• Team Tips for Playing Woodsball at AC Paintball

    Paintball is a team sport and for your team to win, each individual player needs to contribute. They need to fulfill their roll, stick to the plan, and be a good teammate. In some cases, a single player can affect the outcome of the game. They could be the difference between winning and losing. Everyone wants to win. AC Paintball in Williamstown, southern New Jersey offers these tips to help your team.

    Playing paintball in the woods is different than playing speedball. The terrain is different and calls for different team strategies. Before playing at AC Paintball, you should plan a strategy with your team members. This will help your team be successful and have fun while playing Woodsball at AC Paintball.

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    Plan Movement Strategies and Positions

    Careful movements are a crucial aspect of Woodsball. With dead leaves and sticks all over the ground, each step can be noisy. There are also different paths to use. You should discuss movement strategies with your team before arriving at AC Paintball. Assign positions and plan where each player should go. Some teams like to use a leap-frog type movement to move forward through the course. Others separate into groups and head off in different directions.

    You should have both a proactive and a reactive strategy. It is a good idea to keep your plans simple. Complicated plans can also confuse your teammates and create chaos. Most plans can change the minute the first shot is fired anyway. You never know what strategy your opponent will use and you will need to adjust accordingly.

    Create a Communication System

    AC Paintball’s wooded courses are larger than our speedball courses. It is a good idea to buy Walkie-Talkies or Headsets to communicate with each other. Otherwise, you will have to yell across the field to converse with your teammate. This will give away your positions and could make you lose your voice by the end of the day.

    If you don’t have Walkie-Talkies to use, you may want to find another form of communication to use. If you stay close enough to see each other, you can use hand or body motions. Most of the time, you will want to keep as quiet as possible. You should move and execute noisier plans while others are making noise.

    Plan a Strategy for Cover and Backing Each Other Up

    If you don’t have a strategy for backing each other up, you will likely struggle to reach your goals. Typically, teams have a single person or group that heads off the mission. This person handles completing tasks and finding the enemy. If this person doesn’t have players to cover them, it makes it much more difficult to succeed.

    You should plan what each player should do if someone gets caught in an ambush. Figure out an exit strategy and who will be responsible for defense. You may also want to plan to make distracting noises at important points.  Also, figure out who will take up the roles of eliminated players.

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    Teamwork

    A paintball team is like a machine. If a single part doesn’t work, the entire system can experience problems. As a teammate, you should always come into a game with a good attitude and be ready to listen to others ideas. If you have an opinion you should definitely voice it, but don’t cause a fight. A fight can throw your team’s chemistry off. Be ready to help each other out and give each other tips.

    If your team has a plan, you shouldn’t deviate just because you think you know better. Doing so can throw everyone else off their tasks and cause the team to struggle. If you do see a reason to change the plan, though, make sure everyone knows and is on the same page.

    If you want to play at AC Paintball many times, you may also want to consider specializing in positions. Doing so will narrow the focus of each player’s role. Then each player will become more skillful in their responsibilities. This will help the entire team will improve. If you want to learn more about each position, read AC Paintball’s blog about choosing team roles. Follow this link:  https://acpaintball.com/2016/07/12/choosing-roles-for-your-paintball-team/.

    Think Outside the Box

    A common downfall for teams is being too predictable. If you use the same strategy each game, your opponent will soon learn how to beat you. Thus, it is a good idea to think outside the box. Do some research and learn some ways to trick your opponents and throw them off their guard.

    When your team comes into a firefight, don’t just stand in one place and continue to shoot at each other. This can get boring after a while. Instead, come up with an idea to flank the other team. Have a few players run off and sneak up behind your opponents. This will make for a much more interesting game at AC Paintball.

    September 6, 2016

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  • Individual Tips for Playing Woodsball at AC Paintball

    There are two main types of fields to choose when playing at AC Paintball in Williamstown, New Jersey. Speedball fields are filled with man-made bunkers. Wooded fields use natural foliage to create hiding places. AC Paintball has three wooded fields: the Black Ops Pentagon Woods Field, the Blue Thunder Woods Field, and the Red Dawn Woods Field.  Each of AC Paintball’s fields has a variety of layouts and obstacles. While each course calls for a different strategy, there are some tips that you can use for all wooded fields.

