THE CALCULATION FOR VICTORY

These are the five keys to attaining victory. The idea is that these five keys are the foundation of good tactics and strategy. It was essential that commanders and nations have a firm hold on these five elements before they could go any further.

MOKUTEKI -- PURPOSE.

In paintball you must galvanize the players to understand and recognize that you have a common goal, which is winning the game. You do not necessarily have to establish that your goal is more "just" than your opponents' intentions. You must instill in them, however, the desire to accomplish the goal.

KANKYOU -- ENVIRONMENT.

This encompasses the various elements which will effect what tactics you can execute. You must take into consideration the time of day (or night). You must know how the weather conditions will effect movement and morale. You must be consciously aware of the time you have available to execute the tactic. All these factors will effect any plans you make. These are essentially major limitations any planner faces.

CHIKEI -- TERRAIN.

You must know the terrain your players will be moving through. Physical terrain features will either aid or hinder your progress. This also includes the distance that must be travelled.

SENSHIN -- LEADERSHIP.

Without good leadership, no plan will see execution.

CHUUMON -- ORDER.

You must know that your players will listen to your directions and that you can influence them easily. What good are players who will not carry out their assigned tasks?

All five factors work together. Maintaining only a few will weaken the rest.

For example: It is raining and cold, your group of players has been assigned to take an objective that is located on the other side of the field. In getting there, you must cross a ravine, pass through thick forest and cross a stream. You must get to the objective in less than twenty minutes because that is when players will be "resurrected" back into the game and be able to increase the numbers of the opposition in that objective. Terrain will effect Environment in that the terrain may slow down the movement of your players, however the time you have available is limited. The weather players will be less motivated, being cold or wet. Good command and a proper understanding of your Purpose will overcome any psychological restrictions the weather may induce. You must also have Order and know how well the players will follow your guidance and not become distracted from the objective.

Lose control of one of these calculations and you will not succeed.

WHAT YOU MUST ALSO CONSIDER.

This formula is a very simple way to assess your situation. While it does not guarantee victory (nothing does) it will give you an indication of your chances, as it were.

Ask yourself the following questions.

• Whose team is able to motive their players?

• Whose leaders are more capable?

• Who can take the most advantage of terrain and weather?

• Who has the most experience?

• Who possesses the most disciplined or experienced players?

• Who has the largest number of players?

The answers to these questions will not determine who will win and who will lose. Instead they will give the commander some idea on who has the advantage. Tactics and strategies can be adjusted accordingly.

Victory and Defeat is separated by one thing: Who makes the most mistakes.

1. Whether or not you can be defeated depends on YOU. That's right, YOU! Ninety per cent of the time your elimination can be directly traced to something you did wrong. Don't be disheartened by that, the opposition makes mistake, too.

2. Whether or not the opposition makes a mistake (that would allow you the opportunity to gain victory) depends on THEM. Just as you give your opponent the advantage you opponent will allow you to exploit their mistakes.

3. You can protect yourself from providing the opposition with an opportunity for victory, BUT you CANNOT make the opposition susceptible to defeat. In other words, in every offensive there is a defensive part that must be maintained.

4. Victory can be predictable, but whether or not the opposition gives you an opportunity to be victorious CANNOT BE FORCED. You cannot make other players make mistakes. Some just won't.