10 things beginners need to know about paintball
Are you going to paintball for a work event, stag / hen party or birthday party?
Paintballing for the first time is a thrilling experience that I will hardly ever forget.
But newer players can be at a disadvantage when they face those who have played before. To level the playing field, it is essential to read our ten tried and tested tips that will transform you from a rookie into a paintball commando.
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1. Don’t be afraid of paintball
Getting hit by a paintball hurts less than you might expect. Yes, it can sting, yes, it may even leave a small mark, but a moment or two later and you will have forgotten all about it and it will be rare to come back into the game.
Some new players are so worried about getting hit that they spend their entire first game hiding behind a tree. Not only is this a pretty boring way to pass your first paintball game, but it’s not a particularly good way to avoid getting hit.
This is because the best players will move much faster to much better positions, putting you at a disadvantage. So bite the bullet and move – it’s just paint!
If you’re really worried about getting hit, try wearing light gloves and an extra pair of layers underneath your suit. You may get hot, but you probably won’t feel anything.
2. Remember to always keep the mask in the paintball area
The importance of this rule is impossible to underestimate.
Keeping your face protected is the best way to make sure your first paintball game is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
3. Don’t give up your position if it puts you at a disadvantage
Paintball guns are quite loud when firing, so if you take a shot, don’t be surprised when a lot of paint blows you through the air!
There are usually only three reasons to shoot your marker: 1. You can see an opponent, and you know you have a good chance of tagging them. 2. You know your opponent is behind cover and you would like to keep them there by spreading a shower of paint so that a teammate can move to a new location. 3. You would like to “wake up” the trigger before a game (check that your marker is working correctly).
Don’t waste paint by shooting opponents too far away or too hidden. Instead, stay fast and quiet until you’ve found yourself in a better position.
4. Remember that spotting your opponent is an important advantage
In paintball, a player who cannot see his opponent will not beat his opponent.
New players are often tempted to keep their heads down. But this is actually a dangerous tactic, as it can allow enemy players to surround you before you have a chance to respond.
Remember to scan the field quickly and carefully to identify enemy players and strategic locations. Ideally, try to do this in under three seconds. This is because it takes a second for an opponent to notice you, another second to take aim and an extra second to cover you in paint!
5. Don’t expose more of your body than you need to …
When you’re out of cover to take a look, try to expose your body area as much as possible to opposition. Preferably just enough to see and shoot.
If you look outside your cover and spot the opposition, it’s generally a good idea to snap to take a photo from the left side of the cover. They expect you to come from the right again, so changing your position makes it harder for your opponent to tag.
6. Talk to your teammates as much as possible
Knowledge is something that can win or lose your paintball games. By communicating with your team, you share your knowledge with the whole group.
Communicating before the game is essential. By creating a simple plan, such as assigning players to different positions on the pitch, you make your team a much more effective unit.
Communication during the game is also crucial. Have the person next to you whisper your plan before you escape, and they’ll be able to deliver covering fire. Telling your teammate that you have tagged an opposing player helps keep track of the number of targets left on the field. Don’t yell “I’m going to run up that tree!” So that the enemy can hear too. This is just a problem.
7. Don’t call yourself “dead” too soon
If you get hit by a paintball, it breaks, which means you’re out, or bounces, which means you’re still in the game.
New players sometimes feel “hit” and get called out – not realizing that the paintball that hit them hasn’t actually broken. Also remember that it may look like you got hit because a paintball exploded near you and covered you in paint. Yet in most parks this doesn’t matter, and you shouldn’t give up.
If in doubt, ask a referee to come and check you for paint.
8. Keep your eyes on the prize
Different paintball games have different goals.
In most games this means covering the enemy in paint while avoiding being tagged alone, but sometimes you’ll have to defend certain positions, capture flags, or rescue a hostage. Create a plan, appoint a team captain and work with your allies to achieve your goals.
9. Don’t be stuck
While many new players are too far behind, a small number of newbies have the opposite problem and move too far too fast.
If they are not tagged immediately, they will be spotted by the entire enemy team and forced to make themselves as small as possible as a wall of paint is fired in their direction. It is much better to try and think two steps forward on your coverage, and avoid choosing a dangerous position in the first place.
However, if you find yourself nailed, there is no point in remaining silent! Shout out to your teammates and see if they can set you on fire.
10. Have fun!
Don’t forget that first of reasons why everyone is there to have fun. Paintballing is a thrilling experience, which can also be a little intimidating for newcomers. But by following our top ten tips, hopefully you have not only learned how to be a better player, but also how to have a fun paintball experience!
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