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    Stay on Uncluttered Ground

    Whenever you step on a leaf or stick, it makes a loud crunching or snapping sound. While playing at AC Paintball, this can alert your opponents that you are in the area. They can easily follow the sound and find where you are hiding. Then they will likely target you and eliminate you from the game. The best way to avoid this problem is to stay on the uncluttered ground. You will be able to move more quietly and stay in the game. This tip is crucial to winning a paintball game in the woods.

    Stay Low and Move Slow

    To stay unnoticed, it is also a good idea to walk weightlessly. You should crouch low, and move slowly. Instead of walking with a normal heel to toe movement, try to roll your foot on the ground. Let the outside of your heel hit the ground first and then slowly lower the rest of your sole.

    Staying as low as possible will keep you hidden behind foliage. If you have to move, try to most where there isn’t much foliage. Your opponents will be looking for moving grass and branches. You should also move slowly. You create wind when you move too fast. This will disturb the plants around you and make you easier to spot.

    Move Quick When Others are Noisy

    Although moving in an AC Paintball wooded field often makes noise, you do need to move around at some point. If you just stay in the same spot the entire time, it is unlikely that you will be able to eliminate all your opponents. It is more likely that you will get eliminated.  The best way to move without getting noticed is to move while others are making noise. Distance gunshots will likely distract your opponents. This is the perfect time to move wherever you may need to go. If there is a lack of noisy encounters, you can also wait for the wind to blow.

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    Be Patient

    One of the biggest mistakes most woodsball players make is getting anxious. Paintball gets your adrenaline going and you may feel the need to take action. While this tactic works sometimes, being patient often proves to be a better strategy. Doing so gives you a better chance of hitting your target. At the beginning of the game, you should find a hidden spot and wait. Let your opponents be the ones eager to shoot and target them before they even notice you. Stay calm and don’t lose your focus.

    Use Foliage as Walls

    In speedball, you have man-made bunkers to hide behind. In woodsball, you have foliage. Plants are not as solid as speedball bunkers, but they may be your best protection in the AC Paintball woods. If you need to hide, it is a good idea to find an area where the vegetation is thick. Paintballs will often break when hitting bushes or trees. Hiding behind trees or thick greenery will help protect you.

    Keep Your View Low

    When playing in an AC Paintball wooded field, there are many of places to look around. So, where is the most advantageous place to look? Since most of your opponents will be crouching or kneeling in the best place to look is low. Try to focus your vision at the lower thigh to knee height. This is the best place to catch movement in the foliage while also watching where you step. Just make sure you are not pointing at a teammate before you pull the trigger. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

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    Wear the Right Clothes and Equipment

    Clothing can be either an advantage or a disadvantage when trying to hide from your opponents. Camouflage will help you blend in with the environment. Bright colors will make you an easy target. If you don’t have camouflage, you should wear dark colors such as black, brown or dark green. You should also make sure that your outfit is easy to move in. Wear light and flexible clothing that doesn’t make a lot of noise. Wear sneakers or boots that are comfortable to do a lot of running.

    Use the Right Equipment

    AC Paintball’s wooded fields are on the large side. If you want to be able to see across the field, it is a good idea to bring binoculars or a scope. This will help you spot and target your opponents. It is also a good idea to use a marker with a long shooting range. You should also make sure that it is not too flashy. Just like brightly colored clothing, a bright marker can give your position away.  Follow all these tips while playing at AC Paintball and you will be more successful.

    August 29, 2016

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  • 5 Benefits of Exploring the Field Before a Game

    One tactic pro athletes all over the world use to improve their game is to walk around their field before the game. Doing so gets them familiar with the new places and helps them focus on their performance. You can mentally overcome obstacles before the game even begins. This way they don’t distract you during the game. At AC Paintball in southern New Jersey, we enjoy giving our customers an enjoyable paintball experience.  We believe that exploring AC Paintball’s fields before the game can provide you with a variety of benefits.

