3 Paintball Skills to Master and Win the Game

Paintball has consistently prevailed as the fourth major unconventional sport in the U.S. In fact, statistical reports say that there are almost 12 million paintball players worldwide with 104 countries participating in various paintball competitions. This shows that more and more people are enticed to play this game.

However, it does not necessarily mean that the game is easy. Most of the players contend that they have experienced many trials, hardships, failures, and defeat before they were able to master the game.

Experts insist that playing paintball, just like the other kinds of sport, needs some skills in order to win the game. These skills are the primary tools that every paintball player must try to learn. Once they have mastered these skills, winning the game is relatively simple.

Here is the list:

1. Basic stance

The problem with most players is that they tend to face the bunker whenever they are standing next to it. This is such a difficult stance because it will give the player inadequate balance and a time-consuming response.

The best way is to stand behind the bunker with the foot that is opposite with the paintball marker or gun in lead. For instance, if a player holds the marker with the right hand, the left foot should be in lead.

2. Trick shot

It is important for every paintball player to know the psychological aspect of the game. This means that the player must know how to think and act appropriately according to the possible actions of the other players.

Therefore, fire some rick shots?in an area where the other player is probably hiding. It does not necessarily mean that firing too many shots creates advantage. The object of this skill is to create a ploy that will instigate the player to respond in return if ever he is really in that area.

3. Run and Shoot and Run

Like any person in a battle, it is best to master this type of skill in order to achieve the best action and win.

The problem with most players is that they continue to hide thinking that they can win because they remain invisible to their opponents. The point is that a player can never win if he does not try to eliminate his opponents.

Mastering this skill will definitely give every player an edge over the others.

In every activity, there is an equal skill to master. Mastery of these skills will ensure that the player can win the game.

Requisites of a Paintball Leader

It takes a lot of guts and character to be a leader in any sport. Even in paintball, where there is minimal physical contact and it can be played by everybody from all walks of life, there are certain qualities needed to be a leader of a paintball team.

First, he has to achieve that certain level of respect; the kind where other paintball players, some of them close friends, are willing to follow his orders. This is a feat to achieve since not everyone can bear to take orders from
just anyone. He should be a master strategist. In this case, flexibility is a must since he must make the initial battle plan suitable for any kind of battlefield. He must also be courageous, the type of player that will never hesitate to go into the frontline, even if he is protected by his men. He must be a well-liked character, someone who has the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all types of people.

What are the attributes that a paintball commander should have?

1. Experience and quick-wit:

Experience is one thing that is not gained easily: it takes a lot of time and patience to achieve the kind of experience suitable for a leader.

2. Physical fitness:

He must be able to get into the thick of things, and to be able to get into any areas that his men can go. Mobility is a necessity for a paintball commander

3. Respected aura

Respect is needed to convince all of the members of a team to follow whatever orders that are needed, dispensed, and carried out. No team player will follow someone he does not like and/or respect.

4. Ability and willingness to communicate

A commander talks with authority and conviction - he can make people listen and take action.

A paintball commander must be able to put aside his personal performance for a while to analyze the performance of his team. He should survive almost every battle. He should be able to dissect and identify the flaws of his team and the battle plan whenever things go wrong and have the marts?to come up with a better plan the next time around.

Like all other participation sports, a paintball leader must be able to inspire other people to perform the best they can. Once this is done, the whole team, not only the paintball commander, will achieve victory.

Do you know where to shop for paintball gear?

There are many online shops as well as retail stores all over the country that sell and offer paintball guns, markers, as well as anything and everything that relates to the game of paintball.

One shop that can be accessed online is paintballgun.com. This online store is unique in its own way because this shop is operated, built and run by players of paintball.

They have solid as well valid ideas what paintball players need and/or want to have. They also have a number of years of experience in the paintball industry.

Usually, items ordered thru paintballgun.com are shipped immediately - in as little as twenty four to forty eight hours.

