Playing Tight: Small tips, big difference part 1!

Ever hear the saying you make a better door than a window? When
you are in the way, it is obvious. That can be said for paintball
too. And, obvious is obviously something a player does not want to
be.

The bigger a player appears to be, the easier they are to hit.
And, the object of paintball is to, of course, not get hit. By
bigger, we do not mean one's stature or body type, but the way they
are presenting themselves on the field.

Believe it or not, things like elbows can make all the difference
in a friendly game of capture the flag.

This article will highlight some helpful tips players can implement
into their game to make them, well, have better game, and prepare
them to become not such an easy target to hit.

Coupled with other strategies, playing tight is one sure way to be
paint-free longer.


Crouching Player, Hidden Target

The first, and probably most obvious method of becoming smaller is
crouching. Crouching seems to be a lost position, as we no longer
have to do it in front of the television set, thanks to remote
controls. On a paintball field, however, this could be a savior.
When crouching, players should tuck their bodies in as close as
possible, making sure knees and elbows are not protruding out.
This is almost like being in the fetal position, but upright.
Another way to look at this is as if the player is rolled up in a
ball.


Barriers

Another way to be lesser of a target is pay more attention to
posture and actions when behind a barrier. For one thing, players
should look around a barrier, not over it, as this will keep
showing the head to a minimum. Once again, elbows need to be
minded, as they can stick out from a barrier. They should be kept
tight against the body to prevent that from happening.

Spelling Bee: Partner Practice

If practicing with a friend or teammate, there is a way to practice
that will also ignite a little friendly competition. Pick a
five-letter word, like P-A-I-N-T or S.P.L.A.T. Set up a few targets
around an area. Each person will take turns calling a target,
which each player would then take a shot at. If the player who
calls it makes the shot, and the second player misses, they get the
first letter. This goes on until one player spells out the word in
question. That player, well, loses.

Using these simple practice ideas, a player can be assured that
each time he or she hits the field; they will have better aim- and
a better chance of hitting, instead of being hit!

Lets improve your aim, shall we?

Target Practice- Ways to Improve Aim

In a game like paintball, it's crucial to have good aim. Without
it, in a game where the enemy must be eliminated, a loss is certain
without hitting targets. Good aim is a skill that is mastered over
time, but it is a skill that can be honed from the beginning.
There are some ways to practice aim prior to hitting the field.
For those that have their own equipment, here are some drills to do
from the backyard:

Hanging targets

Hang some targets, such as cans or bottles, from strings on tree
branches, clothesline poles and other sturdy objects. The idea in
this is that the targets will be of height of opponents in
different positions. Let the wind be a natural obstacle, as it
will mimic the opponent moving.

If this becomes easy, move back a few steps, further to one side or
another, or choose smaller targets. This is a surefire way to
build aiming skills.


Point Game

This is almost like solitaire for the paintball fanatic. Set up
some different size targets in an area. Put a can here, a piece of
wood there, and old doll over yonder, etc. Assign point values to
each of them, and then load the gun with only a certain amount of
balls. (Kind of reminiscent of that amusement park shooting range
game, where players fire at objects that begin to move or make
noise, such as a piano player or a rocking chair....)

Players should first set a goal of a certain score they hope to
achieve. Once the round is fired off, add up the points. If the
goal is met, congratulations! If not, practice makes perfect! Try
again! This could be implemented to play between several people
who would like to practice, each shooting a round and whoever has
the highest score wins. While trying to reach a goal, this method
of practicing also builds aiming skills.


Obstacle Course

Since shooting while moving is sometimes a necessity, aiming on the
move also become something that needs to be practiced. For a more
advanced way of practicing to hit objects, try moving at the same
time! Set up a small obstacle course with targets. Then, move
through the course while shooting at the targets. Not only will
this help aim, but also simply aid in getting the body used to
moving through zigzags while using a weapon.