• 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.

  • 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.

  • Aspects to Consider When Creating a Strategy for an AC Paintball Game

    board-2449726_960_720If you need help creating a strategy for your next paintball game, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is here to help with this list of aspects you will want to take into account. Once you know what you are up against, you can more easily choose the best course of action.

    Your Team

    The first aspect you should consider is your team. Figure out what your team can bring to the table. Here are some questions you will want to find answers to.

    How many members are on the team?

    If you only have a few members, you may want to play more on the safe side as each player means more to the team. However, if you have a large team, you can be more daring and plan ambushes.

    What is each player’s skill level?

    Before you start your AC Paintball game, ask your teammates how experienced they are. One good strategy is to pair off more experienced players with less experienced players. This way you always have someone at each position who can lead the others. This tactic helps create balance on your team and help avoid having weak areas.

    What are your strengths?

    When you are planning a strategy, you may want to ask everyone what their strengths are and what they can bring to the team. Knowing this will help with choosing positions. For instance, if someone is a fast runner, you may want to place them as a Frontman. If they are an accurate shooter, a sniper may be the best position. Knowing your team’s overall strengths can also help you gain an advantage over your opponents.

    What are your weaknesses?

    Just as important as knowing your strengths is knowing your weaknesses. Determining this can allow you to plan to avoid problems that you may run into due to that weakness. For instance, if your team lacks speed, you can travel in larger groups to help protect each other and stay in the AC Paintball game.  

    Your Opponents

    Gauge Your Opponents

    While you may not be able to ask your opponent’s the same questions that you ask your team, you can try to gauge them based on what you already know. If you know a certain opponent is going to carry their team, you may want to create a plan to try and eliminate them early in the game.

    Even if you do not know your opponents well, you can watch them during your AC Paintball game and determine who you may want to target. Be sure to set up a communication system with your team to inform each other of changed plans and strategies.

    Try to Predict Their Strategy

    If you get an idea of what your opponents’ strategy will be, you can figure out ways to counteract their plan. Think about what your plan would be if you were facing your team. If you can prevent them from gaining an advantage, you can improve your team’s chances of being victorious.

    The Field

    10658860_496608440479653_4244368542241473132_oBunker Positioning

    AC Paintball’s bunker set up is not arbitrary. Each bunker position is carefully thought out and can be part of your winning strategy. Before your AC Paintball game, you should take a walk around the field and try to notice how the bunkers work together. You can even create a strategy to move safely across the field.

    Coverage

    Once you know where the bunkers are and what your teammates’ strengths are, you can figure out how your team should be positioned on the field. You will want your team to cover the field well, but still be safe from elimination.

    One common strategy teams use at AC Paintball is splitting into three groups. One team travels up the left side of the field, another travels up the right, and the other group goes up the middle. However, if there is a path up the middle you may want your center group to travel a bit off the path to avoid becoming an easy target.

    Game Type

    Goal of the Game

    Finally, you will want to consider the goals of the game. Are you trying to capture a flag, eliminate opponents, or defend a specific player? The strategy will can change drastically based on what you have to do to win the AC Paintball game.

    If you are playing speedball, you may shoot more often to ensure you eliminate your opponents quickly. On the other hand, if you are playing capture-the-flag you will likely focus less on eliminating opponents and more on capturing your opponent’s flag while also defending your own. Once you know you know what your team needs to accomplish to win the game, you can choose your strategy wisely to ensure you accomplish your goals.

  • 7 Ways to Stay Cool on a Hot Day at AC Paintball

    refreshment-438399_960_720At AC Paintball in Williamstown, New Jersey a little heat doesn’t stop us from playing paintball. However, it is still important to take measures to cool down when the temperature hits 90 degrees and above. Doing so will help make sure you have the energy you need to play multiple games. There are a variety of ways to stay cool when it is hot as an oven outside and AC Paintball has compiled this list to help you do so.

