• Tips to Help You Predict Your Opponent’s Plans

    paintball-1961040_960_720What is one of the best ways to gain the upper hand on your opponents? If you can predict what they are planning ahead of time, you can figure out a way to turn the game in your favor. You can avoid their ambushes, you can corner them, you can stop their runner before they capture the flag, and much more.

    Strategizing is a large part of paintball. If you can outthink your opponents, you can greatly improve your chances of winning. If you want to learn some tips and tricks to figure out what your opponents are planning, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is here to help.

    Think About What You Would Do In Their Situation

    Put yourself in your opponent’s shoes. If you were in the same situation as they are, think about what you would do. Many times, what you would do is also what they are thinking about doing. Once you have an idea of what moves they may pull, or what strategy they will use, you can figure out how to reverse their plan to work in your favor.

    For instance, if they see that you are waiting for them to come out from behind a bunker, they may decide to just stay behind the bunker so they are safe. However, you can gain the upper hand by signaling a teammate to go around behind so that the opponent is surrounded.

    Pay Attention to What They Do In Other Games

    People have habits, even when it comes to sports. Chances are if you notice a player doing something multiple times in one AC Paintball game, they will continue to do the same in other games. Use this information to your advantage.

    For instance, if you are playing on one of AC Paintball’s wooded course and you can’t find them during the game, they may think they found a good hiding spot. They may continue to use that same spot until it stops working for them. If you can figure out where that spot is and surround them, you can force them to change their plans and put them on the run.

    Watch Them From A Safe Place

    Sometimes when you are moving around and constantly watching your back, you don’t have the focus or mind frame to try and figure out what your opponents are planning. If you are playing on one of AC Paintballs speedball fields, you may not be able to find a safe place to stop for a minute and observe. However, if you are playing on one of AC Paintball’s larger woodsball fields, you may have time to do so.

    1024px-thumbnailObserve things like their body language, how fast they are moving, and what direction they are moving. Do your best to figure out what they are doing. If you can easily eliminate them and you feel it is the best option, do so. If not, communicate with the rest of your team so they can decide what the next step should be. Just be careful not to stay in the same spot for too long. If one of your opponents is watching you, they may also be forming a plan to surround and eliminate you.

    Watch the AC Paintball Game Marshall

    An AC Paintball game marshall’s job is to fairly judge the game. This means getting closer to the action to get a better view. Knowing this can actually help you during your AC Paintball game. AC Paintball refs have seen many games and know how to observe patterns. They are fairly accurate at predicting when someone is going to fire. Therefore, if you watch the marshall, you may be able to tell what your opponents are up to. If a marshall comes near you during a game and you don’t notice opponents in the area, you may want to take a second look around.

    Stay On Your Toes and Be Ready To Adapt

    If your opponents put you in a tricky situation, you need to be ready to adapt. What you predict their actions will be, will not always turn out to be 100% accurate. Sometimes they will take the upper hand and put you on the run. However, you can combat this type of issue by improving your ability to think on your feet and adapt. The better you get at this skill, the better your chances will be of staying in the game.

    Capitalize on Unexpected Advantages

    Don’t be afraid to capitalize on unexpected advantages. While you want to keep the game honest and fair, you will also want to give your team the advantage whenever you can. Luck and chance are part of the game. If you don’t take advantage of certain situations, you may not give your team the game turning point they are looking for. Taking chances can be the difference between a win and a loss. However, if you are still concerned about unfair tricks, discuss the rules with everyone before your AC Paintball game. This way everyone can be on the same page.

  • Important Aspects That Affect the Outcome of a Paintball Game

    concept-1868728_960_720Everyone wants to win their AC Paintball game, but there are many elements that can affect your ability to do so. Each game will turn out differently. This is what makes paintball so interesting.

    While every little detail may affect your AC Paintball game in some way, some elements of the game will have more of an effect than others. By focusing on the larger aspects first, you can greatly improve your team’s chances at achieving victory. To help you think about what details you want to focus on, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey has compiled this list of some of the most important aspects to think about.

    Strategy

    The first step to success for almost anything is forming a well thought out plan. If you don’t know what you are doing, you will likely end up standing or wandering around while your opponents are busy eliminating you and the rest of your team. AC Paintball has a blog full of strategy tips and tricks that you can visit here: https://acpaintball.com/blog/. These blogs will help you organize your team and form a winning strategy.

