Class Age of Members Affiliation Class Criteria Judging Sheet                  
Cadet Middle Members must attend This class is a teaching class designed for the development of beginner level skills and fundamentals. Design should be SAPA 
 School  schools that are feeder  limited to those aspects. Simple movement and equipment (flag, rifle, sabre) is the basis for this class. A floor cover Cadet/Novice 
or lower programs to the same  is optional. Non-traditional equipment is not to be used. In order to compete at circuit championships, units must compete 
high school.  in at least one of the 2nd or 3rd weeks of competition and attend one additional competition. Promotion to Novice class
will occur if units exceed the boundaries of this class. Performance time (minimum 3 minutes, maximum 4 minutes). 
      Cadet Class units are not recommended to attend any WGI regional or national competition.                      
Novice Middle Members must attend This will serve as an entry level class for MIDDLE SCHOOL programs that are ready to explore more mature design than  SAPA 
 School  schools that are feeder  the Cadet Class.  Equipment and movement will focus on the training and achievement of the simplest beginning skills.  Cadet/Novice 
or lower programs to the same  The purpose of this class is to help the performers grow in the elementary principles and efforts in handling 
high school.  equipment and movement. The use of additional props is acceptable (swing flags, etc.) within this class with a 
reminder to focus on full training with additional props/equipment. In the Ensemble Analysis caption, compositional 
qualities should include logic and presentation with good connections, and flow from one idea to the next. 
Obvious melodic line reflections will be the choice for most groups in reflecting musical structure. Focus on the 
correctness of the basics of composition. At pulse, in-step and consistent step off’s and builds to new sets will 
be the priorities.  In General Effect, design and performance skills will be at a beginning level. As beginners, single 
efforts and simple responsibilities will occur.  Effect will be generated largely through precision and timing. Achievement
 of simple beginning skills is the focus of this class, with some exploration of more mature skills. In order to compete at 
circuit championships, units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 3 other competitions. 
There will be NO PROMOTIONS out of this class.  Performance time (minimum 3 minutes, maximum 4 minutes). 
      Novice Class units are not recommended to attend any WGI regional or national competition.                      
Scholastic Middle Members must attend This class is designed for units who are competitive but not quite ready for the demands of the A Class sheets. WGI 
Regional A  School  the same high school or Equipment and movement will focus on the training and achievement of the basic skills. Tosses use a limited variety Regional  
or higher must have permission  of release and catch points and typically take place from a stationary position. Weapons will usually toss no higher A Class
letters on file from all  than triples. Dimensionality is limited and phrases are often very short (16 to 24 counts) with much built in recovery
principals as per WGI time. Movement is mostly demonstrated by moving from place to place with a good range of gestural qualities being
policy. demonstrated. There is usage of simple turns and leaps from performers occasionally exploring level changes around
the body. Performers should demonstrate good examples of body awareness (posture, line, shape, weight) with very
little change in dynamic qualities. Ensemble Analysis will display a beginning level of artistic effort that focuses on
clear staging of the elements, logical progression of ideas (horizontal orchestration) and the basic use of the design
elements. The triad is never completely used with the elements most often being presented singularly and
occasionally presented two at time. In General Effect, the concept and intent should be clear, consistent and
moderately developed. Ideas should move successfully from one to another and the intent of the concept is not
totally dependent on the role of the performers. Performer role, character, and emotional development is evident
but at a basic level with minimal changes. . In order to compete in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or
2nd week of competition and at least 3 other competitions. Promotion to Scholastic AAA class will occur if units exceed
the boundaries of this class. Performance time (minimum 3 minutes, maximum 4 minutes). Time will have to be
added to performance if promotion occurs Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 ˝ minutes). Scholastic
      Regional A Class units are not recommended to attend any WGI regional or national competition.                      