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    Plan Your Strategy

    AC Paintball has five different fields for you to choose from. This includes the Hyperball Field, the Speedball Tournament Field, the Black Ops Pentagon Woods Field, the Blue Thunder Woods Field, and the Red Dawn Woods Field.

    All these fields have varying layouts that call for different strategies. For instance, the Black Ops Pentagon Woods Field has a large pentagon made of bunkers. This area becomes a focus battle area. In this scenario, close range attack and defense strategies work best. On the other hand, the Blue Thunder Woods Field is our largest field. Here individual shootouts are more spread out.

    By walking around whichever AC Paintball battlefield you choose, you can scope out where all the bunkers and obstacles are. You can incorporate them into your battle strategy and plan accordingly.

    Find Best Hiding Spots

    By walking around the field, you can also find the best places to hide. In the midst of a skirmish, your thoughts can become scattered. When you’re about to get hit with a paintball, you can only think about running away. You don’t have the time or focus to think and analyze which bunker or tree will give you the best cover. Walk the AC Paintball field beforehand and find the best places to hide beforehand. This way, if you get ambushed, you already know what to do. You can get out of the line of fire and continue to lead your team to victory.

    Find New Shooting Angles

    You can also find the best places to shoot from. If you plan on being a sniper, you will need to find a good high place where you can see most of the field. You should find a good position before the game begins that you can go straight to your post when the game begins. Then you can focus on eliminating your opponents.

    Even if you’re not playing the sniper, walking the field may help you find more angles to shoot from. By walking through the AC Paintball’s fields, you can find a useful bunker or set of trees where you are well protected. Then you can shoot your opponents without having to worry as much about getting hit yourself.

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    Avoid Accidents

    Another benefit of scoping out where everything is is that you know what places to avoid. In AC Paintball’s wooded courses there may be fallen tree branches or uneven terrain. If you are running and not fully paying attention to your surroundings, you could trip and fall. Safety is one is an important concern for AC Paintball. While we take precautions to keep you and your friend’s safe, we hope you will do the same.

    Get Your Head in the Game

    Outside circumstances can always affect your game. If you had an argument with someone or have been in another stressful situation before coming to AC Paintball, you may struggle to focus. By walking around the course you can clear your mind and get your mind set on the game ahead. Studies have also shown that walking around in nature can help you relax.  By walking around the field, you can push your outside trouble out of your mind and get your head in the game.

    August 23, 2016

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  • Warming Up for a Paintball Game at AC Paintball

    Paintball is one of the most active sports there is and whenever you plan on exercising, it is a good idea to warm up. Almost every athlete in any sport has some sort of warm up routine. A good routine gets your blood pumping and prepares your muscles for strenuous activity.

    At AC Paintball in southern New Jersey, most of our passes are for 3-4 hours. Even with long breaks, a day at AC Paintball will give you a full body workout. It is always a good idea to complete some light movements to prepare your muscles for working hard. A good routine can get your mind and body ready to play paintball. When you warm up properly, you will have an easier time moving around. You will play to your full potential and be more successful.

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    Eating & Drinking

    The night before a game, you will want to stock up on carbohydrates and add a small amount of protein. This will give you the energy to play long games of paintball. It’s better not to eat a lot, if anything, right before the game. Doing so may make you feel sluggish. If you do feel the need to eat something the before the game, try to do so at least three hours beforehand. Make sure it is light and doesn’t weigh you down. Some athletes like to drink protein shakes before a game.

    Also, be sure to hydrate and drink lots of fluids. Water helps regulate your body temperature and lubricates your joints. All of AC Paintball’s fields are outdoors and in New Jersey summers are hot. If you aren’t properly hydrated, you won’t be able to perform to the best of your ability. Dehydration can also cause cramps or make you feel dizzy.

    Start Light

    When warming up, you should start out light. Start with simple dynamic exercises, and then gradually increase your range of movement. Start by jogging for a lap or two around one of the AC Paintball’s courses. If you don’t want to run a lap, you can just find a large open area and jog back and forth. After that, start stretching your muscles and joints out a bit more. You can do some high knees, kickbacks, arm swings, lunges, and calf raises. Do each for about a quarter of a lap.