    Combine Skill Levels

    Every paintball player on your team will have different skills. You may have professionals and beginners and then every experience level in between. If you bring a large group to AC Paintball, you will want to try and divide the skill levels evenly across your teams to keep the game fun and fair.

    While a single good player will make a difference during your AC Paintball game, a team is typically only as good as the team’s combined skill level. This is why it is important to support your teammates and help them improve their skills as well. If you notice a team member that could use some tips, help them out in a friendly and sportsmanlike manner.  

    Communication

    Paintball is a sport where you need information to be successful. The better your team can communicate and stay on the same page, the better you will do.

    Some of AC Paintball’s fields are large. Therefore, communicating can get tricky. Before your game, make sure all of your teammates know the plan and how your team plans for communicating. Make sure they know what various code words and hand signals mean. You may also find it helpful to use Walkie-Talkies.

    Equipment

    Ego08One of the most important choices you will make before your AC Paintball game even starts is what equipment you are going to use. If you have a low-quality marker or goggles, you may struggle to defend yourself and eliminate opponents.

    AC Paintball offers two quality guns to rent. These are the Tippmann 98 Custom and the Valken V-Tac SW-1 Marker. These are reliable guns that are fairly even with features. To choose the right equipment, think about what you have to do during the game and what equipment features will help you accomplish your goals. You can check out AC Paintball’s blog for more tips.

    Team’s Ability to Adapt

    As stated before, every AC Paintball game is different. Over time, you will face different opponents, play different positions, and experience different elements. You might be surprised at how much the weather can affect your game. When the game changes for any reason, you need to be able to adapt and change your strategy. You need to constantly stay on your toes and be ready to think of plans to tackle new challenges. If your team can master this skill, you will become a more difficult team to beat.

    The Drive To Win

    Even if you have a great strategy and everything else listed above, you need the drive to win. If you want something bad enough, typically you will be able to find a way to get it. If your team seems to be lacking drive, but you still want to win, find a way to inspire them. You could promise to buy ice cream if you win, play some pump up songs, or just give a great speech. When you inspire people, they will play better and have more success.

    If this blog has inspired you to test or improve your paintball skills, why not schedule a game? You can do so here: https://acpaintball.com/paintball-rental-equipment/.

  • Halloween Twists to Add to Your October Paintball Party

    raven-988218_960_720Halloween is just around the corner. If you are planning on booking a party at AC Paintball sometime soon, you may want to consider adding a Halloween theme to make things a bit more interesting. There are multiple ways you can make your AC Paintball party a bit more festive. All it takes is a bit of research for ideas, a little initiative to make it happen, and some good friends to make your party fun.

    To help you get started planning, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey has compiled this list of spooky and fun ways you can incorporate a Halloween theme into your paintball game.

    Costumes

    Halloween is a time to dress up as one of your favorite characters. You can do the same for your AC Paintball game. You can dress up as zombies, ghosts, monsters or almost anything you want. Doing so can help add some authenticity to a scenario game or just make things more entertaining.

    There are a few aspects you will want to take into consideration when choosing your costume. Paintball is a game that requires a lot of movement. Whatever you decide to wear, you should be able to move around easily. Before leaving for AC Paintball be sure to test that you can run, jump, crouch, and move your arms in all directions. Pay attention to footwear as well. Sneakers are often the best option. Checking the weather and preparing appropriately will also be helpful.

    Games

    A large part of your AC Paintball experience is choosing which type of game you want to play. There are multiple basic games to play and even more ways to tweak them. For instance, if you wanted to make capture-the-flag more Halloween themed, you could use a witches broomstick instead of a flag.

    You could also create your own game based on trick-or-treating where you go around collecting candy or tokens and try to collect as much as you can before getting eliminated. Whoever collects the most wins. You could even set up a scenario paintball game based on your favorite Halloween or horror movie. Just get together with your friends and brainstorm some ideas. You are sure to come up with something great!

