10 Basic Paintball Tips for New Players

Richie · #1 05-09-2009

Paul “Cryptic” Forcier shares his top ten tips for novice players seeking to improve their skills and help improve their game.

Paintball 101 | Catshack Reports

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Move – The biggest mistake I see new players make is lack of movement. You are not going to hit anything if you stay back on the field behind one bunker the entire match. When you move you will want to do so with your marker up and ready to shoot. Move from one bunker to another while your opponent is not looking or focused on another player.
Match Your Paint To Your Barrel – What this means is try to match your paintball size to the bore size of your barrel. If you are a new player you probably only have a single barrel. When you get more into the sport you will likely purchase a barrel kit. This is when you will take random paintballs from the case you bought and match the paintball bore to the barrel bore as best as possible.
Walk The Field – If you want to know where the lanes will be or the best route to a certain point walking the field before the game will give you the knowledge others may not have.
Get In Shape – Paintball is a game where everyone can play, no matter what age, shape and gender you happen to be. But to be the best possible player you can be I recommend exercising and getting in shape as much as possible. This is a competition and to play at the top of your abilities you will want to be in the best shape possible. Yes, round is a shape too.
Know Your Abilities – Let’s face it, we are not all going to be the next great star of the sport. It is best to know your abilities and use them to your advantage. If you are fast perhaps you are the guy that will run to the snake while your team gives you cover fire. Maybe you can naturally shoot fast, you can be the guy who is laying cover fire while your team moves to flank someone. Do not lose a game because you try to do something you know you cannot accomplish.
Don’t Be A Hero – Paintball is a team sport. You do not have to be the star player every game. Rely on your team to help you make your moves and to eliminate opponents. You will have your time to shine, just as the entire team will.
Plan – Make a game plan before the game. Know where you are going and what your job is. This will come with practice with your fellow players. The more time spent on planning the less time you will run around making un-needed risks and possibly losing the game.
Practice – This can be done with your team or alone in your home. If you shoot slow sit with your paintball marker and practice walking the trigger while watching television. If you keep getting shot out you will want to practice using your bunkers better.
Communicate – In my opinion, this is one of the most important parts of the game. Learn to tell your team where the enemy is. Yell out bunker locations of your team and practice having your team repeat this so everyone on the field knows the exact location of everyone on the opposing side. Kill counts are another thing. My team was working on this last weekend. Yell out those eliminated and repeat them when you hear them. Knowing how many players are left on the other side of the field will help with your movement or with getting the flag before time runs out.
Remember To Have Fun – You want the game to grow? Have fun when you play. Take a little time to make sure the new guys are having as much fun as possible so they will return to the field and grow the sport. This is a game and it is meant to be an escape from the everyday hassle of life. Leave your problems behind when you take that step on the field. I like to win but I know a day playing paintball is a better day at work anytime.

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woppi · #2 26-07-2010

What do people use for game plans and tactics? Use a stick and draw some shapes in the ground a minute before everything kicks off, or do you have maps / drawings prepared for different sites?

Richie · #3 26-07-2010

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Originally Posted by woppi

What do people use for game plans and tactics? Use a stick and draw some shapes in the ground a minute before everything kicks off, or do you have maps / drawings prepared for different sites?

Depends on the team and game. Some teams may prefer to write down tactics on paper and some may want to use chalk board. Some may even not user either and just do it.

Some teams can just wing it and do well

eoin99 · #4 26-07-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by woppi

What do people use for game plans and tactics? Use a stick and draw some shapes in the ground a minute before everything kicks off, or do you have maps / drawings prepared for different sites?

It definitely varies from team to team. Most tournaments release a field layout before the event and teams will often print those out and study them before the event. At more casual events the layout is often not available in advance so teams typically just walk the field together before they play and strategise on the fly.

paullogan · #5 26-07-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by woppi

What do people use for game plans and tactics? Use a stick and draw some shapes in the ground a minute before everything kicks off, or do you have maps / drawings prepared for different sites?

(",) couldnt help my self it the first thing that came into my head

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