    Knee Highs – While stepping, bring up your knees up as high as you can.

    Butt Kicks – Make running motion while bringing you heal up to your glutes.

    Kickbacks – Get on your hands and knees with back flat. Extend one leg out behind you and hold for a few seconds.

    Arm Swings – Swing your arms in circles and alternate directions.

    Lunges – Step out far and lower your hips until both legs are at a 90-degree angle.

    Calf Raises – Standing normally, go up on your toes, and hold for a few seconds. Then return to normal standing position.

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    Get Your Blood Pumping

    Now it’s time for more vigorous activity. At this point, you can start sprinting. If you want to, you can alternate between sprinting and jogging. This way, you don’t wear yourself out before the game even begins. After that, you can do some more intense maneuvers such as squats, jumping jacks, side shuffles, grapevines, skips, and suicides.  Complete about 10 – 20 reps for each.

    Squats – Start with legs about shoulder length apart and make a sitting motion.

    Jumping Jacks – Jump while moving your legs in and out and arms up and down.

    Side Shuffles – Make choppy, lateral steps while moving sideways.

    Grapevines – Run sideways while moving your legs in a crisscross pattern.

    Skips – Jump while lifting knees high, moving forward.

    Suicides – Sprint back and forth increasing your distance each time. Each time you reach a specific distance, touch the ground.

    Stretches

    If you feel stiff or have been injured recently, you may want to add stretching to your warm up routine. Many argue that stretching hasn’t been proven to reduce injury or flexibility. Yet, static stretches can help in a variety of ways.  Stretching helps alleviate cramps, improve your muscle elasticity, and increase your range of motion. It can also make you feel more flexible with more control over your body. If you are nervous, it can also be therapeutic and help you calm down.  You can stretch both before and after your game at AC Paintball.

    August 15, 2016

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  • Tips to Reduce Pain When Playing Paintball

    One of the first things a player learns about playing paintball is that it hurts. While paintball is not dangerous as long as you follow the rules, getting hit with a paintball can sting quite a bit. The full body workout you get from various activities may also leave your body aching at the end of the day. Pain is not all bad, though. While it may be annoying, it is typically a sign that your body is getting stronger.

    AC Paintball in southern New Jersey provides a safe place to play paintball. We provide a referee for each game to ensure that each player follows the rules. If you are concerned about getting hurt, AC Paintball provides these tips for reducing the pain while playing paintball.

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    Wear Layers or Padding

    Wearing layers or padding can help cushion the impact of a paintball hitting you. If it is not too hot, you can wear layers of clothing to give yourself some padding. Layers are good because if you end up getting too hot, you can always take a layer off. If you need to take off too many layers you may want to bring along backup padding.

    Try to focus on covering the most sensitive areas first.  Some of these include your neck, thighs and, back of your knee. You can buy official padding or use other materials such as bubble wrap. Many players at AC Paintball also prefer to wear gloves as they help you grip the marker and protect your hands.

    Change How You Think About Pain

    Your brain can be a powerful tool in changing the way you think about pain. If you change the way you think about pain, you will begin to worry about it less. Rather than thinking about how getting hit hurts, think about how you are getting stronger and tougher. Think about overcoming the obstacles and coming out on top. Try repeating a mantra in your head, “No pain, no gain” or “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.”

    Another idea is to try meditating before you play. Try to focus and imagine the game before it happens. By having an idea of what to expect, you can be better prepared for the pain. When you are prepared, it may not seem as bad as when every hit is a surprise. Also, study how your body works. Typically, if you get your adrenaline going, you focus on other aspects and don’t notice the pain as much. Do something before the game to get you excited. You can listen to music or move around to get your blood flowing.

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    Take Ibuprofen

    While medicine may not take away the sting of getting hit with a paintball, it can relieve the aches from using different muscles. Ibuprofen prevents your body from producing prostaglandin. Prostaglandin triggers pain symptoms associated with inflammation, fever, etc. Taking Ibuprofen before playing at AC Paintball can lessen the aching after play. If you play often, be careful not to take too many. Follow the instructions on the bottle.