    Awards

    female paintball playerOne way to make any AC Paintball more exciting is to give awards to your guests. Awards give people something to play for. It also gives them something to take home with them to remember your party. They will likely show it to their friends later and tell them all about the fun they had. It is a simple way to make your party a little more special and memorable. 

    With some brainstorming, you can think of some great Halloween-themed award titles. For instance, you can make a “Count” Dracula award for the person who eliminates the most opponents or has the highest kill “count.” Since werewolves are typically loud and howl at the moon, you could make a werewolf award for the best communicator on the field. A ghost award would be a great title for the best hider or the player who is the best at avoiding getting hit.

    Snacks

    After a few intense games at AC Paintball, your guests are going to want some snacks to refuel and gain more energy for more games. While it is easy to go crazy with the sweets at Halloween time, be sure to prepare some healthy foods. Oranges or tangerines can pose as small pumpkins with a bit of imagination. Grapes can be turned into eyeballs. You can also add stickers or paper cutouts to bags filled with various snacks.

    Once you cover healthy snacks, you can add some tastier and less healthy snacks as a reward. You can use a Halloween cookie cutter to make cookies or rice crispy treats. You can cover cupcakes, pretzels, or other goodies with black, orange, and purple sprinkles.

    Schedule an AC Paintball Game Now!

    Once you have a plan, the final step is to book or confirm your party date and time. If you have any ideas you are unsure about, contact AC Paintball in southern New Jersey to ask one of our staff members any questions you may have. To schedule a game, follow this link: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

  • Tips for Looking More Like a Pro When You Are a Beginner

    texture2When you first start out with any new activity, you likely won’t be as good as the professionals the first time you try. Paintball is no exception. Professionals have had years of practice and have learned dozens or even hundreds of tips and tricks. They know what aspects to pay attention to and how to look out for trouble.

    If you are a beginner among experienced players, however, you will likely want to play up to your teammates and opponents level. To do this, you have to do some research and learn some tips, tricks, and lessons beforehand. To help you accomplish this, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey has compiled this list of helpful tips.

    Choose Your Gear Carefully

    The first aspect you should understand is that your equipment can make a big difference. The first piece of equipment you should focus on is your marker. You will want one that is accurate so you are able to successfully eliminate your opponents. Next, you will want to find the right goggles. If the weather is rainy on the day you visit AC Paintball, rain can start to seep into your goggles if they are not tight to your head. This will affect your game by making it difficult to see. You may also want to consider a pair of goggles that are fog resistant.

    Also worth mentioning is clothing. Camouflage will help you hide while you are playing on AC Paintball’s wooded courses. Lightweight clothing will allow you to more easily throughout the day. Also, be sure to wear proper footwear. Sneakers typically work best.

    Aim Properly

    paintball-1278901_960_720If you can’t hit your target, you won’t be able to eliminate your opponents. This is why aiming properly is so important. When shooting, you should center your marker with your body. Look along the top of the barrel to see approximately where the paintball you are about to fire will go. It will also help you stay focused on your target while firing. If you change your focus, you may also change the direction of your aim.

    Also, be sure to test your marker before your AC Paintball game even starts. This way you can learn how to adjust your aim to help ensure you hit your target.

    Don’t Go Crazy with Rapid Fire

    When you are new to paintball, it is easy to get excited with your marker and want to fire rapidly at every opponent that comes your way. However, this is not always the best way to ensure you hit your target. Many markers recoil after you shoot them. This can throw off your aim. It is better to ensure that your first shot hits your target, rather than firing multiple shots that miss. Your supply of paintballs will also last longer this way.

    Be Aware

    The next aspect that can make a difference is your awareness. If you can sense opponents nearby and think ahead of how to deal with them, you can gain the upper hand. It is important to avoid tunnel vision. If you only focus on one thing, you may miss out on opponents nearby who are preparing to shoot at you.

    During your AC Paintball game, you should try to be aware of where your teammates, opponents and even the marshall is at all times. Marshalls typically move toward where they expect firing to happen so they can judge the event more accurately. If you see a marshall move to a certain spot, expect a battle to occur there and use the information to your advantage.

    Use Cover

    south jersey paintball fieldsIf you are standing out in the open, chances are, you won’t be in the AC Paintball game long. Be sure to use the bunkers. Don’t just stay behind the same bunker though. This will make it easier for your opponents to corner you. Try to keep moving from bunker to bunker. If you get stuck and can’t find a hiding space, run. It will be more difficult for your opponents to hit a moving target.

