The Smart Paintballer Starts With the Equipment First, Then Comes the Fun!
Vaughn Balchunas asked:
Don’t like being called a newbie? Tip number one: don’t act like a newbie. New paintball players sometimes don’t realize that the game is only fun if you’re well prepared. But get the right outfit, the right gun, and have a basic idea of what you’re doing, and you’ll be fine.
First and foremost, goggles. Wear them. Get the ones specifically made for paintball. Get high-grade ones. Make sure they fit. Because if you get shot in the face and get paint in your eyes because you neglected to wear goggles, you never know how badly your vision could be compromised—and if the resulting injury is bad, you might not be able to play paintball again. After you get the goggles, know how to take care of them. This is true of all of your equipment. Take care of your stuff, and your stuff will take care of you.
Remember to tailor your clothes to the place you’ll be playing. Don’t show up to a dark wooded area in a bright yellow jumpsuit or else you’ll be covered in more paint splatters than a Pollack painting. Get a good pair of shoes that are worn in. No one wants to go home with blisters. Get something to cover your face. A mask, perhaps, or go bandito style with a bandana. Paint can be sticky, and it’s easier to clean if it’s not all over your skin.
Then there’s the weapon-of-choice. Paintball guns, also called “markers,” and they are almost as many different kinds of guns as there are people who play the game to begin with. They generally look pretty similar in shape. If you’re a new player, try a gun that doesn’t require a lot of steps before being able to shoot. Get started with a simple and cheap gun while you learn how to use it, how to load it, and most importantly, how to take care of it. Plenty of new players start off using expensive, tournament-ready guns, but until you can use your gun properly and know how to clean it better than you can wash your own face, stick with something a little cheaper. That way, if you don’t take care of it, you’re not out as much money when you have to replace it.
Talk to people who have been playing for a long time, see what they suggest for someone who has never played paintball before. Or check it out online. There are plenty forums and websites geared towards putting paintball players together. Ask questions because only a newbie is cocky enough to ignore the potential for advice from people who definitely know better. Don’t be a newbie.
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Don’t like being called a newbie? Tip number one: don’t act like a newbie. New paintball players sometimes don’t realize that the game is only fun if you’re well prepared. But get the right outfit, the right gun, and have a basic idea of what you’re doing, and you’ll be fine.
First and foremost, goggles. Wear them. Get the ones specifically made for paintball. Get high-grade ones. Make sure they fit. Because if you get shot in the face and get paint in your eyes because you neglected to wear goggles, you never know how badly your vision could be compromised—and if the resulting injury is bad, you might not be able to play paintball again. After you get the goggles, know how to take care of them. This is true of all of your equipment. Take care of your stuff, and your stuff will take care of you.
Remember to tailor your clothes to the place you’ll be playing. Don’t show up to a dark wooded area in a bright yellow jumpsuit or else you’ll be covered in more paint splatters than a Pollack painting. Get a good pair of shoes that are worn in. No one wants to go home with blisters. Get something to cover your face. A mask, perhaps, or go bandito style with a bandana. Paint can be sticky, and it’s easier to clean if it’s not all over your skin.
Then there’s the weapon-of-choice. Paintball guns, also called “markers,” and they are almost as many different kinds of guns as there are people who play the game to begin with. They generally look pretty similar in shape. If you’re a new player, try a gun that doesn’t require a lot of steps before being able to shoot. Get started with a simple and cheap gun while you learn how to use it, how to load it, and most importantly, how to take care of it. Plenty of new players start off using expensive, tournament-ready guns, but until you can use your gun properly and know how to clean it better than you can wash your own face, stick with something a little cheaper. That way, if you don’t take care of it, you’re not out as much money when you have to replace it.
Talk to people who have been playing for a long time, see what they suggest for someone who has never played paintball before. Or check it out online. There are plenty forums and websites geared towards putting paintball players together. Ask questions because only a newbie is cocky enough to ignore the potential for advice from people who definitely know better. Don’t be a newbie.
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New To Paintball?
Taylor J asked:
Don’t be ashamed of being new to paintball. We all had to start somewhere with no experience. I’ve seen a number of new players discouraged by more experienced players pestering and using the phrase “noob”. Rule 1, don’t listen to bastards like this. A good paintball player will help you learn about the sport. Don’t expect players to be nice to you if you are rude to them, but respect them and they will respect you.
The first question I am asked about paintball is “Does it hurt?”. Well, no, it doesn’t feel pleasant by any means. However, it is more than likely less painful than you would expect. Granted, unless you get shot at a short distance (which you’re not supposed to do) which can cause a nice bruise and OCCASIONALLY can cause VERY LIGHT bleeding. All the more reason why not to get shot.