    Build Up Your Muscles

    Soft tissue bruises easily. When you have muscles, you can more easily adapt to environmental stresses. Strong muscles also reduce the chance of injury when making sudden movements. This can be helpful in paintball as it involves quick moves such as dashing, diving, and jumping. Building muscles will also help you improve your game and keep you healthier. If you are still new to paintball, getting hit may hurt for a while. However, the more you play, the more you will build up a tolerance and get used to it.

    July 26, 2016

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  • Choosing Roles for Your Paintball Team

    One of the first steps you should take when planning your game at AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is to choose positions. Based on personality and skills, different players may be better suited for different positions. Therefore, AC Paintball has created this guide to help you and your teammates select your positions.

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    Frontman/Pointman/Scout Unit

    Frontmen start at the head of the line and typically see the most action. Their main goal is usually to complete the team’s objective. They also find and warn the following players of traps, and create a trail for the rest of the team to follow. At the beginning of the game, they set out to evaluate the other team’s plans and figure out the best strategy to win. A pointman should be aware that they will likely be the first to encounter traps and ambushes.

    Frontman Qualities:

    • Good Leader
    • Fast
    • Takes Chances
    • Likes Danger
    • Quiet

     

    Infantry

    The infantry is a large line of players that follow the frontmen. Their main goal is to annihilate the enemy. They get to shoot the most, create ambushes and set traps. If the frontmen are eliminated, the infantry also takes their place. The majority of your team should make up the infantry. If you have a large infantry, you can eliminate a large portion of the enemy making it easier for the rest of your team. The infantry is the driving force of the battle.

    Infantry Qualities:

    • Good team player
    • Ambitious
    • Precise shooters
    • Stealthy
    • Intimidating

     

    Mid Player/Floater/Roamer

    The mid player takes care of the field between the frontmen and the backman. Floaters can have many different responsibilities. It all depends on the type of game and what happens during it. Their main duty is to communicate information between the frontmen and the rest of the team. As the game goes on, mid players also take the places of players who have been eliminated. This is a good position for players who are good at many skills. When you have many different skills, you can fill in for almost any player that may need to be replaced. A roamer should prepare for a lot of running, crouching, diving, etc.

    Mid Player Qualities:

    • Good Communicator
    • Has good endurance
    • Smart
    • Adaptive
    • Flexible 

     

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    Backman/Rear

    The backman follows up the rest of their team and is mainly responsible for the cover fire. If you are playing a territorial game, it is the rear’s responsibility to protect the flag or area. In any game, the rear protects the forward and mid players when they need to retreat. To keep the opposing team from moving in, the backman should expect to use a lot of paint. A backman is also responsible for informing their team of the opponent’s status. When selecting the backman for your team, you can choose one or multiple players. It all depends on the type of strategy you wish to use.

    Backman Qualities:

    • Can shoot from various ranges
    • Like shooting a lot.
    • Protective
    • Watchful
    • Aware

     

    Sniper Unit

    If you have a small team, the backman can also be the sniper, but if you have a larger team, you can designate a sniper. Rather than just shooting anyone, the sniper focuses more on eliminating key players. It is important for the sniper to have the best view of the entire field. Therefore, a sniper should find the most advantageous place for shooting. They may want to stay back on the field or find and elevated area to observe the entire field. A sniper does not move as much as the other players and can carry more paintballs to take out their targets.

    Sniper Qualities:

    • Can shoot from various ranges
    • Precise
    • Watchful
    • Thoughtful
    • Strategic

     

    Once you decide on your team’s positions, you are ready to book a game at AC Paintball. Located in southern New Jersey, AC paintball offers five different fields for your friends and family to play on. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, AC Paintball is an enjoyable place to have fun with your friends and family. If you would like to book a game, follow this link: https://acpaintball.com/paintball-fields/.

    July 12, 2016

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  • Preventing Friendly Fire

    Friendly fire is a mistake in paintball when one player hits his own teammate. Sometimes a player gets too excited and pulls the trigger too early. Other times a player may just be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Friendly fire can happen to any team, but there are precautions you can take to help avoid this type of accident. That is why AC Paintball in southern New Jersey has created this list of tips for you and your team.

