Frank Al-Mahdy
Since this is my first article for this website I may need a few pointers on what I'm doing right and wrong. First off in the upcoming year I will be making articles for this site that may be useful to some of you who are just getting into or have already been in the sport of paintball for years. I will be covering everything from equipment and tech info to playing tips for experienced and inexperienced players. This month I am going to talk about newbies or people who don't know much about the sport. So hold back and try to read the whole thing before coming to a conclusion. Remember, you used to be a newbie. Yes you, you didn't know what things were or what was going on. Wasn't everyone, first time going out to the field scared that you think it will hurt or that you're not going to know what to do. Or maybe you're thinking that you're going to be the best person there and that everyone at the field will bow down in your honor. "I'm going to kick everyones butt" or "does it hurt?". These are some of the first words you hear from people on their first time going out to play. Don't get into some huge rage and start saying it doesnt hurt that much! Or it's your first time how are you going to beat everyone there! Instead of going into a huge rage trying to show off your awesomeness to the world let the guy talk the talk and then maybe he will actually get the guts to play the sport. We already know you're king of the world but maybe he is too. Maybe he is the next Oliver Lang or Alex Fraige. All he has to do is get the guts up to go out there and play. If you don't let him do that then what are the chances of the sport expanding to someday be accepted by all people. If you don't let the guy go out and try the sport that we all love then what are the chances of him finding out if he likes dislikes or loves the sport? Remember somone put up with you the first day you were going to go play. That person was wise enough to listen to you and give you information about it and not to ruin your whole day. You have to be wise enough to try and put up with these people too then the sport will thrive with all sorts of people playing and having fun. Even if the person says they're the best that day even though they aren't don't throw it in their face. Maybe that's their way of saying I love paintball. If the guy is going out to buy a Brass Eagle Talon for $450 don't tell him that thats a great deal. Help him out or else what are the chances he will try out the sport even more. Just because they didn't know what to do or how something works doesnt mean they're stupid. If somone asks you the stupidest question in your opinion don't laugh and walk away or else they will keep embarrasing therselves and something can go horribly wrong. Instead give it your all to help them out and teach them what they need to learn. Maybe someday in the future you will be asking him something and if this happens he will think back to what you did and try to help you out with it. Joe Newbie. Joe is the guy who carries his extra paint for on the field in his pocket. He leaves it out in the sun for hours and comes back to it ready to put it in his marker. Thats a sure way to ruin some good paint Joe. The sun will soften the gelatin shells and cause things to happen like enlargness of the ball or stickyness. He is the player who doesn't know that if you have glasses you may have to put anti-fog spray on the glasses themselves.That's different from a thermal lens or putting the spray on the lens. Joe Newbie gets a little confused and has trouble remembering what team he is on. When Joe sees any sort of movement he fires without knowing that it is his teamate. Even when the person is in snipers position, lying on the ground, feet towards Joe, pointed away from him, hasnt moved for 5 minutes and told his teamate Joe that he was going to set up in that sniper spot. Yes, he's the one who grabs the flag and runs off to the wrong base. Joe freezes up and won't shoot when he should. He waits till the other team gets too close and spots him, so they shoot him before he can shoot them. Joe shoots way to early and gives away his teams sense of suprise. He doesn't have a sense of how far the paint will fly. When there's a tempting paintball on the ground Joe is likely to pick it up and put it into his marker. Even if the paintball is bloated and will not fit down into the chamber. Have you met Joe yet? Hes a real great guy, someday you may want him to be on your team. So it's not a bad idea to give him a few tricks of the trade and hints to do and not do. Maybe if you do he will think of joining your team and maybe teach you a couple of pointers on how to play the game. When people are in need of help in almost any situation it is a good idea to help them. Especially if you want the sport of paintball to thrive and grow.