    Stay Hydrated

    Your most important concern should be staying hydrated. During your AC Paintball game, your body will sweat a lot to try and cool you down. You need to continually replenish your body with water so that you don’t get dehydrated. This will also help you avoid cramps or feeling dizzy.

    It is a good idea to avoid caffeine and alcohol before playing out in the hot sun. If you want to help make sure your water stays cold bring a cooler or try freezing the water bottle ahead of time. Be careful not to overfill the water bottle if you choose the second option. Water expands when frozen and you don’t want to crack your water bottle.

    Eat Lighter Snacks

    Light foods will also help you keep hydrated. Some healthy options are fruits, vegetables, granola bars, and low-fat dairy. Unlike greasy and heavy foods, these foods will now weigh you down and make you feel sluggish. This will also help ensure you are energized and comfortable while you are running around AC Paintball’s fields.

    Wear Breathable Clothing

    Before driving to AC Paintball, you will definitely want to consider the weather and choose an appropriate outfit to wear. When it is hot, you will want to choose a fabric that can breathe like cotton or other athletic wear. You will also want to avoid black and dark colors as they attract more sun. Instead, wear bright and light colors.

    While you may want to wear short sleeves to help beat the heat, don’t forget to consider safety and your tolerance for getting hit with paintballs. If you are not used to playing paintball, longer sleeves and padding can help cushion the blow.

    Bring a Fan and Spray Bottle

    There is a reason why many amusement parks sell spray bottles with battery-powered fans. They are a great way to help you stay cool. Like your sweat, spraying water on your body helps to lower your body’s temperature. The fan helps circulate the air and provides a breeze to do the same. Even if you don’t have a spray bottle or battery-powered fan, simply fanning yourself with a piece of paper can help.

    Get a Cool Cloth

    paintball-1278899_960_720Many online sources and department stores sell cooling cloths that are hyper-absorbent and can help you stay cool. Before you come to AC Paintball, you can soak the cloth in water, roll it up, put it in its container, and store it in a cooler. Then when you need it you can take it out and hang it around your neck or lay it on your body. Within minutes you will cool down and be ready to go for another AC Paintball game.

    These cloths are typically affordable, but placing a wet towel, ice, or a cool drink on your neck can also work as an alternative.

    Come Out of the Sun Every Once In a While

    AC Paintball’s sessions are each 3-4 hours long. You can play quite a bit of paintball in that time. However, you don’t want to spend all four hours straight out in the blazing sun. You will want to come in and get out of the shade every once in a while to give yourself a break. If your games are short, you may want to take a break every two games. If your games are long, you may want to take a break after each game.

    Taking a break also provides a chance to snack, rehydrate, apply sunscreen and take care of any other needs.

    Choose an AC Paintball Morning Session

    Finally, you will want to take the time of day into consideration as well. The sun is usually the highest and hottest in the early afternoon. If you think too much heat will make playing difficult for you, you may want to choose AC Paintball’s morning session that runs from 9 am – 12 pm. This way you will be able to play while the sun is lower and finish before the sun gets too high. If you would like to schedule a morning session, you can do so here: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

  • 5 Ways to Get Energized for an AC Paintball Game

    girl-401179_960_720Energy is important for anything. We need the energy to accomplish daily tasks and make progress. If you want to win an AC Paintball game, you need energy. Most times, the game will go to whichever team has more drive and energy to accomplish their goals. It is smart to know what energizing techniques work for you. This way you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Below you will find some common techniques that players use to get pumped up for a game.

    Be Healthy

    Gaining energy begins with everyday tasks. You need to eat the right foods, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. A few hours before your AC Paintball game you will want to stock up on carbohydrates. Some good sources include pasta, bananas, rice, potatoes, and cereal. You will also want to get an appropriate amount of protein and fat depending on your daily diet and nutritional guidelines.

    You will also want to stay hydrated. You can lose a lot of water through sweating on a hot summer day in Williamstown, New Jersey. You will want to drink water regularly to replace what you lose. Just don’t drink so much that you get sick. The night before your AC Paintball trip, you will want to be sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep to ensure you will be able to focus. You will also want to stretch to make sure you don’t pull a muscle while playing.

