• Steps for Setting Your Paintball Goals and Achieving Them

    “If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.” -Les Brown

    Whether you have been playing paintball at AC Paintball for a while, or you are just starting out, you can always find ways to improve yourself. Maybe you want to work on your aim, or maybe you want to work on making smarter choices. Either way, regularly reflecting on your skills and analyzing areas that need improvement can help make you a better paintball player in the long run. Once you know what you want to work on, then you can start working on improving them with these helpful steps from AC Paintball in southern New Jersey.

    Set a Goal

    The first step to getting better is to set a measurable goal. Having a measurable goal will give you something to focus on and help you determine whether or not you are improving as much as you want to. It also helps to make multiple easily-reachable goals rather than one large goal. If you just have one large goal, it can seem overwhelming. It can make you want to give up more often because you are so far from your goal. On the other hand, if you have many small progressing goals, achieving each one will motivate you to reach for your next goal.

    Many times when people want to improve on a skill, they forget to make a goal. Then they end up practicing without knowing where they are going. This can lead to losing focus and eventually giving up on improving your skills. When you have a goal, you can continually determine if you are progressing as quickly as you want. Then, if you aren’t meeting your goal, you can make changes to your technique and practicing so you can start reaching your goals.

    Formulate a Plan

    The next step is to figure out how you can reach your goal. Create a detailed plan about what tasks you are going to complete or practice so your skills can improve. Write your plan down your plan somewhere easily accessible so you know exactly what you have to do. Make sure your plan is specific. You don’t want to show up to the gym or AC Paintball and not know where to begin.

    Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help create a plan.

    • What drills will improve the skills I want to improve?
    • Do I need any special tools to perform these drills?
    • Do I need to go somewhere specific, like AC Paintball, to perform these drills?
    • Do I need help from someone or do I need to hire a trainer?
    • How often will I need to practice these drills to achieve the results I want.
    • What methods do the professionals use?
    • Are there any ideas or tips on the internet that you could study?
    • What can I change if this plan doesn’t achieve the results I want?
    • How can I stay motivated?

     

    Practice

    Finally, it is time to put your plan into action. Get out there and start improving yourself. You might be a bit overwhelmed or hesitant to start, but you just have to push yourself to take that first step. Once you get going, you will likely get in the zone and want to keep going. 

    The more you practice, the better you will become. If you build up your muscles, you will increase your endurance and other abilities. If you work on strengthening your mind, you will improve your decision-making skills and paintball intelligence. After a while, you will see yourself start to be more successful in your AC Paintball games. You will see yourself reach your goals, and then you can continue to make new ones.

    Continue to Look For Ways to Improve

    No matter how good of an AC Paintball player you are, there will always be some way for you to improve. You can always become stronger, faster, more accurate, and more valuable to your team.

    Just don’t push yourself too hard and remember to track your progress so you can look back and see how far you have come. Instead of always getting caught up in your next goal, take some time to reflect all you have accomplished. You can even reward yourself with a fun outing or a new paintball marker. The important thing is that you have fun and stay inspired. If you are not enjoying what you’re doing, then why are you doing it?

  • Paintball Markers for Beginners

    Beginning anything new is exciting, however, it can also be overwhelming. You have a lot of knowledge to gain, skills to master, and muscles to train. This is especially true for paintball. When starting to play paintball at AC Paintball, one of the first decisions you have to make is which marker you want to use.

    AC Paintball Options

    With dozens to hundreds of options, this task can seem difficult. Luckily, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey has made it easy for you by only offering two options. This includes the Tippmann Custom 98 and the Valken V-Tac SW-1. Both of these paintball guns are great options for beginners. They are reliable and can do what you need them to do without being too complex.

    What to Consider When Buying Your Own Gun

    If you prefer to buy your own paintball gun to play at AC Paintball near Atlantic City, New Jersey here are some important aspects to think about.

    How Often You Will Play

    Even if you are new to paintball, you probably have some idea about how often you intend on playing. If your friend who plays often asked you to join their team, you will likely play often. In this case, you will likely want to invest in a higher-end paintball marker. This way you can keep up with other experienced players that you may be facing.

    On the other hand, if you only plan on playing a couple times, you may want to settle for a marker that is just good enough for you to keep up with everyone else. A fairly simple marker can also allow you to focus primarily on your AC Paintball game rather than worrying about how to use your gun.

    Your Budget

    When making any sort of purchase, it is always a good idea to set a budget. Doing so can help you stay focused on your goal. It can be fairly easy to get caught up in fancy paintball guns and end up spending more than you wanted. If you have a budget in mind, you can narrow your options and make the paintball gun buying process simpler.

