Team Handbook by Al Hargus - KiteLife

THE
“NO SECRETS”
HANDBOOK
OF
TEAM
SPORT KITE
FLYING
© 1998
by AL HARGUS III
© COPYRIGHT 1998
Al Hargus III
3296 Thornway Drive
Columbus, OH 43231-6199
U.S.A.
614-475-3307
AWizard1025@aol.com

INTRODUCTION
by Al Hargus
I have been flying on one sport kite team or another since the mid-80's and there is
always seems to be something new to learn. One of the purposes of this handbook is to
share some of the things I have learned about flying with other people on a team. My belief
has always been that then more teams there are the better it is for the sport and the hobby,
and more fun for me.
One of the greatest joys I have is flying with other people on a team. After you fly
team, you really don't seem to enjoy flying by yourself anymore.
I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I fly on a team that "really" works
together as a single unit. There is a magic created when a team flies. If you are the person
that creates the routine flown by the team you are partly responsible for that bit of magic.
This magic can occur at the practice field, in front of spectators or on the competition
field in front of judges. Where the magic occurs doesn't really matter to me. What really
matters is that you create the magic.
I hope that in some small way this handbook helps you and your teammates create
that magic. It is a feeling that only a very few kitefliers ever enjoy. AND always remember
to share what you have learned with others.
AUTHORS NOTE: The author of this handbook assumes that the beginning sport
kite team flier has a general knowledge and ability in flying sport kites. The author also
assumes no responsibility for damaged equiptment (or broken friendships) while learning
to fly team.
ONE

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
There is nothing more exciting to the average spectator at a kite event than seeing
a team of sport kite fliers in the air. The intricate patterns they make in the air are simply
amazing. This handbook is designed to give the beginning sport kite flier a basic
knowledge of flying team.
If you plan to fly with friends for "Fun" this handbook will give you all the "Secrets"
you will need to really enjoy team flying. If you are interested in entering the world of
"Competitive Team Flying", this booklet will give you many tips, tricks and advice to help
your team into the winners circle.
TEAM GOALS
When fliers get together to fly as a team they need to decide what their goal will be.
There are basically two types of teams: Teams for fun and Teams for competition.
The goal should be discussed before anything else. These goals will determine
almost everything else the team will do. Goals determine choices of equipment, amount
of commitment required, time spent at practice, and especially expenses.
If you decide to fly just for the fun of being with others in the air at the same time then
you can fly just about any kind of kite together. The kites don't even need to be of the same
type. You will have to work at matching speed and turning radius of the different styles of
kites, but this can be done. You can practice when everyone can, and have a great time
at it.
If you decide to form a competitive sport kite team there are many things to discuss.
Where will we compete? How will we pay for the expenses of a competitive team? Where
will we get matching kites? Where will we get flying line? How often will we practice? What
kind of team uniforms do we want? How long do we want to be a team together? There are
hundreds of things a team needs to discuss.
It might be a good idea for a competitive team to write down each members answers
to these a questions that you will encounter. It is better to know everyone's ideas and true
goals at the beginning.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Attitude is a very important part of team flying. It doesn't matter if you decide to fly
team for the fun of it or to try to become World Champions. You are a part of a team.
Everyone needs to know exactly what direction everyone else wants to go and then you
can all get there together as a "Team" .
You will all have more "Fun" and you will "Compete" better if everyone has the right
attitude, the same attitude from the very beginning. Talk to your teammates. Teams that
are the very best have the same goal and work toward that goal together.
TWO

