HIT AND RUN

Hey newbie!

Have you just come away from a scenario game or two? Let me guess . . . one look at the experienced guys roaming the fields with their cool gear and radios and camo really intimidated you. You ended up on the receiving end of some scenario ball veteran’s marker and felt like you spent most of your time in the deadzone. You’re wondering how on this green planet you can ever get good enough to face these guys and leave an impression.

Here, breathe into this paper bag. Relaaaaax. There. Feel better?

You’ll be fine. Believe it or not, can do your part in sending those commandos to the deadzone, and maybe even earn a few slaps on the back.

But the first step is to adjust your mindset. If you let those dudes overwhelm you psychologically, of course you’ll never beat ‘em.

Just like you, they’re human. They make mistakes. They have things come out of the blue to smack them between the eyes. You just have to be calm and patient, and take those opportunities to catch them with their pants down.

I mean that figuratively, of course.

When you figure out who’s the biggest, baddest player on the opposite team, stay calm. Analyze their play. If you can, just watch them, without engaging. It may be boring, but you could learn a lot just through seeing how they move, how they organize, and how they attack. Do they like to use a certain formation? Do they use a sniper? What kind of range and accuracy do their markers have? Do they watch their backs like they should? Do they play in the middle of the field or along the tape?

Once you’ve answered all these questions, you have the basis for a plan of attack. Teams often have a pet maneuver, and when you see what it is, you can bet on finding a weak point.

Here’s a little secret. More often than not, even the most experienced players sometimes fail to watch their backs. That could be your opening. Surprising them from behind could be your chance to take out one, two, or even three of them in a single strike.

When they spot you, however, don’t just sit there and trade paint. You could end up in a pointless Mexican standoff – but more likely, they’ll just keep you busy while they send flankers around to paste you from the sides. Don’t let ‘em do that. They’re counting on you to dig in. Fall back as quietly and unobtrusively as you can. Vanish to fight another day.

Repeating this tactic is known as “hit and run”. Throughout history, real armies have used hit and run to whittle away at larger forces. The larger force hates ‘em because the smaller, attacking force is quicker and more mobile. They appear, blast away, and disappear. Move quietly. Stay low and hidden. Engage only when it counts.

You, the newbie, can use that tactic to become a real pain in the rear end for the same guys who scared you so much. (CONTINUED)