Please credit Andrew Katz, @drillsthetic on Instagram, and American Drill Report if you choose to use these pictures.
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In its first move of the new season, The Lone Guard has expanded to the Fort Worth area with the addition of Dan Purdom, a JROTC instructor in the area. This move stretches LG's influence to another major metroplex in the state; one that had previously been untapped by the group. This may be the most important impact of the addition DFW could become a major recruiting or supportive hub for the team. In regards to this decision, we contacted Franki Alano for comment. Franki: "When it came down to it, we didn’t choose 1SG (R) Purdom for his drill. We already have the competitive presence at WDC and NHSDTC, but we saw what benefits he could provide to not only The Lone Guard but also the community. Right now 1SG (R) Purdom serves in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area at Amon Carter-Riverside High School as a Army JROTC instructor. Having an instructor in an independent drill team is almost unheard of, so this really goes to show you’re never too old to pick up a rifle. Our expectations with 1SG Purdom are to mentor and assist him into building a successful drill team and to increase the skill level in the Dallas-Fort Worth area." Dan Purdom: "Original reason for joining: I'm a proud Texan, and when i heard there was a team for Texas drillers, I just wanted to be part of it. What I give to the team: we're trying to expand drill both geographically and demographically. My position in North Texas and my job as a JROTC instructor give me a unique opportunity to reach young cadets, especially in DFW. I also help provide a level of adult oversight, particularly when it comes to the interactions between adults and minors. What LG provides for me: an opportunity to be part of a nationally known and reputable team. This has already paid dividends with improving my drill through video reviews and both one-on-one and group coaching." Dan also gave us a few hints about the first upcoming event in the DFW area run by LG, so stay on the lookout on their socials and on here for more information! Pictures are available for use with proper credit to Robin Kuduk and @robin_kuduk_photography on Instagram.
In a move that caught everyone off-guard, The Street Elite have added Luis Carreras back to the roster of current members. Luis had previously left the team in 2021 after a few year stint. We reached out to current team captain for comment. Brando Fuentes on Luis Carreras: "Luis Carreras has always been an amazing person in general. He's always smiling and lifting peoples spirits. He's a humble man with great talent and perseverance. He has what The Street Elite needs. His character and his traits are why The Street Elite invites him back. We're super excited to see what he brings to the community with his art and skills. 💚" Luis Carreras on rejoining The Street Elite: "Lately because of being in the military I haven’t been able to be as involved in the community as I wanted to be, but after seeing how this recent Daytona went down I was really moved to get back into it seriously as much as possible. Being on SE again I thought was a great step forward to get back into the community in a big way and continue to inspire people. Now that I’m back on I'm hoping to help out with any projects they are working on, and also being more active with practice, recording, and helping others learn and get involved." If there is one thing I love more than drill, its the edits that come with it. Drill edits, like drill itself, is truly an art form that takes skills, practice, and an eye to be good at. That being said, we have a lot of talented editors in our community that have made a lot of good content for us at no cost. However, there are a couple videos that I feel deserve more attention and should be looked at more. Then they are other edits I just want to talk about or already have attention and want to appreciate them a little bit more. So this article is my personal list and opinion on some of what I my favorite drill edits on storytelling, editing, drill, or camera work. Again, this all opinion based and I wrote little summarizes under them to justify myself; however, I encourage discussion and debate on what I put as my top 10. My opinion is not absolute and can be changed, I'd love to see others opinions. Anyway, here we go.
