| A paintball team has two basic operations to perform- | | | | would thus successfully capture the flag. If executed |
| suppression and invasion. Both the operations have to | | | | skillfully, this strategy would ultimately push the |
| be integrated for success in a good paintball strategy. | | | | opponents on backfoot and eventually eliminate them. |
| Suppression is really a diversionary tactic, a way of | | | | While the suppression squad is doing its work, the rest |
| diverting and misleading the opponents, so that they | | | | of the team, excluding those left to defend their own |
| are not able to see the invading team and do not block | | | | base, are engaged in invasion. The invading players |
| its way. Thus, the aim of the suppression team is not | | | | must carefully conceal themselves from the |
| to eliminate the opponents, rather to divert their | | | | opponents while the suppression squad is doing its |
| attention or to mislead them. Concentration on the task | | | | work. Even if one player is detected, the whole work |
| and control over the tendency to get carried away is | | | | of the suppression squad will go down the drain. Thus, |
| required for a successful suppression. | | | | the invading players must be patient, controlled and |
| A team employing the technique of suppression should | | | | disciplined in order to resist the temptation to fire at |
| have at least three players for the suppression squad. | | | | easy targets. |
| All the suppression squad members should be aware | | | | The invading players have to target and eliminate as |
| of their basic role, that of misleading the opponents, not | | | | many opponents as possible while capturing the flag. |
| eliminating them. Movements of the squad must be | | | | When they are about to capture the flag, they must |
| controlled so that it does not give away its real | | | | resort to rapidfire in unison, not only to eliminate the |
| purpose and the opponents do not recognize the | | | | opponents but also to save themselves from the |
| suppression. Firing from the suppression squad should | | | | enemy fire which would reach a crescendo at this |
| not be in unison, so that the opponents are left puzzled | | | | moment. This is the moment from where there would |
| as to its whereabouts. | | | | be no turning back, and so a team has to show all its |
| When the invasion squad prepares for assault, the | | | | firepower right at this moment. |
| suppression squad members constantly distract the | | | | If you are leading a paintball team, keep these two |
| opponents to cover the invasion squad members who | | | | aspects of suppression and invasion in mind and |
| are about to carry out the assault. So, the purpose of | | | | devise your strategy accordingly. If executed well, it will |
| suppression is to conceal the attacking players who | | | | certainly lead you to success. |