Believe it or not, paintballgun.com offers a thirty day guarantee so that you can get your money back if you are in any way dissatisfied with their product. Just make sure that all merchandise purchased, whether new or used, is returned using the same packaging in which it was originally received.

A one year warranty is provided to all and /or any parts of items purchased, as well as an extended warranty on all guns purchased.

The catalogues they provide are also available online. This is one of the reasons they are able to keep their prices low since printing is expensive and takes longer than posting item details on the net. Also, their prices are updated online and they try s much as possible ?to lower their prices for you.

Currently, any items purchased through their online store can be paid for using credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Amex and Discover.

They also accept checks and are also utilizing the online service of Paypal.
All items purchased from paintballgun.com are one hundred percent insured.
Just make sure that you keep on record the number of the invoice, the tracking number and any damage the item might have incurred during shipping when you call the department that handles claims at paintballgun.com.

Another online shop that sells paintballs is Xtremez Wholesale. They are the source of most items found in paintball shops that are found across the country. However, their focus is on special paintball as well as Airsoft retail stores.

Their trade shows are a perfect venue to display their products, making it easier for you or anyone to directly make that one essential purchase in one shop, conveniently and easily, rather than going to many others.

There are many paintball stores but it may be easier to locate and purchase goods online thru the internet. All one has to do is seek and surely you will definitely find!

Outnumbered, outsmarted, but not outdone

There are a few things you could do when you are outnumbered during a game of paintball. The first - do not panic. The second, you must think ?it is just a game. Or is it?

The first thing to do is to select a team leader. After that is done, it is the leader that teammates must rely on when quick decisions have to be made.

The following are basic things that can be done when you or your team feels that they have been outnumbered in paintball.

Be on the defense:

Make sure that all of your team mates are placed near the boundary of the field so that the opposing team will have little chance to sneak up on you. Next, designate one to three players to patrol the field (the number depends on your team size). Ask them to patrol around the field, specifically looking for an enemy and taking that enemy out. In case they notice a group of the opposing team, and this group does not notice them, this small patrol team must immediately go back and advise the rest of the team the location of the enemy.

The squad:

Make sure that if any enemy force is notice, and this force is the size of a squad, a similar sized squad should be dispatched to face the opposing team.

Lure them out:

The patrol should be sent out to attract the opposing team and entice them to be defensive. However, there is a risk when doing this as there is a possibility that a member of the opposing team could escape and be able to warn his own team mates. It is also a possibility that it might not happen, and victory could just as well be yours.

Ignore the enemy:

You could also make the choice to pretend that you have not seen the opposing enemy. The idea is that, if they did not see you, you are not a threat to them.

Get together everyone:

Make sure to gather all members of your team together then carefully, cautiously move up the side of the field that you think is less likely to be utilized by the opposing team. When you are there, try to hunt the enemy force and strike the opposing team from that side.

Basically, the best thing to do when outnumbered is to relax. This makes thinking easier and the action clearer.

Mark! You are it!

Paintball is a game where markers or guns are filled with non-lethal paint put in gel-like capsules which basically are used to shoot opponents. These markers are propelled by compressed gas.

Markers used in paintball evolved through the years - their use now is not the reason they were created years ago.

Markers for trails, trees and cows:

Believe it or not, the use of these markers started in the 70 when farmers and members of forest groups used them to mark trees as well as trails, and cattle. The guns used then were powered by gas. Then - whether by inspiration or boredom ?the users of these guns began playing around and instead of aiming them at other objects, decided to use the guns on each other.

And then there was paintball:

It was in 1981 that a group of friends decided to play their own unique version of paintball. They were using same guns they were using to mark trees when they talked among themselves and decided to buy into a tree-gun manufacturing business. The guns were then modified to control the speed as well as the power of the marker.

They promoted the guns and markers to the public and iola? the game of paintball officially began at a field near Rochester, New York, in 1982.

The first paintball marker:

Ironically, the first ever paintball marker was not called a paintball marker and was not even used for paintball. It was called a paint-pellet and was created by the Nelson Paint Company originally for the forest industry. It was invented by James Hale and the patent was approved on January 29,1974.

