Most players make a beeline towards the splatzone, but I always take an alternative route to build up my bubbler and try to flank the other team during the first battle for the splatzone. Usually I'll encounter one opposing squid on the way there, and my hope is to out maneuver him/her (splatshoot jr. isnt built to go toe-to-toe with other skilled players sporting better offensive weapons) and achieving the splat without using my bubbler. But if I feel like I'm losing the upperhand, I will deploy my bubbler and hope to build it up again before I enter the splatzone.
If all goes to plan, I will come upon the other team from behind with my bubbler equipped, and I should be able to at least get a double splat and turn the tide in the favor of our team. At that point I quickly try and cover opposing teams paint in hope to have my bubbler again when the second push happens.
My goal from there is to limit the amount of splat shootouts I take apart of in without my bubbler deployed. Though if I do have to confront an opposing squid without the bubbler, the only favorable shot I personally have of achieving the splat is by out maneuvering, approaching with fellow teammates, or getting the high ground on my opponent. I also use my splatbombs as distractions and/or distancing so I can get around the opponent and come up from the ink on his/her side or back. Sometimes I land a kill with them, but that's mostly luck.
But again, my main priority is painting until my bubbler is ready. That's why I like to slide out with two of my gears main slots sporting special charge up (increases special-gauge fill rate) and special duration up (increases usage time of special weapons). My last main slot is ninja jump, for obvious reasons.
Hope that helps!
