Woodsball Players

Does it matter? no

Yes, there are flankers, frontline and backline for the most part. The key to a good scenerio team is communication and teamwork. Playing like rambo will get you shot.

Yes,^

There are people who go ahead of the team, others stay and watch to make sure no-one comes from around the back. I suggest getting some radios and a head-set for good, quiet communication. Communication (silent) is key to woodsball. I play woods and love it. After some practice games your friends and yourself can decide over good posistions and game strategies. Good Luck!

Normally for a case like this I'd give you a link to oldsoldier's site, but it's been kaput for a while now, so enjoy the copy and paste. If you want more of his articles, PM me or go bug him. I have most of them saved.







Five-Man Teams
15, April 01

1969- As a reference when I was selected to join a LRRP Team I had to rethink and relearn all I knew about Infantry tactics. LRRP Teams were 5-6 man Teams inserted deep in "Indian Country" (NVA/VC controlled areas) by helicopter and did "snoop and poops" for up to 5 days. We were not to fight but to find the enemy, and hold them by the nose as the rest of the Battalion's assets were brought in to do battle. But we were trained to fight, if required, but differently than the standard Infantry Squad. During movement the terrain dictated our formation, and our reaction drill on contact.

For firepower we carried a assortment of weapons, point carried a 12ga or a M-79 with a M-16 backup, Compass man carried standard M-16, Team Leader M-16, Cover man a M-60, and slack man carried a M-79 with a M-16 backup. We had a limited ammo load since we had to tote it, and re-supply would compromise our mission and or position so we learned to fight smart.

In paintball the same tactical formation works, and quite well. A well practiced Team utilizing the basic concept can achieve results in the woods or the speedball field. But they must understand the basic drill for each situation. As a Paintball Example I will use my rec-team "The Herd" as an example. Seeing that our effective engagement range is established at 20meters open terrain and 15meters closed our formations and battle drills reflect these ranges.

We will cover woods play first. Upon the start of the game we distance ourselves from the "mob" rushing forward. This gives us an open field and most paintball players get tunnel vision and will concentrate on the main force. We then break into a staggered wedge formation, establish our "fields of fire and responsibility" and then move out. We move fast and use the worst route available; the enemy will not expect troops moving through nasty terrain. We have a set objective and move towards that. We bound as we get closer, each troop covering the 5 meter bound of the troop in front of him, and we alternate till we get into striking range. Then the gunner (Troop) moves to a cover position with the SAW. At a set signal he opens up and suppresses suspected or known positions with 3-5 round bursts. The 3 man "assault" element moves to flank and advance, and the slack man covers our rear and observes the overall battle, keeping the leader informed of developments the leader can not see himself.

We have a set time schedule and if we have not advanced to a point to take the objective we break contact, Troop continues to suppress and we all then move back to a rally point. The slack man and gunner last to arrive, the assault element is set to repel or ambush the chasing enemy if there is any. We then move away and approach from a different axis, and repeat the drill.

Speedball is a different drill, select fire and movement more important than pure firepower. We move quickly to secure the center and the flanks, 1 man each on tapes, 2 in center and a slack man to move to the trouble spot. We act in unison to suppress and then we maintain the suppression by not allowing the enemy to poke their heads up. Once the enemy is down, with proper movement the game is one.

You move guarding your exposed flank and alternate movement, major threat targets are eliminated first. The most used man is the slack man with the SAW. But he does not hang back he moves forward and depending on the field and enemy position he positions himself to suppress the most target areas, and selects them by priority. As a rule we stay up and firing, once you duck you are done, you are blind to movement and surprises are eliminations. Gun up and snap shots at positions as you move. Watch a SEAL, RANGER or SWAT CQB team in action same concept, select firing and movement, never taking eyes off the situation.

I will go into the actual individual positions and techniques next lesson.