The flags team is a vital part of many schools and athletic programs, bringing energy, precision, and visual impact to performances and events. Often seen alongside the marching band or cheerleaders, they use coordinated flag movements to enhance routines and engage the crowd. Beyond the performance, the team builds discipline, teamwork, and school spirit through hours of practice and dedication.
Getting Started
“What inspired me is that my old school had a team, and I used to watch them all the time. Then my best friend Brinley asked if I would join, and I said yes.”
Starting something new can feel scary, but for many, flags begin with inspiration and encouragement from friends. Watching others perform, especially people you admire, is often the spark that leads someone to join. For this student, it all began with a simple invitation-and it turned out to be something life-changing.
A New Community
“My favorite thing about flags is probably the community. I have so many new friends, and it feels ike one big family.”
There’s more to flags than spinning and tossing. The friendships formed during practices, performances, and team events are one of the most meaningful parts. Everyone works together, supports each other, and learns side by side. It becomes more than just a team-it becomes a family.
Learning by Example
” I have seen our captain, Hanna, choreograph our last song, Into the Stone, and she put a lot of work into it. She had to work on that and balance it with other extracurriculars.”
Watching leaders step up to the challenge teaches everyone on the team about responsibility, time management, and creativity. Even without choreographing a routine yourself, you can learn a lot by watching someone who puts in the effort and leads by example.
Teamwork
“For working together, we have done a lot of team bonding, and we practice together every other day. We practice by ourselves every day. It’s a lot of learning and remembering what to do so we can come together and look good.”
Team success depends on practice- both as a group and individually. Routines are made of many moving parts, and everyone needs to know their counts and timing. This kind of coordination takes time and teamwork, and it’s the daily effort that leads to success on the field.
Balancing It All
“I balance by making sure I use my study hall so I don’t have homework. Then, when I go home, I practice a minimum of 20 minutes. I just try my best, but you always have your rough days.”
Managing school, flag, and personal time isn’t always easy. Using time wisely during the school day helps leave room for practice later. Still, some days are hard- and that’s okay. What matters is doing your best and not giving up.
Skills That Go Beyond Flags
“Some of the skills I have learned are how to communicate better with my peers and how to be in sync with other people during a task, because it’s one of the most important things to learn.”
Flag isn’t just about performing-it teaches real-life skills that go far beyond the field. Being able to work with others, stay organized, and communicate clearly are all things that will help in school, work, and life.
Challenges and Team Size
” I think our biggest challenge is how big our team is. We have 12 girls and only one coach, one captain, and one vice captain. It is hard for our veterans to help nine people at the same time who are new to it, but we always get help if we need it. They always make sure.”
A large team can be difficult to manage, especially when there are a lot of new members and only a few leaders. Still, strong leadership and helpful teammates make sure that everyone gets the support they need. Even with challenges, the team works hard to make sure no one is left behind.
Grateful to Be Part of It
“I’m so grateful that I joined, and about how nice everyone is. I love being a part of the family.”
At the end of the day, flag is more than just routines and performances-it’s about belonging. It’s about growing as a person, making memories, and finding your place. Being on the team brings joy, confidence, and a sense of connection that lasts far beyond the season.
All quotes in this article are from Jozi B.