Some fields are set up with the back center bunker not having the most ideal lanes to shoot off break! The closer you get to the back center you may also lose some of your shots. The best lanes are sometimes acquired with out being in a bunker, but you must also find a way to do it safely.

It is normal for people who run and shoot to their bunkers to shoot directly back at the middle of the field. They tend to aim directly around center 50 bunker and at the back center. So the safest spot to lane from may be just off to the side of the starting gate. It seems to be safer when your team breaks out wide drawing the other teams guns and attention.

That way the other players are shooting at a bunker that no one is even in, and you may have wide open lanes. You can get low and try using bunkers further up the field to disguise your spot and block edging players views.

*Practice this on your layout, try both sides directly off the board. Try stepping a few steps out. Also know which bunker is the best to go to immediately after shooting your lane. Also be sure to not shoot your gun empty, because you may need to run and shoot to make your main bunker!*

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #24: Gambling Man Knows No Rules… Tip #6: Break Out Shooting Tip #9: Quickly and Efficiently Owning Wire/Tape

Diving is an essential part of your paintball skills. Although everyone practices diving at a young age, whether on a slippery floor, a slip and slide, or in a ball pit. Once you put paintball gear on, hold a gun, and try to dodge paint while attempting your dive, it seems as if everything you have learned just vanished.

Not every dive is going to be perfect, not every dive is going to be smooth. However the more comfortable you become with diving, the better your odds for perfect dives will become.

To perfect your diving you must start from the beginning and work your way up (LEFT HANDED & RIGHT HANDED)! What worked for me was going in this order…

-Use bunkers and preferably on a field. (Check for stakes, or anything sharp or hard on the field before practicing)
-Start practicing with all of your gear including your mask on, except use an empty pack and no gun.
-Next load your pack and do it again.
-Then hold your gun minus the loader and barrel. (Just tank and gun)
-Finally be fully geared and keep practicing.

*Start slow, practicing getting as low as possible prior to the dive and reducing the impact you make.

*Video tape your dives and review them to see what you are doing right and wrong.

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #21: Hide The Hard Tip #35: Cross Hand Comfort Tip #38: HOT/COLD, WET/DRY, GET OUT AND TRY!

It is easy to avoid the small bunkers in practice. Playing the position you find comfortable and playing bunkers which you believe are “built for your size”. However its time to break from your comfort zone and get small.

You have no influence on where the bunkers will be placed on the field, and you never know how a game will unfold. At any giving time your position could go from back to front, dorito to snake side, or even up the center. Force yourself in practice to play the smallest bunkers.

Practice just perfecting your form in it, find ways to be comfortable and small. Then increase the challenge and work out playing against someone while playing the bunker. Next step it up one more level and practice gun fighting your way out of the bunker and to another one.

Learning to make a small bunker feel comfortable will provide you with a very fortified feeling of any other bunker on the field!

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #18: Making Unnatural Feel Natural Tip #19: Breakout Practice With Out Breaking The Bank Tip #15: Dside = Dependable Side

One of the biggest things teams forget about paintball is the concept of winning by 1 point is the same as winning by 7 points, especially on finals day! I have seen many teams that look like they have the best positions on the field, with a 2 point lead, and nearly no time on the clock, but they get overly aggressive and throw away two points and then lose the match in over time or even in the game time.

Some of the key factors of learning clock management can be done in practice. You can practice as if you have a two point lead, with 2 minutes on the clock, and you break out like a normal game and write down which lines, bunkers, and plays eliminated the most time.

You can also discuss bunkers which are the easiest to make alive, and which side they can securely lock down. Consider carrying more paint and be conservative with it. Although your killing time, you still want to win the point.

Major factors to doing this successfully:

*Communication
*Surviving the break out
*Not getting penalties*
*Conservative paint
*Planning and preparation!

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #13: Strength Comes From Your Weakness Tip #29: Aggressive & Effective Game Closure Tip #27: Pre-planned Stacking

It’s always more appealing to be playing in nice 75 degree dry weather, but remember you never know what the event is going to be like. We started practicing no matter what the elements were like and learned tons of different tricks and how the slightest weather change can affect your normal style of play.

