Sniping is one of the most difficult jobs in airsoft. A sniper has to be trained in stalking and accuracy to be successful.

Section 1: Training

There are many training exercises that a sniper can preform to improve their game. Here are some recommened exercises:

With a partner at night have him sit somewhere and defend an area. Then sneak up on him an shoot him with your rifle. If he sees you he will fire his gun in your direction causing you to loose. If you sucessfully "kill" him then it shows your stealth skills.

Once again with a parnter, have them move towards a target. Follow him and attempt to "kill" him. If he reaches the target before you hit him or he spots you then you loose.

This exercise helps you practice your stalking which will be discussed later.

Target practice is always a great way to work on you accuracy. Often take some time to shape up on your accuracy and make any adjustments to your gun needed.

Section 2: The Stalk

Stalking is an advanced sniper move where a sniper locates a target, follows them, and then sets up a shot. The main keys to a sucessful stalk is to never be seen. When choosing an enemy to stalk look for significance such as having a radio, a gun that is a major threat, or being the leader of the team. Carefully get within your efficency range so if somthing bad happens you can take him out then and there. Follow him on his routine movements around the battlefield and notice his actions. If he makes a move that could hurt your team, take him out now. Your most important job is to never be seen, if he spots you and lives to tell the tale, his battle plans will be changed. If your orders are not to kill but to scout, have radio contact back with the main unit to report the significant target's movements. Keep in mind that the target may know you are following him and be leading you into an ambush; so keep in mind any place your enemy could hide if a firefight occurs or where his team mates could be wating in ambush. The stalk is not somthing that can be easially perfected. It takes hours of practice of following enemies without ever being detected.

Section 3: Remaining Hidden

USMC sniper in ghillie suit

(this image is in the public domain)

It is a good idea to have some hunter's camo or a ghillie suit especially in daytime battles, but it doesn't matter as much if it's at night (notice in the above pic how the ghillie helps the sniper to blend into the daytime forest). Walking upright should never be done by a sniper except when closing in on a target. If you are in shooting distance you should always crawl or crouch. "Heel Walking" is an effective way to walk without the usual "thump" of walking. This is acomplished by placing the heel of your foot and slowly curving your foot downward to complete the step. If you ever are shot at, the shooter probabally doesn't know you're there, they just thought that they saw somthing. If they continue shooting, you've been spotted. To avoid drawing attention to youself, never rush your shots, be patient and wait for the oppertune moment to hit him. Learn how to use your Mil-Dot scope so you can determine if you're close enough to hit them, then work on your camoflauge. NEVER SNIPE FROM THE SAME SPOT TWICE!!!! Even a "dead" enemy can tell their teamates of your position. Unless in the case that you are using a spotter with a whole lot of ammo, never make kills from the same position.

Section 3: The spotter

The spotter is a important part of the sniper team especially when the sniper does not have a full-auto sidearm. Some snipers decide to work alone, but if you train your spotter they can be just as good as you. The role of the spotter is to locate targets and then show them to the sniper. In airsoft they are also a support gunner that can help gun down the enemy when their position is revealed. Typically, the sniper shoots first and when the enemy scrambles the spotter takes him down. Sniper/ Spotter teams can be a dangerous addition to any sniper team. Your spotter is especially helpful when taking out a group of people. Here is my idea on how this would work:

(the line of fire from sniper and gunner is indicated by redish line)

The sniper (S) would first take out the main target (T).

The gunner/ spotter (G) would make a run or stealth move, depending on which works better for the spotter and fire at the remaining enemies (X) , to keep them from hitting the sniper. If the gunner fails to take out the second enemy then the sniper would help.

The Sniper should be ready to take out any reinforcements that may come to investigate the firefight, and the spotter can cover for him.

Section 4: Outdoor Close Quarters and Sniping

Believe it or not, snipers are just as effective in close quarters as they are in large woodland skirmishes. Snipers can defend key areas or capture them. They can quickly move through the battlefield to engage the enemy when they least expect it. A sniper can also particicpate in suprise attacks in where the sniper is the distraction and the main team ambushes. Sniping in close quarters can also be fun. Set up at a position preferrably up high that is easially defendable and begin sniping. Even if the enemy knows where you are as long as you shoot them before they shoot you, you are just as effective as running around following someone in a large skirmish.

For further reading on how real snipers work:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/sniper.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sniper

More guides to airsoft sniping:

http://www.airsoftretreat.com/forums/index.php?topic=368.0

(Blackjack's guide)

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