Independent High  Members do not  This class is designed for units who may not have enough resources from one school to field a unit and are competitive WGI 
Regional A School necessarily attend  but not quite ready for the demands of the A Class sheets. Equipment and movement will focus on the training and Regional  
or above the same school  achievement of the basic skills. Tosses use a limited variety of release and catch points and typically take place from A Class
and not exceed   a stationary position. Weapons will usually toss no higher than triples. Dimensionality is limited and phrases are often
the age of 22 at  very short (16 to 24 counts) with much built in recovery time. Movement is mostly demonstrated by moving from place
the timeof WGI  to place with a good range of gestural qualities being demonstrated. There is usage of simple turns and leaps from
Championships. performers occasionally exploring level changes around the body. Performers should demonstrate good examples of
body awareness (posture, line, shape, weight) with very little change in dynamic qualities. Ensemble Analysis will
display a beginning level of artistic effort that focuses on clear staging of the elements, logical progression of ideas
(horizontal orchestration) and the basic use of the design elements. The triad is never completely used with the
elements most often being presented singularly and occasionally presented two at time. 
In General Effect, the concept and intent should be clear, consistent and moderately developed. Ideas should move 
successfully from one to another and the intent of the concept is not totally dependent on the role of the performers. 
Performer role, character, and emotional development is evident but at a basic level with minimal changes. In order to 
compete in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 3 other competitions.
Promotion to Independent A Class will occur if level of design and/or achievement exceeds the criteria of this class.
Performance time (minimum 3 minutes, maximum 4 minutes). Time will have to be added to performance if promotion
occurs (minimum 4, maximum 5 ˝). Independent Regional A class units may not attend any WGI regional or national
       competition.                      
Scholastic High  Members must  This class is designed for a unit that has exceeded the criteria of Regional A, but are not ready either through WGI
AAA School attend the same  individual performance or design for the demands of AA, A, Open, or World Class. Equipment and movement will A Class
high school or  still focus on the training and achievement of basic skills but with more variety than the Regional A units. Tosses
must have   will begin to display more variety of release and catch points with weapons usually tossing no higher than quads.
permission letters There is more exploration of basic dimensionality of equipment and some layering efforts is beginning to occur.
 on file from all  Phrase length is primarily short (16 to 24 counts) and recovery time is still apparent. In Movement, range of
principals as per  dynamic qualities is expanding. There is also expanded use of torso and level changes. There is more exploration
WGI policy. of changes in weight, time, and space, and usage of expressive qualities. Ensemble Analysis shows a program with
skills being demonstrated during the program. There is usage of two elements of the triad simultaneously with
occasional use of all three. In General Effect, the concept shows use of artistic effort and a variety of methods of
creating effect are used. Characterization is more developed. In order to compete in circuit championships units
must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 3 other competitions. Promotion to Scholastic AA
Class will occur if units exceed the boundaries of this class. Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 ˝
minutes). Scholastic AAA Class units may attend any WGI regional or national competition if they choose.
      (Understand difference in WGI ability levels for this class)                      
Scholastic High  Members must  This class is designed for a unit that is not ready for the demands of A, Open, or World Class. Equipment and WGI
AA School attend the same  movement will still focus on the training and achievement of basic skills but with more variety than the Regional A A Class
high school or  units. Tosses will begin to display more variety of release and catch points with weapons usually tossing no higher
must have   than quads. There is more exploration of basic dimensionality of equipment and some layering efforts are
permission letters beginning to occur. Phrase length is still primarily short (16 to 24 counts) with occasional longer phrases (24 to 36
 on file from all  counts) and recovery time is still apparent. In Movement, range of dynamic qualities is still expanding. There is
principals as per  also expanded use of torso and level changes. There is more exploration of changes in weight, time, and space,
WGI policy. and usage of expressive qualities is broadening. Ensemble Analysis shows a more developed program with skills
being demonstrated more frequently during the program. There is increasing usage of two elements of the triad
simultaneously with occasional use of all three. In General Effect, the concept shows a greater use of artistic
effort and a variety of methods of creating effect are used. Characterization is more developed and changes in
the emotional character are beginning to be explored. The concept does place some demand on the performers
to be fully realized. In order to compete in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of
competition and at least 2 other competitions. Promotion to Scholastic A Class will occur if units exceed the
boundaries of this class. Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 ˝ minutes). Scholastic AA Class
units may attend any WGI regional or national competition if they choose. (Understand difference in WGI ability
      levels for this class)                      
Scholastic High  Members must  This class is designed for a unit that is not ready for the demands of Open, or World Class Guards in this area are WGI
A School attend the same  at a level where members and staff have a complete understanding of the basic principles of performance and A Class
high school or  design. Units here may also occasionally explore more intermediate concepts that encourage performers and
must have   designers to broaden their skills. There is moderate rehearsal opportunity and funding to develop this level of
permission letters competitive program. Units competing in this classification are encouraged to maximize the achievement of the
 on file from all  criteria on the A class sheets. In order to compete in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd week
principals as per  of competition and at least 2 other competitions. Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 ˝
WGI policy. minutes). Scholastic A Class units may attend any WGI regional or national competition if they choose and are
      encouraged to do so.                      
