I've played with some good paintballers in my day and a few really exceptional players. I've also played with countless average players and a handful of down-right awful players. I wish there were some magical rule that could explain the differences between the best and the average (such as being a great shot or knowing when to move), but I'm convinced that good players come in many different forms.
Just like in basketball where a point guard excels in ways a center doesn't and vice versa, paintball players have different attributes that can help them excel at different aspects of the sport. Some people have a sixth sense about when to move and when to stay put while others have a knack for hitting the competition from anywhere on the field. Others are leaders that move their team and get others in the right position to make the winning move. Some really successful players, though, don't seem to do anything particularly well but end up winning time after time.
My personal opinion is that the one thing ability is most prevalent amongst good paintballers is their ability to mentally keep track of the field and know what's happening. Average players usually know what's going on directly in front of them, but the best players have a good idea of what's happening behind them and on both sides at the same time as they're shooting it out with a bunker straight ahead. That allows them to know when it's a good idea to move or retreat and they almost never end up getting hit unawares.
There are countless good paintball players out there. What makes the best players you know so special?
Comments
The best paintballers I have played with all had some kind of background with sports. They all have known how to work as a team and have been able to move quickly and with a purpose. They understand the fine line between playing fearlessly and playing stupid. I do agree with the comparison to basketball and the different aspects od the positions. Very well written! Great article!
I think several thinks make paintball player a great one. Like training as much as possible, disscusing with your team strategies. Remember that pb is a team game. But overall respect for your fellow player and profecionalism make the worst player a true gentelman and a great player gradually over time.
Unfortunately, I have found that a lot of the best paintball players out there are good because they are the best cheaters.
The best people I have played with and the best guys on my team have one thing in common. Time on the field. Spending a lot of time out there actually firing rounds down range is the best type of training. And I am not talking about just randomly shooting for targets of messing around, but rather time actually playing games and ops. Getting that time on the field means not only do they have a better lay of the land, but knowing what the people around them will usually do when under fire. I met them through this site.
http://www.airsplat.com/states.htm
It was and continues to be a great resource. We use it like a yellow pages for paintball and airsoft. It lets us meet at new fields and really get our game down to a science.