Utilizing Protection in Paintball

To hold your ground alone or to be a valuable member of a team, you need to be on the field. That means you need to avoid being shot and taken out of the game or waiting around for a medic to be “healed” so you can resume playing. Utilizing protection on the field is an effective way to stay on the field longer.

Every field will have different structures, objects, or natural surroundings that can be used as cover and as protection from being hit with a paintball. Skilled shooting will come in handy so that you limit your time away from the protection of the surroundings.

Protection to be utilized:

* Trees
these are good because they are easy to maneuver around. Trees in established woods are often wider and taller than the average player.
* Block houses, crates, and vehicles
inside and outside walls can be utilized as protection. Inside, maneuverability is limited. Increased alertness will be needed.
* Bunkers
works well to conceal, can pop up and surprise the “enemy”.
* Bushes
minimal protection provided unless branches are dense. These can be effective for use as a camouflage.
* Mounds
medium protection provided because they are solid but hard to maneuver around because they are so low.

In the fast passed nature of paintball games and scrimmages, there isn’t always time to avoid being shot and ending up taken out of the game. Getting behind protection on the field will be necessary. To make sure you utilize the protection available, be aware of the surroundings on the paintball field. Even if it’s your first time on the field use every opportunity to learn the field quickly. The ways this can be done:

* Quickly scan field upon arrival
* If you get shot, while waiting for the game to end, study the field
* Ask others who are familiar with the field
* Check online for field maps
* Employees are often happy to talk about their field

Limiting time away from the protection on the field will keep you on the field playing longer. Paintball players should develop their shooting skills while moving to reduce the risk of being shot.

Being in good shape not only will prevent injury on the field, it will reduce your time out of cover when traveling on the field to accomplish paintball game missions. Avoid staying too long in one area if there is no need to. You will be a harder target if you are moving!

Everyone wants the maximum time on the field, so the sooner you know where the protection is on the field, the better you can utilize the protection on the field.