In 2011 it rained at least one day at every single event, and for example when it started to pour in the 2011 New Jersey Open PSP, we were more than prepared. I fully believe it helped us win the event and a few others. Being able to quickly go from dry gear to wet gear, hot gear to cold gear, and vice versa is very important. So next practice when the weather isn’t in your favor, get out and play. Do some drills and try to find what works for your team!

*In this picture we are changing from speed feeds to lids, taping barrels, and going from smoke to clear lenses.*

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #37: Shoot for the moon, and fall with the stars Tip #9: Quickly and Efficiently Owning Wire/Tape Tip #13: Strength Comes From Your Weakness

A lot of people write me asking about sponsorships and how to obtain them or why they are being turned down. Take for instance any professional athlete in other sports, when you see the best of the best players endorsed by the most expensive product, its because they themselves are worth a higher value.

So when you go out in search for sponsorships, make sure your willing to take a few knocks on the chin and ensure you are worth everything you are saying you are worth. If you do not have a good following then you are worthless, even if you are winning every event. You must be able to help your sponsored company move their products. So be sure to include what type of following you have and not just how good you and your team are.

Last but not least important, remember companies usually have a variety of paintball products suited for different levels of play as well as multiple items for the same style of play While most teams demand the best of the best and want it for free, try a different approach. Dye has the DM and Reflex, UL gear and Core gear. Kee has the Axe and Vanquish. Etc…. Be willing to use their lower level items if you feel your skills and teams performance will not be jeopardized.

For example I was using the Dye Reflex at the 2013 PSP Dallas Open, and I had no complaints about the gun.

**The more money you can save, the more paintball you can play.**

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #3: WRAP..SHOOT..MOVE!! Tip #19: Breakout Practice With Out Breaking The Bank Tip #18: Making Unnatural Feel Natural

Some bunkers on the field are of great importance, and when your teammate is eliminated from them, the other team will try to keep you from filling that bunker. By improving your field awareness, you will be able to see your own teammates get eliminated, signaled out, and or shot even before they realize they have been shot.
This situation here: The bunker former teammate Jrab is playing was very crucial for denying moves down the dorito side, and bumping into the the snake. It was basically the fortress of the field and needed to have someone in it at all times in order to control the game.

As soon as I saw Jrab get shot, I moved into his bunker and started shooting D-side. Basically forcing him to exit the field snake side, which is the side he got shot from.

**Benefits of doing this**
*The other team may make a move, thinking there is no one in that bunker any more and giving you a chance to get a quick kill.
*The already eliminated teammate acts as a shield and blocks any incoming paintballs that may have hit you as you filled the bunker.
*The already eliminated teammate also acts as a decoy, allowing you to get your gun up on the person who shot him, because he is still shooting your eliminated teammate.

This is a tactic that happens more during game play and not something that can be taught in drills. You can do this in practice, by moving into a teammates bunker, as soon as you see him get shot. Watch as your surprise kills add up, and your teammate blocks shots

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #33: Building Shields Tip #15: Dside = Dependable Side Tip #4: Field Observance/Gun Up

Social Paintball made a quick video after I was voted the People Choice MVP for the 2012 Season. During the 2012 campaign I finished the as the 4th ranked paintball player in the PSP, claiming the 13th spot at World Cup, the number 1 spot for the Mid Atlantic Open, 22nd during the Chicago Open and 66th in Phoenix and 2nd at the season opener in Galveston Island, Texas.

For more paintball news, videos and coverage visit: http://socialpaintball.com

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What Jason Edwards Thinks, Video Interview Tampa Bay Damage vs. L.A Infamous Practice Shoulder Workout Video

As you start to play paintball you learn that shooting left and right handed is not as easy as people make it look. Now after learning to do this, you start to notice people cross hand shooting and not only shooting this way but doing it one handed. You question yourself, why would someone so experienced do something like that?

The cross hand shot is used in many different scenarios. For example this situation a cross hand shot allows my gun to be closer and safer behind my bunker, only allowing the softer parts of my body (arm, shoulder) being exposed across field. It also makes it easier for you to come out shooting wire if someone was to try and come bunker you.

By cross hand shooting with one hand, I am able to consistently load my gun using the pods on the cross field side first. My gun is in the hand it needs to be in when making the move down wire.

