I'm stumped (I know big surprise)

[Drizzid]

Ok guys I need some advice about a situation I had last night:

I join server 1 in a squad led by Jimmytwohands. It was Sharqi, we were defending the TV station and I start having audio issues so I have to restart the game. I try to rejoin Jimmy's squad but it filled up. So I start looking over the roster and I see a squad with some very talented players in it and a slot open so I think "hey this will be fun" right. So I join in and the squad is heading to the Alleyway and all heck is breaking out. C4, grenades, tracers going everywhere and I am actually contributing with some kills and placing c4 around the flag and blowing it. I was really starting to get into it and the chatter on the voip was hilarious.

Then the SL decides he has to go and after a few minutes one of the squad members say"Drizz you know you are SL" and I say "I do now" This was not good, I really wasn't in the mood to SL but I stayed in the position even though I didn't want it. I don't normally have any problems when there is one or two good to great players but when they are all exceptional players I kinda choked.

My problem is how does someone like myself who still has lots to learn about SL'ing lead a bunch of players who are 1)much better players than me. 2)Know more tactics than me. 3)Knows the maps better than I do. It just seemed so awkward to try and tell these exceptional players how to play or what to do, it just didn't seem right. If anyone could offer some advice on how to handle this and similar situations I would appreciate it.

To the guys in the squad I do apologize I just didn't know how to handle it.

And why does the squad leader position always seems to be placed on me

Thanks Drizz

[asch]

Having those intelligent / experienced players under your command should be a good thing. Let them know you're looking for tips & feedback. Many players will be more than happy to help you along your way to becoming another great TG SL.

If you still feel uncomfortable, then inform your squad and ask if anyone else would like to step up.

[TychoCelchuuu]

Tell them to attack the nearest flag, then follow them around and try not to get shot. If everyone is one kit, tell them to diversify a bit. If the commander gives you a new order, accept it and tell them to move out. You can always rejoin the squad to give squad leader to someone else if you feel you're not doing a good job.

[millipede777]

I almost always feel like that while squad leading, (Because just about everyone on TG is better than me) but I do it anyways. In many squads I've been in where the SL left, everyone would switch in and out of the squad for 5 mintues trying to dump the SL position on someone else instead of playing the game. So, I take it and follow the commander's orders or if there is no commander I will place orders that I think a commander would give (or sometimes even go commander myself). Squadleading isn't as hard as some people would have you believe. As long as you comunicate what you're trying to do then you should be fine.

[|TG| B]

The beauty of it is once you have those experienced players the SL job gets much easier.

If you have bunch of good players in your squad rejoice coz it is gonna be a wild ride. Good players will do whatever you tell them to do. They are the obedient ones as well as control freaks... Don't mind it and start ordering them around.

[JimmyTwoHand]

I was wondering where you went mate. I know what you mean, i dont SL that often but more and more it seems to be hot potatoed to me and i have decided to just use it to get better. Thats how i came to have that squad in the first place. The irony is that one of the players who jumped in after you left was a very good numbered squad player, which gave me cause for concern but was a fantastic team member. Have you thought about splitting your squad into two fireteams? Designate three of the best to work together and slap one of them as nominally in charge of that fireteam. Designate the objective and see what creative ways they come up with to handle the assault. Next time you can shamelessly pass off the technique as your own.

I have resolved to ask questions of these good players next time i see them in a squad with me. The first time i ever had SL was on my third day here when i jumped into a tactical mod test. Suddenly found i had been slapped in charge of a really hardcore squad. They were all encouraging and offered some good suggestions despite leading them to their doom time after time and rapidly hitting the 60sec respawn ceiling. Id count it as a blessing even though i know it is intimidating. I dont think you should worry too much though, the times i have been in one of your squads you have always seemed very competent.

[Drizzid]

Originally Posted by JimmyTwoHand

I was wondering where you went mate. I know what you mean, i dont SL that often but more and more it seems to be hot potatoed to me and i have decided to just use it to get better. Thats how i came to have that squad in the first place. The irony is that one of the players who jumped in after you left was a very good numbered squad player, which gave me cause for concern but was a fantastic team member. Have you thought about splitting your squad into two fireteams? Designate three of the best to work together and slap one of them as nominally in charge of that fireteam. Designate the objective and see what creative ways they come up with to handle the assault. Next time you can shamelessly pass off the technique as your own.

.
I have resolved to ask questions of these good players next time i see them in a squad with me. The first time i ever had SL was on my third day here when i jumped into a tactical mod test. Suddenly found i had been slapped in charge of a really hardcore squad. They were all encouraging and offered some good suggestions despite leading them to their doom time after time and rapidly hitting the 60sec respawn ceiling. Id count it as a blessing even though i know it is intimidating. I dont think you should worry too much though, the times i have been in one of your squads you have always seemed very competent.

First off you were doing a great job while I was in your squad Jimmy. I think you'll be just fine as a SL. I appreciate the kind words, your "Top Notch" I think is how you Brits put it LOL. I think part of the problem was I wasn't really into the SL roll for that night, I was starting to enjoy some mindless action. I also think for some reason I was intimidated by some of the players in the squad. They have quite a reputation and are very talented. I was starting to believe they were just toying with the opposition for most of the fighting. It was hard not to just stop and watch them work their magic. This is no knock on those players, they were having fun and I just didn't think barking out some orders were, well, in order, if that makes any sense. I also don't like to leave and jump back in just to avoid being a SL. It irritates me when others do it so I just won't do it. I will offer it to anyone who has more experience than I do but if they don't take it then I will do it.

