Wednesday, September 29, 2010
New Product: ANNEX Paintball Goggles
Looks like the entry level paintball goggle market is about to be shaken up. Read on for this paintball eye opener.
According to a release we found on Facebook, a paintball company known as ANNEX has manufactured a sub-$20.00 paintball goggle. The MI Series paintball goggle system offers 160 degrees of vertical and 260 degrees of horizontal vision. The goggle is one of the first in its price segment to offer a truly quick change lense system.
After a bit of research we learned that Annex Paintball is a division of SLY Equipment (among other bits, the telephone number matches up).
Further information and the original ad can be found on Annex’s facebook page.
Could we be on the verge of a revolution in the paintball goggle market? Or, is this a product designed for Walmart and other big box retailers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
ETV To Film 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament
Photo credit Christopher Dilts @ christopherdilts.com
The VICIOUS Tournament Series is proud to announce that ETV (Planet Eclipse TV) will be on hand to film the 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament, held on October 17, 2010. ETV will be on hand to film games, as well as conduct random player interviews for their 2011 ETV DVD. The addition of ETV to an already great atmosphere that the Streetball Tournament provides is sure to make this a day of paintball you don’t want to miss out on!!
History:
The first Streetball Tournament, in 2007, was a huge success. All those who participated enjoyed the event. Beginners, with the help of players from Team VICIOUS, were able to have fun, gain experience, and learn more about the sport. More advanced players had the opportunity to play with a different group of people and in a different atmosphere than the normal tournament setting, while still being able to enjoy the competitive nature as well as learn from their team captains, all players of Professional Team VICIOUS.
The VICIOUS Streetball events held the following 3 years proved to be just as exciting, with the events continually growing in size and popularity. We are looking to continue the tradition of fun for the 4th year in a row with the 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament!
What it is:
The Streetball Tournament is a fun and relaxed 7-player event in which players are randomly assigned to teams by a lottery system before the event. New to the game? Don’t have a team? It doesn’t matter. All players of all skill levels are encouraged to attend. Teams are split up evenly, based on each player’s experience level, determined by their ranking in the American Paintball Players Association (APPA)*. This offers a chance for those with little to no paintball experience to become introduced with a more tournament-styled paintball atmosphere. It also offers a more laidback and unique change of pace for those more experienced players. Each team will be captained by a member of Team VICIOUS, who will assist players by giving tips, answering questions, etc. In addition, each team will receive their own distinct jerseys which the players get to keep. The tournament is made to be as inexpensive as possible, encouraging newer players to participate.
How it works:
Teams are chosen at random through a lottery system. Names are drawn, by chance, based on each player’s APPA* ranking, and assigned to a team. All players with an APPA* ranking of D2 will be drawn first, followed by those with a D3 ranking, followed by D4, and so on, until all players have been assigned teams. Each team will have a member of Team VICIOUS playing with them and acting as the team captain. Due to teams being picked based solely on a lottery system, the playing abilities of each team as a whole are relatively equal among all the teams. This helps ensure that all players attending the event have a fun and positive experience.
* The APPA is an independent player tracking system, used to classify players based on their level of tournament experience. Those with no tournament experience within the APPA system will still be required to sign up and receive a unique identification number to help ensure accuracy in the lottery system.
Event Date:
Sunday October 17, 2010
Event Location:
The 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament is held at Metro Paintball Games in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The doors will open at 8:00am for player check-in the morning of Sunday October 17, 2010
The address and other information for Metro Paintball Games can be found on their website,http://www.MetroPaintballGames.com
Under the “Lodging” section of their website is a list of hotels that are close to the field that offer discounted rooms to players. There is also a wide variety of restaurants close to the hotels and field.
Entry Fee:
Registration for the 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament is $45 per player (due when the player signs up). This includes a custom 2010 Streetball Tournament jersey for the player to keep, as well as includes the field fee and air fee.
Unfortunately, we do have to put a limit on the number of players that can attend the event. To help ensure that you get a spot in the tournament this year, make sure to sign up early so you don’t miss out!!!
