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Prop Placement

Posted by field staging on 9/6/2025, 3:03 pm

We will be using a 10x10 and a 15x4 prop this year. Where should they be placed?

Context:
We only use 35 to 35 and front sideline to 4 steps before the hash.
30 kids in the program.
All percussion is on the front hash except keyboard, which is on the sideline at the 50.

I'm not sure if it makes sense to have them by the hash and angle them in so the band is "staged" and takes up more space, or have the 15x4 on the front.

Re: Prop Placement

Posted by DesertJazz on 9/6/2025, 5:14 pm, in reply to "Prop Placement"

I would put them as close to the front as you are able. Keep in mind that even that 10x10 size is going to look absolutely tiny on the field. I had a 32'x12' 'cave' prop we made one year and I made the mistake of putting that too far back. It would have been good at the front hash, but we had it in the middle or at the visitor hash, and looked small.

This past year, we did a 32-foot-long, 8' 8-foot-high Alamo and put it 8 steps off the front sideline at the closest side and angled it out to the field about 16 steps, probably. That was effective in my opinion, at least.

Keep in mind that 15' long sounds long, but it's only one five-yard line gap.

I generally believe the 'props' that are just there to be there don't make a lot of sense for the trouble you go through for them if they're not built into the design itself. Do you write your own drill? If not, ask your drill writer for some suggestions on placement. I'd have to see your drill to give you any better answers.

Re: Prop Placement

Posted by field staging OP on 9/7/2025, 7:30 am, in reply to "Re: Prop Placement"

I do the drill myself. Here is a link to the video.

I was thinking of "connecting" the props to percussion in the back to frame the band. You are correct that I'm likely overestimating the size of the props. XD

I'm not sure if I made it clear, but they are vinyl props with a picture. 10x10 has wheels, but I'm not sure if anyone will be able to move it. Are parents allowed to? Not from TX, so details like this are unknown to me.

Re: Prop Placement

Posted by Me on 9/8/2025, 7:35 am, in reply to "Re: Prop Placement"

Ten feet is a bit more than three yards. Something that small that far backfield will be invisible or ignored. Front sideline is almost certainly your best bet - perhaps on both 35 yard lines (or even the 40!) framing your ensemble.

If your group is that small, you also may want to move the percussion forward. You don't need to stage them 30 feet behind the ensemble.

Re: Prop Placement

Posted by op on 9/8/2025, 10:26 am, in reply to "Re: Prop Placement"

Thank you for the response! I can only move percussion four steps forward; otherwise, that messes with a few sets. Is that what you mean, or put them on the front sideline?

Re: Prop Placement

Posted by DesertJazz on 9/7/2025, 8:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Prop Placement"

If you're going to use that larger one, I'd push your percussion section forward and put it directly behind them. Your other one I would place one one side or the other of the forties about 10 steps from the sideline and angled towards the judges to help shrink the field down. You mentioned a keyboard, if you can power it differently, (generator/batteries) I would put it on the back with your percussion.

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