    Communicate

    One paintball aspect you will definitely want to research before you visit AC Paintball is the terminology. There are many different terms paintball players use to refer to different aspects of the game. If you don’t know what your teammates are talking about, you may struggle to help your team be successful.

    Once you know the terminology, be sure to use it and continually communicate throughout your AC Paintball game. Doing so will help your team work together well so you can win the game.

    Be Confident

    Finally, it is important to be confident. If you are timid, you will likely become an easy target. On the other hand, if you are confident, you will likely play better. You will also have to be a bit aggressive and daring. If you don’t take chances, your opponents will be able to predict your moves and use that information against you. Try to think out of the box and be unpredictable. Doing so will help you gain the upper hand in your AC Paintball game.

    Schedule an AC Paintball Game Now!

    Once you feel confident and ready to play, schedule a game at AC Paintball. You can test your skills and learn even more tips and tricks from the other players. Follow this link to schedule a game: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

  • Tips for Being a Middleman

    paintball-1282159_960_720In paintball, there are many different positions and each player has their own specific role. Middleman is one of the most exciting positions to play. There is almost always something to do and you see a lot of action.

    Middleman is an important role and there are many responsibilities you need to take care of. To help you be the best middleman you can be, AC Paintball has compiled this list of helpful tips to help you fulfill your role.

    Be Alert

    Every player on the AC Paintball field needs to be alert, but the middleman has to be ready for anything. The middle of the field is typically where teams will meet and begin to fire at each other. Be on the lookout for your opponents at all times and be ready to aim and fire quickly.

    Play Both Offense and Defense

    Middlemen are responsible for both providing cover fire for the frontmen and taking out opponents. When on the AC Paintball field, try to stay fairly close to the frontmen so you can get to them quickly if they need protection. Also, be ready to be aggressive and take out your opponents if you notice one nearby.

    Be Flexible

    Not only should you play both offense and defense as a middleman, but you should also be ready to take over other team members positions. If another important team member gets eliminated, someone will have to step up and fulfill their responsibilities.

    At times you may have to take care of both your responsibilities as a middleman and the responsibilities of whichever position has been eliminated. This is why it is important to know the roles of your teammates are assigned as well as your own. When planning for your AC Paintball game, your team should also determine who is responsible for taking over each teammates responsibilities in case someone is eliminated.

    Bonus Tip: Choosing a Middleman

    When choosing who will be a middleman for your AC Paintball game, try to choose players who are evenly skilled in many areas of paintball. This will make it easier for your team to adapt and transition as players are eliminated.

    Get Creative

    paintball-1139966_960_720If you want to give your team the upper hand, you’ll have to get creative. It is easy to just focus on shooting and defending yourself, but if you add a level of strategy to your AC Paintball game, you can make things more interesting. Try to think outside the box. Some things you can do include creating ambushed, forming traps, and performing diversions.

    Pay Attention to Communication

    Another important role of middlemen is communication. You are between the frontmen and the backmen and are responsible for getting messages from one side to the other. When one side is giving you a message, be sure to listen carefully and ask your teammate to repeat themselves if you need. When telling the message to another teammate, make sure you are loud (if possible), clear, and concise. It may also help to repeat yourself to help ensure your teammate understands.

    Choose a Balanced Gun

    Every position should choose a gun with features that complement the role they need to play. For instance, a sniper should have a marker that can shoot far and a frontman should choose a light gun that is easy to run with. For a middleman, a well-balanced gun would be one of the best choices. If any features stand out, a gun that can shoot rapidly would be useful when trying to defend frontmen as well as eliminate opponents.

    Practice

    The best way to improve your skills is to practice. AC Paintball in southern New Jersey offers five different paintball fields for you to practice your middleman skills on. If you would like to schedule a game, you can do so here: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

  • Tips for Communicating Across the AC Paintball Field

    soldier-160419_960_720Your team’s ability to communicate plays a large roll in the outcome of your AC Paintball game. Communication is an issue many teams struggle with not only in paintball but in other team sports as well. If players don’t let their teammates know what they are doing, they are more likely to run into problems that prevent the team from succeeding. Some paintball fields are large which makes communicating across it even more difficult, especially when your team is spread out and you need to make sure everyone knows what is going on.