Paint:
The 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament is an Event Paint Only event. Paintballs will be priced at $60 (after tax) per case of 2000 paintballs. In order to help ensure that the event is fair and fun for every player, the teams will be using team paint for their games. This means that at the beginning of the day each player purchases a single case of paint, and the team as a whole uses all of this paint first. After this paint has been consumed, each player will pitch in more paint as necessary. If the team only needs to purchase 4 more cases, then the cost of tose 4 cases is divided evenly among everyone on the team.
This year we have elected to have a higher grade of paint available at the tournament than in years past. We feel this will help ensure a fun environment for all of the participating players.
APPA (American Paintball Players Association):
Each player is required to have an APPA identification number for the 2010 VICIOUS Streetball Tournament. This id number must be submitted when the player signs up for the tournament. If you do not have an APPA number, you can sign up for one at http://www.paintball-players.org Please make sure the information you submit is correct, as it will be used to determine your APPA rank, and will impact which round of the lottery you are picked in.
To sign up today you can email JTopping@discountspecialtysports.com OR you can call the store directly and talk to Jake at 402-502-3434
ALL ENTRY FEES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 6PM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2010.
Rumor: Procaps losing out to GI Sports?
GI Milsim
ProPaintball.com inside sources are reporting some interesting changes over at ProCaps–with some critical employees departing for a new competitor.
Our insider team has just received word that Steve Rabackoff, US Domestic Sales Manager for ProCaps, and Pat O’Toole, Midwest Regional Representative, have left ProCaps for GI Sports. With Rabackoff’s long-time personal friendship with GI Sports founder, Richmond Italia, the transition from ProCaps should be a smooth one for Steve.
While not the first of ProCaps staff to depart for Richmond’s GI Sports, the loss of Rabackoff to ProCaps will surely be detrimental to the somewhat stagnant ProCaps. Rabackoff and O’Toole will be joining the ranks of GI Sports under the management of Dave “Opie” Thomas, another ex-ProCaps employee and longtime friend and associate of Richmond Italia.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
WCPPL Oceanside Paintball Photos, Part 1 of 2
We are proud to present part 1 of our 2 part WCPPL Event 4 Paintball Photo gallery. These photos were shot by PROPaintball photographer Robert “Robbo” Abitia of ShootMeRob.com.
PBFashion releases new website
PBFashion has released their new website! Gilbert of ProPaintball caught up with PBFashion founder Brandon Fort, who had this to say:
PBFashion would like say thank you to all the fans out there and we appreciate your support! If it wasn’t for all of the passionate players out there, we wouldn’t have gotten to where we’re at today. All of the upcoming events we have planned are going to be dedicated strictly to all of the fans out there so stay tuned for the latest updates. Thanks again.
Be sure to check it out.
The Mind Game
PART II
Top athletes and coaches in other sports will tell you that mental skills are just as important as physical abilities. In Part 1, we talked about specific tangible ways to play at the highest level.
Paintball being the dynamic game that it is provides a host of obstacles and opportunities. Our purpose for this article is to help your position yourself to play Pro paintball. In Part 2 we are going to focus more closely now on aspects of mental toughness and recognition. We call it ‘The Mind Game’.
No doubt you’ve heard the phrase “playing the game the right way”. In coach speak that covers everything from being prepared to respecting the game. As we did last time, we’d like to start with an exercise to get your brain in the right mode of thinking.
Below are five situations any paintball player might find themselves in. Match the circumstance with the appropriate mental trait. The answers are listed below.
Did you notice that you didn’t have to rely on any physical paintball skill to match these up? Likewise, when it’s really happening on the field it will be because of your ability to mentally adjust.
Your mental skills are just as important to master as the ones we talked about in Part I if you want to play Pro. In fact, being a divisional player offers you an opportune time to really begin applying these qualities. That time being NOW.
So let’s take each one of the mental skills and break them done and see if we can put it all together. Oh and here is the answer to our quiz: IC IID IIIE IVA VB.
Resiliency
Do you have the ‘ability to bounce back’ from adversity? The opposite of being resilient is giving up. Don’t think that it can’t happen to you, it can. It can happen in the NFL and in college sports as well. It happens individually and it can happen collectively as a team.