The next question you’ll probably be asking yourself is what gun to use? Well, this varies on a number of things. Mainly, how often you play and how big your budget is. If you have NEVER played paintball before I would recommend borrowing a gun or renting a gun from a field. If it turns out that you don’t like paintball, your loss would be much less than if you purchased a $250 gun.
This leads me to my next point: buying gear. Although it’s nice to have the best gun in the world, it doesn’t mean anything unless you know how to play the game. In my opinion, starting with a cheaper gun is more beneficial to your skill as well as your wallet. A Tippman 98 Custom is an excellent starting gun for most new players. It may seem a tad pricey at first ($140 – $160), but it is quite cheap compared to other guns, which can easily exceed $1,000. If you can find a “player’s package” with your gun, I would recommend it. This usually includes a hopper, a mask and sometimes other gear. Generally you get a discount on these items. However, when purchasing a mask, I would highly recommend that you make sure that replacement lenses are readily available. If your lens is cracked, has any sort of damage that could compromise its integrity, has been shot within 10 ft. or is over a year old, it should be replaced. This might seem like a pain in the ass, but it beats the lens shrapneling into your eye and you loosing your eyesight.
Your mask, however, is not the only thing that needs maintenance. A paintball gun does require maintenance after it has been played with and periodically when stored for long periods of time. Your CO2/HPA tank usually only needs its O-ring replaced if it is broken. After you’re done playing and you’ve removed your air and hopper, look at your gun. Inspect for any physical damage first. Look for anything out of the ordinary that looks like it could hurt the gun’s performance or safety. Next, REFER TO YOUR GUN’S DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS and remove the bolt mechanism. Clean out the breach and barrel with a squeegee until all the paint is gone. Examine your bolt mechanism, remove all paint and inspect the O-rings of the bolt (assuming your bolt has O-rings). As long as your bolt has no damage, you’re good. Oil the bolt with PAINTBALL OIL, as other oils can cause the O-rings to swell (I have, however, had luck with RemOil). Reassemble your gun and test it out with a dry fire or two. For your hopper, as long as it is gravity fed, you can generally just run water through it to clean it. If it is electric, use caution with water. Water and electronics don’t mix. Also, some people simply run water through their guns. While this may work, it can also damage your gun over time therefore I cannot recommend “drowning” your gun to clean it.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you getting into this fast growing sport.
Create a video blog…instantly.
Don’t be ashamed of being new to paintball. We all had to start somewhere with no experience. I’ve seen a number of new players discouraged by more experienced players pestering and using the phrase “noob”. Rule 1, don’t listen to bastards like this. A good paintball player will help you learn about the sport. Don’t expect players to be nice to you if you are rude to them, but respect them and they will respect you.
The first question I am asked about paintball is “Does it hurt?”. Well, no, it doesn’t feel pleasant by any means. However, it is more than likely less painful than you would expect. Granted, unless you get shot at a short distance (which you’re not supposed to do) which can cause a nice bruise and OCCASIONALLY can cause VERY LIGHT bleeding. All the more reason why not to get shot.
The next question you’ll probably be asking yourself is what gun to use? Well, this varies on a number of things. Mainly, how often you play and how big your budget is. If you have NEVER played paintball before I would recommend borrowing a gun or renting a gun from a field. If it turns out that you don’t like paintball, your loss would be much less than if you purchased a $250 gun.
This leads me to my next point: buying gear. Although it’s nice to have the best gun in the world, it doesn’t mean anything unless you know how to play the game. In my opinion, starting with a cheaper gun is more beneficial to your skill as well as your wallet. A Tippman 98 Custom is an excellent starting gun for most new players. It may seem a tad pricey at first ($140 – $160), but it is quite cheap compared to other guns, which can easily exceed $1,000. If you can find a “player’s package” with your gun, I would recommend it. This usually includes a hopper, a mask and sometimes other gear. Generally you get a discount on these items. However, when purchasing a mask, I would highly recommend that you make sure that replacement lenses are readily available. If your lens is cracked, has any sort of damage that could compromise its integrity, has been shot within 10 ft. or is over a year old, it should be replaced. This might seem like a pain in the ass, but it beats the lens shrapneling into your eye and you loosing your eyesight.
