This simple pincher maneuver may be the difference between victory and defeat 

By Bruce “Charon” Johnston

There are a number of ways to attack and eliminate opponents in a defensive position. Fire and move in, move around to their side, trade shot for shot from behind bunkers, launch a frontal assault, to name a few. The double pincher maneuver is an incredibly effective way to eliminate multiple opponents who are in what they believe is a strong defensive position. To properly execute the plan you need teamwork and two players who can run and gun. The momentary confusion created when the defenders realize they are being charged from two different directions simultaneously will give your flankers the extra second they need to wipe out the other side.

1.     Most of your team must keep constant fire on the other side from different angles. This will force them to keep their heads down, giving your flankers time to sweep around and prevent the defenders from slipping away.

2.     Faster players start from either side of your position and run around both of the other team’s flanks simultaneously.

3.     The flankers may have to quickly eliminate any members of the other team they unexpectedly encounter while making their run. Be prepared for targets of opportunity.

4.     When the flankers reach the rear of the position all remaining members of the other team can easily be eliminated.


The best part of the double pincher movement is that if the defenders turn to engage one flanker the other flanker will be totally unseen and coming in directly behind the defenders. The team members giving cover fire must be aware of the flankers’ positions to avoid hitting their own team. Once the flankers have started their move through the position all remaining team members should charge forward. If the flankers are somehow eliminated, the frontal assault will mop up the remaining defenders. If executed quickly on the woodsball field this simple pincher maneuver may be the difference between victory and defeat.

Bruce “Charon” Johnston is a former military sniper and member of the No Mersey woodsball team and Captain of the Tippinators tournament speedball team. He writes for several paintball publications and lives with his wife and son in Nova Scotia, Canada.