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How to Toss a Flag

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Toss a Flag

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Ever wonder how to flip a flag and actually catch it? Like at football games when the colorguard does it? Well read on and you will learn how.

Edit Steps

Crank Toss:

  1. 1
    Hold the flag where the silk (sail) is up.
  2. 2
    Grab the flag in the silk, one dollar bill above the tab with your left hand, (the tab is the tape that holds the sail to the pole)and hold your right hand palm side up one dollar bill below the tab.
  3. 3
    Put the pole between your thumb and your index finger.
  4. 4
    Hold the flag 7-9 inches away from your belly button.
  5. 5
    Quickly flip your hand around, and let go of the flag.

Standard Method:

  1. 1
    Hold flag at 45 degree angle with silk down. Your left hand will be on the bottom end cap of the pole, palm down. Your right hand will be as described above (one dollar bill length into silk, palm up).
  2. 2
    Push down with your left hand (release left hand), and send the bottom of the pole counter-clockwise until your right hand is at your forehead, wrist facing out toward audience. The flag should now be upside-down and perpendicular to ground.
  3. 3
    Let go of the flag with a flick of your right wrist.
  4. 4
    Catch the flag with two hands after it has rotated one and half times, with silk up. For a snappy, crisp catch which will stop the flag instantly, catch with your left hand on top (palm right) and your right hand on bottom (palm left).

Edit Tips

  • You will probably drop it the first time. Don't give up though... keep trying, and you will get better.
  • Practice in an open area. Preferably outside away from people.
  • Do not be afraid to let go of the flag!
  • Use a lot of force when you flip it.
  • Do not be afraid of catching the flag, yes it will hit you a few times when you are learning but believe it or not, it doesn't really hurt! Just embarrassing.
  • When the flag is in the air, be aware of your free hands. They should be at your sides and stiff, not dangling or waving about.
  • Stay in your toaster! Translation: keep flag perpendicular to ground at all times. If you toss at an angle, it will come back down at an angle and will a) look awful and b) hit you in the head. Imagine you are in a toaster slot, if your flag hits the sides, you will get burned.

Edit Warnings

  • Don't have long nails, they will break!
  • Don't practice around people, you will hurt them!
  • Don't practice inside!
  • Watch out, you will probably look like an idiot until you are really good.
  • Never do this without a proper instructor's guidance. It's very dangerous to practice based on only what you have read. Mistakes in this can lead to injury, so take caution.

Edit Things You'll Need

  • Flag
  • Yard or open space
  • Tape (depending on the color of the flag)
  • Flag pole

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Article Info

Last edited:
February 27, 2012 by Vishal M

Categories:
Pictures | Flags | Marching Bands

Recent edits by: Maniac, Wingrider, Sarah Eliza (see all)

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