    If you want to help your team achieve victory at AC Paintball, you should help make sure your team knows how to communicate well. To help you accomplish this, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey has compiled this list for communicating and relaying message across the field.

    What Is Important to Communicate?

    To start, it is important to know what type of information should be communicated. The three most common pieces of information are about movement and strategy changes, positioning, and kill counts. Your team should know what they are up against at all times.

    Movement and Strategy

    Your team should have an idea of what to expect moving forward. This way they can prepare themselves ahead of time and improve their chances of successfully executing their roles. Some examples of information you will want to let your teammates know include:

    • You want to move from one bunker to another.
    • You need backup.
    • You are out of paintballs.
    • You are going to deviate from the team’s original plans.

    paintball-1282158_960_720

    Positioning

    It is also important to know where both your teammates and your opponents are at all times. During an AC Paintball Speedball game where the field is small and open, it can be fairly easy to see where everyone is. However, during a Woodsball game, it is more difficult to see everyone and communication becomes more crucial.

    A good way to communicate where you are on the field is by splitting the field into nine different areas and assigning numbers to those areas. You can picture a keypad on a phone and order the areas in a similar fashion. For example, the back left corner of the AC Paintball field would be zone 1, the back middle would be zone 2, the back right would be zone 3, midfield on the left would be zone 4 and so on.

    Kill Counts

    It is always good to know how many players are left on your team, and how many players are left on your opponent’s team. One of the simplest ways to do this is similar to how you would report a score for various other sports. You give two numbers. The first is how many players are left on your team and the second is how many are left on the opponents team. So if your team has 7 players left and your opponents have 6, you would say 7-6.

    Develop a System

    Once you know what information needs to be communicated, you need to know how you are going to communicate it. You need to figure out how you will get the message from one side of the AC Paintball field to the other.

    One way to do this is a sort of snake pattern. Determine a communication order ahead of time, based on where each player will be positioned on the field. Then have each position responsible for communicating the message to the next person in line until the message reaches the opposite end of the field. When using this method, be sure that players know the order of other teammates around them just in case someone gets eliminated.

    Make Sure Your Message is Short and Clear

    One problem that can often occur while trying to communicate with your team is players not fully understanding one another. It can be just like playing whisper down the alley where the message starts out meaning one thing, but as it is retold each time the message can be changed to be something totally different. You need to make sure your message is clear. Some good ways to accomplish this are to be loud (when appropriate), keep the message concise, and repeat the message.

    Don’t Give Away Important Info to the Other Team

    paintball-1282160_960_720While it is good to be loud to make sure your teammates can hear you, you also have to think about your opponents. You don’t want them learning important information that they can use against you. Therefore, you should develop a quiet communication system you can use to send messages across the AC Paintball field. Here are three common quiet communication systems you can use.

    Hand Signals

    Body language is a communication system that nearly everyone understands. If you point, you want someone to look at something, if you wave your hand in a certain direction you want the person to move in that direction, and if you hold up a fist or a flat vertical hand, you want someone to stop what they are doing. You can also create some unique hand motions for your team that only they will understand. Just make sure you don’t create so many that it becomes difficult to remember them all.

    Code Words

    Code words can be used a bit more loudly than the other communication systems. Their advantage is they mean something that is only understood by your team, at least to start. Your opponents can catch on to what code words mean, so you should only use them sparingly. When using code words pick something somewhat arbitrary that means something associated to paintball. For instance, the term “fox” could mean that you spotted an opponent hiding somewhere.

    Walkie-Talkies

    Walkie-Talkies are one of the best ways to be fairly quiet while getting a message across the AC Paintball field. They are useful when the rest of your teammates are not within your viewing range. However, there are some things to watch out for. It is good to use it somewhat sparingly just in case a teammate is trying to communicate something important and you are preventing them from doing so. You will also want to be careful that you don’t accidentally hold the talk button down while crawling or leaning against something.

