While most people shy away from calling them “paintball sniper rifles”, the fact is that they are a type of gun.  And when it comes to pulling the trigger, the same principles apply.

This shooting guide is put out there by Field and Stream and covers the basics of rifle shooting. As a paintball sniper, the basics are the same.  Ignore the whole part on loading bullets but pay attention to safety, shooting positions, finding your dominant eye and flinching.

The Paintball Sniper Rifle Shooting Guide by Shooters of Bigger Guns
by Field and Stream

The Military Channel ran a series called “Top Sniper” which delved into the stealthy world of the most elite shooters of today’s military.  A fantastic series for those of us paintball snipers who love to know the roots, the equipment, the science and the stealth of modern snipers.

No B.S. No frills. Just plain and simple, tried, tested and true paintball sniper gear. The marker choice WILL surprise you. The camouflage pattern may not.

If you just want the list, here it is:

• Tippmann SL-68 II Pump Marker
• V-Force Morph Goggle System (with amber lenses)
• A-TACS BDU Combat Shirt and Cargo Pants
• or
• Mossy Oak Brush Long Sleeve Shirt and Pants
• McNett ACU Bandana
• Mossy Oak McNett Camouflage Tape
• Merrell Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe
• 50 Round Speed Pods and 50 Round Hopper
• Extreme Rage Flexi-Swamp Squeegee
• Tippmann Booby Bomb Grenade
• Hunter Specialties 3 Pack Face Paint (for your hands)
• CamelBak ThermoBak 100 oz. Hydration System

There are some items on here that you just won’t need but are very nice to have – the grenades for example. Get to know this gear really well. Take it in the field and pound the snot out of it. Put it to the test. Train with it. Play with it. And leave your comments about it below.

What are things I can do at home to become a better paintball sniper?

The more you can do with your paintball sniper marker in hand, the better. But I realize that?s not always possible. Here are three categories and ways you can practice at home.

1. Camouflage – You?ll drive your roommate, girlfriend or wife nuts with this. But practice standing or sitting in the places you know they aren?t looking. In every room, there?s a place most people just don?t look when they go in. Sit there.
2. Shooting – Get an airsoft gun. You can fire them indoors or in your backyard with relative impunity. Any of the drills in Element 10 can be modified to use airsoft. Of course, obey local laws and don?t forget to wear eye protection.
3. Stalking – Use an exercise I call “The Burning Eights”. Start in a standing position and bend your knees slightly. Count to eight. Bend your knees further, to about 3/4 sitting position and count to eight. Squat into full sitting position. Count to eight. Lower just beyond sitting and, yep, count to eight. Now move through those positions on the way back up counting to eight at each stop again. You?ll get the burn in your quads and strengthen them for when you need to use the full Bengal stalk.

The worst training you can do is nothing.  And there’s nothing worse than a wannabee sniper who shows up in his store bought ghillie and claims he’s a sniper and has done none of the work.  Be elite.  Put in the work.

Strategic Movement for the Paintball Sniper

“Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downward.  Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows.  The soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.  Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.  He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.” – Sun Tzu

There’s a right way to move and there’s definitely a wrong way to move as a paintball sniper.  When you’re in the field, you need to get out of your human habits of movement and put on the mindset of an invisible hunter.  These 4 fundamentals of paintball sniper movement will ensure you stay hidden longer and reduce your chances of being eliminated before your job is done.

Move…

…after you shoot.  If you’ve fired one or two shots, it’s probably time to skedaddle if you aren’t already busted.  It’s tempting to sit and see what else comes along, and that’s a legit strategy BUT it won’t be long before the word travels.  You’ve got to use your judgment.  There is a deep psychological effect to shooting once, eliminating one player and hunkering down in your hide or getting out of dodge.

Move…

…only when no ones looking.  This seems obvious.  Too many paintball snipers wear their camouflage like it’s a cloak of invisibility.  It ain’t like that.

Move…

…with a plan.  Know where you’re going and why you’re going there.  Do your best to know what you’ll find when you get there.  Making a dash over the crest of a hill only to run into a squad of baddies sucks.

Move…

…slowly.  Speed is the killer of stealth and awareness.  There will be times when you need to bolt but it should only be for short distances to get to cover where you move back down into your stalk.

Of the 5 or so common shooting positions, there are some that are most effective and practical.  How does this position stack up?

Have a look at the picture attached to this article.  Have you utilized this paintball sniper shooting position before?  What positions do you us most?  Any better than any other?  Is there an optimal position for accuracy with your paintball sniper rifle?

Leave a comment below and I’ll chime in as they roll!

The whole manual is available to members of the Paintball Sniper Codex Training program available here: Paintball Sniper Codex

Patience is "Character Quality #1" for a Paintball Sniper

Quality #1: Patience
Timing is everything. The first rule of skilled paintball snipers is: one shot, one out. This is an ideal scenario that we work to achieve. (The reality is that paintballs are unreliable. Two shots, one out is more accurate and a better strategy in most practical situations.) More on that later but with that objective in mind, you can imagine that a lot more than the right marker goes into a snipers success. In fact, one of the best weapons you can have on the playing field is patience.
During a scenario game of tactical paintball, most players become enthralled with the excitement of the game. This enthusiasm leads them to move too quickly or to respond without thinking through all of the options. The patient player has an extreme advantage. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stepped on by players rushing the field or how many eliminations I’ve made within feet or inches of my target because they were blundering blindly.

Dictionary.com defines patience as “the ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.” It takes time to wait out a situation, plan a skilled move, or uncover your opponent’s weak spots and tactical plan. A paintball sniper who is disciplined in patience and stable enough to endure the “rush” of the game without rushing ahead will give them an advantage. This takes training and trial and error to perfect.

Quality #2: Fortitude

Fortitude is "Character Quality #2" for the Paintball Sniper

Being able to remain mentally and emotionally strong during a threatening or difficult situation is a quality that all successful paintball snipers share. The basic skill set that snipers are trained to master cannot be successfully maintained and performed if they cannot remain in control during turmoil. Having the fortitude to remain strong in a hectic environment will give you an advantage over your opponent. Your eyes stay clear, your breathing stays regulated, your thoughts sharp. As the famous author, Rudyard Kipling, wrote: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs….then you’ll be a man my son.”

Patience and fortitude aid in achieving stealth since you must be able to wait out the best opportunity and slowly approach your position undetected.

And it’s keeping me super busy.  But I’m stuck on a name for this thing.  Something exciting.  Something informational.  So I thought I’d put it up here for your ideas and input.

Leave a comment below with your idea for a name for this wicked training.