[JimmyTwoHand]

I also don't like to leave and jump back in just to avoid being a SL. It irritates me when others do it so I just won't do it. I will offer it to anyone who has more experience than I do but if they don't take it then I will do it.

Same with me. I understand why people do it because i used to myself. Now i just offer it around, tell people im new to it and then get on with the job if no-one wants it. Thinking about it those good players you had are themselves probably SLing a lot of the time anyway. Im sure they were actually quite relieved to get on with some running and gunning for a change, im sure youve built up some positive karma there. This game should be fun so i suppose just point them in the right direction and let them loose. I am now starting to understand the SL fatigue you mentioned although most of the time it is quite fun learning all this new stuff. Top Notch indeed old sport.

[Dark Viper]

WOW. Somebody thinks that I am an exceptional player. +rep

And that was me that mentioned that you were SL. I knew you became SL but after not recieving any orders for about 5 minutes, I figured you didn't.

After that, you did a good job as SL.

[Arf]

The best time to Squad Lead is when you have a squad of good players. It's those times you don't have to worry about just keeping them together and there is so much more you can do.

[Santa]

Nobody else thinks your an exceptional player viper

Anyway drizzid, when im SLing id rather have exceptional teamplayers rather than the other way around. Its much easier to order guys around that will actually listen to ya, even if you think theyre "better" than you. I still feel awkward when a well known SL joins my squad, but then ya just order em around and whip 'em a lil and itll feel normal. You'll feel really good when ya see all those teamplayers on your squad taking flags with ease and making your job a lot easier. Also, if your SLing a squad full of guys that have been here for a long time, it can only help because theyll help you out during the round more than someone that is new could.

My first SL time was with a full squad of guys with TG tags, and they helped me out when i asked for it. Just ask for help, and most guys will deliver.

[Drizzid]

Originally Posted by TG_Santa

Nobody else thinks your an exceptional player viper

Anyway drizzid, when im SLing id rather have exceptional teamplayers rather than the other way around. Its much easier to order guys around that will actually listen to ya, even if you think theyre "better" than you. I still feel awkward when a well known SL joins my squad, but then ya just order em around and whip 'em a lil and itll feel normal. You'll feel really good when ya see all those teamplayers on your squad taking flags with ease and making your job a lot easier. Also, if your SLing a squad full of guys that have been here for a long time, it can only help because theyll help you out during the round more than someone that is new could.

My first SL time was with a full squad of guys with TG tags, and they helped me out when i asked for it. Just ask for help, and most guys will deliver.

Normally I would have asked for help or a suggestion but everyone was having fun throwing C4 and grenades around and the Alleyway or should I say the people that were in the squad were attracting a lot of attention from the Opfor team. It just didn't seem right to start barking out orders and ruining the fun, that's why I just decided to stay there and watch the fireworks. It was just a weird situation to be in but, I do appreciate everyones advice and kind words. Hopefully I will in the future feel more comfortable and handle this situation better. So watch out next time I'm gonna have to go Beatnik on all ya all.

[Lucky Shot]

Drizzid, your getting better all the time. Just keep at it and you will continue to improve. Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them. It really doesn't get any simpler than that. The best part is when you realize that the enemy Knows your the SL and they put 6 guys out there to head hunt for you. Continue to step it up and you will get there!

Lucky Shot

[Xink]

as said so far, the best players will do exactly what you wish when you want it, my main concerns with squadleading (still) is a lack of feedback, if your squadmembers dont communicate back it often feels like you are just drowning on and that they arnt really paying attention, i feel its the responsibility of the squad members as much as the squadleader to ensure the squad does as well as it can.

[ChIck3nL3gz]

Drizz, I was in that squad when you joined. I happened to be on the roof across from the alley at the time. That was me who said, "Hey guys, I think the flag is clear." Then a few moments later, "Uh..no it's not." "Wiat your right, I couldn't see."

I got stuck in a similar situation as you did after that map. We joined Karkand and I joined a squad on the MEC side a few minutes into the game the SL left. It took me a while to figure out I was in command; actualyl, the only reason I realized I was in command was when the CO said, "3 I want you to provide cover on the land bridge." and I looked down at my name and saw I was SL.

At that moment I thought about opening it up for the next guy but decided I'd never learn how to SL if I don't do it. So I began issuing orders to my guys. At first I had everybody listen to me but eventually no one did. I kept telling them to spawn on me every time I died.

The only person who did so was a guy named Tysn (not even sure if he's a member here) but he was a medic and he stayed on my ass the entire game. After we lost the land bridge I orderred my squad to take the flag just up and to the left of the warehouse (I can't remember the name of it). We ended up taking that flag and it was nice to hear the CO say, "Nice job 3." Knowing you did a good job with only 2 men.

Needless to say we ended up losing that position but me and Tysn ended up capping the Suburb flag, Hotel flag and a few others. At the end of the round it was nice to see that the MEC had won even though I totally sucked as SL.

I say, don't worry about being a good SL if you are new. Eventually you'll get better. Just keep trying. Your squad might get annoyed that you are sending them on wild ChIck3n chases or into the middle of an arty barrage but the'll understand that you are new at it. One thing though, if you are going to open up the SL screen make sure you find a good place to hole up where you won't get shot. I tried several times to open the screen to send my squad someplace in the middle of a gun fight. It doesn't work.

I also agree, it would have been nice last night if my SM's would have talked to me a little more. I didn't know where they were and I kept telling them to spawn on me but the only one that did was Tysn. But overall it was fun to get the chance to SL for the second time.