EQUIPTMENT
CHOICE OF KITES
The choice of kites can be as varied as the style and pocketbook of the team allows.
The choice of kite for team flying is vastly different than one for individual flying. As an
individual you do not have to match any kite but your own. When you turn you can punch,
pull, or fly just about anyway you choose. This is not the case with team flying.
Generally large, slow, steady flying kites are the best choice for team flying. The kite
needs to be slow for a beginning team in light to moderate winds ( 6 to 12 m.p.h.) Kites
with a deep keel will be more stable and steady than flatter kites. Larger kites are generally
slower, and artistically a group of large kites (7 to 8 foot wing span) in the air together is
a very impressive sight.
Serious Competition teams will have several sets of kites to deal with the varying
wind conditions they are required to fly in at a sport kite competition. (AKA rules require
Masters Class Teams to fly in 2 to 25 m.p.h.) Teams will have a set of ultralight kites for
light winds (2 to 6 m.p.h.), a medium wind set of kites. (6 to 12 m.p.h.) and a third set for
high winds ( 12 to 25+ m.p.h.)
For the beginning competitive or fun team several sets of kites is beyond the teams
financial abilities. There are other ways to compensate for different winds. In higher winds
the bridles can be adjusted (Generally back, down or away from the nose) to reduce the
speed and the pull of the kites. There are also wind tamers or air brakes that will slow the
kites and allow them to be flown in higher winds.
ADJUSTING THE SPEED OF TEAM KITES
Music and team ballet competitions are another reason for wishing to change the
speed of team kites. Slow music will require slow kites even in high winds. Fast music will
require faster kites even in slow winds. (This aspect of kite control will be discussed in the
Music selection section) A Team will also have to match speed during precision competitions.
Ideally all kites should fly at the same speed and have the same turning radius and
climb speed. By adjusting the bridle point you can slow down or speed up each individual
kite so that it will fly and turn at the same speed as the rest of the kites on the team.
The easiest way to check this is to have the team perform a ground pass and then
perform a turn straight up. Do not step back or walk forward to change the kite speed. If
a kite out flies all the rest (Faster - More climb) adjust the bridle point lower (Back or away
from the nose) If a kite lags behind the rest (Slower) adjust the bridle point higher. (Up
or toward the nose.) Also remember that changing the bridle setting can change the pull
of a kite. At a certain point you will have adjusted the bridles for speed control so much that
a kite will not turn with the same radius as the other kites. To solve this problem you can
then shorten the top spreader slightly to slow a specific kite. Try shortening the spreader
1/4 inch at a time and check the speed of the kite with the others in the team. Continue this
process until the speed and turning radius of all kites are the same. (NOTE: Measure the
original spreader so that you can return to the stock length if you wish to.)
THREE

FLYING LINES - TYPE AND LENGTH
Flying line is the second most important item on the teams list of necessities. Spectra
fiber line is the best choice for team flying. It is very slippery and allows the team to wrap
lines without locking up or binding.
Length of lines is very critical to the style and flying technique of a team. As a kite
flies it generates a turbulence or backwash behind it. If another kite flies directly into that
backwash the kite will lose forward momentum and fly erratically. Fliers call this "railroad
tracks" which aptly describes the physical occurrence. When team kites fly together in
close proximity to each other in the air there are ways to prevent this backwash problem.
One method (This is the recommended method for beginning teams) is the "Staggered
Line" method .The lead flier would have the longest lines and the last flier would have the
shortest. The stagger distance can be anywhere from 3 to 5 feet. Each flier in the flight
line will have slightly shorter lines than the flier in front of them. This stagger method keeps
the kites well in front of the backwash of the preceding kite. This method also tends to
reduce the damage of kites crashing into each other as you learn maneuvers.
There are several drawbacks to the staggered line method. One is that the kites now
must always fly in the order of the staggered lines. In other words the lead flier must always
remain the lead. The team cannot reverse flight order. With the staggered method the last
fliers lines can be as much as 20 feet shorter than the lead fliers lines, (For six - 30-40 feet)
this will cause the last kites in line to fly a shorter radius and be much faster. These are
big disadvantages when a team is designing maneuvers or trying to fly in precision
competitions.
Another solution to the backwash problem that does not have the disadvantages of
the staggered line method is the "Staggered Flier - Equal Lines" method. With this method
the all the teams lines are exactly the same length. The fliers themselves will stagger on
the ground to compensate for the backwash in the air. With this method the lead flier would
stand about 3 to 5 feet in front of the second flier and so on down the line.
The "Equal Line" method allows all the kites to move in the same radius ( therefore
same speed) in the air. It also allows the team to change leads, giving the team more
flexibility in maneuver creation and design.
LENGTH OF TEAM FLYING LINES
The length of team lines for a beginning team should be around 150 feet. This length
gives the team the largest possible window to fly maneuvers in. This length also will slow
the kites down in higher winds. You can shorten the team lines and cause the kites to fly
faster in lighter winds to match your music in Ballet competitions. Shorter lines will also
give the team more room on the field in light winds on the competition field.
FOUR

