In paintball, the classic saying “
you get what you pay for” couldn’t be more true. Much like you wouldn’t win a formula one race with a beaten up ‘91 Ford truck,
your kids will not win tournaments with a bottom-end plastic marker that can barely stay in one piece. This is why it is important to get the right equipment from the start. Making the investment in
high-quality paintball gear is crucial to being competitive. If you do not believe us, go to a local paintball store and ask to try a few markers (which is the proper term used to call a paintball gun). First try a cheap low-end model, and then try a top-notch beauty. Even if you have never seen a paintball marker, you will feel the difference. It is shocking the first time you try it.
Another key piece of equipment is the paintball mask. There are dozens of different masks on the market. All have various pros and cons. When you go shopping for a mask, there are a few main factors that should go into the decision to purchase it. The most important trait of a mask is the field of view – when you are wearing the mask, how much can you see? Certain masks allow you to see much more than others. The second characteristic is the resistance to fogging. The hot air you exhale rises to the lens of the mask, and the cool air around you causes condensation. The mask fogs up and you cannot see anything. Many high-end masks have designs that prevent fogging so that your child can play for hours without a problem. With higher quality comes a higher price tag, but the investment is well worth it.
Many parents worry about the safety of paintball. What the news tells you and what the reality is are two entirely different things. The
truth is that you are
more likely to get injured in a single round of bowling than an entire day of paintball. At a professionally-run field, safety is the top priority. Every player wears a mask to protect their head. There is a mandatory barrel-blocking device on every marker to stop a ball from leaving the barrel when people are not playing. That means that your child will NEVER get hit when they are not wearing protective gear. Trained referees are always on the field when people are playing so a safe, fair environment is maintained. In short, you child will be safe when you drop them off.
Another concern that many parents share is that they will not be at the field to watch over their child all day. Some fear that their child will get in a fight with another player, or that something will be stolen from them. One of the greatest things about paintball is the friendliness and sportsmanship that almost every player displays. When a player is making a fundamental error, many other players will help them correct it. After the game, players shake hands with the other team. Most people have a good laugh reflecting on the events in each game. Paintball is like one big family. People of all different shapes, sizes, and colors play it, and everyone is accepted into ‘the group’ so they have a good time.
Once your child has the equipment, the next logical question is, “What do we do now?” and the answer is simple. Get good quality paintballs and head on over to a local field. Practice makes perfect. Now that your child has the gear, he/she needs to learn how to effectively use it. There are three basic skills in paintball – snapshooting, reloading, and bunker selection. Snapshooting consists of learning out of a bunker, aiming, shooting, and leaning back in at a rapid pace. Reloading is a quick process of opening the loader, dumping a pod of fresh paint into the loader, and closing the loader. Bunker selection involves choosing where to go and knowing when to do it. If your child can master these three skills, their high-end paintball gear will essentially do the rest for them.
To talk with other parents like yourself, you may have an interest in joining our Paintball Parents forum where you can discuss your experiences and get advice from others as well.
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