Playing you bunker is an extremely important part of paintball.  Whether you play tournaments, walk-on's, or just plain rec ball. This is one of the main deciding factors in determining whether you are a good player, or, well....not a good player.  Picking your bunker coincides directly with your position, so I will get into that first.

What position do you usually play?

When you choose what bunker you are going to take, make sure it is well suited for your position.

-Back Players

        If you play defense, pick a big place in the back, hopefully the field you are playing at has larger back bunkers.  Many times defensive players choose stand-up bunkers.  This kind of bunker helps a back player throw alot of paint and keeps him accurate compared to if he is on his butt, back, or side.  This also gives him more area to make a mistake.  Back players are usually putting balls over the forward player's heads or trying to cover them.
        The higher you are, the better.  After all, you dont want to nail your own teammate in the back of the head, I have seen this happen many times, it has even happened to me, as I am a front player.  This WILL happen from time to time but, to keep it minimal back players stay high.  Another reason back players want a stand up bunker is simply to gain advantage over the opposing front players.
        A high bunker helps you to drop balls over the bunkers without to much worry about being hit.  It also gives you a better view of the field then small front bunkers. Back players should NEVER be bunkered.  When you are at a stand-up bunker in the back you have all of the advantages.  It is does not restrict movement like many small front bunkers.
        Back players should always be throwing paint and talking, remember you can see the field, your front players usually can't.  Your main jobs is telling the forwards where the opposing players are, giving a kill count, and giving angles to your players.  If you are not talking.....your not helping.  Always keep track of the kill count.  Many teams put their captain in the back so he can command his team.  My team does this and it works, try it.

-Front Players

        I am a front player so I trust me on this one. Most tournament fields, and some walk-on fields use small bunkers up front. If you are a front player you must learn to adapt to these small bunkers.  Front players must be fast, agile, and aggresive. These players are your "bunkering" players. If you play the front you must learn the art of bunkering, yes it is an art grasshopper son. I will not get into bunkering right now, look for it in a later article.
        When you get to your bunker tuck in right away.  Many front players get eliminated from the start buy trying to get in and shoot right off the bat.  Don't do it.  Remember, the back players get into postion much quicker then the front players and are all ready to pick off anything they see sticking out.
        Another thing that must be learned is how to play the particular bunker in a particular position.  90% of the time I would tell you to tight in, cut off their angles and fix on one person at a time.  BUT, and it is a big BUT, sometimes it is better to hang a couple feet back from the bunker and get advantage on a person before they get it on you.
        By getting advantage I mean start shooting at them, when they tuck in and you don't, now you have advantage. Now you are ready to pop um soon as they stick out.  Try to keep advantage as much as possible.  Sure you may want to duck inside from time to time or when it's getting too hot, but learning to stay outside when being fired upon can help you become a great player.
        Remember when you have advantage the only thing they can do is pop out for a split second and shoot, any more you SHOULD have them.  Think about it, in that tiny slice of time are they really going to be able to take aim or get a good shot off at you?  Not really, so why give up advantage when you dont have to?  Sure every once in a while they will get that lucky shot, hey, it happends.  But, don't let it discourage you.
        Another important lesson, a VERY important one at that.  DO NOT COME OVER THE TOP OF A BUNKER!!!  Think about it.  You are having a hard enough time with that one guy, why subject a great portion (your head, gun, hopper) to EVERY enemy on the field?  Instead play the sides of a bunker.
        Learn to shoot left handed.  This will help you be accurate from either side.  Remember, just because you have a fast firing gun (I am not exempt, I have a couple mags and an angel) does not mean you should not be accurate.  Learn to shoot your gun, learn the trigger, the lines, the range, everything!  Front players must be accurate.
        Now that we got the "playing your bunker" part out of the way, we must know lean how to choose your bunker.  This is really personal preference. how do you like to play?  On your side, butt, back, knees, feet? what?  choose a bunker that lets you utilize your best playing style.   Before you play walk the field, try to think of how you will play your bunker, make sure you know what angles you have, and what angles they have on you.  Being a front player is all about angles, learn them and you will rock, don't learn them and you will....again.. ..not rock. easy as that.

-Off the Start

        Ok, so now that you've got your bunker all picked out, and it looks nice and spiffy you'vr got to worry about how your gonna get there.  This is the fun part, it's also the most dangerous time.  Okay, here we go:

Back players.
        This depends on the bunker and how far away it is.  Most of the time I suggest back players come out shooting.  If you are playing the flag station then off the bat, turn around and put a stream on balls to the side of the opposing flag station (this depends on how far awar it is and how big the feild is) many times you can get one or two people right out of their flag station, before they even get to their bunker.  The other back players, depending on how far away their bunker is can either walk and fire to their bunker or run then fire to their bunker.  Either way they do not have as much to worry about as front plays and should be firing away trying to get someone off the bat.
        Now, for the front players.  DO NOT FIRE WHILE RUNNING!  Front players should jet to the bunker off the bat. NOT firing on the way.  I have seen many time where front players get nailed because they are firing on the way to their bunker.  Remember, if you fire when you are running it will slow you down, expose your body, and make them fire back (duh!).  Instead leave the beginning fire to the back players and run your butt off to your bunker, slide in and tuck for a couple seconds.
        The back players should hold off their players long enough so that you can get to your bunker.  Also, do not try to get to a far bunker, especially if playing 5 or less man.  That one kill can severely hurt you team.  If you make it then great, but it is better off if you dont subject yourself to that chance that early in the game. I guess I have said all I can on this subject at this time, so take it easy, play good, play hard, and play smart.

Glenn Sweeten
MPN Columnist