• Tips for Being a Middleman

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

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

    Be Alert

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

    Play Both Offense and Defense

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

    Be Flexible

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

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

    Bonus Tip: Choosing a Middleman

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

    Get Creative

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

    Pay Attention to Communication

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

    Choose a Balanced Gun

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

    Practice

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

  • Tips for Communicating Across the AC Paintball Field

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

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

    What Is Important to Communicate?

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

    Movement and Strategy

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

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

    paintball-1282158_960_720

    Positioning

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

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

    Kill Counts

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

    Develop a System

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

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

    Make Sure Your Message is Short and Clear

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

    Don’t Give Away Important Info to the Other Team

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

    Hand Signals

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

    Code Words

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

    Walkie-Talkies

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

    Practice at AC Paintball

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

  • Tips for Choosing Paintball Goggles

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

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

    Price

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

    Comfort

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

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

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

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

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

    Lenses and Frames

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

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

    Durability

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

    Aesthetics

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

    AC Paintball’s Rentals

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

  • 5 Tips to Improve Your Focus

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

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

    Take Care of Outside Problems Beforehand

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

    Visualize The Game

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

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

    paintball-1278901_960_720Don’t Overthink

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

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

    Find a Way To Relax

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

    Use a Song or Mantra

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

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

  • 7 Tips for Being a Team Player

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

    Participate and Use Your Strengths to Benefit Your Team

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

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

    Listen and Communicate

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

    Be Flexible

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

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

    Support and Respect Other Players

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

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

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

    Don’t Be a Showoff

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

    Don’t Give Up On Other Players

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

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

    Go Above and Beyond

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

  • Deciding When To Shoot and When Not To Shoot

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

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

    What Are Your Chances of Hitting Your Target?

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

    Will You Give Away Your Position?

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

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

    paintball-1139966_960_720How Many Are in the Area?

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

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

    How Important Is the Player You Are Shooting At?

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

    How Much Ammo Do You Have?

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

    Make Your Decision Quickly

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

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

  • AC Paintball’s Tips for Shooting

    paintball-1278899_960_720One of the most important skills you will use during an AC Paintball game is shooting. If you can’t hit your target, you won’t be able to eliminate your opponents or defend yourself. Becoming an accurate shooter can make you more valuable to your team. With this in mind, there are multiple aspects to think about when trying to improve your shooting skills. AC Paintball is here to help with these tips and aspects to think about when practicing and improving your skills.

    Choose the Right Marker

    The first step to making sure your shooting is accurate, is to choose the right marker. Every gun is a bit different. Some can shoot farther while others can rapid fire faster than others. They also come in different styles, weights, shapes, and more. When trying to choose the right gun for you, you should consider your skills, position, and the game you are playing.

    AC Paintball rents two different markers, the Tippmann Custom 98 Marker, and the Valken V-Tac SW-1 Marker. You can find a comparison of the two here: https://acpaintball.com/2016/04/28/tippmann-custom-marker-vs-valken-marker/. You can also find tips for choosing the right marker for different types of games in AC Paintball’s blog. By learning to choose the right gun, you can improve your ability to eliminate opponents and contribute to your team.

    When and How Often

    The next thing you should determine is when to shoot and how often. While firing your marker is fun, you don’t want to waste ammo. Firing your gun at the wrong time can also give away your position. When on the AC Paintball fields, try to be aware of who is around and what your team’s strategy needs you to do.

    The amount you should shoot depends on your position and in-game situation. For instance, if you are a sniper trying to take your one opponent, you may only want to fire one or two shots. However, if you are part of the infantry defending a frontman against multiple opponents, you will want to fire rapidly. You will need to analyze each situation individually and fire the amount you find appropriate. The more you practice at AC Paintball, the better you will get at making the right decisions quickly.

    Posture

    sideshotHaving the right posture can help improve your aim. During an AC Paintball game, your posture may be slightly different depending on if and where you are trying to hide and if you need to be ready to move quickly. For the most part, though, you should be in a comfortable position, facing forward as much as possible, and with your marker close to the center of your body. While certain situations may call for you to shoot in a different position, this posture will typically provide the best results.

    Aim

    Once you have decent posture, you can aim your marker. Before you start your AC Paintball game, it is a good idea to take a couple practice shots. This way you can get a feel for your marker and learn how to adjust your aim for the game. To determine approximately where your paintball will go, look along the top of the barrel.

    During the game, try to observe how your gun is positioned and where the paintball goes. Try to continually learn and adjust so you can improve your overall accuracy.

    Adjusting to Elements

    The different types of southern New Jersey weather can also affect your ability to shoot accurately. For instance, rain can dissolve the outer coating of the paintball which causes it to leave the barrel and fly differently. Cold weather can also cause the velocity of the paintball to fluctuate. When the weather is affecting your shooting, it is important to take extra care when adjusting your aim.