LENGTH OF TEAM FLYING LINES (continued)
One consideration a competitive team has is line length and the size of the
competition field. In high winds the kites will have a very large wind window. The team will
have to be very aware of field position so as not to fly out of bounds and be disqualified.
Some teams will mark the field with cloth or some kind of visible marker as a reference.
(The minimum standard AKA/STACK competition field size is 300 ft. X 300 ft.)
Fun teams should also be aware of field and kite position for safety purposes. You
can become so engrossed in flying that you don't realize that you are flying over the
spectators until it is to late. Teams can and should mark their position prior to flying so
that they can be aware of where they and their kites are as they fly.
Safety should be a prime consideration for both competitive and fun teams.
FLY SAFELY AT ALL TIMES
The weight of line for a team is dependent on the wind conditions, and the type of
maneuvers the team will be flying. In individual flying you usually fly the lightest line for the
conditions. This is not the case in team flying. Very few teams fly on less than 150# test
flying line. This is due to the stress and strain placed on lines by a team. ( In a six person
team wrap you will have twelve lines intertwined) You also will use the diameter of the line
to change the speed of the kites. Larger diameter lines will create more drag and slow the
kites. You could even consider flying on as much as 500# test line invery strong winds.
Strength is not the object with large line, but the increase in drag could be an advantage.
A trick used by teams to protect their flying line while practicing is to install a length
of Kevlar (about 15-20 feet) at the kite end of their lines. This additional leader line
protects the line from breakage. Line breaks of this sort are common for beginning teams
that fly with staggered lengths of line. This leader method allows beginning teams to
increase the length of existing lines without buying new line. This method also increases
the available "wind window" that is available when learning new maneuvers. As the new
maneuver is perfected the lines can be shortened and the maneuver flown faster and
smaller. (This Kevlar leader line should be of the same weight as the Spectra line and
should be no-knot spliced to the Spectra line. Consult your line mfg. for this splicing
procedure)
CARE OF TEAM FLYING LINES
Care and maintenance of team flying lines is very critical. Team flying creates much
more wear and tear on lines then individual flying. Lines should be rotated end for end
periodically to distribute wear evenly. Line should be periodically "milked" , that is remove
the twists from individual lines every so often . This is especially necessary when the team
begins to fly compound wrap maneuvers.
FIVE

BEGINNING MANEUVERS
TEAM POSITION ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR
For a beginning team you should stand in a line about 2 to 3 feet apart. This distance
can ,and will vary as you become more experienced and experiment with deferent
maneuvers. Remember your proper position, if you are flying equal length lines will be
slightly behind the flier you are following.
Each team will have a flier who will call the maneuvers for the team. This person will
usually (but not always) be the lead or first flier in the formation. This "caller" can stand to
the right or left of the line on the ground. Some teams will line up from left to right and some
from right to left. The most common is right to left, but you should line up the way that is
most comfortable to your group.
AKA and STACK compulsory maneuvers are designed for kites to enter from left to
right and the team would then line up on the ground from right to left. In competitions teams
are allowed to fly these maneuvers backwards or "mirror" so you can line up on the ground
either way. (You will have to announce to the judges if you decide to fly precision
maneuvers in competition backwards.)
THE BASIC FIGURE EIGHT
The figure eight follow is the first maneuver a team should work on. This may not
seem very exciting, but for new team fliers this can be a very difficult. Total concentration
is required. It is essential for each flier to aim their kite directly at the center of the kite they
are following. Spacing for the entire team is determined by the #2 flier in the line. (The #2
flier should be the second most experienced flier.) The #2 flier's space should be reflected
in the spacing of the rest of the team. Spacing can and should be changed in the turns. If
you are behind turn a little sooner, if you are to close to the flier in front of you make your
turn a little larger, thereby opening the space between.
FOUR REALLY "BASIC" CALLS
Fall In - means that you will begin to follow the lead flier and await another call.
Fire Drill - This call means that you are to fly to your park position and unwrap your
lines. This call can be made by any flier on the team. If you are in trouble or there is a
spectator in your flight area on the field you should call a fire drill and warn the rest of the
team. (This term originated with the Chicago Fire in 1986)
Park Position - This is the area you will fly to when a fire drill is called. Each flier on
the team will go to a prearranged position and hover out of the way, awaiting another call.
Always pay attention in the park position.
Quiet on the Line - Means that only the caller should be talking everyone else
should be quiet and listen to the commands. Any flier can call for quiet on the line. You have
to hear the call in order to perform it.
SIX