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    Communicate

    When playing at AC Paintball, good communication can be the difference between winning and losing. When everyone knows what each other’s intentions, it is easier to avoid collisions and mistakes. You should let your teammates know where you are, what direction you are shooting, and if you are deviating from your plans. This way, your teammates can adjust their plans to yours.

    One reason teams typically avoid a lot of communication is because they don’t want to give away their position to the enemy. There are tricks to avoid having to yell across the field, though. One way is to plan everything before the game begins. If you plan positions beforehand, it decreases the need for yelling across the field. You may also want to consider using walking talkies.

    Stick to the Plan

    If your team plans positions beforehand, you should stick to that plan throughout the entire game. When everyone knows what to expect from each other, your team will be more successful. There are times, however, where you may need to change your position or strategy. If you do so, be sure to let the rest of your team know.

    Unexpected moves can cause accidents. When your team is already running low on remaining players, it could cost them the game. If your team is ahead, it could also become a turning point that takes your team out of the lead. Either way, sticking to the plan, can prevent detrimental accidents and help your team win the game.

    Clearly Differentiate the Teams

    Another good way to prevent friendly fire is to clearly differentiate between the teams. Before you meet at AC Paintball, tell all your teammates to wear the same color. If you wish to change teams throughout the day, bring swappable bandanas to tie to your uniform. Throughout the game, always be sure that your team marking is visible. If your team cannot tell that you are part of their team, they may end up hitting you by accident.

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    Stay Focused

    Distractions are everywhere when you play at AC paintball. When people are running around the fields and making a lot of loud noises, it can be easy to lose focus.  You may want to shoot at anything that moves.  To prevent hitting your own teammates, however, you need to pay attention and watch who you are aiming at. Here are some tips to stay focused.

    • Make sure you get good sleep the night before the game.
    • Clear your mind or meditate before the game.
    • Keep a song or mantra in your head.
    • Concentrate on looking for team markings.
    • Continually scan the field and know where the players are.

    The more you practice, the more you will improve. When your focus improves, your game and confidence will improve as well.

    Keep Your Fingers Off of the Trigger

    If you worry about getting too trigger happy, you may want to try keeping your fingers off the trigger. It may take a little more time to shoot, but it will give you a split second longer to think about who your gun is aimed at. It could mean the difference between shooting a friend or an enemy.

    AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is happy to provide paintball advice and tips to all players. We also invite you and your friends to practice on one of our exciting courses.  If you would like to book a game, please follow this link: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

    July 5, 2016

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  • Planning for Playing Paintball in the Rain

    Southern New Jersey has a moderate climate which means that the weather changes from month to month. Due to the fact that paintball is an outdoor sport, it is important to think about the weather and plan ahead. Weather can affect various aspects of a paintball game from the speed of the game to your equipment to what strategies are best to use. When you plan for a day at AC Paintball in advance, there is always a chance that you will pick a rainy day. With this in mind, we have created this guide for planning and playing paintball in the rain.

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    What to Wear

    If you know there is a good chance of rain when you are going to play paintball, the first thing you want to think about is what to wear. Lighter and tighter fitting shirts and pants will help keep your control when moving about the field. Waterlogged loose or baggy clothing can weigh you down and make it more difficult to maneuver. Also, be sure to wear shoes with good traction so that you can keep your balance while playing in the mud.

    Bring Extra Clothing

    When the day is over you will want to be as dry as possible so that you are comfortable and don’t get sick. Bringing a light poncho can help you keep your clothing dry while playing and bringing an extra pair of clothing to change into when you are done will ensure that you don’t have to sit in soaked clothing on the way home. It is also a good idea to bring a few extra pairs of socks. No one likes running around in wet and squishy shoes.

    Bring Towels

    Another helpful tool you may want to bring is a towel. A small hand towel will be useful to wipe condensation off of your goggles and other equipment. A large beach towel will help you dry off at the end of the day and give you a cover to keep your valuables dry.

