Post by SWATORNOT on Jan 16, 2006 16:34:08 GMT -5
Command by Sniper
This method of leadership is rarely used among teams in paintball; the reason being it is too risky to have your XO (Commanding Officer) on the front line. Your normal command structure will place the XO in the middle of your team, behind the front line so he will not be easily eliminated. Without a commanding officer the team will bog down and eventually “snowball” on itself.
The first thing to make necessary to make this command structure work is to be a good leader. Without the basic leadership qualities or skills you will not provide the needed leadership a team requires.
Leadership
Communicating
The leader needs to give and receive information a variety of ways efficiently. The commanding officer needs to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively direct the team both on, and off, the field. If you can communicate well with the team, your group will perform to the expectations you set and feel confident in your leadership.
Resourceful
Any leader needs to be resourceful in any given situation. As the team commander you need to know every resource you have at your disposal. Your team is like a collage of resources, you need to know how to apply, and use each team member accordingly based on their skills. A resourceful leader is one who can pull out of any situation.
Planning
A leader that can plan well is one of knowledge, not just for the game, but tactics. Skill in planning will allow the commander to make decisions based upon the games progress and the opposition’s strategic moves. A well thought out plan will stop an advancing opposition or place your team at the flag.
Control
As the team commander you need to have total control of your team on and off the field. An uncontrolled team can lead to chaos and uncoordinated strategies. If your team is out of control off the field this portrays a bad image for your team, and you as the leader. A team that follows direction and can carry themselves appropriately has a leader capable of control.
The second thing needed to make this work is to be of superb skill within the sniper position. You are the team’s only source of command, should you be eliminated on the front line your team has no other form command (unless you have another leader in the group), which is why it is important to be highly skilled with the sniper tactics and skills.
Sniper Skills
Communications
As the sniper in this commanding format you must be able to maintain any and all communications with your team. If you are unable to communicate with the team then you already lack the first quality of a leader. Due to the nature of the Sniper position you will be concealed a majority of the time and stealth is still of the essence, but you must not cut off the life line of your team; which is communication.
Concealment
Every sniper knows concealment is a science of sorts. You need to be able to adapt to your surroundings and blend with them, if you can’t, then you will be located rather quickly. As the commander you want to be in the middle of the group calling the shots and have a general view of the playing field ahead. With commanding by sniper your only option is to command from a concealed loaction via radio contact (or if possible hand signals). One advantage to using this type of command structure is as the sniper you will be able to provide your team with precise information and directives.
Marksmanship
Any sniper needs to be a great paintball marksman, but as the team commander you still need to maintain a normal paintball sniper duty. If you cannot hit your target/s then you are not a marksman, you will simply draw fire onto yourself if shots are missed. Obviously if shots are missed and you have been compromised you have now put yourself and your team in a vulnerable state. If you do not have this skill, which is standard for all paintball snipers, then you cannot perform this method of command.
Patience
As both the sniper and team commander you must remain patient in all situations. A quick decision to move could cost you and your team dearly. You need to use good judgment and think out each move you are going to make as the sniper. Some commanding players tend to rush into things and end up being overwhelmed. As a sniper you cannot rush anything, which is why if you do not have patience, commanding by sniper is not going to work.
Now this is not a command structure that will always deliver, nor is it a suggested way to lead a team. This is a good way to mix things up a bit within the team and also I have found it a good way to find those “natural” leaders within the group. Since you are isolated from the team somebody will need to step up and guide the team. This is not an easy way of doing things, but it can be done and will bring out true leaders among the group.
This method of leadership is rarely used among teams in paintball; the reason being it is too risky to have your XO (Commanding Officer) on the front line. Your normal command structure will place the XO in the middle of your team, behind the front line so he will not be easily eliminated. Without a commanding officer the team will bog down and eventually “snowball” on itself.
The first thing to make necessary to make this command structure work is to be a good leader. Without the basic leadership qualities or skills you will not provide the needed leadership a team requires.
Leadership
Communicating
The leader needs to give and receive information a variety of ways efficiently. The commanding officer needs to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively direct the team both on, and off, the field. If you can communicate well with the team, your group will perform to the expectations you set and feel confident in your leadership.
Resourceful
Any leader needs to be resourceful in any given situation. As the team commander you need to know every resource you have at your disposal. Your team is like a collage of resources, you need to know how to apply, and use each team member accordingly based on their skills. A resourceful leader is one who can pull out of any situation.
Planning
A leader that can plan well is one of knowledge, not just for the game, but tactics. Skill in planning will allow the commander to make decisions based upon the games progress and the opposition’s strategic moves. A well thought out plan will stop an advancing opposition or place your team at the flag.
Control
As the team commander you need to have total control of your team on and off the field. An uncontrolled team can lead to chaos and uncoordinated strategies. If your team is out of control off the field this portrays a bad image for your team, and you as the leader. A team that follows direction and can carry themselves appropriately has a leader capable of control.
The second thing needed to make this work is to be of superb skill within the sniper position. You are the team’s only source of command, should you be eliminated on the front line your team has no other form command (unless you have another leader in the group), which is why it is important to be highly skilled with the sniper tactics and skills.
Sniper Skills
Communications
As the sniper in this commanding format you must be able to maintain any and all communications with your team. If you are unable to communicate with the team then you already lack the first quality of a leader. Due to the nature of the Sniper position you will be concealed a majority of the time and stealth is still of the essence, but you must not cut off the life line of your team; which is communication.
Concealment
Every sniper knows concealment is a science of sorts. You need to be able to adapt to your surroundings and blend with them, if you can’t, then you will be located rather quickly. As the commander you want to be in the middle of the group calling the shots and have a general view of the playing field ahead. With commanding by sniper your only option is to command from a concealed loaction via radio contact (or if possible hand signals). One advantage to using this type of command structure is as the sniper you will be able to provide your team with precise information and directives.
Marksmanship
Any sniper needs to be a great paintball marksman, but as the team commander you still need to maintain a normal paintball sniper duty. If you cannot hit your target/s then you are not a marksman, you will simply draw fire onto yourself if shots are missed. Obviously if shots are missed and you have been compromised you have now put yourself and your team in a vulnerable state. If you do not have this skill, which is standard for all paintball snipers, then you cannot perform this method of command.
Patience
As both the sniper and team commander you must remain patient in all situations. A quick decision to move could cost you and your team dearly. You need to use good judgment and think out each move you are going to make as the sniper. Some commanding players tend to rush into things and end up being overwhelmed. As a sniper you cannot rush anything, which is why if you do not have patience, commanding by sniper is not going to work.
Now this is not a command structure that will always deliver, nor is it a suggested way to lead a team. This is a good way to mix things up a bit within the team and also I have found it a good way to find those “natural” leaders within the group. Since you are isolated from the team somebody will need to step up and guide the team. This is not an easy way of doing things, but it can be done and will bring out true leaders among the group.
