commander who is not one of the five muskets on the team. Supernumeraries or musicians may stand or march in any place, within reason, that the team commander decides. There is sufficient evidence to show that drummers stood, marched, and played in front, behind, to the left, and to the right of formations; likewise for commanders. A five man formation is hardly one or predicates the positions of supernumeraries and musicians upon.

The supernumeraries and musicians may also change positions as the commander sees fit, provided it is done in a military manner and at an appropriate time.

The supernumeraries and musicians are not required elements of the team but they can both add to and detract from the overall score. There are no specific points given for their performance but if they enhance the overall impression created elsewhere. On the other hand, a sloppy performance by either or both will definitely deduct points.

DRESS AND EQUIPMENT

Although dress and equipment are not prescribed other than as give in Section VII Paragraphs 4 and 5, the look of a unit does have some bearing on the performance of a drill team. Uniformity in dress and equipment helps to emphasize the uniformity of motion. It also helps to make the team look as if it belongs together. No points are given for uniformity in dress, but appearance does make an impression on those watching. For example (without naming anyone), a number of years again a very well dressed 18th/19th century unit was performing, and not very well at that. However, talking with the judges later, it was discovered that this team had scored much higher than the viewers suspected. (They did not win anything fortunately) and the main reason give for the high score was that they "looked good." The judging since that time has become much more sophisticated and professions so the same thi8ng is not likely to happen again, especially to that degree. However, it does point out that a uniform look can create a positive bias in the onlooker.