Independent High  Members do not  This class is designed for competitive independent units that are not ready for the demands of Open or World WGI
A School necessarily attend  Class. Guards in this class are at a level where there members may be young or less experienced in their A Class
or above the same school  equipment and movement skills. In this category, guards will be encouraged to demonstrate skills in movement
and not exceed   and equipment handling on both flag and weapon (s). Designers should present imaginative shows with sound and
the age of 22 at  logical designs setting achievable standards for their performers. In order to compete in circuit championships
the timeof WGI  units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 2 other competitions. Performance time
Championships. (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 5 ˝ minutes) Independent A Class units may attend any WGI regional or national
      competition if they choose and are encouraged to do so.                      
Independent High  Members do not  This class is designed for a highly competitive unit that is too advanced to find competition in the A Class, but is WGI
Open School necessarily attend  not ready for the demands of World Class. Guards in this class have a greater experience level. Guards will be A Class
or above the same school  challenged to broaden their design and performance skills. Designers and instructors will be challenged to
and not exceed   expand their programming, creative, and instructional techniques. In order to compete in circuit
the age of 22 at  championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 2 other competitions. .
the timeof WGI  Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 6 ˝ minutes). Independent Open Class units may attend any
    Championships. WGI regional or national competition if they choose and are encouraged to do so.                      
Independent High  Members do not  This class is designed for the most highly developed independent programs. The designation World Class WGI
World School necessarily attend  indicates that the unit is competitive on a national level. This is an area where innovation and setting A Class
or above the same school  standards is the goal. This category is open to a guard with the membership talent, design, and instructional
and there is no  staff and budget to place their performers at the challenging level to stimulate growth and development
 age limit. through World Class competition. In order to compete in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd
week of competition and at least 2 other competitions. Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 7 ˝
      minutes). Independent World Class units should attend any WGI regional and/or national competition.                      
Scholastic High  Members must  This class is designed for a highly competitive unit that is too advanced to find competition in the Scholastic A WGI
Open School attend the same  Classes but is not ready for the demands of the Scholastic World Class. Guards in this class have a greater A Class
high school or  experience level. Both staff and performers have the talent to grow beyond the basics, exploring a higher level
must have   of design and performance techniques. There is sufficient rehearsal opportunity and funding to develop this
permission letters level of competitive program to benefit the students and broaden their performance skills. In order to compete
 on file from all  in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 2 other competitions.
principals as per  Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 6 ˝ minutes). Scholastic Open Class units may attend any
    WGI policy. WGI regional or national competition if they choose and are encouraged to do so.                      
Scholastic  High  Members must  This class is designed for the most highly developed high school programs. The designation World Class WGI
World School attend the same  indicates that the unit is competitive on a national level. This is the most advanced level of scholastic A Class
high school or  competition for guards with student talent, design, staff, rehearsal time, and budget capabilities to produce
must have   challenging and creative programs. Students here will be challenged to expand their technical and
permission letters performance base to achieve their fullest potential within programs that utilize advanced concepts of design.
 on file from all  In order to compete in circuit championships units must attend the 1st or 2nd week of competition and at least 2
principals as per  other competitions. Performance time (minimum 4 minutes, maximum 7 ˝ minutes). Independent World Class
    WGI policy. units should attend any WGI regional and/or national competition.