    For more tips on adjusting your game to weather conditions, check out this AC Paintball blog: https://acpaintball.com/2017/02/20/adapting-your-paintball-game-to-the-weather/.

    Practice

    Once you determine what shooting aspects you want to work on, all that is left to do is practice. AC Paintball offers five different courses you can practice on. This includes both Woodsball and Speedball courses. If you would like to schedule a game, you can do so here: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/. You may also want to consider signing up for AC Paintball’s yearly membership. This way you can save on paintballs as you practice.

  • 5 Reasons to Choose AC Paintball for a Date

    couple-1210023_960_720Looking for a unique date idea in the Williamstown, New Jersey area? AC Paintball is an out-of-the-box outing idea that will show your date that you are creative and imaginative. If you have been sticking mostly to the typical date ideas such as dinner and movies, paintball can help you shake up your routine and give your relationship and extra spark.

    See Your Dates Personality

    An AC Paintball date is a great way to learn more about your date’s personality. Since paintball is a team sport, you will get to see how they interact with and treat others. You will also get to see how they interact in a competitive environment or under pressure. Seeing how your date interacts when it’s not just the two of you can help you judge if they are someone you want to build a relationship with.

    Gives You More to Talk About

    Sometimes dates can get awkward. If you are just sitting alone at a table, you have to continually find something new to talk about. If you are lucky, you and your date will click and talking will be easy. However, if you can’t find something to talk about, your date will drag on with awkward small talk.

    A date at AC Paintball can help eliminate the awkward small talk. Paintball is a sport that requires a lot of communication, so there is always something to talk about. If you are on the same team, you can communicate about your strategies and compliment each other on nice shots. If you are on opposite teams, you can try some flirtatious smack talk.

    Good for Highly Active Couples

    birthday paintball NJWhile some couples are happy to sit around, talk, and play card or board games, others want to get up and move around. AC Paintball is a great date choice for active couples. You are constantly running around, carrying your marker, and perform various stunts to avoid getting hit by a paintball. You can get a workout, all while having fun with your date.

    It’s Thrilling

    A paintball date is much more thrilling than the average date. It gets your heart beating and your adrenaline pumping. If you take your date to AC Paintball, they will likely think you are exciting and inspiring. They may even associate their fast beating heart with the feeling of being in love.

    Remember when you were in elementary school and someone picking on you meant they liked you? A paintball date can work the same way. You can flirt with each other by picking on each other throughout the game. Many people find it sexy and attractive when you show your competitive side, so you can impress your date by being bold and daring. If you want to add more to the stakes, make a bet where the loser buys dinner.

    Introduce Your Date to Your Friends and Family

    While you may want to keep your first two dates to just the two of you, paintball is a great date for later in the relationship. You can use an AC Paintball date as a chance to introduce your date to your friends and family. You can find out how your date gets along with your friends and learn what your friends think of your date. Paintball is a great way for people to bond and get to know one another. You can bring together the people you care about most for a fun-filled day.

    Schedule Your AC Paintball Date Now!

    If a paintball date sounds like a perfect date for you, schedule a game now! AC Paintball is located just a short drive away from the beach, so you can have an action-packed day, then relax on the beach. AC Paintball rents all the equipment you may need so you don’t have to worry about planning out every single detail like some other date ideas. You are sure to impress your date with this unique and exhilarating date idea.

  • Common Misconceptions about Paintball

    close-eyes-1879094_960_720Most sports and hobbies come with a variety of expectations about the activities themselves and the people who participate in that activity.  While some of these expectations may be true, others are merely misconceptions. Paintball is no exception. There are multiple stereotypes surrounding paintball.

    AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is here to contest these misconceptions. Below are some common beliefs about paintball and its players that are either completely false or not entirely true.

    It’s Dangerous and Violent

    With paintball markers closely resembling guns, some may be quick to associate paintball with danger and violence. However, paintball actually has few reported injuries compared to other popular sports such as soccer, basketball, hockey, and football.

    While guns may fire paintballs quickly, it is rare for players to endure a serious injury. With the use of some padding, players can soften the blow and help protect themselves from bruises. Even without padding, players can build up their resistance to bruises by strengthening their muscle tissue.

    AC Paintball also has many rules and regulations in place to help ensure the safety of our players. Referees provided by AC Paintball will also help ensure that all players are following these rules.

    It Is a Male Dominated Sport

    When picturing a paintball player, many people may likely picture a male first. In fact, many extreme sports are typically thought of as being male-dominated. However, this is not the case. While a large percentage of paintball players may be males, female interest is growing quickly.

    Both males and females can be skilled players and many talented female players visit AC Paintball on a daily basis. We have also hosted many bachelorette parties for thrill-seeking bridal parties. Being a girl should never stop you from playing paintball if it is something you are interested in, so don’t let anyone stop you if it is something you want to give a try.

