• 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!

  • 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.

  • 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/.

  • Aspects to Consider When Buying a Paintball Marker

    Ego08Buying a new paintball gun is an important investment. It is the main tool you use during paintball to both defend yourself and eliminate opponents. With this in mind, you want to get one that does what you need it to do and compliments your play style.

    With hundreds of markers on the market, choosing the gun that will work best for you can get overwhelming. There are countless brands, models, and features to choose from. With this in mind, AC Paintball has devised this guide to help you think about various aspects you will want to consider when purchasing a gun.

    Where to Buy From?

    The first aspect you will want to consider is where to buy from. The last thing you want to do is get excited about a deal that is too good to be true and receive a marker that is not as good as you thought. A good way to avoid this buying from a sporting goods site you can trust. If you choose to look at markers on Amazon, Ebay, etc., be sure to carefully read through the reviews and use your best judgment.

    Overall, be sure to do research before deciding on a place to purchase your marker. If you need advice, talk to an experienced player or AC Paintball’s staff.

    Level of Commitment

    Another aspect you will want to consider is your level of commitment. If you plan on playing multiple times a week, you may want to invest in a better, more durable gun that will last you a long time. On the other hand, if you only play a few times a month, you may choose to use the rentals from AC Paintball instead. You will also want to consider becoming an AC Paintball member so you can save on paintball case purchases.

    Price

    A marker is not the only piece of equipment you will have to buy. You may also want to buy a mask, tanks, belt pods, add-ons, or padding. With this in mind, you will want to plan a budget. The marker should make up the majority of your budget, but you should leave some space to work with.

    USMC-06477The other aspects on this list should also help determine your budget. For instance, if you are a serious player, you may be willing to spend a bit more. Be sure to compare all the other aspects to determine if it is worth it to buy your own marker or if you should just rent your equipment from AC Paintball.

    Quality

    Most of the time, if you want a good price, you have to sacrifice quality. Quality is not something you want to sacrifice. If you get stuck in an AC Paintball game with a malfunctioning gun, you won’t last much longer in the game. You will want a durable marker that you can depend on. One popular brand experienced players prefer is Tippman.

    What Facility You Play At

    Different facilities you may play at in southern New Jersey have different rules and regulations. You will want to check on their website or with their staff before buying your own gun. For instance, AC Paintball’s rule is that the marker cannot fire above 280 paintballs per second and cannot be fully automatic. This rule is in place for our player’s safety. One of our primary goals is to provide and safe and friendly place to play paintball.

    What Games You Like to Play

    The types of games you like to play at AC Paintball can also affect the type of gun you should use. For Woodsball you may want a marker that shoots longer distances accurately. Speedball requires a marker that can fire multiple shots quickly and accurately. If you decide to play a specific scenario game, you may want to pay closer attention to the aesthetics of your gun. Overall, you should think about your environment and what marker will help you succeed.

    Position

    Finally, you will want to think about what position you would like to play. You can be more successful if you think about what you need to accomplish in your position and what marker feature will help you reach your goals. For instance, a sniper may want a gun that can shoot long range. A frontman or runner will want a marker that is not too heavy. You can learn more about choosing the right equipment for your position with this AC Paintball blog: https://acpaintball.com/2016/07/18/paintball-equipment-guide-for-each-position/.

    With the right marker, you can be more successful and help lead your team to victory.

  • Common Mistakes Beginners Make at AC Paintball

    “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” –Albert Einstein

    1024px-thumbnailEvery time you try something new, you are bound to make mistakes. This is how we learn. We try to approach challenges in different ways until we find out what works. Playing paintball is no exception. Many players make plenty of mistakes the first time they play at AC Paintball. However, if it is your first time, you can learn from previous player’s mistakes and improve your game before you even begin. Below you will find some common mistakes and AC Paintball’s tips on how to fix them.

    Not Listening to Rules and Directions

    When it is your first time playing paintball and you don’t fully know what you are doing, it is imperative to listen to directions. While AC Paintball’s staff explains how to use your marker and the rules of the field, you will want to pay close attention.

    You should always keep your mask on during play and be aware where your marker is pointed. These rules are in place for your safety. Our priority is to make sure your paintball experience is safe and fun. You can find more of AC Paintball’s rules here: https://acpaintball.com/ac-paintball-rules-and-regulations/.

    Not Planning

    The best way to avoid mistakes when you do anything is to research and plan ahead. You can save yourself a lot of headaches this way. When it comes to paintball, you will want to know your position and where you are going to go when the game starts. Walk around the AC Paintball field before the game to get an idea where everything is.

    You will also want to know what your team’s strategy will be and what your responsibilities are. Collaborating with your team ahead of time can pay off greatly during a game. When everyone knows what they are supposed to do, it is easier to accomplish your team’s goals. Then the whole team will have a greater chance at victory. Once you have a good strategy, it’s just a matter of following the plan and making a few adjustments here and there.

    Forgetting to Move

    It is easy for new players to find a good bunker for cover and just stay there for a long time. The bunker may keep you safe, but you won’t be able to contribute much. Eventually, an opponent may sneak around and eliminate you anyway. Most of the time, it is better to keep moving from place to place. This way your opponents can’t corner you and you can contribute more to the game.

    texture3Forgetting to be Offensive

    Just like staying in the same place, some new players forget to be offensive. You may think that peeking out from behind a bunker will cause opponents to start shooting at you. This may be true, but if you don’t look around, you won’t be able to find opponent’s to eliminate.

    It is important to remember to be offensive and shoot fairly often. Be a threat to the other team. Make them think carefully before they try to eliminate you. This can help give you an upper hand and be more productive during your AC Paintball game.

    Not Communicating

    Communication is important in any team sport. Your teammates need to know what you plan on doing so they can adjust accordingly. Talking to your team allows you to work together to reach your goals. The better you can work together, the better your chances will be at winning the game. Come up with a communication plan beforehand, or bring some Walkie-Talkies. This way you don’t have to yell the whole time and give away your position.

    Forgetting to Refuel and Rehydrate

    In the middle of all the fun, it can be easy to forget to replenish your energy and water. Playing paintball for four hours can take a lot out of you. Sweating will cause you to lose plenty of water and using your muscles will burn energy. After playing a game or two, it is important to take a break to snack and rehydrate. This will help you continue to play well when you’re playing your last few games at AC Paintball.