Yes, crawling is slow and yes, it takes a lot of energy, but sometimes it is the best way to move on the paintball field. Here's what to do and when.
Some crawling moves are very basic, and anyone can – and should – do them while playing paintball. Others take know-how and coordination with teammates. Here are some basics, but players should think about other ways to incorporate crawling into a paintball game. Paintball snipers in particular may find crawling a useful technique.
Even if a player is looking somewhere else, chances are he or she will notice movement -- like an enemy running -- out of the corner of their eye. With low-profile crawling, one’s odds of moving undetected are much better. Because crawling is relatively slow, however, it should be used mostly for short distances. Here's when to crawl during a paintball game:
- Crawling, or crouching, from one part of a bunker to another is a no brainer. It’s often the only way to move behind a bunker without being seen.
- When playing in the woods, slowly crawling behind dense brush to get to a better position can often keep a player hidden while running would get you noticed – and shot at.
- Sometimes even when there is no cover, crawling from one bunker to another is a good choice if the enemy is occupied with a skirmish. Hopefully the crawling movements won’t be noticed and a player can sneak up on their opponents.
Crawling Tips
Paintball players should:
- Have a code-word for crawls. That way a teammate can distract the opposition while a player makes their move. Being able to secretly tell teammates what someone is planning can save a lot of trouble. Have a code-word for cover, too.
- Learn how to low crawl. To crawl behind very low bunkers (like the ‘snake’) or in heavy underbrush, a player’s body will be positioned as if you were climbing a mountain horizontally. Players move with their toes, knees, and forearms and keep the rest of their body just inches of the ground. (Mind the behind! Butts like to stick up sometimes.) This type of crawl is the hardest and slowest, but can sometimes make the difference between being eliminated or getting into a position to eliminate someone else.
- Know how to crawl with one hand on their paintball gun (moving using their knees and other hands). This is particularly important if a player may be fired on while crawling. Moving this way sounds difficult, and could benefit from practice, but it is fairly fast and lets a player respond quickly if fired on. Unfortunately, it is more visible than crawling lower to the ground.
- Keep their entire body and gear as small and streamlined as possible while crawling. Paintball gear, elbows, and behinds should not poke out.
- Practice crawling. Crawls will become easier, faster, and more streamlined the more familiar a player is with them. Practicing also lets a player figure out how to deal with the uneven ground – roots, holes, etc—so common in wood paintball fields.
Clothing for Crawling
- Players should dress comfortably, wearing nothing that would get in the way of crawling or make oneself a bigger target.
- Knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves to protect crawling body parts but still let the player feel the ground and move around.
- Camouflage is great for woodsball, but not necessary for a speedball field.
- Shoe spikes can help a player crawl really low to the ground.
More Paintball Strategy
The copyright of the article Paintball Crawling Tips in BMX/MotorX/Skateboarding is owned by Estela Kennen. Permission to republish Paintball Crawling Tips must be granted by the author in writing.