TEAM CALLS
Basic calls are as different as there are teams to fly them. You initially invent a new
"language" for team maneuvers. You can actually use any terminology you wish to
describe maneuvers to the team, just as long as the entire team knows their meaning.
There are several commonly accepted maneuver names in current team flying. You
can use one of those or create your own. If you decide to make up names of your own you
will probally have trouble later on if you want to fly team with others who use the standard
method of calling.
The basic method of calls that is listed below was initially perfected and used by Ron
Reich and Top of the Line Sport Kite Team back in 1985. It has become a standard in sport
kite team flying. This method reflects "calls" or commands used by drum and bugle corps
to describe marching maneuvers of the corp members. This method works quite well for
team sport kite flying. (See Authors note below)
Each maneuver is described, first by a direction (I.E. Left, Right, Up or Down) and
then by a descriptive name. This "Prepatory Command" will be called a short period of time
before the "Command of Execution" The "Command of Execution" tells the team when to
initiate the maneuver. This Execution call can be the word "Turn" or "Now" or whatever you
wish. (World Champion Team Tsunami frequently used whistles for their commands of
execution.)
The Prepatory command tells the team what is coming next and the command of
execution tells the team when to execute the maneuver. The team caller should make the
Prepatory Command as clear and as loud as is necessary, so that the team can be ready.
The caller would then pause a short (but specific) period of time before calling the
Command of Execution. All the fliers need to get used to that pause and perform the
maneuver at the same time. The caller is especially prone to anticipate his/her own call and
must be careful to turn with the rest of the team.
BASIC TEAM TERMINOLOGY
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This section originally included team flier basic terminology
for common maneuvers performed by teams which followed the "Top of the Line" call
method. There has been discussion in this e-group about standardizing calls across the
country. Troy Gunn's suggestion about a common language is a VERY good one. In 1998
my team SHANTI AIR included fliers from four previous teams We spent more then a week
of practice learning a common set of calls. There were continual problems with call
interpretions and meanings throughout our time together as a team. I called it "Learning
French" as the team was preparing for the World Cup in France.
There will be more discussion on this common terminology in the Team Flying e-
group in the future.
SEVEN

