Know where all of your opponents are all of the time. Keep track of all of your opponents. One of the most common mistakes is to lose track of your opponents. If you don't know where they are at "ask" your team mates. Also, help your team mates by telling them where you "know" the opponents are. If you don't know say "I don't know." Providing misinformation may cause one of your team mates to be eliminated.
Bunkering opponents is fair and normal procedure for tournaments. Knowing when to bunker the opponent is key to winning matches. When is the best time to bunker the opponent? Here are some guidelines: 1) When you teammates have everyone else pinned down and in their bunkers. 2) When there is one opponent on a tape line and eliminating him will open up that side of the field so someone can "run" the tape line. 3) When they are laying down in a "snake" and there is no backman to protect them (they are very blind at this time). 4) Near the end of the game (go for broke strategy). 5) When they least expect it. 6) When you have them out numbered - trading player strategy. 7) When you can eliminate their "best" player. 8) When you can gain position. 9) When it is reasonable to believe you can get it done and not get eliminated. 10) When there is a stalemate and nothing is happening. These are just a few, there are many more but you must decide when it is best for you and your team.
Communication can not be emphasized enough. The more you communicate with your team mates the more likely you are going to win the game. Communication among team members is as important and looking down the field while you are reloading your hopper. Without good communication it is easier to sell fire in Hades than it will be to win. Communication is especially important stemming from the back player. Back players usually are standing up and can see the field better than other players. Thus, they are most likely to detect movement and know the whereabouts of everyone on the field. If you don't know where someone is ask your back player. Lack of communication is one of the biggest reasons for losing a game. Whenever something changes communicate it to your team mates. If you get surprised you generally get eliminated rather quickly. Don't let your communication skills be the reason for your trip to the dead box.
Teamwork is often talked about but only practiced by those who win the most. Teamwork is the process of working together toward a common goal. The goal in this case is to win the game. Playing like a maverick or John Wayne is not team work it is just plain stupid. Helping one another to move from bunker to bunker, communicating, sacrificing yourself for the good of the team is TEAMWORK. All to often I have seen a team with a 3 on 1 advantage lose the game. Why did they lose? They lost because they all wanted to bunker the 1 opponent player. No one wanted to act as a team and get the opponent out of the game. If you want to play wildly or act independently then don't join a team. A team wins and loses together but more importantly they stick together and act as ONE. If you have players who do not behave like team mates then you must consider trading them in on those who will be team mates. There is not room in tournaments for those who would be king.
Scouting the opponent team is a must! When you are not actually playing you should be learning all you can about the other team. Watch what they do on the "break." How do they communicate? Who are their front and back guys? Do they have a few key players? Do they have speed? Do they play smart? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Do they have a game strategy and tactics? When watching the other team take notes. See how they won or lost the game. Most likely they will do the same thing when they play your team. Always have a plan for playing against them. Remember, history repeats itself and so will your opponents.
Eliminate the opponent team's best players first. If you know who the best player(s) are on the other team concentrate on eliminating them on the break or early in the game. Don't let one or two of the opponent's best players beat you. This is a very common strategy in every team sporting events. In baseball, with men on base, the pitcher will walk the home run hitter. In football, they will double team the best receiver on the opponent's team. Use this strategy to win the "big" games.
Get to "Key" bunkers first. On every field of play there are "key" bunkers. A "key" bunker is one which provides your team with an advantage. Usually it is due to its location on the field. When your team occupies a key bunker it puts the other team at a disadvantage. Getting to the "key" bunkers before you opponents do will give your team more opportunities to eliminate other players, move, and limit your opponents choices. Focus your efforts on getting to and holding the "key" bunkers and your team will win more games.
Manage your time. Time management is not meant just for businesses it is meant when you "mean business!" Your team must keep track of the time in each game. Knowing when time will run out changes your strategy and tactics. As time runs down your team must decide "what to do." If you are losing then your strategy may be to "survive." If you are winning but have not hung the flag you may want to try several bunker moves which will allow your team to hang the flag. In either of the two fore mentioned situations your team should be considering these plans when time runs down to under two minutes. If you don't have a timer "GET ONE." There is nothing more frustrating than running out time when you have a three on one advantage and have not hung the flag. Don't let time cost your a trip to the semi-finals. Move under cover. One of the most common mistakes is to move to another bunker without calling for "cover" from your team mates. It can be done without calling for "cover" but the risk of getting eliminated skyrockets as compared to having "cover fire" while you move. If you want to move as safely as possible set up the move with your other teammates. Have them fire at the bunkers where opponents have the most opportunity to hit you as you move. Placing paint on the opponents bunkers will narrow their chances of seeing your move and eliminating you. It is difficult for an opponent to shoot at you if they are being fired upon.
What do you do when two opponents are firing on one of your teammates? The answer is "move." When two opponents are concentrating their firepower on one of your teammates they can't be looking at you. So, take a peak and move to the next bunker. Whenever two opponents are concentrating on one other player there is "opportunity." This is the time to size up the situation and make a "move." These opportunities don't come along very often so seize the moment and use it to your advantage. You will be surprised on how easy it is and your opponents won't like the surprise you have waiting for them.
To be continued...
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