Getting In and
Out
With No Penalties by Mark Harasim Judge
Coordinator,
Indiana Percussion Association
Featured
Artist
At one time or another we have all seen a group that takes way
too much time to set up their floor. The tarp wasn't folded
properly, the props don’t fit in the doors, or perhaps the
electronics are screeching and no one understands what went
wrong between warm-up and the performance.
Most people can relate to one of those problems and you know
how it can impact a performance. In the next few minutes
you’ll find out how to avoid being “that group” and how to
make sure your team is set up for success before the show
begins.
For most units that have a floor and props nearly every
performer has a job during set up and tear down. If your tarp
crew consists of performing members I suggest using members of
the battery. The most effective way to set up quickly is to
have them enter the arena before the rest of the ensemble and
set their drums down along the side or back, out of the way of
traffic while the rest of the group begins to enter the arena.
Usually eight kids will get the job done efficiently and with
ease. Have three students hold one end (corner, center,
corner) and have five students pulling the other end very low
to the floor – this prevents air from creating bubbles under
your floor. Once your tarp is out have your students spaced
evenly along the edges of the floor – three across the front &
back and one in the center on each side. Once the performers
are in place center your floor and have them pull it tight.
Going through this process will help prevent your tarp from
having large creases that make it difficult and dangerous for
your students to perform.
One of the potentially worst things an ensemble can do is set
up their floor as close to the front sideline (FSL) as
possible. If you do this you are only asking for trouble.
Nearly every arena allows for you to set up your floor at
least three feet behind the line. This will help prevent any
FSL infractions during the show. Many people are unaware of
the FSL boundary rules. The FSL is like the goal line in
football, it is a vertical plane. Once the performance begins,
you are penalized a tenth (0.1) of a point every time a member
or a piece of equipment crosses it. In short, the farther back
you are, the better off you are.
Another aspect to consider is what kind of equipment you use
with your front ensemble. Those old, beat up stands that we
like to use for everything can get you into trouble. You may
root around in the percussion room to find an old snare drum
stand or an old cymbal stand so you can mount tempo blocks on
it. By the time you get to a show, that sneaky stand costs you
a couple of tenths in penalty points because the rubber feet
have been missing since the Civil War! Make sure you check all
of your equipment, including tympani pedals, to make sure
there is no bare metal that can potentially damage the floor
in the arena.
Along with those stands are the carts used to move equipment
and any props you may choose to have in your show. No matter
what materials are used to create your props, make sure you
visit all of them with a roll of duct tape and some type of
padding. Do the same thing with any metal cart handles and the
bare feet on those pesky stands to insure you do everything
possible to prevent damage to the floors in the schools,
arenas and other buildings that we visit.
Props can also do serious damage to the facility if they are
built or handled improperly. There are many teams that will
incorporate large props, platforms, ramps or some other very
large item into their show. Height and width are extremely
important considerations for such items so be mindful of the
entrance and exit scenarios that you may encounter during the
season. When you are deciding on what type of props you may
want, think about how they need to be built for easy entry and
exit, not only from the performance area, but in the loading
and unloading zones as well. All modern buildings generally
have standard 36" single doors but there are a handful of
facilities that may have 33" doors.
Each year discussion arises about the type of battery power
that is permitted. If you choose to use a battery to power any
of your electronics, it must be a gel-cell that is completely
self-contained. Car/truck type wet batteries are prohibited
and the penalty is stiff - ten (10) points up to
disqualification.
I hope you find this article informative and that it brings
some details to the forefront that might otherwise be
overlooked. And finally, if you have any questions concerning
potential rules infractions please visit the Indiana
Percussion Association's rules and regulations webpage:
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