FLYING WITH A TEAM
Once you know the maneuver names and you have the right equipment, it's time to
fly. Once you are in the air together there are three things a team should be very aware
of: 1.) Spacing, 2.) Timing, and 3.) Speed Control.
SPACING
Each kite in a follow should be exactly the same distance from the kite in front and
behind. To gain proper spacing takes a lot of practice. Some teams will begin practice with
short lengths of tail on their kites to give them a visual reference for spacing. The number
two kite in the follow is the kite that determines the spacing for the entire team. (The
number two flier should be the second most experienced flier after the lead)
Each flier should focus on the distance between each kite. Ron Reich calls this
"Flying the Space." Be aware of the spacing of all the kites in the line or formation. Move
your kite back into line if you move out of line. This visualization of the space should apply
to formations and precision maneuvers, not just line formations. If the team is performing
a box figure, each member should be in the position appropriate for their kite in that box,
"Spaced" properly.
TIMING
Timing is very important in the execution of maneuvers. Each flier has to listen
closely to the callers commands and become accostume to executing commands at the
same time as the rest of the team.
For Example: The caller says "Right Flank" (everyone gets ready to do a 90 degree
right turn). The caller then says "Turn" (everyone will then turn) When the caller says
"Turn", there is a slight delay before everyones brain processes this information and tells
their muscles to perform the action. Timing for a team is when that process of hearing the
command and executing the action takes place. Teams must react together. Timing is
related to your muscle memory. Your brain tells your arm muscles to react. Your brain and
muscles work in coordination to produce the maneuver. Team flying is basically "Learning
Muscle Memories together."
SPEED CONTROL
A certain amount of a kites speed is controlled by adjustment of the bridle. The rest
is up to you as the flier. If you see that as the line of kites is diving and you are catching
up to the kite in front of you, you will need to move your arms forward or take a step forward
to slow your kite. This slowing of the kite is critical for spacing and control. You must also
remember that your position on the ground is determined by your line length and the
position of the other fliers on the ground. Be careful not to attempt to slow your kite with
ground movement so much that it places you (on the ground) in front of the flier whose kite
is in front of you in the air. (This is aplicable in both the equal and staggered line methods)
EIGHT

FLYING WITH A TEAM (Continued)
FLYING TEAM PRECISION
Team Precision is a series of maneuvers the team flys without musical accompaniment.
The object for competition purposes is to demonstrate the team ability to fly precisely. The
team would show ground passes and follows equally spaced. They would show vertical
or horizontal threads with all kites equally spaced and perfectly aligned.
SEEING THE "PICTURE"
The most critical item in flying maneuvers is "Seeing the Picture". That is, to know
exactly how everyone else on the team is envisioning what a particular maneuver should
look like in the sky. This is accomplished in several ways. Consider for example the AKA
Team Compulsory maneuvers. There are drawings for these maneuvers and most are
accompanied by written descriptions.
These descriptions tell the team "exactly" what the judges will expect to see when
the team will perform a compulsory maneuver. This description allows the fliers on a team
to "See the Picture" exactly the way the rest of the teams will see it.
Drawings of an maneuver are essential for a team. These drawings can be a simple
doodle on a scrap of paper, or a very technical drawing on graph paper. What ever method
used, each flier on the team must have that "Picture" in their mind, ultimately transferring
it to "Muscle Memory".
One method you can use is practice sticks. These sticks can be dowel rods about
3 feet long. They would have a representation of your kite on the end. Fliers would then
"simulate" a maneuver using these little kites. Speed of the kites should be duplicated as
closely as possible. This method will give all the fliers a grasp of where they belong in any
particular maneuver.
When maneuvers with wraps are practices, sticks become very inconvenient. Some
teams have used laser pointers or flashlights for this purpose.
Another method for to help a team "See the Picture" is to video tape a practice
session and then review the tape with the team. This allows each flier to see exactly where
they should fit into the picture. This method also makes for easier correction of errors in
team flying. An individual flier should be able to then see their own mistakes. This method
can also help avoid the difficult process of "On Field Criticism and In Line Chatter"
NINE