Being resilient means you’re coming back from adversity, an obstacle, or setback. So what do you do when . . .?
THE OBSTACLE After a good week of practice, you’ve underperformed early in the tournament. Shot off the break 3 out of 7 games, it’s looking like today is your day to be a paint magnet.
THE CHALLENGE Fight through negative thinking and some self-doubt.
THE SOLUTION Like speed and heart, resiliency is not taught. It is a process that over time can become a habit. But it’s up to you. The fix for this challenge is to identify opportunities in practice and in any activity you engage in. When situations arise where you feel it’s easier to quit or give up, slow it down, regroup and work through it.
Often it’s a small adjustment that can be the difference. In our example of the obstacle, a different bunker on the break may be the answer. Maybe running and shooting your way in.
Those who can tap into resiliency learn from their experiences and become stronger and smarter.
Focus
Sometimes college football teams will practice with piped in crowd noise when preparing to play in a particularly LOUD venue. They do this to help their focus. While we presently don’t play in front of large, hostile crowds, there is a need for focus.
Your ability to focus lends itself to consistency. Consistency puts you in a better place to win. Over the course of a tournament, you play a variety of teams. How good is your focus when . . .?
THE OBSTACLE your team is about to go up against an opponent you‘ve shut down three times this season. The margin of victory has been lopsided. You sense everyone on your team feels this one is in the W column already.
THE CHALLENGE Avoid an upset by being overconfident. Use every live rep to as a stepping stone to winning the tournament.
THE SOLUTION We have all been subject to this kind of upset. The one where no one was mentally prepared to take care of business. ‘Yeah coach kept warning us about it’. How well you focus is about your mental preparation.
You’ve probably heard the term Robots in a negative way when talking about sideline coaching. A few years ago, Boston Red Legion was called Robots on more than one occasion. But here is the thing. You want to be methodical. Play with the same intensity throughout. It’s good to know tendencies and scout the other team, but aside from that you approach them all with the same intensity.
Determination
It’s not just the will to win. It is the desire to stick with that will. Do you have it? The funny thing is everyone thinks they do. It is not how loud you shout. It is not how upset you get. It is calling upon your resources to find a way to get the job done. Determination is the fuel that drives you to succeed.
It is also about sharing it with your teammates. Helping them by your encouragement and actions. Whether it’s fighting through adversity or . . .
THE OBSTACLE finishing out the match by holding off a comeback. Your team was up 5-1 and now its 5-4.
THE CHALLENGE You can’t win the match by yourself. But you have to do your part.
THE SOLUTION First of all a well placed timeout can help. But that’s on coach. Now, here is where a sustained ‘will to win’ comes in. This is when you need to know what you abilities are, know your game and call it out. Determination is a quality that can be contagious. In our challenge the use of your determination is to forget the score and play one point at a time is key.
Appreciation
At first glance, you may be wondering why appreciation needs to be part of your mental game to play at the highest level of our sport. The majority of players who reach the Pro ranks thank their family for all the work that goes into supporting the kind of emphasis it takes to play Pro.
But it goes way beyond that. Sure, you’ve sacrificed a lot, but you’re not alone. You know this and you may even say it on occasion, but when it’s time for action to speak louder than words. . .
THE OBSTACLE will you rationalize reasons to miss a practice. Yeah, the tournament is still a month away. Maybe the team as a whole is buying in, but you are just not feeling it.
THE CHALLENGE To be there when you needed. To put team above self.
THE SOLUTION More than one Pro team has tossed in the towel with lack of appreciation being the final straw. Whether or not your ‘feeling’ a practice or any arrangement a team may have setup, you show appreciation. It is necessary in divisional play and IF you want to play on the Pro level, there is no option for being indifferent. The enthusiasm you muster for whatever the team needs will translate into a good vibe for yourself and your teammates.
Respect
Respect is the foundation on which a good team is build. We respect the efforts of everyone involved. We respect what a team’s history and former players have done for the game. We must respect the game. Without respect, we lose the ability to view ourselves as part of a whole. In a team sport that relies on coordinated efforts, the absence of respect is disastrous.