10. Marshmallow really trying – Isaac Mackin Now hear me out, I know at first glance you may be thinking this one is a joke, but I do genuinely like this edit. The clips and actual editing ability are obviously sub-par but beyond that I think this holds something that supersedes both those aspects when it comes to making a video. The music and storytelling are really touching to the actual driller and his progression. It tells a story that we can all share, which is the grind to try and be the best. I really like the behind-the-scenes background with this driller and his story. Does not have the best editing nor is the best looking, but 100% great use for motivation and have an understanding where we all start from in drill. I full heartedly think if there was a better editing style and clips inputted this would be much higher, but it sits at 10 with the highest it can be at its state. With the great message that “nothing worth your time is easy” something we should all take to heart, it’s in the top 10. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-Izde2eY0Q&t=1s 9. KILL EM – For the Art This video = straight hype. From the camera work, editing, and drill this video matches the driller and song perfectly. It’s a great promotional piece for clothing and is over-all super well balanced through effects, composition of the video and clips, and the camera angles/ work for the video. Really ahead of its time and represents the vibe and goal of the company well, which was that Drill is Life and its also badass. Only reason this isn’t higher is due to the lack of storytelling that is only overlooked cause the next videos are top tier. Therefore, it’s number 9 on my list. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeMzkO9I-Wc 8. Daytona Drill Nationals 2014 – KHLance Honestly don’t think this video needs much explaining, Langston always comes out with bangers when it comes to recap videos. Now the main thing that makes this video special away from other recap videos is this one really captures the fun aspect of Daytona rather than the intense competing side. This really puts the feeling of hanging out with friends, sharing drill ideas, messing around, making segments, etc. in this Daytona video which I really like and is a bit nostalgic in a way. With the great story telling and excellent editing along with the music, its number 8. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWoCdQjl64A 7. Beach Boys – Mr._Otis When I see this video, I think of “just dudes, being dudes.” Like the 2014 Daytona recap video this video does a really good job of capturing a bunch of guys just hanging out and having fun. Its storytelling is lighthearted and the camera work with the drill is well done. The editing and video construction fit perfectly with the song which is why it’s this high on the list. The vibes here is what everyone goes for when trying to let their creativity flow with the boys. Along with that it’s a bit humorous with the way it edits everyone dropping, but in little hearted fun way. Everyone wants this type of group to drill with, which is why its number 7. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0HlAwUcD9o&t=50s 6. “My Name is Victory” – Adrian Fussell This video should be shown to ever incoming freshmen who want to join a drill team. The overall storytelling in this video is phenomenal and the camera/editing quality exceeds the normal standard. The main reason it’s up this high is due to the amazing story its holds. It pictures the hard work, the sacrifices made, and drive the team had to be champions, and the somber message that sometimes it’s not meant to be and how to lose like winners and with your team. Would love to make this higher, but still lacks little different qualities the other videos hold. This video strongly sits on the number 6 spot. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wWBoEZZ5U 5. Jonny x Glitch – The DrillHub (Ken) If there is one thing in the edit I love it’s the song… Jonny is cool too I guess. All jokes aside this video captures a very fun and happy vibe with drill. It sets aside the competitive part of drill and tunes in the fun it can be with friends while doing difficult moves. However, my favorite thing about this video is the song. The song perfectly captures and orchestrates the whole edit and vibe beautifully. The drill, editing, song, and camera work all complete this video. If this video had more clips and bit more storytelling to it, it could easily climb its way to number one. But until that day comes, it sits at the number 5 spot. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twtWQuh0q4w 4. Cullen Morgan’s - 2020 Legacy Online Comp Underrated driller and editor. From the Legacy Online Comp, where the videoed submissions where graded on actually editing, cinematography, and storytelling, this video easily won the 1st place with the amazing editing and drill. The overall construction with this video was very well put with the camera shots, song choice, and placement of clips which made an elegant and chill environment when watching the video. More added to this was the drill style and drill segments matched the video with the song. With subtle clips of laughter mixed with high level drill moves, this video is edited perfectly with a pleasantly happy vibe. Besides the lighting in some clips and a bit of janky camera work, this video well earns it spot as number 4. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjDsYMtdYiE 3. Midnight ft. Neriah Guerin – MassDrill Now it wouldn’t be a real list without an OG MassDrill edit. As a whole, this video is so well made there is no real mistakes made. The drill perfectly captured the video and its theme. The editing style is super unique from others and matched with a good song choice. Beyond all that the editing is super advance with effects and carefully picked drill clips put in the right spots in the video. The drill also matches the music, one with the editing and beat drops, but also with the actually style of drill looking as if it were made for that video. I think if the video had more clips and just a bit of storytelling it could strongly be number 1. However, with how it is this edit is easily in the top 3. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlfx0qFejQ 2. [drill hype] – [flvgs] The title is literally what the video is. Drill. Hype. The main thing that makes this video different from the rest is the fact that it complies some of the most important/memorable drill videos we have and make it into an edit summarizing drill. It was a little bit of everything and is very impressive being able to take clips from a bunch of different places and time to make an edit out of them. Along with that along it had good camera shots, transitions, and the videos of with the song. This video I believe is the closest single video that shows who we kind of are to any outsider. I wish it was longer and we had even more drillers and clips in involved. It might be worth making something similar in the near future for the community and something to show someone when they “What is drill?” A masterpiece sitting at number 2. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_N-Tp_nA0w 1. Hawaii’I – DrillREVOlution Honestly, a lot of Eron’s videos should be on this spot, but this one is by far my favorite. It’s a masterpiece. This video captures the power and legacy that Hawaiian drill carried and shows the deep history it goes back too. It tells the story of the art and the amount of people it took for drill to be revolutionized. And with all that, it brings an insane amount of hype to drill and the team involved. The storytelling on the video is truly incredible and was executed perfectly. And on top of all this, the music was good and matched every transition and clip going along in the video. I personally believe this video captures a deep history in drill better than any other video out, at this quality. Simply, it’s the best. Again this is all subjective, but I end the listing with this video sitting at the number one spot, strongly. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YQACbs7gVs Honorable mentions:
Every since the discontinuation of For the Art Clothing, the most widespread drill clothing brand, there has been a missing gap in the community for drill related clothing. For a long time it seemed there hasn't been a big push for drill clothing, until now. The DrillHub is fairly new and popular drill page on Instagram that reposts all drillers that tag and submit videos or images to the page. Until now, that appeared to be the full scope of the project. However, multiple known drillers have begun posting cryptic hints that the IG is only the tip of the iceberg. The first "hit" started with a post that seems to have a unidentified driller with a rifle on his shoulders with a mini DrillHub logo on the back of it. However, this picture was posted on January 18th and we have not seen anything else pop up from this until very recently. New posts have been made by the DrillHub with a picture of NHSDTC 2018 Champion Jackson Rainwater, posted with a blurred out shirt with the words "Coming Soon" on it. There have also been rumors that a few drillers have posted "teasers" of other merch on there own personal drill accounts. The logical conclusion is a merch drop is imminent. When we reached out to the DrillHub Instagram about this speculation and ambiguous posting of so called teasers of the merch, this is what they had to say "Yes, DrillHub has been working on this project for quite some time, and though I will not confirm everyone's speculations, the evidence is quite clear."
Although we don't have much information to go off of about what is being planned here, we can definitely say that something big is coming and might even revolutionize the current drill clothing market. Stay tuned for more updates! Instagram: @the_drillhub Sources: The DrillHub Instagram Admin Welcome back to another installment of drill trends! The Origin: This move was first created by Angel Solis and rapidly grew from there. Since it's creation it had many uses with new variations becoming popular, such as the Arm-bar. The Ike/Arm bar's crowning achievement is its featuring role in Cooper Donlin's 1st place 2017 NHSDTC performance. The move appeared in 4 separate portions of the routine, all with different variations which you can see below. The Trend:
Now the big question about this move, is why is it so popular? One probably cause for its longevity is its usage by River City Drill. Starting with the 2016 medal round when a rival team member dropped a double ike in medal round, RCD began using "We don't drop double ikes" as an ironic slogan. Following the 2017 medal round when another member of the same rival team dropped a double ike, the slogan was cemented as part of RCD culture. The slogan can be heard in the background of many RCD videos and led to creation of a new tradition: if an RCD member drops a double ike, they cannot wear the RCD uniform at their next competition. As River City Drill grew its impact on the drill community and young drillers, this can definitely be a reason for the growth and relevance of the move staying. One of the biggest reasons this move is loved by lots of drillers is due to the adaptable it can be used for any drillers style or skill set. Along with the extreme adaptably made with this move, it's a great move to use at local competitions or show non-drillers due to the vigorous position have after the catching the Ike, showcasing difficulty. The End? So, will this move die out? This move is going no where, for it is still one of the most popular moves in the community and is hard not to see in any competition you enter. There is still lots of room for more variations of this move to be expanded on. I'm just waiting for the behind the back Ike to become popular. Sources: Cooper Donlin 2017 NHSDTC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PHKNvkOT4o&t=2s River City Drill – @rivercitydrill By: Andrew Katz Over the weekend, MassDrill president Andrew Schuster unveiled a new incentive titled the "Champions List". This list is comprised of members of the community who consistently support the MassDrill brand and projects either monetarily or logistically. Because of the current MassDrill business model which involves limited runs of products, missing out on drops is very common if you are not on the lookout at the right time. The Champions List provides a fix for this by giving its members early access to drops, as well as discounts.
For the next week only, anyone can sign up to be on the Champions List by going to https://www.drillclothingcompany.com/ and scrolling to the bottom of the page. Enter your email and you will be immediately added to the list! The first Drill Dojo qualification stream is complete! The following people qualified for each level.
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