The first paintball gun:

The first and only gun designed especially for paintball was called Splatmaster was invented by a man named Robert Shepherd who was issued a patent on July 3,1985. Later on, markers know as electro-pneumatic guns were developed.

The first paintball marker that is washable:

A specially designed marker with a washable fluid placed inside of soft gelatin capsules was invented by a man named George Skogg: the patent was officially granted on January 6,1987. This special marker fluid is more precise when shot: when it hits something, it is brighter and more visible. It is easily washable with regular soap and water or detergent.

Paintball markers have become user and player friendly through the years. Who could imagine that what was used originally for cattle and trees could be enjoyed by many people as a game? Hooray for paintball!

Paintball: it is not a game, it is a cool war

Paintball is a game where there are two groups (teams) of players and each group aim is to eliminate the opposite team via shooting paint balls at each other.

The following are the basic rules in playing paintball.

Follow the referee:

Paintball should have only one referee for each game. This referee who will start and end the game as well as stop it (in order to check for paint) and be the decision maker should any problems or game issues arise. Fortunately or unfortunately, any verdict issued by the referee ?as in any other game ?is final and cannot be repealed.

You are out:

A player is no longer in the game if he or she is shot by a paintball marker that cracks or splatters on him or her. This applies when the marker or pellet breaks anywhere on the player's clothes, equipment or gun. Take note that whether the shot came from a fellow teammate or from an enemy, the marked player is required to call out EADMAN?or to yell UT?in reference to themselves. They are required to immediately leave the field using the route that is the safest as well as shortest, all the while calling him self out.

You are in:

If a player is hit by a paintball marker and the marker does not crack or break, that player is still in the game. A player is also considered in the game if he or she is accidentally splattered by a paintball marker, especially if the splatter is caused by the paintball marker hitting a rock, a bush or tree. But this rule no longer applies if the player calls him or her self UT?or EADMAN?even if they have mistakenly thought that they were hit only discover that they were not. The rule says that they are still required to leave the field using the safest as well as shortest route.

Safety is the best policy

All players are required to wear protective clothing that covers the arms, neck and legs. ?shirts are not allowed to be worn during the game. All players must have goggles as well and these cannot in any way, be removed during play.

Paintball is a game of strategy as well as quick thinking. But just like any other game, there are rules that need to be observed to make the game not only more challenging, fun, exciting, but most importantly fair.

The Secrets to Winning at Paintball

Most team sports require teamwork, skill and planning. This can be seen in the winning teams of sports like basketball, football and hockey. The same approach can be taken to make a very good paintball team.

The best way to become a championship team is to know how to play both as a team and individually. It starts at practice where the team will learn to play both offense and in defense.

War games are simulated to emulate the real thing. A fort can be made and some members selected to protect it while the other group attacks. After each game, an assessment must be made so that any mistakes made can be corrected to make the team more efficient.

Aside from conducting some exercises within the group, other teams can be invited to participate in a practice to sharpen the skills before a tournament.

There are several ways that the exercise can end: by capturing the flag, eliminating all the members of the other group or waiting until the time expires. A good way to train the participants to move swiftly during an offensive is by agreeing to a time limit before the exercise begins...

The members should rotate the roles of offense and defense during training exercise as both will have to be used in a real game.

Marksmanship should also be part of training. The members must be able to hit both stationary and moving targets since both are necessary in an actual game where both sides have limited ammunition.

Since the exercise usually lasts from 30 minutes to an hour, the team should make every shot count. The players should only fire when there is a clear shot available rather than not being able to fire when it matters the most.

Stealth is another element needed to win the game of paintball. By being able to sneak up on the enemy first, the team can attack the enemy position before the opposing forces can mount a counterattack.

Learning to communicate using hand signals and sounds will prevent the other team from knowing what the team plans are. By practicing all of these drills and scenarios in practice, the group will be ready to take on anyone in the league.

The secret to winning at paintball is not rocket science; it just takes a lot of practice so that each person knows what to do which will pay off during competition.