• Is Paintball For My Child?

    Paintball is an intense sport that isn’t for everyone. Whether your child wants to play on their own or was invited to an AC Paintball party, it is important to think about if they can handle playing. You don’t want them to run into any issues, get hurt, or get into a conflict with the other players. Below are seven questions you can ask yourself to help you determine if paintball is right for your child.

    Are They Old Enough To Play?

    The first thing you will want to check is whether or not your child is old enough. At AC Paintball our age limit is ten and up. It is also worth noting that minors will need their safety waiver signed by a parent, guardian, or temporary guardian with legal responsibility for the child.

    Do They Take Well To New Experiences?

    Next, you will want to think about how your child typically reacts to new experiences. Do they take to them like a duck in water or are they more on the skittish side? As stated before, paintball is an intense sport. If your child gets intimidated by new experiences, playing at AC Paintball may be too much for them.

    Think about other intense experiences they have tried. Have they ridden roller coasters or enjoyed a fireworks show? Were they okay with it? Thinking about past experiences is one of the best ways to determine if your child will be okay with paintball.

    Are They Outgoing?

    Not only is paintball highly stimulating, but it also requires a great deal of communication. Teammates have to constantly talk to each other and communicate their plans. If your child is more on the shy side, they may struggle with this aspect, but it is not a make-or-break quality. If your child is shy, playing paintball may help them learn to be more outgoing.

    Do They Get Hurt Easily?

    During a game, paintballs fly at players at high speeds. Getting hit with a paintball does sting, especially if your muscle tissue is weak where you get hit. A paintball can also bruise the skin or cause welts. Some children are more tolerant of getting hit than others. Talk to your child and make sure they understand everything involved.

    If you and your child decide to go forward with the paintball game, there are some extra measures you can take to help prevent your child from getting hurt. Have them wear extra padding or layers of clothing and make sure all of their equipment is fitted properly.

    Can They Understand and Follow the Rules?

    Following the rules is very important in ensuring your child and the rest of the party does not get hurt. Ask yourself if your child is a good listener and if they can follow the rules. Before they arrive at AC Paintball, make it clear to them that it is important to listen to the AC Paintball staff and refs. This will help make sure their day goes well without issues.

    Are They Observant?

    Playing paintball also takes an observant eye. You have to constantly scan the field to look for opponents. If you don’t pay close attention, you can get eliminated quickly or miss your chance to eliminate your opponents. Like the ability to be outgoing, this is not a make or break quality. However, it is something extra to think about when determining if paintball is right for your child.  

    How Competitive Are They?

    Has your child tried other sports before? How competitive were they? Paintball is a sport that is easy to lose yourself in your competitive nature. If your opponent catches you by surprise, it is easy to think of it as unfair and get upset. If you do decide to let your child play, it is a good idea to let them know that it is just a game and that getting eliminated is not the end of the world. AC Paintball also provides refs for each game to help ensure that the games stay fair.  

    Try It Out At AC Paintball Near Atlantic City!

    If you are still a bit unsure and want to let your child try in a friendly more controlled environment, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is the place to do so. Our goal is to help our players have fun and enjoy their paintball experience. If you have any other questions or concerns, talk to one of our staff members and we will do our best to help you.

    If your child tries paintball and decides they don’t like it, there are plenty of other activities to participate both on-site or in the area. On-site we have an emu farm your child can visit or they can just hang out and watch their friends play paintball. AC Paintball is also just a short drive to the beach, boardwalk, and dozens of other Atlantic City activities.

    June 17, 2018

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  • 9 Paintball Tips For Kids

    paintball birthday eventPaintball isn’t just for adults. Kids can be talented and skilled players too. At AC Paintball in southern New Jersey, our player age limit is 10 and up. We also host many children’s birthday parties throughout the year. Whether you or your child has been invited to an AC Paintball party or has just become interested in paintball, AC Paintball has some great tips for you.

    Dress Appropriately

    When you play paintball, it is important that you dress appropriately. Before you even leave your home, you will want to make sure you have an appropriate outfit for your day at AC Paintball. Make sure your clothing is easy to move in. You may also want to consider some padding to soften the blow when you get hit by a paintball. You will also need footwear that is easy to run in. You will be doing plenty of running during your day at AC Paintball.

    Don’t forget to check the weather forecast as well. If it rains you may want dry clothing to change into afterward. Being prepared for the weather will help you be comfortable so you can play better.

    Check Your Gear and Equipment

    Once you choose your gear at AC Paintball, you will want to check your gear. Make sure your mask is securely on your face, but not too tight. Make sure any padding you are using is secure as well. Bringing gloves can help you grip your gun and also protect your hands.

    You will also want to test your marker to make sure it is functioning properly. Testing it will also help you determine where a paintball will go when you shoot it and allow you to adjust your aim. Just make sure you are testing your marker in a safe area of the AC Paintball field and not aiming at anyone without protective gear.

    Warm Up

    You may be eager to jump right into your AC Paintball game, but it is important to warm up first. Stretch and jog a few laps before the game starts to help make sure you don’t hurt yourself. Also, make sure you have a healthy snack for fuel and drink enough water to stay hydrated.

    Be Aware of Your Surroundings

    When playing paintball, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. By being aware of your surroundings, you can more easily sneak up on your opponent’s and avoid getting hit. You should both look around and listen for movement. When looking, try to keep your vision lower to the ground, about knee level. This will improve your chances of spotting an opponent as some may be crawling on the ground. Then listen for rustling foliage, footsteps or people talking.

    The more aware you are of your surroundings, the more time you have to react and create a plan to avoid harm or surprise your opponents.

    Communicate, But Know When To Be Quiet

    Paintball is a team sport. If your team struggles to communicate about plans of action, it can be difficult to win the AC Paintball game. Your team should have a plan before going into the game. Then, if you have to adjust that plan based on your opponent’s plan, you should tell your teammates what you plan on doing. Then you can figure out how to pull off this plan together.

    However, it is also important to be quiet. If you yell across the AC Paintball field to your teammates, you will give away your position on the field as well as your plan. Instead, you can use hand signals, Walkie-Talkies, codewords, and other communication techniques. If the timing isn’t right, stay completely quiet.

    new jersey speedball paintball fieldKnow How To Use the Bunkers

    There are many bunkers available to use around all of AC Paintball fields. If you think strategically, you can use them to your advantage. Before the game figure out how you can use the bunkers to get from one place to another safely.

    Also, know how to shoot at someone from behind a bunker without getting hit back. Try to keep as much of your body behind the bunker as possible, and only poke your head out from behind for a few seconds at a time. This will decrease your chances of getting hit.

    Don’t Be Afraid, Take Some Chances

    If you are new to paintball, the game can seem pretty intimidating. Paintballs fly at you at high speeds, and everything is fast-paced. Don’t be afraid, though. Yes, getting hit with a paintball may sting quite a bit, but it will heal and you will get more used to the impact. You may be tempted to play things safe at first and that is okay, but you may find that you can be more successful when you take more chances. Keep trying and trust in your abilities and you will improve.

    Don’t Tire Yourself Out Too Quickly

    It can be easy to get excited about playing paintball with your friends and family. You may want to run as fast as you can and shoot as much as you can right away. This can tire you out quickly, though. AC Paintball sessions are 4 hours long and your equipment will begin to feel heavy if you use all of your energy too early. Pace yourself and take a few breaks to help ensure you still have some energy by the end of your AC Paintball session.

    Be Friendly and Have Fun!

    Finally, the most important tip is to have fun! Your day at AC Paintball should be an exciting and enjoyable experience. Try to relax, be yourself, and make some good memories with your friends and family.

    February 19, 2018

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