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PAINTBALL WOODSBALL INFORMATION

Woodsball, also known as woods paintball, Bushball, and sometimes incorrectly as scenarioball, is a popular form of paintball. Woodsball is the name of paintball that is played in any natural setting.

Woodsball is the classic form of paintball. Technically, woodsball doesn't have to be played in "woods" as such, but also open fields, swamps, mountains, canyons, etc. Another characteristic of woodsball is its generally relatively large boundaries, or perhaps no boundaries at all. Woodsball has many popular variants, giving the game very flexible variety.

Woodsball tends to be more common among suburban or rural paintballers, as it can be easier to find suitable land to play upon. Players who live in an urban setting tend to have more access to smaller indoor arenas, which typically offer Speedball instead.

Where speedball can resemble a game that simply revolves around basic angles and fast-shooting markers, woodsball is intended to comprehensively simulate military combat tactics. Strategy is more important in woodsball than rate of fire (how fast the marker fires), and relies much more on maneuvering, group cohesion, and broader strategy.

Levels of Play

There are generally two levels of play in woodsball: basic recreational play (sometimes known as recball), and advanced play. Basic recreational woodsball is the most common form of woodsball, and indeed, paintball in general. Most people who play woodsball on this skill level tend to be either new players (sometimes called 'newbs' by veterans), casual players, or moderately experienced players who do not belong to an organized team. Essentially, basic woodsball is the result of having practically no applied organization or little field training.

In basic recreational play, player positions are rarely employed. Equipment is very simple; often just the player's marker and mask. Because these players play on a casual basis, it is not economically feasible to own extensive or expensive equipment, so markers tend to be economy models, such as the Tippmann 98 custom or Tippmann A-5 with few or no aftermarket upgrades. Camouflage is not always used, and many players tend to wear casual clothing such as a sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Basic recreational games are generally very simple, with the two opposing teams both uncoordinated and without an efficient chain of command. Communication is minimal at best. Movement, especially over small distances between cover, is slow and ponderous. Recognized tactical maneuvers are almost nonexistent.

Advanced play relies on established fundamentals of woodsball strategy, and is distinguished from basic play by its level of organization. Advanced woodsballers are known for team coordination and fluidity on the field, rapid maneuvers, cooperation in movement, extensive training, proper usage of equipment, and application of defined team tactics.

Markers

Woodsball markers are generally known to be universal in play, as a player can fill many roles while using the same marker throughout. For example, a telescopic sight, stock, and more accurate barrel can be added to the marker, increasing the expected accuracy of the player to that of a marksman. The same equipment can be later replaced by full-auto grips and/or circuit boards, which enable the player to play as a heavy rifleman. Because of the wide range of possibilities, woodsball markers often come out of the box with relatively basic configurations, leaving most modifications to be purchased subsequently.

The popular and classic woodsball marker company is Tippmann, mainly because of their relatively low cost and high reliability. One of their most popular markers, the Model 98 Custom, has actually been run over by pickup trucks and survived, to demonstrate the durability of the marker.[citation needed] Their markers are also renowned for their ability to be 'modded', or modified, for many functions.

Most paintball markers use carbon dioxide as a propellant, although they can also accept compressed air and nitrogen. Most are built with the inline blow-back gas system. The blow-back system was initially developed by Tippmann Pneumatics, and allows a portion of the same gas used to shoot the marker to also re-cock it, mimicking semi-automatic fire. Although most stock barrels are only 20 centimeters (8 inches) in length, after-market barrels can be much longer, sometimes exceeding twenty inches or more. Another type of marker that is rarely heard of, is the simulation marker.Companies such as Ariakon and Real Action Paintball (RAP) have made specialty items that use magazines instead of the hopper, and conceal most parts of a typical paintball gun. the C02 is concealed within the stock of the marker and the paintball is actually loaded into a shell (also known as a brass) before being loaded manually into a magazine. RAP even made the bulk of its markers into easy feild strips. MOst of the RAP markers are made in simulation of the M16A2 and dissasemble in almost the exact same way. For being much more reliable, powerful, and accurate, these markers are prized and therefore cost

Woodsball Strategy

There are many forms of strategy in woodsball. Examples include solid and staggered attacks, flanking maneuvers, attrition, ambushes, charging, coverfire, and base defense. A widely used tactic when playing against a "walk-on team" (a team of players who generally do not know each other) is called a strong-side attack, wherein a few defenders are left at the base, while the majority of the team pushes up one flank, and a few elite members push up the other side in an effort to pincer the enemy.

Tactics in woodsball largely revolve around team cohesion, in contrast to Speedball, which relies heavily on personal skill. In woodsball, it is important that the whole team be aware of the situation and decided strategy. Many woodsball games can be lost because of one weak player not knowing his role. Consequently, team communication is essential throughout the game.

A good strategy is one that is formed in response to the actions of the opposing team. One implementation of this reactive model involves assigning two scouts to spot the opponent's movements and report back to the team commander. The team commander is then equipped to give direction based on knowledge of the other team's position and apparent strategy.

Woodsball tactics strongly depend on flanking maneuvers. Some flanking maneuvers are very aggressive, while some are lax. A lazy flank might include a very quick break, but once at a position where there is ample cover, the team digs in and awaits for their opponents to pass them. A successful flanking maneuver of this type will evolve into an ambush, which is highly unexpected to walk-on teams. The ambush squad allows the opposing team to move past their positions, completing the lazy flank. This potentially involves enemy players walking within feet of the ambush squad. Once the commander of the ambushing team begins to fire, the rest of the squad do so as well, eliminating the opposing players, and quickly recovering for another oncoming attack. An ambush should be a quick kill that deeply damages the opposing team, with minimal friendly casualties. The tactic requires patience and practice, and should only be relied on by players familiar with their teammates, who know the area well. A good flank can obliterate a strong defense with as little as a few shots.

Carelessly charging an enemy force is a common error committed by new players. Woodsball is highly concerned with angling an opponent's position. Taking an angle on your opponent requires a good understanding of cover, and the area in which you play. Players that have taken good angles on a defensive position but forgotten their flanks have found themselves trapped in the dead man's box. It is important to remember that, while flanking the enemy, you still have flanks of your own. To angle properly requires courage, and trust in both your skills and your surroundings.

The usage of cover is an essential element of paintball. While flanking or angling an opponent, it is important to stay near cover, but not against it. While moving, experienced players position themselves slightly away from cover to maintain mobility, but keep it positioned between themselves and their opponent. Once they begin firing, however, a player should move closer to cover so that it provides optimal protection.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Woodsball".