Here are some tips and tricks that apply to speedball.

Keep Moving!

Players should constantly be moving from bunker to bunker, without
letting the opposing team see. Using crouching techniques to do so
will limit the opposing teams view of your moving. Also, have
teammates cover each other during the movements. Moving often
creates a hide and seek sort of effect.

They may think you are in one bunker, but they did not see you move
to the other. Moving often and quickly can trick opponents,
leaving you the chance to move closer to the flag, and sending them
on a wild goose chase.

Communication Crucial

Communication is important in every aspect of life, perhaps more so
in speedball! In speedball things happen much faster than in
classic paintball. Communication is necessary among your
teammates. If you are guarding someone, let him or her know.

If you are eliminated, let your teammates know. Or, if you know of
an opposing player that has been eliminated, communicate that to
your teammates as well. For example, if someone on the other team
was eliminated and you are unaware of it, you may not advance on
the field.

If the teammate who ousted him told you, you would have known it
was safe to pass him. If you are guarding someone and become
eliminated, let the person under your guard know so they know they
are on their own.

Bunker Often

Bunkers are there to be used. Take advantage of them. In a
fast-paced game as speedball, being out in the open too long can
result in elimination. Stay in bunkers as much as you can, and
find that you will stay in the game longer.

Watch Tunnel Vision

Tunnel vision is something that should be avoided in any type of
paintball game. In speedball, the playing field is already
smaller. Don't make it even smaller by only focusing on a portion
of it.

Hopefully you have discovered some new tips and strategies from
this special Paintball 'Mini Course'. Let us make a
recommendation...

If you really want to get good at paintball, win more often, win
tournaments, and become an amazing player that people will envy,
you must get this manual: Paintball Heros.

You have nothing to lose. It's guaranteed.

Here is part 2 to 'small tips, big difference'...

Moving Tight

Not only can one stand and sit tight while playing paintball, but
also move in a tighter manner. Players can use tighter moves, such
as crawling, which makes them lower to the ground. When moving
while walking or running, keep arms tight to the body. This goes
for gear as well, which should also be held close as possible to
the body.


Gear

Gear itself can make a player a bigger target than they need to be.
The weapon being carried can easily be held closer to the body to
appear smaller. However, gear that is attached and being carried
on a player's body can indeed stick out, resulting in higher
visibility by an enemy. Be certain that gear, such as an extra
loader, hopper, tank and any additional pieces are not showing more
than they ought to.

These small tips will make one big difference once implemented on
the playing field. Share these tips with the rest of the team and
maximize your cover. So, keep those elbows in check, and perhaps
practice crouching by giving that remote control a break.

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.

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.