    Bring Electrical, Hockey or Medical Tape

    Tape can be a very useful tool for rainy day paintball. It can help you seal of your goggles and equipment to keep them from getting waterlogged. Good vision is an important aspect of paintball and when your goggles get foggy and covered in water, it can make it difficult to see. Make sure your goggles are tight to your face and seal them to your face with tape. This will help keep water out. A visor can also be helpful in blocking water from falling in your face. Bringing a spare pair of goggles may also be helpful.

    While playing in the rain, it is also important to protect your paintballs and equipment. Paintballs can turn squishy with just a single drop of water and water can ruin the interworking of a marker. If you bring your own paintball gun, you can wrap tape around the grip frame of your marker. This will help you grip your gun after it gets wet as well as protect the circuitry. You may also want to put tape around the porting on your barrel. Seal off all openings to ensure that the wiring and board of the marker do not get wet.

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    Keep Your Equipment Dry

    During play, you will want to keep your equipment as dry as possible to keep it working properly. You can use the bag your paintballs came in or another plastic bag to cover your hopper. Many players also suggest putting the lid on your hopper rather than using a speed feed.  In between games, it is a good idea to take cover inside AC Paintball’s facility. This is the best way to keep both you and your equipment dry. If you do not wish to go inside, cover your equipment with a towel or bag.

    Prepare for Slower Play and Less Time on Field

    While playing in the rain at AC Paintball in southern New Jersey, it is important to be safe and cautious while playing. Rain can make the paintball courses very muddy and slippery. You should prepare for a slower-paced game and shorter games. Rain completely changes the gameplay and you may find that you and your friends will want to stop more often to dry off their gear. Playing paintball in the rain can make for good stories as you encounter and overcome new challenges, but it is important to take your time so that your story is not accompanied by a serious injury.

    Choose a Good Field and Game

    Weather is a significant aspect to take into account when choosing which AC Paintball field you want to play on and what game you wish to play. One of our fields with fewer trees would likely be the best choice. If you slip and fall, it is nicer to grab onto or hit one of our softer obstacles than it is a tree branch. Our Speedball Tournament Field or Hyperball Field are two good choices for rain paintball.

    When choosing a game, you should try to stick to slower and more strategic games that do not require as many paintballs. Also, be aware that the game will be more unpredictable as players skill levels may change with new obstacles and conditions. Some game suggestions for rain paintball include attack/defend, blackjack or tag. Try to pick a game that does not involve players having to dart as quickly across the field. This will help prevent injury. At AC Paintball in Southern New Jersey, we prioritize safe and fun play. If you would like to schedule a game, follow this link: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/.

    June 28, 2016

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  • Pros and Cons of Playing Pump Paintball

    pump paintball gunWhat is pump paintball and how do you play? If you’ve ever asked around about how to save money when playing paintball, pump was probably a big recommendation. Or, maybe you’ve heard the term on the field and are just wondering what is is. Let the following satisfy your curiosity of all things pump paintball:

    Pump Paintball Basics

    To “play pump” means to play paintball with a gun that includes a pump. This type of gun is much more simply designed than other mainstream markers used today. To use it, you must pull a handle back to load the paint into the firing chamber and cock the gun before every fire.

    The humble beginnings of the sport can be traced back to pump paintball guns. Pump was the original and first marker design and the only option back when paintball first started. Today, pump paintball has gained somewhat of a cult following. Though it is not played widespread, there are those that do enjoy the unique benefits and challenges it presents.

    You can use a pump paintball gun on most fields whenever you would like. You won’t need to get special permission from the referee or other players. You may be the only person playing pump and you can choose to do so based on some pros and cons.

    Pros and Cons of Playing Pump Paintball

    The simple design of a pump makes it a reliable, lightweight, and fairly accurate option that can achieve a reasonable distance. However, they were not intended for a fast-paced sport and offer a slow rate of fire and smaller tank.

    A little history: These guns were first made to mark trees and cattle, so there was no need for rapid fire. As a result, the guns offer a slow firing rate and must be pumped before shooting. This is the main drawback of the gun, but it can also be a positive aspect depending on your goals.

    For example, if you are trying to save on paint, a slow rate of fire would certainly help. It would also motivate you to improve your personal skills such as accurate shooting, because you will have less chances to make your mark.

