The Right Moves

Paintball is all about taking the initiative, stacking the odds in your team’s favour and, ultimately, winning the game. So how do you go about achieving those ends? Well, learning the right moves can make all the difference between becoming a Master Blaster and not cannon fodder.

In most games the breakout is the first chance you’ll have to gain the upper hand. For the uninitiated, this is the start of the game when both sides will try to jockey for position before the battle itself starts. The opposition will probably be out of range but it can’t do any harm to let them know you’re threre with a few long-range shots.

Obviously getting a barrier is all-important but are you going to go all out to get there, shoot on the way or push on for a more ambitious place to conceal yourself? There are clearly pros and cons to assess but it can do no harm to get as far forward as possible because you’ll be able to pin down the enemy.

If you’re the furthest forward of your team then you’ll be relying on them to tell you what is going on in front of you. Teamwork and effective communication is vital because, as you are so close to the action, you will be the main target for offensive fire!

So how else can you take advantage of your position? Well, making sure you play tight is one way. As you are in an advanced position you will probably get the best angles on the enemy. But don’t give them any help by popping out from the same spot. It will also pay to look from one side of the barrier to get a picture of the field before moving to the other side quickly and unloading from there. And don’t forget to keep those arm and legs out of view!

Sliding into your next barrier may also be a great move as well. By doing this you’ll minimise the chances of being hit because you’re presenting a far smaller target to the enemy. A word of warning; be careful not to slam your marker into the ground when sliding because you’ll run the risk of losing your hopper (and paintballs).

Even running between the barriers is an art form. Running straight may be the quickest way but incorporating a slight arc into your run will make it easier to slide to the floor so that you’ll be ready to start shooting a few seconds earlier – and every second counts in paintball!

Refilling your hopper under pressure can also make all the difference. With markers being able to fire up to six shots per second, even a 200-shot capacity can be emptied in little over half a minute! So, if you’re the gung-ho type, make sure you know where your shot pots are and make sure you never run out of ammo.
How annoying would it be to get down the field and be about to storm the enemy only to realise you’re firing nothing but compressed air! All of this becomes easier the more you practice but the good news is you can train any old time so that you are ready for the game.

But remember, nothing can really prepare you for a firefight when the paint is flying and you can’t even hear yourself think. So do yourself a favour and just get out there and play! You know it makes sense.