How to Be a Paintball Sniper

Playing the sniper position on the paintball field can be one of the most invigorating spots in the action. Sneak around to scout out the best spot for a precision kill or sit tight and pick off key players one by one. The sniper position is great for someone with patience who can sit and wait for the perfect shot. It's also a good position for someone who likes to be active in the game; tracking or hunting down opponents and searching for the best vantage point can take some athletic prowess.

One of the main things that separate the sniper from the other positions is his gear; namely the sniper paintball gun. Just about any paintball marker can be a sniper, as long as it has certain characteristics. It must have a long sniper barrel (generally 18" or longer) and a scope of some sort. Other parts that help (but aren't absolutes) are a bipod or laser sights. Other equipment that helps is camouflage clothing or even a ghillie suit to help disappear in the environment better.

Other than these main items, what makes a sniper best at his game is his ability to figure out where to hide in the best vantage points possible and of course, when to shoot. Undoubtedly, the best snipers are those that have the most patience and don't mind playing alone when scouting out the best shot. In most cases, keeping hidden is an advantage to the paintball sniper, however camouflage/ghillie suits will only take you so far. Good strategy, planning and quick thinking are the successful sniper's best attributes.

Once you've scouted your territory, figured out the best vantage point or set up your ambush, get there and prepare to be silent and still. Sometimes a sniper will need to move around but in most cases, a sniper who moves is one whose cover is blown. The true sniper's position is silent and still, patiently waiting for his shot. Sometimes a paintball sniper will not see another player for the entire game and boredom may win over. However if you've got the right disposition, you can score amazing shots and make a huge difference for your team.

Snipers generally use three types of strategies (or a combination of which) in their game, depending on the situation; ambush, flanking and higher ground. The ambush sniper are usually the most patient. This strategy involves hiding and laying in silent ambush, waiting for your opponents team to pass you by. After they've gone by, the ambush sniper can single handedly pick apart an opposing team and make a tremendous difference dwindling their squad.

The sniper who plays the forward position can also use a flanking strategy as an effective means of eliminating opposing players. As opposed to the silent sniper, this position is extremely active; a sniper who's willing to crawl or sneak into position can get behind or next to his enemy for a precision shot. In this position, camouflage clothing should be worn that will allow quick movement; a ghillie suit may not be your best choice. A forward player sniper would find an electronic trigger offering fully automatic firing on his marker to be quite helpful however.

Another great strategy for the paintball sniper is to look for higher ground as a perch. The fact is, one sniper paintball gun doesn't shoot much farther than another, however you can add more range to your shot by shooting from a higher vantage point. Snipers on higher ground will have the advantage of a bird's eye view - helpful in picking off key targets but also a good way to see how the overall game's shaping up. An overview of the battlefield can give your team an advantage regarding opposing player positions and enemy strategies when communicated properly to your other players on the field.

For a fantastic selection of sniper paintball guns and gear, check out ChoicePaintballGuns.com. This internet store has several pages of nothing but sniper equipment to help amplify your experience on the paintball field. Upgrade your existing marker with sniper paintball gun accessories or buy a complete set up for an even better bargain. This store has an amazing selection of custom sniper paintball guns of all different brand names.

Dan Levesque is the owner and operator of a successful online paintball retail store, ChoicePaintballGuns.com. He also owns and operates several other successful businesses and is the treating doctor at a full time chiropractic clinic. He is also a professional powerlifter and trains several top level strength athletes.