TYPES OF MANEUVERS
DESIGNING MANEUVERS
Every team wants to design their own individual and unique maneuvers. This takes
practice and field experience. For beginning teams copying and imitating advanced teams
is a good starting method.
Variations on the AKA/STACK Team compulsory maneuvers is a good starting place.
Some teams will base their first routine strictly on these maneuvers or small alterations of
the Standard AKA/STACK compulsories.
Maneuvers that other teams fly is also a good source for maneuvers. This may seem
like being a copycat. To advanced teams it is the sincerest for of flattery when they see a
beginning team duplicate one of their maneuvers. Variations on these maneuvers can
make your version unique. Think about doing another teams maneuver in mirror. (Meaning
to perform the maneuver in reverse of the original)
Mistakes made on the field can, surprisingly enough, be another source of maneuvers.
For example a team member makes a wrong turn during practice. The mistake might look
better then your originally planned maneuver. Be innovative, be creative and adapt to
change for your advantage.
The ultimate goal of anyone that designs team maneuvers is to create your own
unique and totally different maneuver. This is very difficult and takes years of flying. On the
other hand I have seen beginning teams stumble on unique and interesting new
maneuvers without even realizing that they are different.
The most important idea to keep in mind when designing maneuvers for your team
is to be interesting, be exciting and always DO THE UNEXPECTED. If you see all the other
teams perform a certain maneuver the same way. Change the ending and surprise the
spectators, judges and the other teams. If you perform a team wrap, disguise the unwrap
or delay unwrapping, because everyone will be expecting the unwrap immediately after
the wrap-up.
Look for ideas for team maneuvers in activities that are not related to sport kite flying.
Watch a drum and bugle corp., or go to a synchronous swimming meet! Looking at a
drawing of a football play can give you an idea for a maneuver. Be Creative and do not
become so stoneheaded that you do not see things that can be used as a team maneuver.
Remember that a maneuver need not be complex to be effective. A very simple
series of rolls done in mirror fashion, or a thread performed in three different directions can
be very exciting.
The most important criteria for any maneuver that the team performs is to be
synchronous. BE A TEAM. Make sure that what ever maneuver you design and fly is
performed as a group. Spectators and judges alike, want to see all the fliers participate in
the routine and the maneuvers. (That could mean a four person team with one flier
hovering while a three flier maneuver is performed would not be effective)
TEN

ELEMENTS AND THEME
PLANNING A ROUTINE
Every team routine, be it a ballet, precision or demonstration routine, should have a
beginning, middle, and ending. This is a play performed by actors using kites and the sky
is the stage. The spectators and judges should be able to see a flow to the movement of
the kites from one maneuver to another. In music this theme is dictated by the music itself.
In precision, the flow is determined by the type and complexity of the maneuvers
themselves and how they "flow" together as a total
CHOREOGRAPHY
For beginning teams the usual method for creating a ballet routine begins with
choosing music. The music chosen should fit all the criteria set down in the AKA/STACK
sport kite rules booklet.
Several other criteria that are important are: 1.) Fast or slow music for the type of wind
you expect to fly in, 2.) Music that has no vocals. (This last criteria is the authors.) To use
a musical phrase ". . .don't let the words get in the way. . ." Some teams have successfully
employed vocals in their team music. The choice is totally up to you.
When you have selected the music you will fly to, you then begin to design
maneuvers that fit that music. Star Bursts to match crescendos. Large flowing maneuvers
to match soft portions of the music. The choices are as varied as there are teams. The
choices will reflect your style.
Remember to do the unexpected. If the team has a maneuver that puts a wrap in the
lines, the worst possible "next maneuver" is the expected unwrap sequence. If the entire
team performs a left or right turn, do not immediately unwrap with the opposite turn.
Another common and expected error committed by many beginning teams is to begin
all maneuvers with a ground pass from left to right or right to left. This will "telegraph" your
intentions and tell everyone that you are setting up for another maneuver. Try entering a
maneuver from the top of the wind window, or begin a maneuver at the center of the sky.
Be Creative and DO THE UNEXPECTED
REVERSE CHOREOGRAPHY
When a team has flown together for a period of time they will accumulate a "Play
Book" filled with maneuvers. The Team can then search for music that matches those
maneuvers. This process can be called Reverse Choreography. It is more difficult to find
this "matching" music for existing maneuvers, but it is far easier than designing and
practicing a new maneuver.
ELEVEN