Practice this, learn to battle one handed cross body as well as straight up. Your game will drastically improve and you will notice how much quicker you can control both sides of the field!

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #11: Gun Length and Comfort Tip #18: Making Unnatural Feel Natural Tip #3: WRAP..SHOOT..MOVE!!

When making moves to bunker people its always nice to come around the side they are not shooting. Not only is it less painful, but it also ensures staying alive. Things to look for when you want to bunker people effectively can be noticed prior to leaving your own bunker and more things will be seen the closer you get to the opponents bunker.

*Besides communication amongst teammates you can use your own eyes, ears, and common sense to make the 50/50 gamble on which side to come around*
___________________________________________________________

(THINGS TO LOOK FOR)
-Steam from a shooting gun will indicate where the person is shooting
-Barrel tips seem to hang out the more a player is pinched
-Pack straps from empty pod slots tend to dangle and flap on the side you should come around.
-Look for shoes, if you see a toe he is looking your way, if you see a heel he is most likely looking the other way.
-Watch your teammates and see if they are moving, if they are moving freely and not being shot at then there is a good chance that player isn’t looking that way.
____________________________________________________________

Remember to try coming around the bunker at an unnatural height, this surprises the players and helps you get an upper hand. Don’t shoot to early, but don’t shoot to late. Hit something hard and shoot till you see a break.

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #8: Over The Top Shooting Tip #20: Running and Shooting Technique Tip #18: Making Unnatural Feel Natural

In order to understand this tip you need to know the rules of paintball and the scenario of the picture.

** The scenario here is while I was making my way down the dorito side, the other team was moving down the snake side. So I was forced to play towards the snake and live behind my gun hoping for a kill.

** The rule about being shot in your pod and eliminating you, is only if it is in your possession (In your pack, holding it, or while using it to fill your hopper). However once the pod has been used, and discarded it is no longer a part of your equipment.

By taking my used pod and placing it in front of my leg, it builds a barrier. It can be shot 100 times, but as long as I do not pick it up, then I cant be eliminated. So now I have created a shield around my knee and giving myself a little extra room to play. This is a good move for players playing the snake as well when there are gaps in the bunkers that players are trying to shoot you through. Just be sure to not pick it up after its being shot. Even if you just are trying to move it, you will be eliminated!

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #30: Listen & Learn Tip #7: Manipulating Your Bunker Tip #15: Dside = Dependable Side

Ideally people think when someone runs to the snake off the break they are just running and hoping not to get shot on the way there. However their role is far more important than just running and praying, not to mention the players surrounding them need to know the route they are running and whether they are going gun up, full speed, or even an up and over….

In this photo you can see notice that Keith Brown is running head up full speed for the snake, if he sees a lane that is likely to eliminate him, he will pull up short in the bunker prior to the lane.

He is followed out by Tim Propst who is following him out, gun up, trying to push the other teams sweet spotters off of their lanes.

Then shooting snake side is, myself, who will in hopes eliminate Keith’s mirrored player and allow Keith to move down the snake freely. Also If we were to lose Keith I am already looking that way, and become Tim’s support player and try to push our way into the snake.

This is an ideal snake of the break set up, each player has a job and is supported by another player. It give the snake runner the freedom to push the limits and try for that extra distance.

**Practice running head up. Using an edger to help push the other team off their lanes. Use a laner to try and kill their front or corner player, to allow your front player to move freely and increasing the pressure on the other team!**

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #14: Scan Accordingly, Kill Effectively! Tip #6: Break Out Shooting Tip #4: Field Observance/Gun Up

In this picture you notice all 5 players moving in different distances, speeds, and depths. You may see at times two people going one way, and both players get shot off the break by the same lane. The reason for this is simple.

-They ran the same path.
-They ran the same distance.
-They ran the same speed.
-They ran the same depth.

The easiest way to decrease the chance of being shot off the break, and especially the easiest way to decrease the chance of losing two people off break is by fixing those issues.

-By shooting off the break, you give yourself a better chance.
-By running a different depth than your teammate you avoid being hit by the same lane.
-By running different speeds, you are able to avoid being in each others way and can feed off of each others actions.

