subject: Watching Your Back In Paintball [print this page] The most common term you hear yelled out in paintball "check your six" is a military derived term which means look behind you, and a commonly made mistake that most scenario teams don't do this enough.
Paintball battles always bring players focuses to the front or the side usually where the battle ensues. This results in very little focus on the rear positions. When moving forward through the field, scenario players and teams are always focused on what's in front of them and not who may be coming up from the rear.
This most common error in scenario paintball is a strategic error that leads to a quick end to your play time. What is even more shocking is that no one wants to willingly offer to do this job. It is often viewed as unpleasant or lowly in the order of things. Most players want to take point and be the first to get to the objective as if extra points are to be awarded for being first.
This is the farthest thing ever from the truth; the rear flank is one of the most important things to protect for paintball players. Most teams get trapped by focusing too much on the battle in front of them, and they cannot get sucked in to the rear trap.
The fact of the matter is that the person that is your rear guard is the most important person out there. He also helps with tunnel vision during any firefight and is the one player who can't get caught up in that trap. He needs to be looking out for a rear ambush and also help fill in the gaps in the front to add his gun for your support. He can also serve as a team spotter in a skirmish, when others have their heads down because of flying paint. This guy is super important to prevent your team from getting smeared by that one lone sniper behind you.
It's rare to find a scenario paintball team that's any good NOT have someone that they depend on for this vital position. If your team doesn't at this point have a designated rear guard, maybe it's time you get one. Believe me, you'll learn to appriciate them and they'll be glad to watch your back.
