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The
back player might
not enjoy the
glory or kudos
afforded to his
further advanced
counterparts but
his role is every
bit as crucial
as the forward
players. In fact,
they couldn’t
look so good without
him…
Here at PGi we
usually write articles
about how to play
the snake, bunker
fools and make
big moves; you
know, the things
everyone wants
to know because
they think it'll
get them on the
cover of this magazine.
This series of
articles will give
you tips and tricks
to improve your
skills at every
position, from
front to back.
We'll start the
series with the
least appreciated
position: the back
man. Face it: you
aren't getting
any cover time
without someone
backing you up.
You know, the guy
behind the guy,
playing defense
and keeping your
cap from getting
peeled back.
Playing in the
back isn't glorious
most of the time,
but it's an essential
position that someone
has to play. Guys
like Neil Eberle,
Dave Baines, Johnny
Perchak and Zack
Long are the cream
of the crop. You
won't be seeing
these guys on too
many covers or
all over the latest
paintball video
game, but I guarantee
if you poll the
Pros on who the
best players in
the game are, their
names will come
up on everyone's
list.
What's your job
as defender? Back
guys hold the game
together. You'll
play different
roles on in X-Ball,
7-Man, on different
fields and in different
games, but some
things always stay
the same. If you
want to be a big
bad back man, read
on.
Shoot That Paint
Shooting paint
is a big part
of playing in
the back. If
you're coming
off the field
with a full harness,
you're doing
something wrong.
In the old days,
some players looked
down on players
carrying a big
harness full of
pods. Now it's
commonplace for
players to carry
copious amounts
of paint onto the
field; even front
players carry nearly
half a case on
their backs (five
x 140 round pods
+ 200 round loader
= 900 rounds).
Putting
lots of paint
in the air not
only increases
your chances of
hitting a target,
but it's a tactical
advantage. As a
back player, shooting
people is your
last concern. If
you can't grasp
that, it's time
to find a new position.
Suppressive fire
keeps the opposition
in their bunkers
where they can't
see or shoot at
your teammates.
If you keep shooting,
you're slowing
down the other
team, so keep on
the trigger while
we get to our next
point…
Coverage
What exactly are
you shooting
at?
You aren't in
the game to get
kills; you're there
to help your teammates
get up the field
so they can shoot
fools and take
all the glory.
In that respect,
front players are
a lot like front
men for rock 'n'
roll bands. Pretty,
preening, and often
in pathetic pursuit
of personal glory.
Great teams aren't
made of stats-hungry,
egotistical glory
hogs. Great teams
are made of players
willing to sacrifice
anything for the
W. Don't worry
about how other
players see you,
or how many pictures
you got in the
last issue of PGi.
Playing support
for your teammates
wins you games.
If
you asked guys
like Allen Iverson,
Ladanian Tomlinson
and A-Rod if they'd
rather have a championship
ring or the league
MVP, you can bet
the kids' college
fund they'd take
the ring. So, put
your teammates
first and keep
them covered. You
never know, you
just might get
that nod for best
supporting actor.
While you're at
it, make sure you…
Communicate
By virtue of being
furthest from
the action, you
have the best
view of the field.
It's your duty
to keep track
of what's going
on and relay
important information
to your teammates.
Analyze your information
and its importance
to your teammates.
Does your back
center player need
to know that your
mirror is hot?
Sure, but you probably
don't need to repeat
it. Does your snake
player need to
know your mirror
is hot? That's
something that
bears repeating.
There are dozens
of articles out
there on communication
(I've written a
few myself), so
read on and speak
up.
I
also stress horizontal
communication,
not just vertical.
Communicating with
your fellow back
players is crucial,
because they relay
information to
your other forwards.
Keep track of the
time, kill count,
and always pay
attention to your…
Game Plan
Knowing the game
plan allows you
to take control
of the offense
when things are
going south.
If a player you're
supporting gets
shot out and
you have to fill
their position,
you better know
their job. To
be effective
in the backfield
you must have
a general understanding
of the game plan
and your teammates'
basic assignments,
at least.
Back
players must
often act as
generals, switching
assignments and
commanding troop
movement. If
the man you're
covering was assigned
to stop the other
team from getting
into the snake
gets shot out,
you only have yourself
to blame if the
other team gets
into the snake
and costs you the
game. You must
understand how
individual pieces
fit to complete
the puzzle of your
game plan in order
to make adjustments
on the fly. Keep
a crib sheet of
basic goals for
each field/plan,
and you won't be
caught with your
pants down. Understanding
the game plan will
also help you determine
who you need to…
Sweet Spot
During the breakout
you won't be
moving very far,
so keep your
gun up and shoot
back at the other
team's runners
or sweet spotters.
Coordinating
your sweet spotting
improves your
chances of hitting
a target; you're
more likely to
shoot the guy
running to the
snake with three
guns than one.
If you take advantage
of the field,
you can find
better lanes
to sweet spot;
spreading out
your guns (so
you aren't all
shooting at the
target from the
same angle) further
increases your
chance of eliminating
a player off
the break.
Sweet
spotting takes
technical practice
and skill, but
it also requires
critical thinking
and coordination
you should prepare
off the field.
Remember, this
is just the tip
of the lane control
iceberg; it'll
take more than
a few pot shots
off the break to
get that W, so
make sure you…
Control The Lanes
Last month I wrote
an article on
lanes; what they
are, how to control
them and how
to use them to
your advantage.
If you haven't
read the article,
I'll give you
a quick summary:
Lanes are the
spaces between
bunkers where the
action happens.
Players run through
lanes, sweet spot
through lanes,
dive through lanes,
etc. Although it's
important for every
player on the field
to understand how
lanes affect their
game play, it's
particularly important
for a back player
to learn to control
lanes and use them
to his advantage.
For you, the most
important things
to learn about
lanes are:
- how to control
them
- understanding
which lanes you
need to control
for your game plan
to be effective
-
adjust your teammates’ lane
assignments on
the fly to correct
your plan or stop
the other team
Of
course, this
doesn't do your
team any good if
you can't…
Stay Out of the
Dead Box!
You don't do your
team any good unless
you're on the field,
guns blazing. It's
often necessary
for a forward to
make a risky or
sacrificial move
to get your offense
going, remove a
key player from
a bunker or break
open a game. It's
a cardinal sin
for a back player
to leave the game
early. You are
literally your
team's last line
of defense. You
are far removed
from the trenches
and heavy combat.
There's no reason
for you to be in
the dead box unless
the other team
has your flag.
Back players have
to pick and choose
their battles.
If you're playing
against someone
skilled in your
mirror, it's foolish
to try and battle
back during every
exchange. However,
there are times
you'll need to
own the tape --
helping your players
move up, preventing
someone from getting
mugged, coordinating
an offensive, etc.
It's give and take:
you can't expect
to control your
tape line every
minute of every
game.
Fighting an Uphill
Battle on Your
Heels
An unfortunate
consequence of
playing defense
is catching all
the heat when your
offense crumbles.
If you're losing,
you'll definitely
be feeling it.
As a back player
you must excel
in low number situations.
You'll learn how
to cross it up,
sit back and let
the other team
come to you. You'll
learn how to be
cool under pressure.
For practice,
play low numbers
drills. Work 5-on-3s,
3-on-2s, 2-on-1s,
etc. Communication
is crucial during
these drills; if
you miss one move,
it could be game
over.
See, it's that
easy! Just a few
mental exercises
and some careful
thought can make
you a better player.
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