TEAM PRACTICE
TRAINING
Amount and quality of practice is what makes a good sport kite team. Individual skills
are essential for good team flying. If a person does not like to fly individually odds are they
will not last long on a team and not perform very well.
Schedule a day that everyone can easily make it to practice. Sometimes the best
person to fly on the team is the one that shows up for practice, even though they may not
be the best flier. One day a week is fine for a team to keep their skills together. Two days
a week allows the team to progress.
STICK PRACTICE
A simple method used by teams is stick practice. The team will have sticks about
three feet long, with small plastic or paper kites on the ends. The team will then "fly"
maneuvers using the sticks to simulate the actual flights of their kites. Speed and spacing
should be as realistic and accurate as possible.
Use of sticks has several advantages the least is that sticks save actual crashes and
time wasted on the field.. Fliers are better prepared and have a better grasp of exactly
what a maneuver should look like. It assists the team in timing and choreography for music
routines. Sticks help the fliers to be more precise when they actually fly.
PRACTICE
Practice could consist of:
1/2 hour of individual warm-up. At this time individual fliers make sure that their kite
is flying properly, that their lines are equal length and that they are physically prepared to
practice.
1/2 hour - 1 hour of team warm-up. This can consist of basic team precision
compulsories or what ever simple maneuvers the team wishes. This warm-up should
consist of basic turns, flanks and follows. This time allows the team to "Get into the groove
together or renew that muscle memory" so to speak.
2-4 hours of team routine practice. This is practice with the actual sequence of
maneuvers that the team will fly for either precision or ballet. The ballet practice can be
with or without actual music.
Most teams have a point in their practice sessions when everyone seems to just
"lose the edge". No one seems to be able to fly properly and you begin to hear gruff and
angry voices on the line. Never fly until you cry! It is better to take a break and come back
afterwards refreshed and ready to fly some more, then to stick it out no matter what.
Remember that team flying of any sort should be fun. When it stops being fun you have
to take a rest. The best words I have ever heard about team practice came from Alan
Nagao of Team High Performance, " Quality, not quantity is most important when you
practice team flying."
TWELVE

TEAM MEMBERS DUTIES
DUTIES OF THE TEAM CAPTAIN
Team fliers come from all walks of life. There is usually one strong personality that
is the driving force behind the team. This person is the one who motivates all the rest. This
is usually the team captain. The captain can be the person who also does the calling while
flying, but not always! The captain is often the person who has to help boost the flying ability
of the least talented flier on the team. The Captain helps settle arguments and soothes
frayed nerves after a difficult practice.
The team Captain is the one that stands up to take the trophy for the teams victories,
but the team captain also is responsible for defeats, even if they aren't the one that crashed
or flew out of bounds.
Team Captains have to be confessors, baby-sitters, and councilors. Captains have
to have eyes big enough to see six kites at both ends of the wind window. The Captain is
the one that has to hold the team together and keep them in the routine when one of the
fliers crashes.
The team Captain is usually the person on the team that keeps the faith when the
team has not won an event the entire season. The team Captain is always the one that
everyone complains to about others on the team.
The team Captain is often the person on the team that loves to fly kites more than
anything else. The team Captain is the leader for the team. That lead can take place in the
air, on the ground or both, but someone has to be out in front and that's the TEAM CAPTAIN
DUTIES OF THE ENTIRE TEAM
The major duty of a team member is to know their part in the teams flying routine. It
is important that each member focus on their individual contribution to the team effort, be
it on the field or off. Everyone has special talents, qualities and abilities that can contribute
to the entire concept of a sport kite team. If one member is proficient at kite construction
and repair, they can become the team equipment maintenance person. If a team member
has contacts in the business area they could contribute by assisting the team in acquiring
sponsorship. That person that enjoys talking about the hobby of kiteflying could be in
charge of your public relations on the field and off.
The major duty of a team member is to become a part of the whole called "Team" in
what ever fashion they are best suited. This can simply be to fly their part in the team
routine to the best of their ability. As mentioned in the section on goals and attitudes, the
major duty of a member of a team is to get along with, tolerate if need be, but fit in with the
rest of the team. You need not "really" like someone on your team, but if you want to fly with
them you will compromise and fit in or all , in the long run, is a wasted effort.
THIRTEEN