One way we show respect can be in team meetings. Not talking over one another, genuinely listening and weighing in where appropriate shows respect. Still another way is on the field. How do you show respect when . . .
THE OBSTACLE you just lost a tough match? It was close and hotly contested, but in the end the other team prevailed. You feel sick about it, knowing your team should have won. In Pro paintball you will be shaking hands following the match. The last thing you want to do is go out onto the field and give the other team credit for beating you.
THE CHALLENGE To go out with your team and acknowledge the other teams accomplishment.
THE SOLUTION You don’t have to like it. But it’s part of the game. The ability to recognize a loss and move on showing respect does a number of things. You can use it as motivation. Believe it or not I’ve seen captains not go out with their team after a loss. The message that needs to be embraced here is;”We stand together and we fall together”. Tomorrow is another day. You tuck that little piece of knowledge away and you respect the game.
So there is a lot that goes into playing Pro paintball. I don’t know of one player who embodies all the physical skills of Part 1 with the mental skills of Part 2 perfectly. IF you find satisfaction in the pursuit of being the complete player, then you’re on the right path.
WORK HARD!
Frame by Frame Fresno Photos Now Up!
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Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
CHEMISTRY 101
With the right ‘Elements’ you can find ‘Catalyst’ whose interactions provide added ‘Motivation’ for your team. Mix it all together and you just might get a high level of ‘Task Cohesion’. Say What? PRO Paintball identifies good team chemistry in Part 2 of our five part series, Anatomy of a Pro Roster.
We are presenting this information from the standpoint of those individual(s) who are responsible for putting a Pro roster together. However individual players and divisional teams who have the goal of reaching Pro should take these points to heart.
Rest assured that somewhere, someone is busy building the perfect paintball. You however have been given the charge of assembling a Pro roster. Unlike your paintball making counterparts, the ingredients you seek do not come in a box. While they both can involve trial and error, the chemistry of a team can be fluid and subject to change.
Gone are the days of handpicking players from around the country. While there are a few players who fly around to play for a given roster, monetary considerations have made them a rare breed. Rather, you’re core is going be more localized. So you look at whose skill level and experience will best suit the needs of your team.
But there is something else. You know from experience that in sports, chemistry is a key element to a team’s success. What can raise the odds for success in achieving the ever elusive ‘good team’ chemistry? To answer this question, we must first have a definition of what it is.
Defining Team Chemistry
To begin with, we generally think of chemistry as something a team either has or it doesn’t. In reality, every team has chemistry; it can range from one that favorably enhances performance to being downright detrimental to it. Either way, there is a dynamic in play.
When sports psychologist refers to chemistry, they often address it by the more formal phrase, ’level of cohesion’. According to one leading sports psychologist, team cohesion is “a dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of its goals and objectives”.
Further breaking down level of cohesion (team chemistry) we find there are two types of cohesion. On the one hand we have task cohesion. On the other, we find social cohesion. How are they different? Does one favorably tip the balance of performance more than the other?
Task and Social Cohesion
When building a Pro roster, remembering which cohesion is most tied to performance is important. Within paintball circles, many might feel that social cohesion is the key to success. Other may not really be aware of just what task cohesion is. So let’s talk about that these for a minute.
Task cohesion is the level of effectiveness your team displays when performing as a unit on the field. It can include games, practices, clinics, and any assignments that are part of the team’s norms. While good task cohesion is NOT a guarantee of success, it greatly increases the odds.
Social cohesion (or chemistry) is how your team functions outside of performance activities. These would include degree of friendship, hanging out, what interest they have in common outside of paintball. Study after study has shown that social cohesion is not an indicator of successful team performance.
What is important is that players are united in their drive to accomplish established team goals. Whether teammates like each other off the field takes a back seat to working shoulder to shoulder on the field. The setting of specific team goal has been identified as a key in developing task cohesion.
When Chemistry is Threatened
So while skill sets and talent potentials are important, how a player contributes toward the team’s cohesion is just as important. An example would be if you ever had a player who just mentally falls apart when things get tough. Yelling, shouting, assigning blame. In effect, generating a negative vibe during a performance.
