Battlefield Basics: Probing

By Jamie Innes
August 24th, 2006



Probing, is the art of testing. On the battlefield, an individual, or small squad of troops can move forward of safe ground, into unknown territory. The purpose is to determine what, if any enemy are present. It also serves to spring any ambush set by enemy player(s).

Whilst this sounds foolish, even stupid, the concept is sound. It is based on the fundamental idea that 'the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few', as outlined by Spock, in Star Trek II. The probing player, if fired upon, 'takes one for the team'. Because the alternative, is for the entire team to become ambushed whilst moving into unknown territory.

Now of course, there are right ways, and there are wrong ways to probe into unknown territory. And they are as follows...


WRONG WAY:

•  Gun down, pointed at ground, or in low ready position
•  Player only looking in one direction (tunnel vision)
•  Player walking casually, rather that cautiously. A casual player walks totally upright.
•  Player crawls (Unless crawling offers hard cover, and a surefire method of retreat)
•  Player stays in the open
•  Player will perform probe without backup

RIGHT WAY:

•  Gun at the high ready, pointed at **THE** most likely place an enemy could be, finger on trigger
•  Player observes the most likely place, but also observes alternate places enemy could be hiding
•  Player walks cautiously, this means satying low, or lowered. Bent knees keep you ready to run, duck, crouch etc.
•  Player always walks, or runs. When entering hostile territory, mobility is important.
•  Player takes the most covered or concealed route through unknown territory, usually tree to tree, or bush to bush.
•  Player will get a friendly to provide supressing fire in case of engagement

The idea behind these variables is to offer the probing player as much protection as possible. A probing player that moves from cover to cover, with his gun up, ready to fire, and has a buddy standing by, ready to fire, has a MUCH greater chance of successfully retreating when fired upon, than one that doesn't employ these techniques.



HOW TO REACT WHEN FIRED UPON:

• If you can immediately see where the shots are coming from... start shooting, and continue shooting while you quickly move to the nearest cover, or retreat along a safe route. Yell for your buddy to cover you, if you have one.
• If you cannot see where the shots are fired upon, do not stand there looking for them... you will get shot. Start moving as fast as you can to the nearest cover, or retreat along a safe route. Again, cover fire from your buddy.
• DO NOT drop straight to the ground 'army style' unless you actually have cover that will protect you while prone. Paintball, unlike bullets, are ONLY short range projectiles. Becoming prone will make it hard for you to escape later on, should you need to.
• Do NOT move foward and 'bunker' the player who is shooting at you, even if you have them effectively supressed. There could be other enemy close by who are still concealed.
• If hit, walk out the way you came in, so that friendlies can see you have been hit, and which direction you are coming from.