    Practice at AC Paintball

    Finally, you will want to practice. The best way to improve your communication system is to keep trying to use it and correcting issues that you find. Team building exercises can also be helpful to allow your team to get to know each other better. This way they are more comfortable talking to each other and understand how each other thinks. If you are ready to practice communicating with your team, schedule a session at AC Paintball now!

  • Tips for Choosing Paintball Goggles

    paintball birthdayWhen choosing gear for a paintball game, many players focus on choosing the right marker. While the marker is one of the most important choices to make, you should think carefully about your mask or goggle choice as well. After all, the mask does protect your eyes and the rest of your face. Protecting your face is more important than hitting your target. 

    Safety is a primary concern at AC Paintball. It is important to keep your mask on at all times while there is a game being played on the field. With this in mind, you want to make sure that you choose the right mask. That is why AC Paintball in Williamstown, New Jersey has compiled this list of tips for choosing the right goggles.

    Price

    Price is always something to consider when buying anything. Sometimes the price carries a lot of weight in your decision and other times it is less of a priority. When it comes to paintball goggles, the price should not be too much of a concern. You will want a priority mask that will protect your face when paintballs are flying towards you at high speeds.

    Comfort

    Unlike price, comfort should be high on your priority list, especially since you will be wearing it for the majority of your four-hour paintball session at AC Paintball. Here are some aspects you will want to consider when thinking about comfort.

    Cushioning– Some masks use foam and others just use a rubber gasket. Think about how often you play at AC Paintball and how important being comfortable is you and choose wisely.

    Weight– If your mask is heavy, it can take a toll on your neck after a while. You want to focus on hitting your target and not how much your neck is aching. If other aspects aren’t as important to you, definitely consider a lightweight mask.

    Fit– Think about how secure the goggles are to your head. Are they tight to your face or do they feel like they may fall down? Some brands have silicone beads on the strap to hold the sizing slider in place so the mask doesn’t continually loosen and start to slip off your face.

    When you have a comfortable mask, you can focus your game and be your best.

    Lenses and Frames

    pintball-918086_960_720There are many different types of goggles on the market. Each one provides a different view and various advantages. Lenses come in various sizes and can give you a wider or taller view. Some lenses are flat while others are curved. Some goggles have anti-fog lenses and others provide enough room for you to wear glasses under your mask.

    There are also different levels of coverage. Some just cover the face, others also cover the ears, and some come with a visor. Many AC Paintball beginners prefer a mask with more coverage. You should think about what features are most important to you and choose a mask that best matches those preferences.

    Durability

    When paintballs are hitting you at high speeds, you want a mask that can stand up against that force without breaking. If you plan on playing at AC Paintball fairly often, you mask will also experience wear and tear over time. When choosing a pair of goggles pay attention to the material it is made of. The more durable mask you choose, the longer it will last.

    Aesthetics

    Aesthetics are usually low on the priority list, but it is still an aspect you will want to consider. Think about what type of game you plan on playing at AC Paintball. If you are going to play woodsball, you will want to choose a mask that is either camouflaged or a dark color. This way you won’t stick out when you are trying to hide. If you are playing speedball you have more freedom something bright and flashy that you can show off to your friends.

    AC Paintball’s Rentals

    If you don’t plan on playing paintball that often, AC Paintball offers two different mask models for rent. The first is Tippmann brand and provides a visor to help block the sun from getting in your eyes. The other is Valken brand and does not have a visor, but may give you more range of vision. If you have any questions or need help choosing the right equipment, a member of the AC Paintball staff would be happy to help you.

  • 5 Tips to Improve Your Focus

    meditate-1851165_960_720AC Paintball games can get pretty overwhelming at times. There are many aspects to think about as well as plenty of distractions. There are always markers firing loudly, people yelling, weather elements making things difficult, and more. It can be easy to lose your focus. Unfortunately, losing focus can negatively affect your game. If you aren’t paying attention for just a minute, an opponent can sneak up on you and hit you. Before you know it you’re out of the game.

    Fortunately, there are ways to improve your focus so that you don’t get sidetracked in the heat of the moment. All it takes is some practice and determination. To help you practice focus for your next AC Paintball tips, we have compiled this list of popular techniques you can use to help zone in on what is important.

