A.Competitors in this phase of the competition must compete with four members total:  two flag bearers and two guardsmen.  The flags carried will include the Colors and either a state flag or a flag representing the respective service of the competing team.  Guardsmen must carry a weapon to include either rifle or saber.  A representative of the Color Guard team must check in at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to their scheduled competition time at the Head Judge’s table located at the Color Guard pads.  At the scheduled time, the Color Guard Commander will march the Color Guard to the edge of the pad and request permission to enter the pad from the Head Judge (who will be wearing the “Head Judge” badge) by saying, “Sir/Ma’am, (name of school) requests permission to begin Color Guard Competition.”

B.The Color Guard will then enter the drill area, position themselves centered and six paces from the Head Judge and then execute Present ARMS.  The Commander will then report to the Head Judge, "Sir/Ma'am, (name of school) present for the Color Guard Competition."  They will then execute Order COLORS and remain at Attention for a five-minute inspection by the Head Judge. 

C.Once the inspection is completed, the Color Guard will immediately execute the drill sequence that will be provided upon registering for the competition. The drill sequence must be executed from memory (no coaching or drill card will be provided during the competition), and all commands listed must be executed in sequence. 

D.Once the drill sequence is completed, the Color Guard will position themselves centered and six paces from the Head Judge, execute Present ARMS, and then the Color Guard Commander will report out by saying, "Sir/Ma'am, (name of school) has completed the Color Guard Competition."  The team will then leave the drill area.

E.The entire Color Guard competition will be no more than 10 minutes.  Teams will be assessed one penalty point for each five seconds above the time limit.  Time will begin when the team crosses the boundary line into the drill area and end when the team crosses the boundary line out of the drill area.

F.The team will be judged on military bearing, posture, precision, and correct execution of Color Guard procedures as prescribed by the respective military authorities.

G.The drill pad for the Color Guard competition is 60 ft by 60 ft.

H.One judge will be designated as Head Judge and will be stationed in the center of one boundary.  The other judges will circulate around the field.  All time and boundary violations will be reported to the Head Judge by the line judges.