Pep flags explained

Pep flags, also known as flaggies, short flags, small flags, or twirl flags, is the performing art of twirling one or two flag(s) as part of a choreographed routine. In the early 21st century, some school flag squads have implemented a third or even fourth flag in routines. This performing art is mainly prominent in Southern California high schools. It is mainly in high schools but a few are in elementary, middle school, and college/university levels.

Although pep flags has been around for many decades (and has evolved much since then), it has been gaining in popularity around the world. This particular style of pep flags has spanned out to other areas in Northern California and Nevada and has been known to have similar styles in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Twirling has also reached other countries such as Australia, Canada, Hungary, Japan, South America, St. Kitts, and the United Kingdom.

Depending on the place, pep flags may be classified with baton (flag baton), majorettes or precision/prop. Usually, pep flags is often associated with cheerleading, as it is one of the main aspects of school spirit: cheerleading, songleading/pom pom, mascots, and pep flags. Not to be confused with auxiliary or colorguard, pep flags is a separate discipline. However, much like other auxiliary and spirit teams, pep flags takes much hand and eye coordination, athleticism, showmanship, and overall teamwork and good sportsmanship. Many flag routines involve choreography to music, dance/cheer elements (such as kicklines, pyramid mounts, etc.), numerous combinations of twirls, flag tricks, and flag tosses (also known as exchanges).

Many schools that have a pep flag squad can generally be seen performing at school pep rallies, football games (pre-game, half-time, or even along the sideline with the cheerleaders), and cheering at other sporting events during the fall. Some may be seen marching with their school's marching band during parade season. In the Northern Hemisphere spring, teams compete in several indoor competitions against other schools. Some of the main competitions that occur are United Spirit Association (USA) Regionals and Nationals, Miss Dance Drill Team USA, and Sharp competitions, as well as smaller school-sponsored competitions throughout the Southern California area. Generally, these competitions have two separate divisions for one-flag and two-flag routines. In addition, they may also include solo, duet, and trio divisions as well.

Schools

Pep Flags in media

Pep flags, or the use of pep flags, is featured in various media. Such depictions include:

Musicals

Music videos

Television

Movies

Competition history

United Spirit Association (USA) National Champions
YearTwo-Flag DivisionOne-Flag DivisionTwo-Flag - Novice Division
1986Channel Islands High School
1987Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
1988Channel Islands High SchoolCarson High School
1989Carson High School
1990Narbonne High School
1991Channel Islands High School
1992Narbonne High School
1993Narbonne High School
1994Arapahoe High School
1995Narbonne High School
1996Narbonne High School
1997Bishop Montgomery High School
1998Channel Islands High School
1999Narbonne High School
2000Carson High School
2001Channel Islands High School
2002Channel Islands High School
2003Channel Islands High School
2004Carson High School
2005Carson High SchoolCarson High School
(One-Flag Division was reinstated in 2005)
2006Carson High SchoolCarson High School
2007Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2008Long Beach Polytechnic High SchoolLong Beach Polytechnic High School
2009Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2010Channel Islands High SchoolMorse High School
2011Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2012Carson High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2013Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2014Morse High SchoolMorse High School
2015Morse High schoolMorse High schoolGlendora High School
2016Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolGlendora High School
2017Channel Islands High School
Carson High School
(co-champions)
Carson High SchoolCrescenta Valley High School
2018Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolCrescenta Valley High School
2019Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolCrescenta Valley High School
Miss Dance Drill Team USA (MDDTUSA) US and International Champions
YearUS National Champion — Two-Flag Division (See Kay Teer Crawford)US National Champion — One-Flag DivisionWorld Champion
1983Pioneer High School
1984
1985Westchester High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
1986Bishop Montgomery High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolBishop Montgomery High School
1987Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
1988Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
1989Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolNarbonne High School
1990Channel Islands High School
(One- and Two-Flag divisions were combined 1990-2006)
Bishop Montgomery High School
1991Narbonne High School
1992Narbonne High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
1993Narbonne High School
1994Narbonne High School
1995Narbonne High SchoolNarbonne High School
1996Narbonne High School
1997Narbonne High School
1998Narbonne High School
1999Channel Islands High School
2000Channel Islands High School
2001Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2002Channel Islands High School
2003Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2004Channel Islands High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2005Channel Islands High School
2006Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2007Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2008Narbonne High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2009Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2010Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2011Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2012Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2013Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2014Bishop Montgomery High SchoolBishop Montgomery High School
2015Kyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)Channel Islands High School
2016Channel Islands High SchoolChannel Islands High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2017Bishop Montgomery High SchoolKyoei Gakuen High School (Japan)
2018Carson High SchoolChannel Islands High School
2019Carson High SchoolCarson High School

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2014 . Miss Dance Drill Team USA . April 18, 2019 .
  2. Web site: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2017 . Miss Dance Drill Team USA . April 18, 2019 .
  3. Web site: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2012 . Miss Dance Drill Team USA . April 18, 2019 .
  4. Web site: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Team Awards 2013 . Miss Dance Drill Team USA . April 18, 2019 .