    Types

    There are three different types of paintball guns. These include pump, mechanically operated, and electro-pneumatic. Pumps require manual operation and have a slower firing rate.  Mechanically operated guns are the most common as they are simple to use and fairly effective. Electro-pneumatic markers are the most effective but are more tricky to operate. For the most part, you will likely want to use the same type that your teammates and opponents are using to keep your AC Paintball game fair and even.

    Your Paintball Interests

    As a beginner, you will likely want to try out different roles and games to figure out what you like. However, you may also already have an idea what role you want to play and what games you prefer. If this is your case, you should get a gun that can help you excel at what you need to do. For example, if you want to be a sniper, you should get a marker that can shoot far accurately. If you like playing in the woods, consider a camouflaged gun. By choosing a marker that complements your role, you can be more successful during your AC Paintball game.

    AC Paintball Regulations

    If you are going to buy your own paintball marker, you want to ensure that you are going to be able to use it during your AC Paintball game. At AC Paintball our marker limit is 280fps. The maker also cannot be fully automatic.

    Reputation

    Finally, you will want to consider the marker’s reputation. Do some research and find out what markers experienced paintball player recommend. If many players like a certain gun, there is a good chance that you would like it a lot too.

    Safety Tips

    One of the most important aspects to know when playing paintball is how to play safely. It is important to follow the rules to ensure that no one gets hurt. Here are some brief tips.

    • Never point your marker at someone’s face who doesn’t have a mask on.
    • Never point your gun at anyone that is not part of the game.
    • If it is raining, keep your gun dry.
    • Test your maker before your AC Paintball game to make sure it is working.
    • If you have your own gun, make sure it is clean and properly maintained.
    • If you have any questions or concerns about your marker, ask them before the game.

    Before your AC Paintball game, you will watch a safety video with more information. Be sure to follow the rule and have a fun time.

    Tips for Playing

    Finally, once you have chosen your marker and learned how to use it safely, it is time to use it effectively. Here are some tips on how to do so.

    • Test your marker before your game. Learn how it shoots so you can adjust your aim during your game.
    • Take your time to aim. While it can be fun to fire rapidly at random, taking an extra second or two to aim more accurately will be more effective.
    • Work on building up your arm muscles so your arms don’t get tired and affect your game.
    • Keep your gun as dry as possible when it’s raining to keep a good grip.
    • Make sure you have enough paintballs before the game begins.
    • Continue to learn and adapt to your marker.

    Being a beginner can be intimidating, but once you learn the basics you are sure to have a great time playing at AC Paintball in southern New Jersey.

  • Paintball Basics

    Before you become a master of anything, you have to understand the basics. While every sport, including paintball, has intricate skills, tricks, and strategies you can learn, it’s important to get the basics down first.

    Whether you are new to paintball, or just want to get back to the basics, AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is here to help with these basic tips to help you simplify the game. By keeping things simple, you can help improve your focus and your game.

    Prepare

    Before you even leave for AC Paintball, you should start preparing for your game. The better you prepare, the easier your day at AC Paintball will be. You can check out some of these helpful AC Paintball blogs to help you prepare.

    When you eat right, wear the right clothing, and bring the right extra items, you can be more comfortable and focused on your AC Paintball game. When you are more comfortable and focused, you will be more successful.

    Go Into Every AC Paintball Game With a Plan

    If you run into your AC Paintball game without a plan, you will likely end up overwhelmed. There are a lot of different aspects to decide including, where to position yourself, what your goal is, and who to shoot at. This is a lot to figure out on the fly, so you should try to plan before your AC Paintball game begins.

    This is actually something your team should plan out together. Coordinate where each person will go and what their role will be. If everyone is playing alone and making their own decisions, it can be difficult to gain an advantage over your opponents. However, if you work together, you can formulate a strategy that makes your team much more powerful.

    Always Test Your Equipment

    Once you have properly prepared f and formulated a plan, you have one last task to perform before your AC Paintball game begins. This task is to test your equipment. Make sure your marker is working properly, your mask is on tight and that you have enough ammo. This will help make sure you don’t run into any problems once the game begins.

    Trying out your marker can also help you aim better during the game. If your gun doesn’t fire perfectly straight, you can adjust and improve your accuracy so that you can eliminate more opponents.

    Take Time to Aim

    Half of an AC Paintball game is trying to eliminate your opponents. To do so you have to hit them with a paintball which means you need good aim. While time is of the essence, in many cases you will be more successful if you take a few extra seconds to aim rather than just firing in your target’s general direction.

    It can also be tempting to use the spray-and-pray method, but this is not always the best option. While it increases your chances of hitting your opponents, it also wastes more ammo. However, if you get ambushed by the other team, the spray-and-pray method can be helpful. Use your best judgment to determine if it is appropriate to use.

    Keep a Low Profile

    The other half of an AC Paintball game is avoiding getting hit so you can stay in the game and eliminate your opponents. The best way to accomplish this is to keep a low profile. The smaller the target you become for your opponents, the more difficult it will be for them to eliminate you. Use the bunkers often and try to keep as much of your body covered as possible. If you try to shoot from behind a bunker, only stick your head out for a second or two. You will also want to keep your arms tucked behind the bunker.