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #24: Gambling Man Knows No Rules… Tip #30: Listen & Learn Tip #29: Aggressive & Effective Game Closure

Although you may be better than a person at a certain position, style of play, side of the field, or over all. You should always be open to their opinion and be willing to take constructive criticism. Whether the person is trying to say you did something wrong, or just replaying a recent scenario, showing you a shot, or asking you a question, be sure to listen and discuss the topic with an open mind.

*No two people think exactly the same, no two people play the exact same, no two people see the exact same moves, and no idea is ever dumb. Paintball is a sport with many factors, the more ideas, the more scenarios, the more solutions, the more likely you are to be successful in your match.*

(EXAMPLE): In this picture Jacob Edwards #31 and I are discussing different routes and more productive bunkers on the dorito side of the field. Although Jake is a front dorito player, smaller, and more aggressive of a player than myself. I am more of a supportive role, aggressive when needed, lane shooter, and controller of my front players.

*Although our two paintball positions are polar opposite we both discuss the dorito side together because we each feed off of what the other sees and does. He is typically trying to work around my type of player to kill his type and vice versa for myself. So who better to discuss than the person who plays that role. After we discuss the side, we will then ask our snake side players which bunkers on the dorito side are easier for them to kill and which dorito bunkers give them the hardest time.

Remember, Listen & Learn. Paintball is a sport of smart and methodical moves, made with precise timing, and your team feeding off of one another. You can learn more about any field after simply playing one point and having a team discussion than 1 hour of solid playing and no discussions.

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #15: Dside = Dependable Side Tip #29: Aggressive & Effective Game Closure Tip #14: Scan Accordingly, Kill Effectively!

Closing a game may look simple but more goes on than it appears to any spectators eyes. Whether your the team trying to hold off the aggressors and kill the time, or your the aggressors trying to dig out the anchors, there are so many factors that are going to decide whether its done effectively or not.

This week we will cover the aggressors view. If you catch yourself in a must win situation and the time is clicking, then there are many things that you need to process in a very short time!

*These factors include such things as*
-Making smart movements and maintaining equal aggression with your teammates.
-Using your pods on your back from the inside to the outside (Inside pods are always easier to get shot when making a forward movement)
-Knowing where all of your enemies are and what they are doing and where they are looking.
-Always ensure one player on your team is alive, if you know for a fact your the last player, than by no means, should you ever risk your own life, because with out you, then obviously there is no chance of winning the point.

Drills to incorporate these skills are by setting up closing game scenarios, putting people in their bunkers and giving the team a set amount of time to win. Issue penalties as they would be issued if someone were to cheat. That way all realistic factors have an effect on the drill. The Defensive guys learn how to hold out games, and aggressors learn how to close the game. Be sure to switch players, bunkers, and all. That way every scenario is ran through because you never know what will happen when it comes down to that last point.

- Jason FK Edwards #13

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Tip #23: Their Side is Your Side Tip #13: Strength Comes From Your Weakness Tip #30: Listen & Learn

I would never take credit as being the person who started playing paintball out in the open instead of directly behind a bunker, but I will say that this move has been incorporated into my style of play and has become a very popular move in the generation of paintball. The skill takes a lot to not only perform it, but to perform it effectively, safely, and graceful.

There is not one single reason why someone gets shot while blinding/mirroring/ or shadowing out the opponent, but multiple reasons.

-Accuracy, while out in the open you need to ensure that the shot your looking for is not wasted by poor accuracy.

-Confidence, you must be confident that the reason your making this risky move is worth the chances of you being shot and that you can place your shot before you opponent finds his shot on you.

-Lack of pre-planning, Before making a move out into the open, you should already have a plan in your head for all of the outcomes. You should know what your going to do if you make your shot, miss your shot, or an opponent makes a move.

____________________________________________________________
This is something that takes time to perfect and cant not be practiced only in a target drill or 1vs1 match. This is something you should work on when you find yourself in practice with a long drawn out game and no easier move or when someone spots you making a move and your able to drop prior using a bunker that is not directly in your use as a shield.
____________________________________________________________

Mirroring/blinding/shadowing people out is an excellent skill to develop in paintball and can be crucial for those game closing and game changing situations. Once what seemed so hard to do, will become natural.

