Reply #2: marching band/drum corps can be just as dangerous [View All]

especially on blind drill moves.

In 1994 I marched with the Madison Scouts drum and bugle corps. We were in Santa Clara, CA, for a show one night, and were chatting with one of the colorguard girls from the Santa Clara Vanguard. They told us a story of one show where two rifle lines were in a blind exchange; that is, neither line could actually see the rifles as they were coming in to be caught; they were scripted to catch them backward.

One rifle actually cracked open a member's skull. She finished the show.

Another time, in our show, one of our saber tosses got a bit out of hand. The tip of the saber (they were blunted, of course, but not totally dull) came own and sliced open the guy's face a bit. He also finished the show.