Do you want to get better as a player

As I stated in the past I have played this beloved game for over 20 years now. I played at every level of paintball. I played for fun only on the weekends, I played in big games, I played in scenario games, I played tournaments in the woods, I played torments on tv, I played on first hyperball field, I played on the first Airball field at the world cup, I played pro, I played in Europe, you get it I played a lot.



The first time I played paintball, I played all day long and shot NO one. The first time I played a tournament my team as a whole shot 1 guy all event. That is right one guy only,we got last place. This doesn't sound like the story of a pro paintball player, but trust me it is. If you go around and ask most pro player they will have a similar story. A story that goes when I started I sucked and got shot a lot.

I am telling you all this, because I see a trend that is not good. I am seeing tournament player only want to play events with teams they know are not as good as their team and they know they can beat. I am seeing the weekend player only want to play with player he can beat up on.

Why, does this matter? It matters! By playing with player that are better than you, you will get shot, you will lose, and losing is no fun. But a funny thing will also happen, you will get better. You will not become a pro overnight, but you will get better each time. If you go back and ask those pro players the question, "How did you get better?" They all will tell you, by practicing against better players. Again you will lose a lot of games, you will get shot and it is no fun losing, but you will get better.



Now, as you get better, and you join the higher ranks, you gain a responsibility.

This responsibility is to help other paintball players get better, it is not to go to your local park and shoot new players in the face and beat up on them. Go to your local field play hopper ball, use a pump, work on a certain skill, but mainly help that new player! Give him some hints and tips. Remember not to long ago that guy was you.

At this point paintball is apart of you and you apart of it. It is your job to ......Remember to have fun and help other do the same, not to take away their fun!

- www.fortworthpaintball.com
www.paintballplayerssupply.com