- Jason “FK” Edwards, #13

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Tip #25: Aim Small Miss Small Tip #21: Hide The Hard Tip #7: Manipulating Your Bunker

*For instance the back center stack in this photo* The dorito side had the better edger side, so the dorito back center player goes in first and gets as tight as possible. The Snake side back player comes in behind his teammate standing taller allowing him more movement to battle and still hold a dominate form.

The factors that influence a decision to know who should be the tight or loose are as followed…
-Side of the field with the best edge bunkers=Tight side
-First to move from back center=Loose Side
-Person who needs to stand tall for a better shooting lane=Loose
-Size of players stacking a bunker=Varies

**Communication between the two players stacking a bunker is crucial. It is the single most important thing about stacking a bunker. It can save the other persons life and can create many surprise wrap around shots.**

So stop bumping into each other, knocking each other down, and fumbling over each others packs. Practice this technique because it is very crucial!

- FK

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Tip #15: Dside = Dependable Side Tip #30: Listen & Learn Tip #14: Scan Accordingly, Kill Effectively!

People often concentrate so much on aiming their shots, that they miss whats happening around them. The vertical feed helped teach people to shoot with both eyes open, but that still isn’t enough to stop the tunnel vision. As you shoot, your eyes want to adjust at the target you’re aiming at and by doing so your eyes focus on a distant object which causes you to lose sight of your surroundings.

This is the main struggle for most people who try to play over the top of their bunker for too long. The best way to break the habit of tunnel vision is simply by becoming one with your gun.

-The more you use your gun the more natural it feels.
-The more you practice shooting at an object while looking another direction will teach you to allow your head to move around with out making your gun sway.
-A firm grip and steady pressure on your gun is a must, but a death squeeze will cause you to move because your muscles are tensed up.

- FK

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Tip #11: Gun Length and Comfort Tip #8: Over The Top Shooting Tip #2: Load with Gun Up

There will be many times when you’re faced with an opponent that will just not get you a chance to shoot him/her. They may be sitting inside and just don’t want to battle, but your next bump may be to risky, knowing they could just so happen come out and make that easy shot as you move.

This is normally happen when your team is making an aggressive move down the other side, and the opponent in front of you is living behind his gun, while his teammate across field is holding the lane between you and your next move.

You may be able to catch this player slipping and see the smallest of all things down wire. Whether its his head gear flapping in the wind, a loose pack strap dangling on the edge of the bunker, or an oversized jersey just giving you a glimpse. Knowing your paint is not going to break on any of those items, you need to find a harder target.

Step out just enough to not be visible to the cross field guy, look for the hardest item you can see the quickest. EXP: A full pod, plastic mask strap, butt end of the tank, and lastly the shoe. When you see this target, do not rip a stream at it. Pick the smallest part of that target and shoot a smooth burst into it. By aiming for the center line of the plastic clip on the mask strap, by missing, you may still hit the back of his head, ear piece, strap, or even better top or bottom of the clip!

- FK

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Tip #28: Hide & Seek Tip #5: Jump Shooting Tip #26: Gun Control

Anyone who has ever played on my team when I made the break outs, or has played for me when I coached them, or asked me where I am going off the break and how I am getting there, knows that at one point or another my gun will be up shooting prior to getting to that bunker. Even if I am sprinting five steps then pulling up shooting, shooting then sprinting, or shooting the whole way, I will be putting paint down the field.

My reason for this is simple, you are increasing the chances of eliminating a player. The more paint in the air going down field, increases the chance of shooting someone off break, and sometimes its a person you didnt even mean to shoot (Typically the random guy who decided that point he was going to try an X play). It also forces you to look down field and see things such as lanes, players movements, and openings such as a bad break out on their side where no one may be shooting your way and you can go further than planned…

So as a gambling man, I am always in favor of all guns up! It takes an average of 3 seconds to run and shoot to a primary bunker, at 15 balls per second, and 7 players, that is 315 balls in the air going down field in all directions… So instead of being helpless and running to your spot, gun down, getting shot, and not contributing at all. Shot a few times even if its only a few steps.

Practice the different styles of running and shooting.
-Shooting the whole way
-Shooting half way then sprinting
-Sprinting then Shooting half way

- FK

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Tip #20: Running and Shooting Technique Tip #14: Scan Accordingly, Kill Effectively! Tip #3: WRAP..SHOOT..MOVE!!