The art of ambushing relies on stealth, knowledge of the opponent's tactics/location and good Team coordination. Traps are the same as ambushes but instead of searching for the opposing Team, one lets them come into the trap area. The goal of an ambush/trap is to gain the element of surprise. Ambushes/traps do take time and skill to set up but the completion of them feels even more rewarding, especially unleashing a large volley of water at an unsuspecting opposing Team.
Ambush 'Em
Before an ambushing run can be attempted, a recon mission should be performed by a recon/scout to assess the other Team's location, armament, etc. A route to the opponent's location should be chosen which provides a good deal of cover.
The approach should be quick yet silent. One cannot spend too long getting into position since the opposing Team's location could change or a patrol group may spot the oncoming attack. Silence and remaining unseen are vital to a good ambush. All members of the Team should be used to moving quickly while crouching or perhaps even crawling in some areas. Staying low makes one harder to see as well as harder to hit.
Once within range, the Team members should attack simultaneously with everyone opening fire at a chosen target. This allows the most water to be dished out before the recipients have time to react. Shouting or yelling during the attack also helps disorient the opposing Team and perhaps even scare them a little.
Potential Problems
being spotted on the approach - if spotted, a choice must be made whether to proceed in the open or retreat, regroup and retry
no good cover on the route to enemy location - sometimes the terrain will not allow for a good stealthly approach route. In those situations, it may be better to set up a trap instead
lots of leaves, twigs, rocks on the ground - this makes it hard to approach silently. Noise make by walking will alert the enemy and give away one's location
Trap / Surprise Attack
Traps are in a many ways a form of ambushing but instead of going to the opponents, one lets the opposing Team come. To set up a good trap, an area must be chosen which the opposing Team is likely to walk down that provides good cover on both sides for the attackers. Narrow shrub-lined paths or alleys with multiple recessed doorways are good places to set up traps.
All must be still and quiet while the enemy enters the zone. It is best if the attackers can see each other or have some method of communicating so that the trap can be sprung from all directions at once.
Once within range, all attackers should open fire at the recipients from as many directions as possible. The more directions, the less escape routes the targets will have to get away. If one can trap an opposing Team within cross-fire, the soak is virtually guaranteed.
Potential Problems
being spotted when hiding - if spotted, a choice must be made whether to attack regardless or to regroup and retry
no good cover for hiding - sometimes the terrain will not allow for a good place to set-up a trap. At those times, a mousetrap set-up can be a better solution.
Mousetrap
Sometimes areas which are good for setting up a trap are not areas which opponents are likely to normally go. In those cases, bait is required to get their attention. One way is to send a "sacraficial lamb" or person who does not mind getting seriously shot at into the opposing Team's zone once the trap is in place. After spraying, the bait person then runs through the trap zone hopefully with many opponents in hot pursuit. Once within range, let the water fly! They will likely not expect an ambush and become disoriented by the counter-attack.
Counter Measures
To avoid traps, one must not assume anything and believe that the enemy may be hiding behind any bush, tree, corner, etc. One must not be too quick to persue anyone into unknown or unfamiliar areas.
Ambushes are harder to avoid. The best preventative measure against ambushes is partols. Patrolling, however, should try not to follow a typical pattern so that opponents cannot time when the patrol will be in any given place. Setting up alarms/booby-traps around the perimeter of any base or refilling station will help reduce the risk of a surprise attack.
