Paintballing: Eliminating Tunnel Vision

This article tackles the issue that new paintball gamers get and many pro players experience more often than they like to admit. It is called tunnel vision or what we like to call having a “gun blinders.”

Tunnel Vision in paintball works like this – you are in a shoot-out, you see the guy you are supposed to be shooting at, you are really gunning for him, you really want this guy, you’re just getting so close, you can see the balls just right above his head and while you are so focused on your guy; suddenly, all the cool stuff is happening and you never see it. Because you are so focusing at this particular opponent, your guy has got to go out, thus the reason it is called “tunnel vision” – you are only looking at that one particular guy. We sometimes call it the “gun blinders” because this incident usually happens when people start shooting. The moment they cease fire, they will start looking around saying “what’s going on?”

The simplest way to totally breakout from this tunnel vision is to be conscious that such incident is occurring and to immediately stop shooting and search around. There is also the choice to maintain shooting and yell to a comrade, “Hey, what is going on right here? ”

There exists a drill that could make it easier to break yourself too much of tunnel vision. This drill is in fact quite simple and it is an enjoyable experience to try to to.

To set up the target, you have to first hang some bottles on a tree branch – about 3 to 5 bottles will do. Position the bottles where they are spaced apart and placed in various angles. Then, face away from your targets, and then immediately turn around facing your target and fire three shots on each. It does not matter if you hit or miss the targets, just take three shots at each target.

The reasoning here is to begin training yourself to look and think in multiple and various angles, not just merely looking constantly at one target, you have to be observing least three of your targets and anticipate your move to the first, towards the second, and to the succeeding targets.

One other way for you can to do the same drill would be to turn around, and then take a knee. You might also try when you find yourself turning around; go down to prone. That way you’re training yourself to shoot on different positions as well as training yourself to get used to shooting multiple targets using variations of shooting.

It may be a plus if you can get some other person to help you out on this drill, it will be more exciting and much more fun. As you’re looking out of your target, your companion will shout out three turns; left right center; center left; left right center. It’s important to circle and strike the targets in that order within each three short bursts.

It’s not always easy, but then again you’re learning to shoot your paintball marker at multiple angles and you have to accomplish it like how a real paintball game goes – with just a tiny amount of pressure. The aim of the drill is to just learn how to examine the angles.

Avoiding Tunnel vision is one of the big skills in paintball. When you can master this, you will have the capability to maintain your field awareness up. You’ll possess the ability to be a little more sensitive of what will go near you supplying you with the benefit to decide on your target depending on which you think looks more dangerous.

To learn more about paintballing visit Bedlam Paintball or you could to check out a wider list of paintball game zones in UK at Nationwide Paintball for more secrets and strategies.. Unique version for reprint here: Paintballing: Eliminating Tunnel Vision.