Noob Basics

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   Just my two cents on the whole "new player" topic.  I try to go over these basic ideas whenever I'm introducing somebody to the sport.  It's easy to take a lot of it for granted once you've been playing for a while, so I like to keep a list of talking points to go over before their first game.  Here's an abbreviated version...

1.  Gearing up

      Snacks, drinks, drinks, drinks
      Clothing (dress in layers, loose fitting clothes that are breathable, long sleeves, long pants, 
           a belt, gloves, and, er… protection if you're so inclined)
      Bug spray (no West Nile for me thanks!)
      Anti fog spray
      Squeegee
      Tools (for marker repair... not your buddies Mitch and Bubba, who happen to be tools)
      Mask/marker/hopper/tank/barrel cover

2.  Equipment check

      No leaks in the marker's air system
      No broken/goopy/dimpled paintballs in hopper or pods.
      Radios have fresh batteries and are synched with your team
      Barrel is clean
      Marker o-rings have been oiled (lightly!)
      Marker has fresh batteries (if applicable)
      Gas and paint are topped off.
      Velocity level is below 300 fps (depending on the field, the max fps may be 
          lower, like at Battlefront)

3.  Shooting

      Know your marker’s limitations: distance, angle, etc
      Learn to “snap shoot” (basically reacting quickly, and accurately to a target)
      Lead your target.  Let him/her run into your paint.
      Keep the marker close to your body.
      Look for opponents to the left and right.  Not just in front.
      Don’t pop the first thing that moves.  Know what your shooting at and why!
      Stay calm.  You don’t always have to shoot back.
      Point your barrel in the direction you are looking.
      Remember, you are at least as formidable as your opponent.

4.  Using cover

      Concealment is not cover!  Know the difference.
      Don’t “hug” cover.  It limits your vision and opens you to up to flanking.
      Look around cover, not over it
      Don’t continue to pop out of the same spot.  Mix it up.
      Don’t run to cover where a teammate has just been eliminated.
      Learn to shoot from your opposite hand and use the correct knee when leaning  
         out.  (Keep the opposite knee from the side you are leaning, planted.  It 
         helps if you need to move out from the cover in a hurry and gives you more support.) 
      Use the swat team lean when possible.  (Both knees planted, your butt firmly 
          against your heels, and your upper body leaning back as much as possible.   
          This feels awkward at first, but presents a much smaller target.)
      Be aware of all your body parts.  Don’t leave things exposed.
      Don’t “set up house” in cover. Use it, then lose it.
      Never position 2 or more people behind the same bit of cover if it can be helped.
      Check six...  frequently.

5.  Moving

   Crawl only when practical.  Crawling is a great way to get into position, but in a short, 20 
    minute game, it may not be advisable due to the length of time it takes to get there.
      Be unpredictable to your enemy.
      Have a plan.  Don’t just run.
      Watch where you step.  Think Ninja… not Bigfoot.
      Be careful not to snag trees and brush.  Nothing says "here they come" like a giant, rustling 
         shrub.
      Move slowly when possible.  Movement catches the eye.
      Always try to keep an object between you and your opponent when moving.
      Learn the opponent’s shooting pattern, then move.
      Move in short bursts.
      Get the opponents head down, before moving if he is aware of your presence.
      Don’t be afraid to slide.
      Use environmental sounds to mask movement.

6.  Communication

      Keep your teammates informed… includes enemy and friendly activity.
      Don’t be afraid to yell for help (they already know where you are anyway).
      Use basic hand and arm signals if the situation calls for stealth.
      Use code words.  Don’t just shout “I’m out of ammo!” (unless you're not)  :)

7.  Teamwork

      “Leapfrog” when moving in a high-risk area.
      Have a plan of action before the heat turns up... and incidentally, plans tend to work much 
         better if they're actually followed.
      Even a poor plan is better than no plan
      Designate support and assault roles
      Always try to have teammates using suppressing fire when flanking.
      Try to set up crossing arcs of fire.  This is a good anti-flanking tactic.
      Unless safety is an issue or you’ve wet your shorts, never surrender if out of  
          paint/air.  You can still be useful.

8.  Common sense (at least it should be)

      Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever take your mask off on the field.  Ever.
      Be courteous and a good sport.
      Use barrel bags when the match is over.  Switch marker to “safety” when tagged 
          out.
      Never wipe.  You’ll be labeled a cheater and flogged.
      If you’re hit, try to avoid walking through a firefight on your way out.
      Don’t shoot the animals… your mother would be disappointed.
      Don’t use paintballs that have been lying on the ground.  It’s a great way of 
          getting mud, leaves and dung beetles jammed in the breach of your marker.        