You know how detrimental and generally speaking in those moments your reminding yourself this WILL be addressed when calmer heads prevail. If such interaction is prevalent, the team’s chemistry will suffer.
Often such a player genuinely believes that such input shows a genuine concern for his team and just how strong his desire to win. Such negativity however can result in the team losing sight of its goals.
As a coach, it was your responsibility to have given sufficient review of this player’s character tendencies and demeanor. Whether you were fully aware or not, it now has to be handled in a manner that reflects progress. Otherwise the team will not find that ‘sweet spot’ to good chemistry.
The ‘We” Mentality
One of the most successful Professional soccer managers of all time was Sven-Göran Eriksson. He wrote a book(1) on the psychology of football (soccer). Eriksson showed having a ‘we’ mentality can raise the performance of all the players in a team and help reduce stress when under pressure. In his eight key attributes of the ‘good team’, it is noteworthy that all eight involve task cohesion:
- A common vision
- Clear and definite goals which go hand-in-hand with this vision
- Members who share their understanding of strategy and tactics
- Great inner discipline (meaning they act professionally together)
- Players with characteristics which complement each other
- A good division of roles among the players, with all members treated equally
- Players who put the common good before their own interests
- Players who take responsibility for the whole team, with everyone accepting mistakes as long as people do their best.
Clearly, Erikkson’s list emphasizes the ‘we’ concept. All eight have a phrase that denotes team, not individual. It takes effort to really apply these tenets.
Constructive Dialogue
There are a number of ways that a player can gauge whether his thinking and the team’s chemistry are on the same page. Here are four(2) positive, necessary views everyone should have. These are points that each player should work to incorporate into his “skill set”. If each member does so, then the team’s task cohesion will rise.
- Our team is united in trying to reach its goals for performance
- We all take responsibility for any loss or poor performance
- If a team member has a problem, everyone wants to help him
- Our team members communicate freely about each player’s responsibilities
during competition and practice.
There will be times of intense exchange. Paintball is an intense game. Players can and will have personal goals. Regardless of internal or external influences, the motivation to win as a team is what drives good team to be a great one.
Taking the Lead
As a coach and/or owner you realize that your teams chemistry will have a direct bearing on performance. What are some ways YOU can help to build a strong foundation? Well, we’ve talked about how important task cohesion is to a team.
However, you do NOT want to overlook the friendships that each player develops within the team. While social cohesion is not the most important, that doesn’t mean its not important.
So to help manage both sides of your team’s good chemistry, here are five points to consider for incorporating into your team interaction:
- You want to develop a sense of pride and shared identity within the team. This strengthens the team’s bond and heads off potential cliché.
- Have a good routine for both team and individual meetings throughout the course of the season. Excellence is a habit. You build good habits, your players know what to expect and are more relaxed.
- Your ability to communicate effectively is important. To get good interactive dialogue, the teams needs to feel comfortable with you.. So key here is to be prepared. Don’t ‘wing’ it. Have a basic outline of points that need to be addressed. Being redundant or going off on tangents are non-effective in getting points across.
- There are short term and long term goals. You need both. The team needs to be able to see or ‘measure’ how those goals are coming along. They need to be realistic. A first year Pro squad having a top four finish every event would be a stretch. Making Sunday every event is more realistic and attainable. The players have to believe that such goals are obtainable.
- ‘Clear the air’ before problems arise. Have clearly defined goals of what is expected of them on and off the field. There cannot be double standards, politics, or inconsistency from you. Otherwise, you WILL be dealing with those hastily called, heated meetings that inevitably hurt good chemistry.
So we see that team chemistry is much more complex than it might appear on the surface. Most teams are playing fewer events in recent years. The challenge to build good team chemistry takes even more diligence. Certainly what we’ve covered does not address the entire scope of building good team chemistry with a Pro roster.
It does lay out some basic principles that owners, coaches, and players can strive to work with. With the concerns surrounding the stability of several Pro teams, now is the time to work at and hone your skills. Being ready so that when opportunity rears its head, you find yourself well positioned to be an integral part of a Pro roster.
