Situational Awareness

Situational Awareness
by thumper - Dec 27, 2009

In baseball the defense is taught to think before each pitch : "If the ball is hit to me, what do I do with it?"

Obviously this has two major components: locally : first is fielding the ball - the second is more regional : stopping the lead runner or at least getting the easy out.

The point here is thinking. I'm sure the guys in the major leagues may tell you it is all instinctive - but I would argue that good instincts are born of good habits and repetition - and somewhere way back when there was a coach telling them the same thing I'm bringing up here and now:

Think locally then think regionally.

Actually in this game, with the predators I know, you better always be thinking - reading the players and the situation - and then start going through the "what ifs?"

key points (local)

* what is your area of responsibility?
* are you in a position to provide effective cross fire for your wingman?
* how is your wingman doing? (and how strong is his cover?)
* is he baiting for you?
* is there time to assist him without compromising your area of responsibility?
* do the bad guys in the immediate area know your position?
* is your cover effective from the likely angles of attack?
* what is your angle of attack? and is there cover to assist in that attack?
* what is your plan for retreat? and what cover looks good to assist in that retreat?
* what bad habits is your opponent showing you?

key points (regional)

* the situation may change without your knowledge.
* do you REALY know where everybody is?
* how are your flanks?
* what happened to your teammates as they leave the field (or go to spawn)?
* for all those you lost track of, can you guess their behavior?
* are you where your team needs you to be?
* are you doing what your team needs you to be doing?
* what can you do NEXT to better the situation for your team?