How to Snap Shoot in Paintball
If you are an amateur paintball player, there are a few things no one will tell you. During a tournament, you are on your own. Out on the field, it is about paint or be painted (pun intended)! Luckily, we are here to tell you the right kind of tricks, so you are successful from the beginning. The most important thing for any player, whether first or an experienced one, is protective gear.
Having sufficient protection ensures you enjoy the game without the fear of getting hurt. The most important protective gear in Paintball is the mask. Choose one wisely, one that covers your head too; a 360-degree coverage is excellent for beginners. Go for one that has peripheral vision and is fog proof. These masks also come in a variation that supports glasses if you wear one.
You also need protective clothing. Go for dark-colored clothes that think so you do not get hurt. Remember that while paintballs do not hurt, moving about obstacles and changing positions frequently can hurt. You may scrap your knees, elbow, and palms. Covering yourself properly from head to toe is essential for a good game.
6 Effective Snap Shooting Ways
The essential skill in Paintball is snap shooting. Whether you are playing for recreational purposes or for a tournament, mastering this skill is a priority. Keeping a cool head and staying calm during the game can do wonders. If you do not panic during the game, you can snap shoot with strategy and win.
For a beginner, choosing a position for snap shooting behind a bunker is essential. The bunker should be decent sized, like a tall can or a pillar that conceals you completely. The following tips change your paintball game completely.
Maintaining Balance
A paintball game can become a high-pressure game at any time. During such a time, the time can get numb, and your limbs may lose their balance. Make sure that every time you stand to shoot, you maintain an athletically correct posture. Your feet should be shoulder length apart to ensure that you do not lose balance when you shoot. When you are crouching behind a bunker, make sure your back faces the bunker so if you do fall, you can quickly steady yourself. This also ensures that you are exposed to the opponents.
Face your Bunker while Standing
While you aim to shoot, stand with your face towards the bunker so you can duck down anytime. Hold your gun up with the air tank resting against your shoulder. Do not place the tank on your shoulder but against your bicep. Your elbows should point down and tuck tight against your body. You will be twisting your wrist a lot more than you usually do. This technique will save your arms from being exposed. The gun should be at level with your eyes in front of your face. When you look down the barrel, it should be between your eyes.
Lookout for Your Opponent
Opponents are often posted on you, a technique where team members divide the opponents amongst themselves. If an opponent is posted on you, he or she will be waiting for you to come out of your bunker so they can take aim. Make sure you figure out where your opponent is posted. If they are on your right, place your body on the left and face the right side with your gun, and vice versa. This will help you maintain your balance and take aim at the right time.
Taking a Quick Aim
When you decide to snap, you need to ensure that your marker is exposed from behind your bunker. You need to learn just enough that half your head, your hands, and the marker are exposed. When you snap shoot, do it quickly by shooting a few balls at your opponent and promptly duck back in behind your safe place. Expose yourself as little as possible.
- Wait for the Opponent’s Balls
When you have made your shot, duck back in and wait until your opponent shooting ends. Make sure you dodge all of the balls being shot at you. Once you are hit, and your clothes are colored in the opposing team’s paint, you are out.
Changing Bunkers
Usually, snapping is about three to five seconds. If your opponent is snapping for longer, more than five or ten seconds, you need a new strategy as soon as the snapping stops, change your place, and move to a new bunker. It would be best if you did this quickly to get a better shot at your opponent. As soon as you change your bunker, shoot right away. It will take your opponent off-guard, and the chances of you winning get very high.
Useful Tricks
When you are peeking from behind your bunker, try to take a mental picture of what you see. The imprint of the placement of your opponent will help you snap shoot faster. Take one look and duck back. Get out quickly again and snap shoot.
Keep changing your shooting positions, from standing, crouching, kneeling, and if needed, lying on your stomach. A quick change in position takes your opponent by surprise and keeps them confused about where they must shoot to get you.
When you are in an actual game, do not snap shoot from above your bunker, this will only expose you to other opponents. If you are using a tall can as your safe place, snap shoot from around it or over it by telling yourself for only a few inches.
Never come out of your bunker to aim unless you are on a suicidal mission. When you need to come out during the end of the game, never come out with your gun first. If you want to stay ahead of your opponent and keep him or her confused, make three snaps first. Once you have the attention of your opponent, start shooting. Change the position again and repeat the same process.
