Bunkering

Bunkering is when a player advances across open ground directly up to an opposing player and eliminates said opposing player without also being eliminated... at least that's how it is supposed to work. This is often the source of arguments and disputes on the field and here's why: bunkering often results in one or more players being aggressively eliminated at very close range. So, it can be a tad brutal at times.

If you do the move correctly, you will make the person you bunkered look like a complete tool while also shooting them at extremely close range. As I said before, this is a very aggressive move and is not for new players. Don't be surprised if your opponent is pissed.

Whoever may be reading this, listen up. I'm about to give away all of my knowledge free of charge. Please keep in mind that this information was not free for me. I paid my tuition in welts and bruises.

1. Before you commit, decide whether you are staying at that bunker or if you are going to keep running to the next bunker. The latter would be known as a "run through."
2. Know which side of the bunker your opponent has been shooting from.
3. Make sure his back players aren't looking at you.
4. If your back players didn't order you to do this bunkering move, make sure they are aware of it and are covering you.
5. Make the poor sucker keep his head down. You can do this yourself or have your backplayer do it for you. Someone needs to send some paint his way before you leave cover.
6. Come out of your bunker with your marker up and run directly at your opponent's bunker.
7. When you're 5 steps away from his bunker, veer towards the opposite side of the bunker where you saw him last. This will generally be your right and his left.
8. As you round the corner (just before you see him) begin firing at about waist level.
9. Keep firing until you see a ball break on him or until he shoots you.
10. Get behind your newly taken bunker ASAP because his team mates are going to be itching to peg you.

Of course, if you are going to continue moving up after shooting your opponent (a run through), don't even slow down while you paint him. Go ahead and run to your next victim or your desired bunker.

If the opposing team is organized, you're going to need every millisecond you can get... his backplayers aren't just going to sit there and watch this go down. Back up a couple of steps from your bunker before you leave cover to gain a little speed. That way, by the time you're visible, you're at a dead sprint. Of course this only applies if you are not being forced to play super tight to your bunker.

If the person you're bunkering is the only one who has a clear shot at you once you get there, turn your back on your opponent immediately after you hit him. That way, if he returns fire and tries to say it was a mutual elimination (you shot each other at the same time) it will be obvious to referees that you shot him first because you had time to turn around before he returned fire. It may also prevent you from getting shot in the groin or trachea point blank.

Shooting at waist level is a good idea for several reasons. If your opponent is standing up, you'll get a sure break on his pods or hipbones. If he's on a knee, you'll get a break on his head and goggles or maybe even his marker. Also, if you shoot him in the pods, marker, or goggles, it won't even hurt... yeah, like you cared.

Don't overshoot. It's bad etiquette, it's mean, and some tournaments have the "three plus" rule. That means that if you shoot an opponent three or more times than was necessary to eleminate him, you're out too.

Don't be upset if he immediately returns fire and lights you up like a Christmas tree. It's instinct. Plus, you're the one who decided to shoot him at point blank range.

If the referee calls it a mutual elimination and it wasn't, don't argue it. If you used the tip about turning your back after you eliminated him you shouldn't have this problem. If you did turn your back and the ref still called it a mutual, send your captain after the game is over to point out that little nugget of information. If that's the case, it's probably an inexperienced ref. Just make sure your captain mentions it in a calm and unaggressive way. If this occurs in a recreational game, just drop it because nobody cares. Really. No one cares.

Also, occasionally, you'll run into some really good players. One of these guys knows you're about to perform a bunkering move before you do. When your backplayer makes him duck behind cover, he knows exactly what's coming. He'll switch the marker to his other hand so now you're coming around the side his gun is on. He might even back up from his bunker a few steps so maybe you'll become visible to each other before you're expecting it... and of course he'll be on his knees. There's only one way to bunker these guys and it very well may not work anyway. You're going to have to slide past his cover and hope he isn't prepared for you to be that low when you come into sight. You might be able to do it superman style but you'll probably miss; your elbows will be sliding across the ground making your gun unstable. Sliding on your knees is probably a better bet. Still, if he knows what he's doing, it will be a mutual elimination in the best case scenario. If he really is this good, don't despair when he gets you. This guy probably would've eliminated you eventually anyway.