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[A continuation of Bunkering 101]  So what exactly is bunkering? Bunkering is the action of one player eliminating another from close range (usually within 5 feet of each other). Although this whole concept may seem pretty simple, there are often twists, turns, and a few angry players when a certain someone is bunkered. If you want a basic introduction into the world of bunkering, I highly recommend you take the first course - Bunkering 101 [Link to Bunkering 101] So now that youve read the previous article, how about we get a little more serious on the subject? Back Player Strategies: What the hell am I doing wrong? The first step is admitting you have a problem. Your front player gets bunkered, now, whose fault is it? It cannot be yours, can it? Well, it is. As a back player, one of your main priorities must be protecting and above all - supporting your front player(s). You can compare a back player to a drummer in a rock group, you may not be in the spotlight, but youre one of the more important members of the group. Without your support, your front player is usually rendered useless. Communication is one of the keys to preventing your front player from walking away with huge welts on their back.  I cannot stress the point of communication enough. If youre a mute, dont bother playing back. Lets build a scenario to illustrate this. Game starts and the front players of team Mighty Ducks are flying to their bunkers. The back players are spraying paint, trying to sweet-spot your front players off the break. However, your fronts are better than that. Now Ilya, your super-fast front player gets to the 50 right off the break. After a few moments, you notice that Ayli, the opposing player, is on the other side of Ilyas bunker. You begin shooting over the top of Ilya trying to hit Ayli while shouting his location to Ilya. So Ilya decides to pop out of the right side of his bunker (Aylis left side), and pop him in the back. What he doesnt know is that Ayli is prepared and is facing his left with marker ready. Bam, Ilya gets shot. Now, whos fault was it? Yours, the back players. One major problem with many back players are details, or lack thereof. You must always know what is happening regarding your front players. Sitting in the back of the field, paying attention to EVERYTHING thats going on is necessary. In the previous example, the back player knew that a player was on the other side of his fronts bunker, and mentioned it. However, he did not mention details on the opposing front. You cannot skim over details like that, or bad things are bound to happen to front players. If you have no idea which side the opposing front is facing, then have your front player back up and become a bit more defensive himself. When you see that the opposing player is shooting out of a certain side, have the front player go in for the kill via the opposite side. Just remember that you are the remote control for front players. Put yourself in their position. Wouldnt you want to know EXACTLY whats happening out in front of you?Front Player Strategies: Stop being such a wuss. No, wait! Dont run up there quite yet!  In Bunkering 101, you learned that the front player is the most important part of commencing a bunkering. Well, I lied, this is not ENTIRELY true. Your supporting players have just as much of a roll in helping you execute the maneuver as yourself [as a front player]. Being a front player, many times you may feel very vulnerable during the duration of a game. This is all right and normal if youre doing your job and moving up the field. Unfortunately, most of us do not have x-ray vision and cannot see through bunkers. This is where your support players come in. I cannot stress communication enough. I cannot stress communication enough. I cannot stress communication enough (well, maybe thats enough). Keep talking to your back player. Talk about anything. Talk about the dinner you had last night, talk about your new car, or better yet - talk about whats going on out on the field.A support player acts as your eyes, without him, you will feel vulnerable all the time. Most tournament teams develop codes for shouting out positions. Instead of having to figure out what the heck that Thingamajig in the center with the blue thing! is, try to develop a code with your supporting players. Very commonly, players will call bunkers hot if there are opposing players in them. Another good idea would be to call the bunkers dependent on their location. For example, the bunker at the 50 (middle of the field, length-wise) and in the center of the width of the field can be referred to as C50, C standing for center.  Now, as for actually being offensive. A front player must have guts. If you feel there is an open opportunity to bunker, go for it. However, make sure that your bunker is worth it. Think about it, if your team is down one player, and you end up bunkering one of their players before being shot out - why do it? You are more of a disadvantage than an advantage to your team. Consider the odds against or for your team. If the opposing team is down a few players, you may as well go for the bunker. It is much more difficult to play paintball with 2 people on your team, rather than 4 [in the scenario that you bunker one of the opposing teams players (1 out of 3) and then get shot out in a 5-man tournament]. You must also think of the most effective path to get to your target. You obviously shouldnt run through the center of the field, should you? Well, in some cases its not that bad of an idea. Often times, players get very into conflicts on the side of the field. If youre fast enough, a run through the center may be the fastest and most effective way to get to your target. So remember, first think, then run. Trust your gut if necessary, if you feel that you can bunker your opponent and not get yourself shot out... go for it!
Written by: Ilya  Pictures provided by Team Chaos Theoryhttp://www.paintballchaos.com Return to Articles © 2002 DirectPaintball.com |
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