Wrap Technique ('Wrapping' a Bunker)

In paintball, the wrap technique (Wrapping) describes how a player interacts with the side edge of a bunker to access angles that are not available from a direct, front-facing stance. Instead of remaining completely behind the bunker and looking straight downfield, the player rotates or leans laterally around the bunker’s outside edge. This movement shifts the line of sight so that it runs along the tape, across the field grid, or into diagonal spaces that were previously blocked by the bunker itself.

The defining feature of a wrap is its relationship to the bunker plane. The bunker’s side acts as a physical boundary. By moving the upper body past that boundary, the player gains a new view of the field without fully leaving cover. The lower body typically remains hidden behind the bunker, while the mask, marker, and part of the shoulders or arms become visible. This creates a narrow horizontal exposure that is different from the vertical exposure seen when a player simply raises up or leans forward.

Wrapping is commonly observed on tape lines, in corner bunkers, and in positions where mirrored opponents occupy similar bunkers on opposite sides of the field. On the tape, a wrapped position can provide a clear view down the sideline and into wide bunkers. From a corner, wrapping can reveal crossfield lanes into central or opposite-side structures. In mirrored situations, both players may repeatedly test each other’s edges using wrapping motions to gain or contest angles.

The technique is closely linked to angle control and profile management. Because the bunker defines a hard edge, small changes in head position, marker placement, and shoulder alignment can significantly change which opponents are visible or which lanes are crossed. Wrapping slightly farther can uncover additional parts of the field but also increases the amount of visible silhouette. Conversely, a tighter wrap may limit what is visible but can reduce the area that can be hit.

Field layout and bunker shape strongly influence how wrapping behaves. Cylinders, bricks, wedges, tall cans, and corner bunkers all present different edge geometries, heights, and widths. These characteristics affect how far a player must move to see past the bunker and which angles open as a result. On some layouts, a small lateral shift can expose an entire sideline. On others, multiple incremental wraps may be required to gain a clear view past successive obstacles.

Wrapping also interacts with other concepts such as crossfield shots, trap angles, and zone control. From a wrapped position, a player may see opponents who are oriented toward the center of the field and are not aligned with the wrapped angle. This can change how pressure is distributed between central guns, wide positions, and interior control bunkers. In structured analysis, wrapping is one of the ways that teams describe how a single bunker position can project influence into multiple parts of the field.

The wrap technique appears in many levels of play, from local fields to professional formats, because it arises directly from the combination of fixed bunkers, lanes, and the need to see around obstacles. This entry describes the technique in neutral terms, focusing on body–bunker geometry, angle changes, and field interaction. It does not explain how to perform the movement, does not provide tactical advice, and does not recommend any specific approach. Its purpose is to define what wrapping a bunker means in widely observable paintball practice and how it fits into the broader language of angles and positions.