    Keep Moving

    Another way to avoid elimination is to keep moving. If you stay in the same place for too long, you give your opponent’s the opportunity to surround you. It is also more difficult to hit a target on the move than it is to hit a target that is standing still. You may also find it helpful to run in a zig-zag pattern to make it more difficult for your opponents to judge where you will be at a certain time.

    Communicate

    As mentioned before, your AC Paintball team will be a lot more successful if they work together. This means your team needs to communicate often. Make sure everyone knows where they are going and what they are supposed to do. If any part of your team’s strategy changes, it is also important to keep everyone informed. There are many ways to communicate on the field. You can use code words, hand signals, Walkie-Talkies, or have an assigned communicator in charge of delivering messages.

    You will also want to consider stealth when thinking about communication. You don’t want to be yelling across the field all the time. This gives away your position and gives your opponents an advantage.

    Play Safely and Have Fun!

    Paintball is an intense sport. Therefore, you will want to take a little extra care to make sure you and your AC Paintball group don’t get hurt. Be sure to follow the rules, listen to the ref, and, as stated before, make sure all of your equipment is working properly.

    Finally, and most importantly, have fun. A day at AC Paintball should not be stressful. AC Paintball near Atlantic City, New Jersey, is a place to have fun, and enjoy the day with your friends, family, or group. While people are sure to get competitive in their drive to win, it is important not to ruin anyone’s day in the process. Be friendly and show good sportsmanship. Doing so will help make your day at AC Paintball a memorable one.

  • 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/.

  • AC Paintball Strategies for Rainy Days

    leaf-93163_960_720Even if you tell the rain to stay away on the day of your AC Paintball game, it doesn’t always listen. When this happens, you have to figure out how to adjust your game so you can help lead your team to victory. If you are fairly new to paintball, this task can seem overwhelming, especially if you haven’t mastered playing on a sunny day.

    Unless you have serious concerns, though, a little rain shouldn’t keep you from playing. By doing some research beforehand, the rain can actually help level the playing field for beginners playing against more experienced players. If you need some tips for adjusting your strategy for a rainy day in southern New Jersey, AC Paintball is here to help!

    Wear the Right Clothing

    Believe it or not, choosing the right clothes is part of strategizing. When you choose the right clothing and equipment, you can have an advantage over those who fail to plan. For rainy days you will want shoes that provide good traction. Sneakers are a popular choice. You may also want to wear something that will not soak up water, like a poncho or rain jacket. Check out the blog post below for more tips on preparing for a rainy day at AC Paintball.

    Planning for Playing Paintball in the Rain

    Move Slowly

    AC Paintball cares about our customers and their safety. With this in mind, you will want to take extra care when moving about the field. The ground gets slippery when wet, especially in spots with paint splatters. If you follow the clothing tips above, you should have a decent advantage over those who fail to prepare.

    Mobility is a key factor to success in paintball. If you can move around well, you can sneak up on opponents and dive behind bunkers more easily. Also, be aware that you may slide when diving behind a bunker. You don’t want to misjudge your momentum and get hurt or hit by an opponent. If you can learn to adjust to the terrain well, you will gain an advantage over many of the other players.

    Get Closer to Your Opponents

    When the rain gets on or inside your mask, it can be difficult to see. Getting water in your gun will also change how the paintballs leave your barrel and fly. Both of these factors will affect your ability to hit your target. The best way to ensure accuracy is to get closer to your opponent. This way you can see them better and the paintball will have less time to be affected by the elements. Also, be prepared for the rain to make a more intense, yet comical game.

    Stay Close to Your Team

    paintball-1449870_960_720Not only will you want to stay close to your opponents, but you will want to stay close to your team as well. On at sunny day at AC Paintball, some players prefer to spread out so they can cover more ground. However, when it rains, takes more time to get to your teammates if they need backup. Therefore, it is smart to stay close when it rains so you can keep an eye out for each other. Just don’t stand so close that you become an easier target for opponents.

    Use Bunkers More Often

    When it is a sunny day at AC Paintball, it is advantageous to move around more. If you don’t move around it is easier for opponents to take you out. However, in the rain moving around provides more chances to get hurt. While you don’t want to avoid moving at all, you may choose to move around less than usual. Be patient and let your opponents move towards you. When they come into view they will have to adjust their aim to hit you while you can adjust ahead of time and hit them first.

    Stay Confident

    Finally, stay confident. Many AC Paintball players do not care for rainy paintball because it is more difficult to move, see, and aim. The key is not to let the weather discourage you. If you let the rain be a problem, it will be. However, if you stay positive and welcome the challenge, you will find it much easier to succeed.

  • 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.