    Take Care of Outside Problems Beforehand

    AC Paintball is a place where you can escape the stresses of the outside world and just focus on having fun for a while. If possible, you should take care of any potential stressors before coming to AC Paintball so you can just relax and have some fun. You don’t want to be thinking about homework you have to do or bills you have to pay while you also trying to focus on winning the game. When you’re at AC Paintball, you are off the clock.

    Visualize The Game

    The unknown is a common source of anxiety for many people. When you don’t know what to expect, you may think of various things that can go wrong. Instead, you should have confidence and think of what can go right. One way to accomplish this is trying to visualize the game beforehand. Walk around the AC Paintball field and picture yourself being away and reacting in a flash so you can create the outcome you want. Solve any problems before they even occur.

    If you are new to the game, do some research or ask more experienced players what to expect. They will likely give you some good advice. Once you have a plan, you can go into your AC Paintball game confident and focused.

    paintball-1278901_960_720Don’t Overthink

    Overthinking is one of the easiest ways to lose focus and start making mistakes. For instance, you may be trying to decide if you should shoot or not, but by the time you decide it is too late. Most times, the best strategy is to just go with your gut and not second guess yourself. Your first instincts are usually right. 

    One way to avoid overthinking is to know what to focus on. Think about what aspects you can control and focus on them. If you have no control over something, it isn’t worth worrying about. If you happen to make a mistake, put it behind you and just focus on what you have to do to get back on track.

    Find a Way To Relax

    If you do start overthinking or get too scatterbrained, try to relax. When you are relaxed, you can think more clearly about how to solve problems and accomplish your goals. If possible, find a safe bunker or a corner of the AC Paintball field where you can take a minute to calm down. Once you find have a few seconds, you can try taking some deep breaths and go to a place in your mind where you can refocus. Once you settle down a little go back out and achieve victory.

    Use a Song or Mantra

    Songs or mantras can also be useful at helping you stay focused throughout the entire game. A repetitive beat will help you focus on aspects you want to focus on. For instance, if you are playing capture-the-flag at AC Paintball and you keep saying “get the flag” over and over again in your head to the beat, you will likely stay more focused on getting the flag. You won’t waste time and energy thinking about other things and you will just do what you have to do.

    When choosing a song or beat, make sure it is upbeat, powerful, and inspires you. This will help give you the extra drive to accomplish your goals.

  • 7 Tips for Being a Team Player

    action-2277292_960_720It is easy to get caught up in ourselves every now and then. You have to make the right life choices to reach your dreams. However, when it comes to paintball, you have to shift your focus to the needs of your team. Everyone on your team wants to win the game. To do so, everyone has to do their part. You have to be a team player. To help you help your team, AC Paintball has compiled this list of great tips to help you show good sportsmanship and be a good team player.

    Participate and Use Your Strengths to Benefit Your Team

    Contributing is the first step to being a team player. If you are just going to stand around or do your own thing, there is not much point in being there. If your team give you a role to play, do it.

    Your team is counting on you. When your team is creating a strategy, let everyone know what your strengths are and what position you would like to play. If everyone brings their strengths to the table, you will form a better team and greatly improve your chances of achieving victory at AC Paintball.

    Listen and Communicate

    When you have many people in charge of multiple tasks, you need to have a good communication system. When you start your AC Paintball game, you won’t know what your opponent’s strategy will be. If they start to take control of the game, your team may have to switch strategies. When doing so, you need to make sure everyone knows the new plan. Be sure to listen to other players and adjust accordingly. If you notice something your opponents are doing that you believe your team should be aware of, speak up!

    Be Flexible

    While you can suggest to your team what role you think you would be good at, you can’t always pick and choose every detail of your AC Paintball game. You may have to take your teammates preferences and strengths into consideration as well. You need to be flexible.

    If your team’s numbers are dwindling late game, you will have to step in and take up other roles, so be prepared. When practicing your paintball skills at AC Paintball, don’t just focus on one aspect, try to practice multiple skills so you can become a more valuable player.

    Support and Respect Other Players

    When most people think of a team player, they think of someone who supports and shows respect to other players. There are many ways to do this. They include:

    • Providing tips to other players.
    • Warning players of opponents in their area.
    • Providing backup when a teammate needs it.  
    • Sharing a bunker if a teammate needs cover.
    • Complimenting other players when they do something good.
    • Lift teammates spirits if they make a mistake.