    Make an Energetic Playlist

    samsung-933156_960_720Music is a powerful tool that can change your mood in an instant. Have you ever felt gloomy, but the minute you begin listening to your favorite song you suddenly feel better? Just like making you feel happier, music can help energize you.

    Try making a playlist with some pump-up songs to listen to on your way to AC Paintball. Good pump-up songs have motivating lyrics, an upbeat tempo, and good base notes. The motivating lyrics will give you the inspiration to play better during the game. The upbeat tempo will help you set a pace to think about running around and think quickly. The base notes will make you feel powerful and brave.

    Meditate or Visualize

    If you have a busy life, daily stresses can take a toll on your mind and make you feel tired. Giving yourself some time to meditate the game can give you a chance to energize and focus. By visualizing the game beforehand, you can solve potential problems before you even encounter them. You can decide how you will react to certain events ahead of time so you don’t have to think as much later. It will also help you react faster. Many professional athletes use this technique to prepare for a big game.

    Give Yourself a Pep Talk

    It can also help to give yourself a pep talk. Telling yourself what you can do and what you are going to do can help build determination. If you want to succeed, you have to believe in yourself first. If you’re not sure what to say, take inspiration from your favorite sports movies like the Rocky Balboa Series, Miracle, etc. You can take your favorite lines or quotes and keep them in your head during the game. Use them as a mantra to keep you motivated when you get tired during your AC Paintball game.

    Get a Cool Uniform or Gear

    pintball-918086_960_720When you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you play well. If you want to go all out for your AC Paintball game, buy a cool uniform or get some new gear. Just be sure to think about where you are playing, though. You don’t want to wear bright colors if you are planning to play woodsball.

    If you are going with a group, you can make shirts together to give your team a sense of unity. Being part of something bigger than yourself can also help energize and motivate you to do your best. With everyone energized and motivated, you are sure to reach victory!

    If you’re feeling motivated, why not schedule an AC Paintball game now! Just follow this link: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

  • Tips for Recovering After a Day at AC Paintball

    While it is important to exercise to stay healthy, a proper recovery can be just as important. Recovery doesn’t end with your cool-down. You need to take care of both your mind and body for the next few days after your workout.

    AC Paintball’s packages include four hours of playtime. You and your friends can get quite a few games in. The longer and harder you play, the more you spend energy and work your muscles. Paintball can definitely take a lot out of you. With this in mind, you need to know how to take care of yourself after a long day at AC Paintball.

    Rehydrate and Refuel

    water-2105213_960_720The first step to recovering is to rehydrate and refuel. You lose a lot of water and energy during play, especially if it is a hot day at AC Paintball. Since our bodies are made of mostly water, it is important to replenish lost water and energy. Forgetting to refuel or rehydrate can cause you to feel weak or dizzy.

    You can check out AC Paintball’s, “What to Eat Before and After a Paintball Game” to learn more about what the best food and drink options are. You will want to focus on foods that have plenty of protein. Chocolate milk has douche the carbohydrates and protein of other drink options and is one of the best options to help you rehydrate after a game.  Be sure to bring some snacks to refuel between games as well.

    Light Activity

    If you really work your muscles, then just sit around all day, you will get stiff or get cramps. To avoid this, you should do some light activity during the next few days to keep your muscles loose. If you need to go to the store, walk there if it’s close enough. Go on a relaxing bike ride or play Frisbee on an Atlantic City beach.

    Take Care of Your Muscles

    Other than light activity, there are some other ways you need to care for your muscles. Stretching or getting a massage, can help you keep your flexible so you can still move around well for your next AC Paintball game.  Swimming in a pool, soaking in a hot tub, or taking a bath can also help you relax your muscles.

