Moving

Move it or lose it

    A few times a year I like to go to the local rec field and hang out. It's a lot of fun helping out the newbie's and getting a chance to talk to their parents and such. But I see a constant problem when I play on the speedball fields. Most newer players do not move...not that they don't move enough, they don't move period.

Watch a pro game or a video and you will see players moving like speed demons from one place to another. This is because Paintball is a lot like pool. Where angles mean everything. When you start a game of paintball your both facing at each other, prolly with a ton of cover between you. This means that in order to hit each other you need to stick your body WAY out and shoot down the length of the field. Considering most fields have flat surfaces for bunkers (Excepts maybe cans on Sup Air) this means that someone who shoots across field will have an open field day on you while you will never be able to see him. So let's go over the basics of a move:

Never go it alone: If you have teammates, use them. Call in fire to tuck in your opponents so that you can move safely. It helps to have a good back player behind you so that the amount of space between you and his line of paint is very small. If your hearing bees of paint buzzing over your head as you run...that is a good back player. Before the game you should have walked the fields, this point can't be stressed enough. So you should know what bunkers have the best shots at you when your trying to move. Get a back player or another front to lit him up, to get him to tuck in and give you a free walk to your next bunker.

Arm up: I tell this to every new player trying to play front, and I keep telling them. Whenever you move (fronts and backs included) put your arm up in front of your lenses (Not on top so it looks like a wipe, but about 6 inches in front). Why? Cause your arm can get a bounce about 50% of the time. Your lenses won't. Also, put your gun in your down field hand. Once again cause your body can take a bounce, your gun won't.

Running start: Now some people might think that you need to move the shortest distance possible to keep from getting hit. WRONG! Look at it this way. If you start to run from the outside of your bunker it will take you about 2 steps to gain momentum. By then your hit. Instead, stand back from your bunker a little bit and get those first two steps while your still behind cover. This way your at full speed before your opponent ever gets to shoot at you.

Listen and look: This is one time where your eyes are your number one tool. Before you make a move you need to do three things. First look at your back player, to let him know what your doing and to make sure he can assist you. Second, listen for any fire hitting your bunker meaning someone is trying to hit you. Third (AND MOST important) look where you are going and look for any lanes of paint you'll have to go through. All too often I watch aggressive newbie's go to the grave by running right through two back players lanes.

Slide: Their fun, they look cool, and present a much smaller profile to your opponent. So why not?

Work the field: If they have 3 guys in their back center and you have 2 you might think you have the disadvantage. Good, make them think that. If you can get the angles on them by hitting the Right and left 50 then they have no where to go, and can not come out of their bunker to shoot...not only that but they had better get thin REALLY fast to fit 3 people behind that bunker. It's all about getting Angles but it's important to get all the angles your team can get to work together.

Fear not the paint: Getting hit by a paintball hurts. But then again so does losing. Which will hurt more? That is your choice. But I can promise you that if you are not afraid to get hit, then you will be able to make twice as many moves as if you did fear the paint. The best players, move through streams and do whatever they need to do to get where they want to go. Why do you think the pro's get hit 10-20 times when they move? Cause they are moving through 2 or more lanes at one time. Sometimes they get lucky and get through. Other times they don't.

Where did he go George? How many of you once called yourself the "Sniper" of the team. Or liked to play in the woods and be the "Sniper"? Here is your chance. There is nothing more satisfying then making a move to another bunker and watching your old bunker get lit to pieces. Not only does it make them lose track of where you are, but when they see you again they will lose track of the count. Plus it just looks cool to one ball someone when they are looking the wrong way. So when you make a move wait before you pop back out. Listen, did they notice your move? Or is your old home now the target of attack? If you made the snake do you hear the frantic calls? Or are you about to lay the smack down on some very confused people? Always know your surroundings.

In short, the more you move the more you are exposed yes, but the more of your opponent you can expose and the more they will feel your wrath when it comes time for the paint to start flying.