Your mask, however, is not the only thing that needs maintenance. A paintball gun does require maintenance after it has been played with and periodically when stored for long periods of time. Your CO2/HPA tank usually only needs its O-ring replaced if it is broken. After you’re done playing and you’ve removed your air and hopper, look at your gun. Inspect for any physical damage first. Look for anything out of the ordinary that looks like it could hurt the gun’s performance or safety. Next, REFER TO YOUR GUN’S DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS and remove the bolt mechanism. Clean out the breach and barrel with a squeegee until all the paint is gone. Examine your bolt mechanism, remove all paint and inspect the O-rings of the bolt (assuming your bolt has O-rings). As long as your bolt has no damage, you’re good. Oil the bolt with PAINTBALL OIL, as other oils can cause the O-rings to swell (I have, however, had luck with RemOil). Reassemble your gun and test it out with a dry fire or two. For your hopper, as long as it is gravity fed, you can generally just run water through it to clean it. If it is electric, use caution with water. Water and electronics don’t mix. Also, some people simply run water through their guns. While this may work, it can also damage your gun over time therefore I cannot recommend “drowning” your gun to clean it.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you getting into this fast growing sport.
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3 Paintball Skill To Master
Chris Abro asked:
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.
The 3 Skills:
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 “trick 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.
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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.
The 3 Skills:
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 “trick 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.
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The History of Paintball
Sam Everson asked:
Paintball is a game played with many people or teams. It can be played indoors or out, with as few as two people or as many as 500. Paintball is played at designated fields, back yards or even in the woods. A game can last as little as 4 minutes or as long as hours with all depending on one to take something, find something, or to just be the last person not marked.
Depending on where you play, the spot that you play, the strategy of your game will vary from being quiet and sneaky and choosing your shots carefully, to being loud, fast, and shooting constantly. Paintball is a competitive sport played like any other competitive sport, to win. It is challenging game of tag, hide-and-seek or my favorite, capture-the-flag. Since you are shooting at people, and people are shooting at you, paintball requires safety equipment to be worn such as goggles, special clothing and etc.
An important part of paintball is the paintball itself. As in tennis, the ball is the main element of a paintball game. But unlike a tennis game, paintball has dozens, often hundreds, of “balls” in play at any one time. As the name implies, these balls are actually tiny containers of paint.
Paintballs have a very simple construction. They’re actually a lot like bath-oil beads. They are made of colored liquid enclosed in a gelatin shell and are available in a variety of colors. Paintballs are also non-toxic, biodegradable and are water soluble. They will wash out of clothes, just don’t leave them sitting on your clothes for a week before washing them.
Basically, a paintball is like a small water balloon, weighing only a few grams. The shell holds up if you handle it or drop it from a short distance. When you shoot a paintball from a gun, however, it breaks on impact and leaves large splatter of paint.
The job of the paintball gun, also known as a paintball marker, is to shoot the paintball at a fast rate of speed. In a standard gun, the propulsion system is compressed gas such as CO2, nitrogen or ordinary air, and is stored in small or large tanks that can be attached to the gun. A hopper, which holds the paintballs, is also attached to the marker
Maintaining safety in paintball is important to make the game safe. The power of paintball guns is strictly regulated. Guns in play are adjusted so that the top speed of the paintball is 300 feet per second. A paintball traveling at this speed is not likely to cause serious injury if it hits you, though it will sting and can leave a bruise. Also, since wind resistance starts slowing the paintball down as soon as it leaves the marker, it has a reduced impact when fired from a greater distance. Speeding paintballs can cause serious injury to the eyes and paintball players always wear protection. Get more info about recreational paintball at tips for paintball.
In addition to playing paintball for recreational use, paintball is also part of military and police training. In terms of feel and handling, a paintball gun has little in common with an actual firearm, but paintball is still good training for combat situations. Mainly, it lets soldiers and police practice strategy and the fine art of not getting shot.
There are many paintball leagues around with American Paintball League being one of the largest in the paintball industry. Another paintball league is the National Professional Paintball League. Though they both pertain to paintball, each has their own set of rules for playing the sport.
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Paintball is a game played with many people or teams. It can be played indoors or out, with as few as two people or as many as 500. Paintball is played at designated fields, back yards or even in the woods. A game can last as little as 4 minutes or as long as hours with all depending on one to take something, find something, or to just be the last person not marked.
Depending on where you play, the spot that you play, the strategy of your game will vary from being quiet and sneaky and choosing your shots carefully, to being loud, fast, and shooting constantly. Paintball is a competitive sport played like any other competitive sport, to win. It is challenging game of tag, hide-and-seek or my favorite, capture-the-flag. Since you are shooting at people, and people are shooting at you, paintball requires safety equipment to be worn such as goggles, special clothing and etc.
