Paintball Strategy, Tips, and Tricks – Woodsball
More to Recreational Games than Electronic Triggers and Gimmicks
Paintball is an emerging sport with a large following of players who are extremely invested in the game – buying accessories such as web belts, pods, barrels, even realtree camouflage in an effort to stay on top. Woodsball, or paintball played in a naturally wooded area that may or may not have barrels, walls, or forts built out of slatwood or metal is one of the most common varieties of play. For those intrepid players willing to give the game a try, a few pieces of advice are certainly appropriate.
Camouflage, Padding, and Lenses
Woodsball can be a very trying experience when it comes to patience and stealth – the forest provides many natural hiding places. Camouflage or, at the very least, darkly coloured clothing is an absolute must. Showing up to an outdoor game with a brightly coloured jersey on is simply asking for punishment and frustration. Realtree camouflage can be an excellent choice but standard camo is acceptable as well
Wearing multiple layers of clothing is certainly advised – there should be no visible skin showing during any game of paintball, let alone a game taking place in the wild. Welts are not uncommon in the realm of paintball – and in many winter climate one can even suffer surface cuts to the skin if one is not adequately protected. The bottom line – always wear multiple layers of clothing, even if thinly layered in the summertime, to protect yourself from injury.
Finally, it is essential that whatever mask that you choose to wear for a game of recreational paintball be blessed with thermal lenses. Thermal lenses, much like thermal windows, prevent fogging to a large degree. The heat of your own breath and perspiration will quickly fog your lenses if they are not thermal. It is not recommended that you purchase any headgear, or even rent a mask, that does not possess these lenses or better.
Strategy and Tips
There are a few basic tips that apply to nearly all woodland games and will be of great help to new players as well as perhaps being a gentle reminder to more experienced weekend warriors.
- Cover is your best friend. At no time, unless you are moving towards a new piece of cover, should you remain exposed to any potential angle of fire. Large trees are great candidates in that they provide you with a broad spectrum of cover – if you are caught flat footed perhaps you can reach the other side of the trunk.
- “Walk” your shots onto your target. Always pay attention to your shots and where they are landing, and walk your shots onto target by judging the general pattern of fire and compensating between each shot. Most modern paintball markers are quite accurate but, still, you are firing spheres that tend to drift a bit one way or another. By remaining calm as you fire you are much more likely to be accurate in your shooting.
- Don't be afraid of the ball. Getting hit by a paintball will sting and sometimes leave a bruise or welt. The game is surely not for the faint of heart and those who have a low tolerance for any amount of pain would be well advised to skip the company paintball game. While the pain, in comparison to any real injury beyond a superficial cut or scrape, is minimal it does exist and is fairly uncomfortable.
Field Safety
If played in an intelligent and mature manner, paintball is an extremely safe sport. In fact, injuries are much less likely during a game of paintball than during a frame of bowling. Never remove your mask on the field, never intentionally shoot an opponent in the face at close range, and always keep your marker set to a safe velocity as tested by a reliable chronometer. The general standard is 300 fps (feet per second).
Gear up, have fun, and report back with some war stories. Paintball is a very enjoyable recreational sport and keeps one active and alert, so go out and kick some tail!
Paintball Player
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Outdoor & Recreation
Latest Articles