KINGUSARI -- THE GOLD CHAIN

The kingusari found it's origins in modern naval tactics. They call it the "Kill Chain", but that's a little too warlike for my tastes. The kingusari chain consist of four links, and they are enacted in the following manner.

1. hiroimono -- "locate";

2. hanmei -- "identify";

3. mokushi -- "target"; and

4. enge-ii -- "engage".

YOUR KINGUSARI

HIROIMONO -- "LOCATE". The very first thing you have to do is find the opposition. This sounds overly simplistic, but it is true.

HANMEI -- "IDENTIFY". Once found, the player must be identified as being on the opposing team. This is most crucial as you do not want to be the reason why your team's strength was diminished. Friendly fire isn't very friendly.

MOKUSHI -- "TARGET". Now you have to aim. Yes, AIM! (There are players who still do that.) The most effective way to eliminate an opponent is with well aimed and disciplined fire. There are no substitutes, especially not hosing. If you still think hosing is a tactical alternative, you've missed the point of Paintball Warrior.

ENGE-II -- "ENGAGE". Now that they are in your sights, let them have it.

YOUR OPPONENT'S KINGUSARI

Here's how to stop your opponent from completing the kingusari. Remember, you only have to remove ONE link to break their kingusari.

HIROIMONO -- "LOCATE". The proper use of camouflage and staying behind cover is the best way to keep an opponent from locating you. If they have located you, the next thing you must try to do is stop them from quickly identifying you as being on the other team.

HANMEI -- "IDENTIFY". Placing your armband on your shooting arm is the best way to slow down the opposition's identification of you. I have seen players put their armbands on their other arm, on their goggle strap, even around their necks! What this does is allow your opponent to immediate identify you. With your armband on your shooting arm, it will be at what is usually the furthest and hardest to see part of your body. Any other position for your armband could be misconstrued as cheating.

MOKUSHI -- "TARGET". The best way to stop an opponent from targeting you is to not expose yourself for too long and not to expose too much. Also you must make a conscious effort not to pop out at the same place, every time or at regular intervals. I have "timed" players' movements so that they would pop up the moment the ball I fired got to them. They usually don't even have a chance to duck.

ENGE-II -- "ENGAGE". So now the opponent has located you, they know what team you're on and they have a fix on your position. Now this is the link where their paint is coming in your direction. In this case the best defence is a good offense. You must attempt to gain the advantage and start your own kingusari. If you cannot, stay behind cover and don't give them anything to shoot at. Start calling for your teammates to help you out. (That's what they are there for!)

CONCLUSION

The kingusari is essential to this game. What is even more crucial is to prevent the opposition from keeping their kingusari intact.