Paintball

In the game of paintball, someone has to be on the defense.  Because you don’t know what the enemy has in store, the defensive side has to be reactive and plan accordingly.  Your enemy wants what you have – terrain.  His objective is to capture your territory.  His advantage is knowing when he is going to attack and how he will do it.

You, the defender, must anticipate the attacker’s plans and have a number of defensive strategies ready.  These may include a staggered retreat, an attack or even a counter-attack.

A staggered retreat might be used to lure your adversary into a position where you have more favorable terrain.  You may be able to attack him while his flank is exposed.

Another concept is to let him wear down so you can counter-attack and regain territory.  In any case, you want to deploy your troops to take maximum advantage of grazing fire, create obstacles in areas hard to defend and, of course, have planned artillery barrages or mines situated at critical locations.

One paramount requirement is to maintain a strategic reserve positioned allowing you to react to any part of the defensive perimeter.  A reserve force gives the commander the ability to exploit new opportunities or act as a quick reaction force.  A company for a battalion or a battalion for a brigade is normally adequate.

In many sports, players try to derive a mental advantage over their opponents. By psyching out the opposition, they significantly increase the chances of prevailing. In his heyday, Andre Agassi won tennis matches before even heading out onto the court. His renegade attitude and rebellious style intimidated players who weren’t used to experiencing a physically draining battle.

Tiger Woods has also managed to hold onto the top spot in men’s golf by playing mental games with other players. When Sunday comes around and he walks onto the course wearing a red shirt, other competitors are already swinging scared. Imagine how much of a mental edge you could get in paintball – a sport where fear and intimidation are often your best weapons. Few people expect to see an AK47 paintball gun on the playing field; it should be enough to leave your foes shaking in their boots.

Growing up in a small town in the upper Midwest, there wasn’t always much to do on the weekends. It wasn’t uncommon for my friends and I to pool our money together to play paintball in the basement of the civic center. That was the default paintball and laser tag destination in town, and we came to know the playing field like the backs of our hands. Much like the gladiators in the popular television series “American Gladiators,” we held a distinct advantage over all newcomers: We knew the terrain and had memorized every trick in the book.

Then, when we decided to sign up for a woodsball tournament across the state, we finally met with humility. We hopped out of the van ready to do battle, but within moments of the start of the game I was pulverized with paint by a sneaky duo of players dressed in paintball ghillie suits. I had never stopped to consider that the surrounding could affect game play and strategy in such a dramatic way.

As a paintball enthusiast and football fan, I like to draw comparisons between my two favorite sports. Although paintball participants need to utilize the skills inherent to many positions on the football field, I believe they are most like a running back. In order to excel at the college level and especially in the NFL, a running back must demonstrate great field vision and the ability to anticipate what comes next. By scanning far down the field, he has a better chance of juking and jiving past tacklers.

Not only that, but the running back always gets more yards if his feet are constantly churning; that ensures that he’ll at least fall forward if he doesn’t actually break a tackle for a big gain. In paintball, the object is much the same. The point is to stay in motion and always keep close tabs on what’s happening in front of you. Strap on your tactical paintball gear and get your head into the game.

When I started playing paintball, my friends and I would assemble in the same stand of woods on an island just outside the city limits. This remote location ensured that our games would go largely undisturbed. I became so familiar with the lay of the land that I found all sorts of tactical advantages. For instance, I knew all the best locations for scouting opponents from a distance. I also knew just where to hide if I suddenly came under attack.

Unfortunately, playing so much paintball in one place made me a bit overconfident. When I joined in a game of speedball – which features man-made obstacles that are equal on both sides of the playing field – I was totally out of my element. I ended up running around with my Tippmann paintball guns blazing; I had no plan, and it wasn’t long before some experienced speedballers wasted me. It just goes to show that you should familiarize yourself with the field of play well in advance.

Are you sure you’re ready to participate in the game? Make certain your equipment works properly. Whether you are using a paintball marker, a paintball pistol or a grenade launcher, maintenance is paramount. Always clean your gear immediately after each game. There are a number of neat items from swabs to squeegees to help you clean your equipment. If you put it off until later, you may forget about it completely. You may think you are ready for the next scenario, however, your equipment will not be ready.

To illustrate the importance of weapon maintenance, here is an historical observation: when the British fought and reclaimed the Falkland Islands from Argentina, they found thousands of rifles, but only a few cleaning rods. No wonder the British won!

Imagine the utter chaos that would ensue if a paintball team were to take the field without any prearranged signals or strategies. It could take a significant stretch of time for a leader to emerge from the group, and by that time the whole team is toast. Advanced paintballers rely on effective communication to win games, and that means leaders and followers.

Think about a paintball game as a real military campaign in which the general gives the orders and the rest of the troops carry them out. Of course paintball isn’t a matter of life or death, and no one is going to face a court marshal for disobeying a command. Still, it’s important to establish some ground rules before strapping on a paintball vest and taking the field. The more experienced players should be calling the shots. Don’t be afraid to speak up during a game of outdoor paintball unless the enemy is within close proximity.

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Just as in combat, Winter protection becomes a consideration when planning any outdoor game. I guess just about everyone has heard how poorly our troops were prepared for the winters in Korea. From that I learned rather than wearing a bigger, heavier coat, to think about layering. The layers will protect you and will tend to reduce bruising. Layers also allow you to remove clothing as it warms up. Good old reliable Long-Johns make a great layer.

Hands and feet should not be forgotten. Gloves are a must in winter but make sure they’re not so bulky you can’t pull the trigger or reload you marker. Leather gloves with wool inserts seem to work well. Your shoes should be waterproof, warm and comfortable. Remember to wear warm socks and always carry an extra pair in case you feet get wet or sweaty. How about your head! Most heat loss is through the top of the head, so wear some kind of cap even if you are wearing a helmet. Your ears will get cold too. Earmuffs or an elastic band that goes over the ears are a good choice. Next are your eyes. All skiers wear anti-glare goggles to counter the powerful glare from the snow. You should do the same – if not anti-glare tactical goggles then use good sunglasses.

Equipment is no exception. Anything plastic will have a tendency to break or crack. The cold makes everything more brittle so be careful with your hoppers or any other plastic item. Finally, make sure you warm up before you start the game. These suggestions will help you enjoy your day as well as keep you comfortable and well-protected. Remember to have fun!

Everyone makes mistakes as a newbie paintballer, but some missteps are more forgivable than others. Would you rather go down fighting in a blaze of glory or running away like a yellow-bellied coward? In order to excel in paintball, you must demonstrate a certain level of fearlessness; you can’t be victorious without taking a few risks, and being hit with paintballs doesn’t hurt all that much.

When you’re pinned down behind a tree or a brush pile, focus on finding ways to move forward. If you’re not encroaching into enemy territory, you’re rocking back on your heels and displaying vulnerability. On the other hand, if you stay moving, you will be more likely to escape capture. Don’t give your enemies the satisfaction of shooting you at point-blank range. Lob a few paintball grenades their way and keep moving.