Top Paintball Mistakes Beginners Make

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Not Learning Paintball Basics

Before you venture onto the field, it’s essential to know the fundamentals. Becoming familiar with paintball regulations and comprehending how to correctly operate your marker is crucial in order to avoid any potential injury or frustration. Additionally, being aware of referee signals ensure that all players are playing by the rules and staying safe while having a good time!

Get familiar with how to shoot your gun safely, move around the playing field effectively, and understand what type of game is being played. Once you have an in-depth knowledge on these basics, it’s time for all the fun! Playing paintball will surely provide excitement as long as you’re properly prepared beforehand.

Not Having the Right Paintball Gear

Initially, as you’re exploring the world of paintballing, it is best to rent gear from a paintball center. Yet when taking up this hobby for good, investing in your own equipment is essential; not only will you feel more at ease but also be able to purchase a superior quality gun!

Wrong positions

When starting out in the game, most new players prioritize protecting themselves over posing a threat to their opponents. This usually translates into seeking out the densest bush or deepest hole on the field and then hunkering down there. While this can be an effective form of concealment from enemies, it limits visibility that hanters intel gathering as well as one’s ability to provide covering fire for comrades in battle.

Staying In The Same Place

Beginners often prefer to post up behind a structure or barricade for cover as opposed to attacking. You may feel a sense of security with something to protect you from the enemy’s incoming fire, but staying in the same place is a critical mistake that can cost you the game. A moving target is much harder to hit than a stationary target, so try to maintain a sense of mobility while hopping from one cover to the next.

When you’re in a spot where you’ve been cornered with no aid nearby, there are three things you can do: Go back as fast as possible, shoot back, make your presence known by shouting out for assistance, pinpointing where your adversary is located. Don’t be scared to reveal your location if they are already firing at you.

Not Following Teammates

Another all-too-common mistake new paintball players make is not following their teammates. Paintball is a team-oriented sport, as players must shout out enemy positions and request assistance when needed. Sitting back or venturing away from your teammates will increase your chances of being hit. A well-organized opposing team can flank you from the sides – a tactic you won’t be able to defend against alone. Stick with your teammates and you’ll find matches are easier to win.

Friendly Fire

I know you’re probably eager to pull the trigger when you see a target lined up in your crosshairs, but you must verify the target’s identify first. Most team-based matches require players to wear color-coded bands around their arms (red and blue being the most common). Look to see what color armband the target is wearing and only the pull the trigger if he or she is a member of the opposing team.

Conserving Ammunition

Don’t get me wrong, conserving ammunition is necessary when you’re running low and there’s still opponents to take down (or objectives to accomplish). However, if you have plenty of paintballs on hand, there’s really no reason why you should conserve them. Playing it safe with your ammunition will not only hurt you, but it will hurt your team as well. Players need their teammate to provide cover fire so they can move into position. If a teammate is preparing to flank a member of the opposing team, provide cover fire by shooting around the enemy.

Not Raising Flag When Hit

This is a mistake that many beginners learn the hard way. When you notice you’ve been hit, raise your marker immediately to notify the ref. Failing to do so will likely result in a swarm of paintballs being fired your way. Players are allowed to continue firing at a player until he or she raises their marker.

Tips For Your First Paintball Game

Dress In Layers If You’re Afraid Of Getting Hit By Paintballs

If you’re yet to be acquainted with paintball, you may worry if it will hurt. While the sensation of being hit can vary depending on the part of the body, most combatants don’t even feel a thing! If this still worries you though, wearing a heavy sweatshirt is an excellent way to put yourself at ease and take full advantage of the thrilling sport.

Keep Your Mask On

It doesn’t matter if you’re a paintball veteran or a total newbie, keeping your face hidden behind an effective mask is essential. Even though getting shot by a paintball isn’t as torturous as some people might believe it to be, direct contact with one can cause significant injuries; so make sure that your face mask remains on until the referees declare it’s safe to take off.

Strategize With Your Team For A Successful Play On The Field

Paintball is an exhilarating sport, and one of the primary aspects to ensure victory is working together with your allies. Before competing in a match, chat with your team and come up with a strategic plan for how you’re going to attack it. This will not only secure success but additionally foster strong bonds between comrades.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up If You Make Mistakes

Don’t be disheartened if you don’t perform extremely well your first time playing paintball – it’s totally normal! The real goal is to have a blast and reduce stress, not necessarily come out as the victor. After all, every misstep will serve as an educational experience for you in the long run. So just take a deep breath, set aside any worries and enjoy yourself!