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Chappy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander in Chief Captain Joined: May/13/2009 Location: Fowler Status: Offline Points: 4330	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chappy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Noob Basics Posted: May/15/2009 at 8:45pm
	Just my two cents on the whole "new player" topic. I try to go over these basic ideas whenever I'm introducing somebody to the sport. It's easy to take a lot of it for granted once you've been playing for a while, so I like to keep a list of talking points to go over before their first game. Here's an abbreviated version... 1. Gearing up Snacks, drinks, drinks, drinks Clothing (dress in layers, loose fitting clothes that are breathable, long sleeves, long pants, a belt, gloves, and, er… protection if you're so inclined) Bug spray (no West Nile for me thanks!) Anti fog spray Squeegee Tools (for marker repair... not your buddies Mitch and Bubba, who happen to be tools) Mask/marker/hopper/tank/barrel cover 2. Equipment check No leaks in the marker's air system No broken/goopy/dimpled paintballs in hopper or pods. Radios have fresh batteries and are synched with your team Barrel is clean Marker o-rings have been oiled (lightly!) Marker has fresh batteries (if applicable) Gas and paint are topped off. Velocity level is below 300 fps (depending on the field, the max fps may be lower, like at Battlefront) 3. Shooting Know your marker’s limitations: distance, angle, etc Learn to “snap shoot” (basically reacting quickly, and accurately to a target) Lead your target. Let him/her run into your paint. Keep the marker close to your body. Look for opponents to the left and right. Not just in front. Don’t pop the first thing that moves. Know what your shooting at and why! Stay calm. You don’t always have to shoot back. Point your barrel in the direction you are looking. Remember, you are at least as formidable as your opponent. 4. Using cover Concealment is not cover! Know the difference. Don’t “hug” cover. It limits your vision and opens you to up to flanking. Look around cover, not over it Don’t continue to pop out of the same spot. Mix it up. Don’t run to cover where a teammate has just been eliminated. Learn to shoot from your opposite hand and use the correct knee when leaning out. (Keep the opposite knee from the side you are leaning, planted. It helps if you need to move out from the cover in a hurry and gives you more support.) Use the swat team lean when possible. (Both knees planted, your butt firmly against your heels, and your upper body leaning back as much as possible. This feels awkward at first, but presents a much smaller target.) Be aware of all your body parts. Don’t leave things exposed. Don’t “set up house” in cover. Use it, then lose it. Never position 2 or more people behind the same bit of cover if it can be helped. Check six... frequently. 5. Moving Crawl only when practical. Crawling is a great way to get into position, but in a short, 20 minute game, it may not be advisable due to the length of time it takes to get there. Be unpredictable to your enemy. Have a plan. Don’t just run. Watch where you step. Think Ninja… not Bigfoot. Be careful not to snag trees and brush. Nothing says "here they come" like a giant, rustling shrub. Move slowly when possible. Movement catches the eye. Always try to keep an object between you and your opponent when moving. Learn the opponent’s shooting pattern, then move. Move in short bursts. Get the opponents head down, before moving if he is aware of your presence. Don’t be afraid to slide. Use environmental sounds to mask movement. 6. Communication Keep your teammates informed… includes enemy and friendly activity. Don’t be afraid to yell for help (they already know where you are anyway). Use basic hand and arm signals if the situation calls for stealth. Use code words. Don’t just shout “I’m out of ammo!” (unless you're not) :) 7. Teamwork “Leapfrog” when moving in a high-risk area. Have a plan of action before the heat turns up... and incidentally, plans tend to work much better if they're actually followed. Even a poor plan is better than no plan Designate support and assault roles Always try to have teammates using suppressing fire when flanking. Try to set up crossing arcs of fire. This is a good anti-flanking tactic. Unless safety is an issue or you’ve wet your shorts, never surrender if out of paint/air. You can still be useful. 8. Common sense (at least it should be) Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever take your mask off on the field. Ever. Be courteous and a good sport. Use barrel bags when the match is over. Switch marker to “safety” when tagged out. Never wipe. You’ll be labeled a cheater and flogged. If you’re hit, try to avoid walking through a firefight on your way out. Don’t shoot the animals… your mother would be disappointed. Don’t use paintballs that have been lying on the ground. It’s a great way of getting mud, leaves and dung beetles jammed in the breach of your marker.