TEAM SPONSORSHIP
METHODS FOR FINANCING TEAM ACTIVITIES
Team flying can be expensive. A competitive team needs kites, line, and uniforms.
They will need registration fees, lodging, food and travel expenses. For a team of four or
more this can be a very expensive proposition. Teams need to calculate these expenses
BEFORE the season starts.
Kite and Line manufacturers are the logical choice for kite equipment. Contact those
that make your preferred equipment. Offer to promote their product, in exchange for team
equipment The most important thing you must remember is, "Be true to your Sponsor." If
you are flying a companies kite, fly no other. Use no one elses line when you are sponsored
by a line company. Help promote the sponsor any way you can. The return for supporting
at team by a kite manufacturer is not large. Help them any way that you can.
Other expenses can be covered by contacting organizations with products or
services that you will be using. Airlines or car rentals for travel sponsorship. Hotel or motel
chains for accommodations.
Sponsorship can come from unlikely places. If you practice in your towns local soccer
field, talk to the towns hardware store? It cannot hurt to ask, be ready to tell the perspective
sponsor what you can do for them, Remember team flying attracts spectator attention, and
isn't that really what advertising is all about.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND SHOWS
Many teams will cover expenses by performing demonstrations and shows for a
variety of groups. You can be the entertainment at a company picnic. Team kiteflying can
be entertainment for a family reunion or a church picnic.
Present yourself to local organizations and groups that have a history of hiring
entertainment for outdoor activities. A team brochure is essential. Remember the average
"civilian" really doesn't have any idea about kites in the 90's and even less about team sport
kite flying.
When you promote yourself, act business like. You cannot hope to charge a suitable
fee if you don't act professionally in the first place.
POWER OF THE MEDIA
Become friends with the local Television, Radio and News media. They are your best
source of advertising. Call them to come and see a really great "First Day of Spring" team
demonstration. Send them a press release and invite them to one of your practices prior
to a big competition. Send them the results of competitions. Find out the name of the
programing director and send your information direct. They really are anxious to see the
unusual.
FOURTEEN

IN CONCLUSION
ATTITUDE IS REALLY EVERYTHING
Team flying is a lot of fun. Many fliers get together to fly team "just for the fun of it"
But for most everyone that works at learning to be a sport kite team flier, flying with others
becomes something more serious then "just fun" When I flew on Captain Eddie's Flying
Circus Kite Team in the early 90's we had a saying, "Flying team isn't just for fun, it's a way
of life"
You should always enjoy yourself in any endeavor you attempt. The same holds true
for flying on a kite team. Your attitude, and how you approach the fascinating and exciting
sport of Team kiteflying is very important not only to yourself, but to the rest of the members
of your team. Team can very quickly evolve into something similar to drug addiction. This
happens to a greater or lesser degree to all of us who participate in flying with others as
a team.
Remember that you are part of a "Team" now. You cannot do any of the things you
practiced out on that field by yourself. You need the rest of the team, just as they need you.
Work hard to match your "addiction and compulsion" to fly team with the rest of your fliers.
Sometimes the absolute hardest part of flying on a sport kite team isn't the actual flying,
it's getting along with the rest of the members of the team. I do speak from experience
when I say that longtime friendships can dissolve overnight because of Attitude conflicts
among team members.
In closing I hope each and every one of you gets that team of your dreams together.
That you have the most fun you can possibly have or that you fly better then any other team
that you come up against on the competition field. I hope in some small way this handbook
will help you to accomplish all you want from team flying.
Just keep remembering "ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING"
GOOD WINDS
Al Hargus
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Al Hargus has been flying sport kites since the 1970's. He is one
of the original members of the CHICAGO FIRE, and CAPTAIN EDDIE'S FLYING CIRCUS
kite teams. Al was team Captain of the PAIR OF PAIRS kite team in the 1995,96, & 97
Sport kite seasons. He was the team Captain of SHANTI AIR kite team, a six person team
based in Ohio. SHANTI AIR kite team competed in the 1998 World Cup sport kite
championships in Dieppe, France. Al has been choreographing and designing kite
routines for teams since the late 80's
Al is active in the American Kitefliers Association, and was a Commissioner for the
Midwest AKA sport kite conference. Al travels to and participates in many of the sport kite
competitions across the country.
FIFTEEN