To Trick run or to Tank? That is the question some of us ask ourselves when playing Grifball.

When first starting out playing Grifball you want to go for the ball, run straight in, and arm it. So often we see new players run ahead of their tanks thinking that they are invincible and often get themselves trapped in a corner or surrounded by swords.

So what, you ask, makes a good runner — well, good? “A good runner is simply one that doesn’t make mistakes“ (Twizzter) .

Experience and knowledge of the game separates the seasoned runner from the DXP weekend runner. Watch any experienced runner out on the field and you’ll see him follow his tanks and know when to go for a necessary stiff arm and when to stay out of hairy situations. But what else is there to a Trick Runner; is there personality to how runners carry the ball on the field? The Ball runner is heading down the field, does he go for the stiff arm against a defender in front of him or does he run backwards and let his tanks handle it?

Up close and personal is the classic style among some grifball runners, most notably Holmcross and Sexy 400 (aka Baby Tortoise), who will more likely put a fist in your face rather than running away with their tail between their legs. They have a classic aggressive style and amazing self-awareness out on the field. Baby Tortoise is known for his stiff-arm and massive host. What people don’t often see is his awareness of not only of his teammates but also the enemy as well. Calling out who is where and what they have out. “Being a good runner means full-court awareness, basically knowing where every player from both teams is at all times and being able to recognize when gaps or opportunities to score are going to present themselves.“

Holmcross thinks “being a good runner means knowing how to alter your pussyfoot to kamikaze ratio to create the best balance to counter your opponent.” This is very true in that Holmcross has an aggressive attitude when handling the ball and will meet you head on even if you have a massive host advantage. At the same time he knows when to back off and let his team do the work for him. This holds true for Baby Tortoise, as he will go for the stiff arm, often running in at you, even if you have a hammer out. He will, however, draw you into a trap as he states: “I have a very simple style, while most runners seem to hide behind their tanks, I have taken to weaving in between my tanks as a means to distract the opponents who are ‘dancing’ with my teammates. It draws opponents into friendly hammers and continues to provide safe-cover for my ass.” These are just two examples of aggressive playing styles.

On the opposite side of the spectrum we have the “pussy footers,” or the patient runners. Some skilled ball runners in this category would be Penguinocalypse and PP MooCow PP. Penguinocalypse believes the ball runner should “let their tanks do the work“, while PP Moocow PP believes that “Someone who carries the bomb in a way that helps their team win” is what it means to be a good Trick Runner.

This is testament to when HLC faced Team India in the Final Four, as MooCow rarely put himself in a situation that would hinder his team or allow them to lose the ball. His attitude on the field is slow and steady; no sign of cockiness and patience is his virtue. Some call it pussy footing, and by many standards it is, but is it smart running or is it just plain annoying? The jury is still out on that one. But as MooCow stated, it’s doing what is best for the team — that is what is different from the newbies running around in double exp grifball weekends and the pros of the league.