    Having Cool Gear or Lack of Padding Makes You a Pro

    Paintball gear can get expensive. With that in mind, some may think that the cooler the gear you have, the more likely you are to be a pro. This is not always the case. Some people buy fancy equipment just because they want to. The look of the gear may just be an important aspect to them.

    paintball-2220450_960_720Others are happy just to rent their equipment, but this does not mean they aren’t good players. Just because a player rents gear from AC Paintball, doesn’t mean they won’t be the toughest opponent you have ever faced. You have to stay on your toes and be ready for anything.  Just like you can’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a player based on their gear.

    Experienced Players Hate Beginners

    While there may always be a few experienced players who prefer to play only with other professional players, most experienced players are happy to help out beginners. Most players would be happy to provide tips and tricks to players who are just starting out. Helping others makes players feel useful and is a good way to make friends. At AC Paintball we all share a common interest in paintball and are happy to help interest in the sport grow and thrive.

    You Have to Stick with an Archetype

    When it comes to sports, many athletes are put into specific positions and trained to specialize in that position. They may end up playing that position for most of their lives. It doesn’t have to be that way though. At AC Paintball we encourage to try different positions, games, and equipment. You don’t have to stick to always playing speedball and being a Backman with a Tippman 98 just because that is what you did the first time.

    Trying various equipment, games, and positions at the beginning will help you find what you like most and what you are best at. Even if you have been playing for a while, changing things up can help you improve in other areas. By getting other perspectives, you can learn how to better support your team. If you’re ready to try something new, schedule a game at AC Paintball now!

  • Tips for Introducing Your Friend to Paintball

    pokemon-1553995_960_720Introducing another friend or family is a great way to bond with them. You can get away from your electronic devices, get a good workout, and blow off some steam from daily stresses. Some of your friends may get nervous when they hear you ask them to join you though. However, if you can persuade them to give it a try, they may find out that they love it!

    The key is to make their first time playing as fun and enjoyable as possible. Try to make it even better than your first time. AC Paintball in southern New Jersey is here to help with these tips to help you accomplish this task.

    Explain What They Can Expect Their First Time

    Think about times in your life when you have had to do something completely new that you knew little to nothing about. You may have been nervous about unexpected problems popping up or making a big mistake. If your friend is a beginner, it is a good idea to let them know what to expect. Tell them about your first time playing, what you learned, and how they can avoid common mistakes.

    You can even choose an AC Paintball field and game type ahead of time. Show them the field and explain the specific of the game. By getting them into the right mindset, they will be more confident to give paintball a try.

    Attend to Their Concerns

    Your friend may have other concerns other than not knowing what to expect. Be sure to let them vent and help them quell any fears by being supportive. If they are nervous about the pain of getting hit, tell them to wear thick clothing or padding. AC Paintball also has rules and regulations in place to help ensure player’s safety.  You can also let them that they will get used to it.  Paintball may look dangerous, but it actually sees fewer injuries than other popular sports.

    If they are concerned about not being good their first time, let them know that many players make mistakes their first time. That is how you learn and get better. You can also give them some of your tips so they feel like they are ahead of the game. People tend to like doing things they are good at so if your tips make them play well, they may end up liking paintball more.

    Show Them Why You Think Paintball is Fun

    Think about why you like paintball so much. What aspects make it fun to you? Chances are if someone is your friend, you probably have similar tastes and interests. So if you show them what you like about playing at AC Paintball, they may learn to like it as well.

    paintball bacheloretteAlso, almost any experience is more fun when you are with someone who is enjoying themselves. Moods can be contagious, so if you smile and laugh, your good mood may rub off on them. Then they will associate that fun with playing paintball and want to play with you more often.

    Include Things They Like

    Think about your friend’s other interests and try to incorporate those interests into their first AC Paintball game. For example, if they are competitive, give them a challenge during the game. You can even add prizes or bets. If you have a little money to spare have the loser buy the winner dinner or ice cream after the game. If not, just play for titles such as MVP, Best Sniper, or something silly like a largest welt award.

    If they are stylish, let them design or choose a uniform to play in. If they like capture-the-flag or certain scenarios, try to work it into your game. Make up crazy rules to follow and personalize the AC Paintball game to their tastes.

    Bring Other Friends They Are Comfortable With

    One of the reasons you may be trying to get your friend involved is because you want someone familiar to play with. Likewise, adding other people your friend is familiar with will also help them feel more comfortable.

    Playing with people you don’t know can be intimidating for some, especially if they have to play against professional players. Try to play with others on your friend’s level. If you can’t find anyone else to join you and your friend, you can always make friends with other players and staff. The more friends you make, the more fun you can have playing at AC Paintball in Williamstown, New Jersey.