An important part of paintball is the paintball itself. As in tennis, the ball is the main element of a paintball game. But unlike a tennis game, paintball has dozens, often hundreds, of “balls” in play at any one time. As the name implies, these balls are actually tiny containers of paint.
Paintballs have a very simple construction. They’re actually a lot like bath-oil beads. They are made of colored liquid enclosed in a gelatin shell and are available in a variety of colors. Paintballs are also non-toxic, biodegradable and are water soluble. They will wash out of clothes, just don’t leave them sitting on your clothes for a week before washing them.
Basically, a paintball is like a small water balloon, weighing only a few grams. The shell holds up if you handle it or drop it from a short distance. When you shoot a paintball from a gun, however, it breaks on impact and leaves large splatter of paint.
The job of the paintball gun, also known as a paintball marker, is to shoot the paintball at a fast rate of speed. In a standard gun, the propulsion system is compressed gas such as CO2, nitrogen or ordinary air, and is stored in small or large tanks that can be attached to the gun. A hopper, which holds the paintballs, is also attached to the marker
Maintaining safety in paintball is important to make the game safe. The power of paintball guns is strictly regulated. Guns in play are adjusted so that the top speed of the paintball is 300 feet per second. A paintball traveling at this speed is not likely to cause serious injury if it hits you, though it will sting and can leave a bruise. Also, since wind resistance starts slowing the paintball down as soon as it leaves the marker, it has a reduced impact when fired from a greater distance. Speeding paintballs can cause serious injury to the eyes and paintball players always wear protection. Get more info about recreational paintball at tips for paintball.
In addition to playing paintball for recreational use, paintball is also part of military and police training. In terms of feel and handling, a paintball gun has little in common with an actual firearm, but paintball is still good training for combat situations. Mainly, it lets soldiers and police practice strategy and the fine art of not getting shot.
There are many paintball leagues around with American Paintball League being one of the largest in the paintball industry. Another paintball league is the National Professional Paintball League. Though they both pertain to paintball, each has their own set of rules for playing the sport.
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Get Some Exercise Through the Game of Paintball
James Hunt asked:
If you’re going to play your first game of paintball there are some things that you’ll want to know to make the game easier for you and less frightening. Sometimes just knowing what to expect can help make the game more enjoyable. One of the first things that you’ll want to remember is to always leave your mask on your face. This is a huge safety factor that you won’t want to ignore. A paintball moves with such great force and speed that you’ll certainly damage your eye if you’re hit. You may think that the paintball will hurt when it hits you and this isn’t true at all. You will, however, feel those paintballs on the next day so be prepared for some soreness and bruising. If you have the opportunity to play with the paintball gun before you use it in an actual game you’ll be able to get a feel for the gun and know just how far you can shoot. Otherwise it will be a guessing game for you the first time around.
Try to wear clothing that is dark rather than light in color. If you wear bright colors, in particular white, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb and be killed in no time! You’ll also want to wear comfortable shoes that give you a great deal of gripping action so that you don’t slide around on the ground. This is especially true when the ground is wet from the rain. Follow the rules carefully and don’t cheat. Experienced paintball players **** cheaters and you certainly won’t be invited back to play another game. Take it easy for the first game or two that you play until you get a feel for the way the gun feels and a bit more experience for feeling like you’re being hunted. The game of paintball is a great way to get some exercise and spend some time outdoors.
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If you’re going to play your first game of paintball there are some things that you’ll want to know to make the game easier for you and less frightening. Sometimes just knowing what to expect can help make the game more enjoyable. One of the first things that you’ll want to remember is to always leave your mask on your face. This is a huge safety factor that you won’t want to ignore. A paintball moves with such great force and speed that you’ll certainly damage your eye if you’re hit. You may think that the paintball will hurt when it hits you and this isn’t true at all. You will, however, feel those paintballs on the next day so be prepared for some soreness and bruising. If you have the opportunity to play with the paintball gun before you use it in an actual game you’ll be able to get a feel for the gun and know just how far you can shoot. Otherwise it will be a guessing game for you the first time around.
Try to wear clothing that is dark rather than light in color. If you wear bright colors, in particular white, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb and be killed in no time! You’ll also want to wear comfortable shoes that give you a great deal of gripping action so that you don’t slide around on the ground. This is especially true when the ground is wet from the rain. Follow the rules carefully and don’t cheat. Experienced paintball players **** cheaters and you certainly won’t be invited back to play another game. Take it easy for the first game or two that you play until you get a feel for the way the gun feels and a bit more experience for feeling like you’re being hunted. The game of paintball is a great way to get some exercise and spend some time outdoors.
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