Battlefield Basics: Flanking

August 22nd 2006
By Jamie Innes



flank  
n.

   1. The section of flesh on the body of a person or an animal between the last rib and the hip; the side.
   2. A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
   3. A lateral part or side: the flank of a mountain.
   4.
         1. The right or left side of a military formation: an attack on both flanks.
         2. The right or left side of a bastion.


tr.v. flanked, flank·ing, flanks

   1. To protect or guard the flank of.
   2. To menace or attack the flank of.
   3. To be placed or situated at the flank or side of: Two stone lions flanked the entrance.
   4. To put (something) on each side of: flanked the driveway with tall shrubs.


Flanking is moving your forces around, and/or behind the enemy forces. On the paintball field, this is most commonly seen by players moving along the boundary, as to gain superior positioning (gaining ground) on the enemy. It is the quintessential method of winning a war where both sides are equipped with equivilant firepower and balanced terrain. (Terrain that does not offer specific advantages to one side).

In speedball, they usually call this 'playing the tape', and 'getting angles'. These are basically civillian terms for a battlefield tactic. 'Playing the tape' gets it's name from the field boundary, often marked by some sort of tape... such as plastic strapping, police tape, or a length of rope. 'Getting angles' gets it's name based on the geometrical nature of a speedball field. Like miniature golf, a better angle of fire must be obtained to make the correct shot.

However on the bushball field, playing the tape is not necessarily what flanking is all about. Yes, moving along the boundary is the safest way to flank, however... in the bush, terrain will sometimes conspire with players to offer them opportunities to flank, without having to 'take the long way around'. For example, a field with dense vegetation may allow players to slip unseen through the center of the field. Dense vegetation offers a lot of cover and concealment. But the end result is the same, one force can get behind, or to the side of another force undetected.


So how do you know if and when you can flank? Well, it should be pretty obvious. On a paintball field, teams in a typical game will usually, and I stress usually... mobilise thier forces into skirmish lines. When a player is removed from the skirmish line, that position must somehow be closed up, otherwise the other team may penetrate that line, and flank.

• When playing, look for significant holes in the enemy's skirmish line, especially holes along the field boundary.
• If an opposing player is shot out, consider sending troops, or yourelf into or past that position, as to either gain ground, or perform a flanking move. Speed is usually the key, 'dead' players will reinsert after only a few minutes.
• If a gap appears in your skirmish line, beware of enemy players who may try to flank. Try to close the gap.
• A team that has been completely flanked, but not totally eliminated, is generally considered "Under Siege"