People always say there is no "I" in TEAM.  When you are on a paintball team the same thing applies.  If you don't communicate and work together your team falls apart.  You become a group of players each trying to win, yet getting no where.  It is the same reason that walk-on's tend to loose, "What we have here is a failure to communicate."  Here is how you can make you team sing.

Talk to me!

        The first thing a team needs to learn is how to communicate.  There are a few ways to do this.  My favorite way is to learn on the field.  What you do is divide the team into two completely uneven teams, 2 on 5, 3 on 9.  You can also make the smaller team use pumps while the larger team uses semis.  The objective is to make the smaller team learn to communicate.  The only way they have a chance is to work together and communicate.  Another good way to do this is to play stock games against each other, or you can play stock at your local field against the walk-on's.  If you loose don't worry that is how you find and eliminate your mistakes.  Hind sight is always 20/20.

Spray and Pray

        To play good paintball doesn't mean you have to use the method of spray and pray.  Being able to shoot 10 balls a second doesn't mean jack if you can't hit what you are aiming at.  During a team practice try this drill. Set up two bunkers about 10 to 12 feet apart.  In between them about 20 feet away place a coffee can on a stick about 3 feet tall.  Then have your teammates one at a time run from one bunker to the other shooting at the can.  The objective is to hit the can while running.  This will teach your team how to shoot under pressure.

Blue 42. Hut hut hike!!!

        The best teams in any sport have plays.  This applies to paintball as well.  Organized players can almost "sense" what their teammates are going to do, before they do it.  Plays help enforce this feeling by having physical commands to execute them.  You,  as a captain,  need to know how your team plays and what they are capable of.  Things, such as how to realize the play angles on the field and were the "hot spots" are a key element.
        If you aren't the first group or team to play on the field for the day,  walk the field,  and find the bunkers that are covered in paint. These are your hot spots, remember them. These locations are most likely easily seen and have a good shooting angle on them. Avoid them and try to force the other team into these spots.  All ways remember play hard, and do the best you can.

Tony Sasso
MPN Columnist