    Eating potassium-rich foods will also help. Potassium is part of every cell of your body and helps lower blood pressure.  Some good options include bananas, sweet potatoes, white beans, yogurt, broccoli, halibut, 100% orange juice, and cantaloupe.

    young-422332_960_720Reduce Stress

    If you are going to AC Paintball again or plan on exercising more a few days after your visit, it is important to recover quickly.  Stress can affect your ability to recover. Nerve-wracking activities can block your focus and use up the energy you need to recuperate.

    If you work yourself too hard too often, it can be difficult to fully recover. Then you may feel tired and stressed on a daily basis. This will affect your ability to work and focus on important tasks. If possible, you should try to avoid stressful activities. Instead, try to rest and relax.

    Get Good Sleep

    Sleep is necessary to recharge your body. When you sleep your body processes and stores information. It restores muscle tissues and completes a variety of other restorative processes. You should get 7-9 hours a night. Sacrificing too much sleep over multiple days can weaken your brain and body. You need your brain power for more games at AC Paintball.

    Once you feel rejuvenated you are ready to play another game at AC Paintball. You can schedule a game here: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/. Remember to stay healthy and have fun playing at AC Paintball in southern New Jersey!

  • Tips for Making Decisions in Paintball

    1200px-Paintball-27527-2Playing at AC Paintball in Williamstown, New Jersey is a great way to practice your decision-making skills. Decision-making is an important skill in both life and paintball. A big life decision can change your future entirely.  A strategic decision in paintball likely won’t affect your life, but it will affect the outcome of the game.

    It’s important to know how to make good decisions so you can become a more valuable player. You can lead your team to more victories and help other players improve their skills. When playing paintball, there are a variety of aspects to consider. Follow these tips and you can improve your decision-making skills for your next AC Paintball game!

    Think Ahead of Time

    Thinking ahead of time allows to carefully plan your decisions before you even have to make them. You can visualize different events that may occur and think about what the best course of action will be. This way, if you notice your visualization occurring during a real AC Paintball game, you already know what you want to do. You don’t have to take extra time to figure out how you want to react. Researching some statistics online may also help you plan. You can learn which tactics work often and what ones don’t.

    Your team will also want to plan a strategy ahead of time. Figure out what positions each person will play and where they will go. Having this planned ahead of time will also help you make decisions. If at any time you think it is appropriate to deviate from the team’s plan, be sure to communicate your new plan with your teammates.

    unknown-1769656_960_720Be Smart

    You shouldn’t just make decisions based on what you feel like doing. You need to think about your options and consider the consequences. Making random decisions likely won’t end well. For instance, if you just start firing your maker because you feel like it, you may hit one of your teammates. You will also give away your position to your opponent who will likely start firing at you.

    If you are new to the game and don’t know what the smartest choices are, talk to a more experienced AC Paintball player. Experienced players have seen more games and know what to expect. They have learned what works and what doesn’t. Ask them for tips and just keep practicing. The more you play, the more you will learn.

    Think Fast

    Making smart decisions is important, but in paintball, you need to make smart decisions quickly. Paintball is a fast moving game. You need to stay on your toes and make your decisions quickly. It can be easy to feel pressured when you have to make decisions so quickly. This is a skill you have to take the time to practice to get good at.

    One way to make a faster decision is to just go with your gut. You may find that many times it is right. If you don’t have the time to consider all your options, do what feels right. Sometimes you just have to take a chance and find out what you are capable of.

    Be Safe

    Another big aspect you should take into consideration when making your decisions is safety. No victory is worth sacrificing a player’s health.  AC Paintball’s priority is to make sure all our players are safe and have fun. You can find some of our rules here: https://acpaintball.com/ac-paintball-rules-and-regulations/. AC Paintball will also provide a referee to help make sure all players are playing fairly.

    Be Tricky

    Once you get good at making decisions you can start getting tricky. You can try to predict what your opponents are planning to do and use that knowledge to your advantage. If you think they will move to a certain spot, be hidden nearby so you can surprise them. This technique can also work the other way. Think about what your opponents expect you to do, then do the opposite. Keep them guessing. Just be sure that you keep the game fair and still follow AC Paintball’s rules.