    Team players make other players feel like they are important. If other players smile and seem happy when you are around, you are likely doing a good job.

    Don’t Be a Showoff

    paintball-2220450_960_720You may end up being one of the most experienced players at AC Paintball. While you should bring your strengths to help your team, you shouldn’t make your teammates feel inferior in the process. Be sure to share the spotlight. You can do tricks and take out players, but make sure you give your teammates a turn to shine as well. When a teammate does well, cheer them on.

    Don’t Give Up On Other Players

    There is always a chance you may end up on a team with someone who becomes disinterested in being a team player. They may just want to have things their way. If you want to be a team player, don’t just complain about them or forget about them. Try to find some way to inspire them to participate.

    Find out what they want to do and try to incorporate that element into your AC Paintball game. If they still don’t want to participate, you can let them be, but try to make them feel like they are still part of your team. People are often willing to do more when they feel appreciated.

    Go Above and Beyond

    The best way to stand out is to go above and beyond expectations. If you think of a way to help your team or make their AC Paintball game more fun, do it. You can bring snacks for everyone, suggest making team t-shirts, or make awards for everyone. Overall, think about your team and how you can help make everyone have a good time.

  • Deciding When To Shoot and When Not To Shoot

    1200px-USMC-100806-M-8289C-012Paintball is a game of strategy and decision-making. You have to be constantly analyzing your surroundings and constantly thinking about your next move. One of the most important skills you will need is knowing when to shoot and when not to shoot. Taking a shot at the wrong time can make things harder for you and your team. Yet, not taking a shot when you have the chance can bug you for the rest of your game.

    No AC Paintball game or situation is ever the same. You have to judge each shooting chance individually. This may sound difficult, but AC Paintball is here to help with some questions you can ask yourself to help determine whether or not you should shoot.

    What Are Your Chances of Hitting Your Target?

    The first aspect you will want to consider when deciding if you should shoot is your chance of hitting your target. In this case, you need to think about your skills, the distance between you and the target, and what obstacles are in your way. If you are far away with some obstacles in the way, you may want to wait and get a bit closer, unless you are very confident in your skills. On the other hand, if you have a clear shot, you will want to take it while you can.

    Will You Give Away Your Position?

    If you are playing on one of AC Paintball’s woodsball courses, hiding and stealth become a more important aspect of the game. In this case, you will want to choose your shots more carefully, especially if you are a sniper.

    Consider your team’s strategy and observe what else is happening in the area. If you have an important role and will give away your position, you will likely want to wait. Yet if successfully eliminating your target will give your team an advantage, you may want to take the shot, even if you end up getting eliminated yourself.

    paintball-1139966_960_720How Many Are in the Area?

    Numbers are definitely something to consider in an AC Paintball game. If you are one person shooting at a group, you will likely get shot back at and get eliminated. However, if you are in a group and have more teammates around than your target opponent, you will likely want to take the shot.

    Before the game, your team should think carefully about traveling in numbers. It can be advantageous to have some backup, but the larger the group, the bigger the target. In many cases traveling in small groups of two and three is the best choice.

    How Important Is the Player You Are Shooting At?

    With all of the previous questions taken into consideration, you will also want to judge the importance of your target player. If your target player isn’t much of a threat and other conditions tell you not to shoot, it is likely better to wait. On the other hand, if the target player is important or making it difficult for your team to win, you may want to take the chance and shoot at them.

    How Much Ammo Do You Have?

    This aspect may seem like a given but is still worth mentioning. You should always keep an eye on how much ammo you have left. You don’t want to get caught in the middle of an AC Paintball game without a way to defend yourself. Before the game starts, make sure you know how much ammo you have and plan your shooting strategy accordingly.

    Make Your Decision Quickly

    While there are many aspects to consider before shooting, you need to make your decision quickly. You may not be able to consider all of these at the moment you need to decide, but with some practice, you will improve. Learn to trust your instincts and do what you feel is best at the moment.

    Another helpful technique is to imagine and decide what you would do in various situations before the game even starts. This way, when you notice a similar situation during an AC Paintball game, you already know what you want to do.