Always have a game plan. Before starting a game make sure you have a plan on how to play the game and field. Are you going to rush the center, push the right tape, try to shoot out players in the lanes, double stack a particular bunker, grab the flag, etc. Never go into a game without a PLAN.
Know the skills of your teammates. If you don’t ask them. Know each teammates particular skills such as shoots better right handed, can run fast, great from the back, good front man, etc. Employ these skills in the game strategy and tactics. No use sending a "slow" running player to get the flag.
Always change a losing game. If you lose a game change your strategy. Try different tactics and take different risks. If you have pushed the left tape and lost try pushing the right tape line. Analyze the "how" and "why" you lost and make adjustments to win.
Call for tape shots. Communicate with your teammate to call for certain types of shoots. If you see an opponent hanging out of his bunker and your teammate isn't looking at that opponent tell him to come out shooting in the direction of the opponent who is hanging out of the bunker. This generally happens down a tape line. Call for your teammate to come out firing down the tape line if you see the opponent wrapped around his bunker on the tape line.
Move under "cover fire" to another bunker. Moving in the game is extremely important to gaining the advantage. Moving without having your teammates provide coverage is not only risky but foolish. If your teammates are firing on your opponents it is much harder for your opponents to shoot you as you move from bunker to bunker. Ask your teammates for coverage as you move.
Have planned moves for certain situations. There are fields and situations that call for text book planned movements. In other words, these are like "set" plays. For example, if you have a 3 on 1 advantage, the proper move to bunker the opponent is as follows: the teammate farthest to the right shoots at the opponent's right side of the bunker, the teammate farthest to the left shoots at the opponent's left side of the bunker, the teammate in the center moves forward and does the bunkering.
When to Zone up! Zoning up is a term meaning that each player shoots into a certain lane to protect one another (crisscrossed). This usually occurs when you have two players left on your team and 3 or more opponents. What you are attempting to do is keep each other from being bunkered. For example, if your team has players in the back left and back right bunkers the back left player would only shoot "right" and the back right player would only shoot "left." Each back player would prevent the opponent from bunkering their teammate down the line.
Bunker those in front of you! Bunker moves can be exciting, risky, and game breakers. When learning to bunker your opponent first practice bunkering the opponent in front of you. Have your teammates provide cover fire and then bunker the guy.
How to pull the flag. Pulling the flag earns your team points. Again, have your teammates provide cover fire when attempting to pull the flag. Generally, it is best to pull the flag after several opponents are eliminated from the game.
What to do now that you have the flag. When you get to the flag station, stay alive at all costs. Don't spend most of your time trying to outshoot other players. Generally, the flag station is very small and staying alive is a skill in of itself. Let your teammates work their way up to your position on the field so you have adequate cover before you make your next move.
Call for paint checks don’t assume you got the other guy until he walks off the field. When you think you have hit another player call for a paint check and don't consider the other player eliminated until you see him leave the field of play. The ball may have bounced or he may not be eliminated.
Always know the game time. Always use a game timer. Know what time it is during the playing of a game. If the game is 10 minutes long and 8 minutes have passed it may be time for a risky move.
Always know the dead box count. Knowing how many "live" and "dead" players is very important. If you lose count ask a teammate. Remember you get eliminated from the game by "live" opponents.
What to do in the last two minutes of the game. During the last two minutes of a game it is time to change your strategy and tactics if you are not winning. This may call for a "run down the line" or a "flag pull" attempt. No use sitting in your bunker waiting it out unless you are "hopelessly" outnumbered.
How far to go on the Break. Depending on the field it is generally best to get as far up the field as possible on the "break." Getting up the field will give you a "positional advantage" early in the game. How far should you go? Well, go as far as possible without getting eliminated.
How to run to bunkers and get there safely. When running and moving to bunkers focus on getting to the bunker without exposing things to get shot such as your marker. If your goal is solely to move to the next bunker then hold your marker behind your body as you run. If you get shot you have a better chance of the ball "not" breaking if it hits your body rather than your marker.
Know the key bunkers. Every field has "key" bunkers. A key bunker is one which, when occupied, gives your team an advantage. Snake type bunkers are generally key bunkers. Walk each field before you start the game and figure our which bunkers are key to winning the game.
How to set up an opponent to be eliminated. Working together you can eliminate opponents. If you have an opponent "posted" on you - have a teammate shoot at him. If you have an opponent who "wraps" to shoot at you - have your teammate ready to shoot at the "wrapper" as you fake a move or give the opponent(s) something to shoot at (a fake of course). Bait your opponents to do things and then trap them.
|
