C.Holland Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Honestly, just seeing how the shows progress in the last decade, it will probably take something awful to happen for DCI to put a governor on the car so to speak. None of us wants that. And the minute you do put a limit on things people will meet it with closed minds and apprehension. But sadly that's what it will probably take. Edited August 25, 2014 by C.Holland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRASSO Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Raise your hand here if you know that in the US, there are more injuries per participant in youth soccer every year, than per participant in youth football every year. There are more injuries per participant in youth Track & Field H.S. sports than per participant participation in DCI Drum Corps too. Edited August 25, 2014 by BRASSO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Holland Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I would think there are more injuries in youth sports and activities in general as they are still learning the basics as well as how to control their bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everyfan Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 There is no shame or silliness in asking that these corps put safety above general effect in planning these wow moments. And I'm not saying they aren't, but it doesn't hurt to have a discussion about how to make the entire process better and more safe. From some of the top corps I have observed, they DO put safety above other aspects. Just because a move is/looks risky doesn't mean they haven't put in hours of preparation and discussion before they ever even present it to the members. Even minor injuries get discussed as far as "what happened and how can we prevent it in the future?". This may not be how it is across the board, but I would think that is up to each individual organization and would be one more piece of information you would want to know before deciding where to march and where not to march. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actucker Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I could get hurt walking down the street. That doesn't keep me from getting from point A to point B. The awareness of that possibility simply encourages me to look before crossing the street, be aware of my surroundings, and generally look out for my own safety. Should I not be allowed to walk down the street? There are inherent risks in anything we do. The risks associated with the marching activities are minuscule compared to the vast majority of other youth activities. There is no reason for concern. A few stories, however sad, do not accurately paint the picture of the risks involved in the activity. Furthermore, any performer knows the risks involved with the activity when they sign their membership contract. The idea that staff's are not doing everything they can to ensure member's safety is simply baseless. I also take exception to the notion that members are being coerced back onto the field quicker than their recovery time would require. This is simply not true in my experience. Every staff I've worked with has taken member's well being very seriously, and subscribes to the notion that a member is more valuable fully recovered and on the field for finals than pushing through an injury and potentially ending their season. These corps all have medical staffs on tour prepared to handle any issues, and the number of season ending injuries is no higher today than it was when I was marching. The fact is, bad things happen. It doesn't matter how careful you are, bad things are going to happen. Drum corps aren't doing anything that is unreasonably unsafe, but as it is an athletic activity, there is an inherent risk. Members assume that risk any time they agree to membership. This topic is simply a thinly veiled stab at modern drum corps designs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everyfan Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I think as important of a consideration would be appropriate recovery and care for the injury sustained. If the injury is considered and accounted for, as some have written, is the same consideration given to the care and necessary recovery of that injury? The young men and women I have talked to (for the most part) ignore this aspect because they have to get back to drill and not have a hole for the next show. Put a brace on whatever hurts, swallow a handful of Ranger candy and put ice on it later. The activity, as it exists, rarely allows for the proper care and recovery of injury, as opposed to most organized athletics. Just my observations. Actually, some corps have now added a nurse and/or physical therapist to their travelling staff. Even small injuries should not be ignored as they can become major ones later. Then again, it would be hard for a staff to police someon who says they are not injured and are "fine". That has to come from the values they (staff AND other members) instill on each other. If the attitude of the corps is to "tough it out" or "walk it off", it can create an atmosphere where they might behave as you suggest above. Again, this seems like information one would want to know before joining any organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seen-it-all Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 This topic is simply a thinly veiled stab at modern drum corps designs. I don't agree with that assessment at all. There's a legitimate and thoughtful discussion to be had here, even if it's less about the dangers or extreme hyperbole and more about sharing the safety and prevention techniques of the corps who make this their top priority and do it well. Information gathering and sharing of what WORKS can help all the corps be better at this aspect of how they design their shows and take care of their members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actucker Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I don't agree with that assessment at all. There's a legitimate and thoughtful discussion to be had here, even if it's less about the dangers or extreme hyperbole and more about sharing the safety and prevention techniques of the corps who make this their top priority and do it well. Information gathering and sharing of what WORKS can help all the corps be better at this aspect of how they design their shows and take care of their members. Drum corps hire specialists for this very topic. What exactly is the DCP community going to tell them that they don't already know? They are experts for a reason. Lets not overvalue DCP conversation here. This is a fan message board. Most of the activity could care less what is said here. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seen-it-all Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Drum corps hire specialists for this very topic. What exactly is the DCP community going to tell them that they don't already know? They are experts for a reason. Lets not overvalue DCP conversation here. This is a fan message board. Most of the activity could care less what is said here. Fine, then feel free to leave the conversation and let others discuss it. I teach drum corps, and I know many others who do as well who post or lurk here. I'm interested in learning more about what other corps do in regards to this topic, and if something comes up which I haven't thought of before, I'd be more than willing to pass it along to my colleagues and others who might be interested in learning more about it. No, this discussion will probably not save any lives, but there's no harm in talking about and sharing techniques that could make things better, whether it's for the bands we work with, or the color guards or indoor groups, or even the best drum corps in the world. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actucker Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 (edited) Fine, then feel free to leave the conversation and let others discuss it. I teach drum corps, and I know many others who do as well who post or lurk here. I'm interested in learning more about what other corps do in regards to this topic, and if something comes up which I haven't thought of before, I'd be more than willing to pass it along to my colleagues and others who might be interested in learning more about it. No, this discussion will probably not save any lives, but there's no harm in talking about and sharing techniques that could make things better, whether it's for the bands we work with, or the color guards or indoor groups, or even the best drum corps in the world. That would be all well and good, except that that's not the conversation that will be had in this topic. Instead it will be a string of complaints about how dangerous modern design is (with no actual knowledge of what goes into the implementation of those designs), and those in the know defending said design and instructional staffs. The conversation to be had (and I agree, its a valid one) is not one you will find here. We're now on the third page of the topic, and I have yet to see any actual explanation of safety precautions other than the obvious "rehearsal". Edited August 25, 2014 by actucker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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