You can use this grid to figure out how many steps you are away from a yard line. You will notice that a performer traveling from the 20 yard line to the 25 yard line would cross 8 of these small "boxes," hence 8 steps to 5 yards, or 8-to-5. Each of these smallest "boxes" represents one standard step (8-to-5). If you look closely, you will see that the entire field is covered in a grid of large boxes, each made up of a smaller 4x4 grid.
Since the measurements of these yard line numbers are standardized, they can be used to help in setting drill. NCAA football fields have large yard line numbers painted on the field every ten yards. NCAA football fields have yard lines every five yards, extending from the front sideline to the back sideline.
The center drum major podium is at the front sideline. The front sideline (bottom of the page) is often referred to as the "home sideline," even though here at ISU, that sideline is occupied by the visiting team. The back sideline (top of the page) is often referred to as the "away sideline," even though here at ISU, that sideline is occupied by the home team. The hashes you may be used to on high school football fields are a little further apart from each other, while collegiate/NCAA hashes are closer together (and NFL stadium hashes are closer still!) The ones nearer the top of the page are the back hashes, while the ones nearer the bottom of the page are the front hashes. These are the horizontal marks that divide a football field in thirds. If the drill move requires special or more detailed instructions, they will often be found in this lower area, where there is more room to discuss the needed move sequences.
Instructions found on a page are always how to get to that page from the previous one. In this area you will also find the measures in the music that you are moving during (so that you can pencil them into your part, which will help you learn the drill and the music much faster). This is where you will find the title of the drill (to differentiate it from other drill you may be learning), what set # it is, as well as the basic movement instructions, which might include “Move,” “Hold,” "Turn," or any of several other commands. Please take a moment to identify all the separate elements of the chart: Below you will find a sample page from a drill chart that was designed for the 2015 Marching Sycamores. This tutorial can also be helpful for those that only have a rudimentary knowledge of how to read a drill chart or coordinate sheet, and could help you learn to secure positions/spots/forms much more quickly – something quite useful if you are applying for a leadership position that involves the teaching of drill, for example.The best place to begin is at the beginning. It can also help you "brush up" on your terminology and make coming back to marching band a little easier. This tutorial is designed for those that have not previously participated in their high school marching band, or have little to no experience with reading a drill chart or a set of coordinate sheets (perhaps your high school bandused one to the exclusion of the other). The Marching Sycamores use a system of coordinate sheets, in addition to drill charts for selected members, in order to quickly and efficiently learn our marching drill.