Bunker

Bunker is a term used in paintball for an object that provides cover from opposing players or a protected position from which to shoot. Bunkers include rigid barriers and purpose-built inflatable obstacles. The word also has a separate use as a verb: to bunker an opponent means to approach their position and shoot them at close range.[1]

Types

Rigid bunkers

Paintball fields use a variety of solid materials to create bunkers, including timber, concrete blocks, stacked logs and pallet walls. These may be combined with natural woodland cover. Robinhood Adventure Park, for example, describes a woodland field containing logs, concrete blocks, corrugated pipes and wooden walls.[2]

Hyperball bunkers

Hyperball fields use large corrugated pipes as bunkers. Pipe sections of different sizes and orientations provide a range of playing positions. Black River Paintball describes its Hyperball field as being constructed from corrugated pipes of various shapes and sizes.[3]

Inflatable bunkers

Inflatable bunkers are used on airball fields for recreational and tournament play. Manufacturers such as Sup'AirBall supply sets of obstacles for competition fields.[4]

Their arrangement can be changed to reproduce different layouts. Combat Paintball Park, for example, describes its inflatable tournament field as being configurable to match upcoming events.[5]

Use in play

Players use bunkers to reduce their exposure while observing opponents and shooting. Snapshooting involves briefly moving out from cover, firing and returning behind the bunker. Players may shoot from either side of an obstacle, depending on their position and the location of their opponent.[6]

Bunkers also provide positions from which players can watch an opponent's likely point of exposure. Moving between bunkers requires leaving cover, making the timing and route of movement relevant to play.[6]

Related terminology

Bunkering describes an attacking action rather than a type of obstacle. A player advances on an opponent's bunker and shoots around its edge or over it at close range.[1]

See also

• Speedball
• Hyperball
• Woodsball
• Snapshooting
• Sup'AirBall

References

1. Paintball Dictionary for Parents. Gordon More, Social Paintball, 7 July 2013.
2. Robinhood Adventure Park. See the descriptions under "Our Fields".
3. Hyperball. Black River Paintball, Let's Play Paintball.
4. Inflatable Paintball Bunkers. Sup'AirBall.
5. Our Fields. Combat Paintball Park.
6. Shooting Skills. Paintball Players Place.