    Reasons to Play Pump:

    • Save on paint and money on equipment
    • Would like low maintenance and simple equipment
    • Prefer a lightweight marker and tank for woodsball
    • Don’t need to shoot rapid fire
    • Possess good accuracy or would like to improve your accuracy
    • Would like to focus on skills with gun
    • Can be careful, cautious, and patient on the field
    • Play as a hobby and for quality experience
    • Play above a beginner level and already have solid communication and strategy

     

    Pump paintball is not recommended for speedball or those that need to shoot quickly. Anyone that is particularly competitive or wants the best in marker technology will also not benefit from playing pump. If you often shoot a bunch of paint in a general direction without paying much attention to aim, it’s definitely not a good idea.

    Should I Play Pump?

    Think about your goals on the field when choosing to play pump. This basic and inexpensive gun comes with challenges that are enjoyed by some and loathed by others.

    Are you just learning the ropes? You’ll want to focus on other aspects of the game before bringing a pump gun into the mix.

    Do you play to win rather than for the experience, and prefer paintball technology over a chance to improve your skills? There’s nothing wrong with this, but competitive players probably won’t find any benefits in pump.

    Are you an intermediate player with solid communication and strategy that is looking to focus on your skills and have a quality experience while saving money? If this sounds like you, definitely give pump a shot.

    March 30, 2016

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  • Paintball Advice for Newbies

    paintball birthdayYour first paintball game is likely to be an exciting and fun experience. Whether you’re hitting the field for a work event, bachelor party, celebration, or just want to give it a try, you are in for a great time. Often new players ask us for helpful information or insider tips before their first game. While you can probably learn a lot more simply from experience on the field, here are a few key pieces of information every newbie should know:

    1. Don’t Be Fearful of the Paintball

    Never be afraid of the paintball. Getting shot for the first time is more shocking than painful. It hurts a lot less than expected, especially when wearing layers and pads. Remember that distance is a key factor as well and many shots are fired from far away. After the initial sting, adrenaline and excitement from the game will take over and you won’t even notice (if you are very worried about it, you can check out this blog for more details and advice: “Does it Hurt to Get Hit with a Paintball?“

    It’s important to not let fear of the paintball keep you hidden in one spot the entire game. You will be very bored and probably still get hit regardless. Take a chance and make a move! Even if you get shot, you will have a lot more fun while doing so.

    2. Never Remove Goggles While on the Field

    I’ve got to get real for a second and give you some very important safety advice: Never remove your mask until you are in the safety zone. After the game, wait until all barrel plugs are in place. Getting shot in the face at a close range can be very painful and potentially dangerous. This is the number one cause of all paintball injuries. Do not ignore this advice and risk serious injury.

    3. Don’t Call Yourself “Out” Before You’re Sure

    Sometimes the paintball that hits you will bounce. The good news: you aren’t out unless it breaks and you have noticeable paint stain (generally the size of a quarter at most fields). If you feel yourself get hit, look to make sure the paintball actually broke before you call yourself out. Call over a referee for a paint check if you are unsure or can’t see the spot that it hit you. However, if you are covered in paint because a paintball broke near you (but not on you) you are still considered in the game at most fields.

    sideshot4. Remember the Objective of Each Game

    Pay attention to the rules and objective of the game because these can differ by type. Generally, woodsball is played capture the flag style and you’ll need to defend or rescue a flag while shooting other with paint and avoiding the shot yourself. This is probably the style you will play during your first game. However, there are many other game variations and special rules that may be played. Just make sure to follow along and remember the objective of the specific game.

    5. Make Sure to Have Fun

    Always remember to have fun! That is the primary reason everyone showed up to the field. Sure, paintball is competitive and you want to win, but don’t get so caught up in the strategy that forget to have fun. Don’t be so focused on your fears or anxiety of getting hit that you forget why you came. Also, if you are worried about looking like a newbie, don’t sweat it. Everyone is a newbie at some point! Take risks during your first game and you will learn, gain experience, and won’t be a newbie next time around.

    Be sure to check out our other blog posts for more paintball advice and tips!

    December 22, 2015

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