Check back as Anatomy of a Pro Roster continues with Part III. In it we will take a look at Demographics: Where do the players come from?
1. Sven-Goran Eriksson on Football. Eriksson/Railo, Matson Carlton Books (2001)
2. Carron, A.V., Widmeyer, W.N., & Brawley, L.R. (1985). The development of an instrument to assess cohesion in sport teams: The Group Environment Questionnaire. Journal of Sport Psychology, 7, 244-266.
Newport Entourage Moves to Eclipse in 2011
Paul Shelton of Entourage had these words to share “Professional Paintball team ENTOURAGE is pleased to become the newest member of the Planet Eclipse Emortal Army for the remainder of the 2010 tournament season. Planet Eclipse has always been a top tier company with an excellent reputation in providing goods and services at the National tournament level. Planet Eclipse has stepped up to assist us in getting ready for the World Cup. As ENTOURAGE moves forward in preparation for the upcoming 2010 World Cup we are excited to be using and winning with the newest technology available in Paintball markers, the new EGO11 and GEO2.” Planet Eclipse
LEAKED: NPPL 2011 Paintball Event Dates
PRO Paintball insiders have gotten their hands on a copy of the NPPL 2011 schedule with dates and venues. The interesting addition to this years schedule is a summer break between the Chicago Open and the DC Challenge. During the break, the league plans to host an NPPL PRO (only!) Open. Sources suggest a modified format will be played and that the event will be designed for television broadcast.
NPPL Surf City Open – March 25th, 26th, and 27th, 2011
- Huntington Beach, CA
Chicago Open – May 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2011
- To be held at CPX alongside Living Legends tournament. Events will be closer together.
NPPL PRO Open – July 16th, and 17th, 2011
- This is a PRO only event designed for television. Sources suggest this event may be held at Huntington Beach, CA.
DC Challenge – September 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2011
- Hosted at PEV’s Paintball Park. This will also feature the East/West PRO paintball All Star Game.
Las Vegas Championships – November 4th, 5th, 6th, 2011
- Held at the Rivieria Hotel in Las Vegas
FUZION wins WCPPL Event #4
FUZION wins WCPPL Event #4 by Tim Cerruti
Camp Pendleton Paintball Park on September 11th and 12th hosted Event 4 of the WCPPL. Players and teams alike eagerly awaited this event after the summer break after the league announced event #3 cancelation. Suffice to say that the wait paid off well as the weekend was full of intense paintball action; great points and hard fought matches. Fuzion and Nuskool went into Finals completely undefeated and mostly unchallenged up until their matchup. LA Hitmen and San Diego Mob’s battle for 3rd and 4th place was incredibly exciting to watch with it coming down to time for the Hitmen win. Nuskool’s final match with Fuzion was something else, a definite thrill ride. Everyone would watch eagerly to see how the match would settle and an unfortunate penalty at the end helped Fuzion get the final point they needed to win 5-4. The crowd in attendance went completely nuts, chanting Nor-Cal. Other really intense matches were the Davis Ambush vs Fuzion game, Hitmen vs Nuskool, and SD Mob vs Fuzion.
D3 winners LVPP.net played incredibly well the entire weekend all the way through finals. GS Pirates, Tombstone, and Royalty were fun to watch with some points coming down really close to the wire.
A big thanks to Mike Hinman as well as the Aftermath team and Refs for holding the event. They are facilitating the west with a strong Race-To series for West Coast paintball teams to put their skills to the test. With only one more event of the season, the Series Title for nearly all of the divisions is completely up for grabs. I am sure we will see you all next time at the series finale CAL JAM.
I hope everyone will please continue to support and represent the WCPPL. This league is a strong foundation to try and rebuild upon.
DIVISION 2 “Premier”
1st Place: Fuzion
2nd Place: Nuskool
3rd Place: LA Hitmen
4th Place: San Diego Mob
DIVISION 3 “Intermediate”
1st Place: LVPP.net
2nd Place: GS Pirates
3rd Place: Tombstone
4th Place: Royalty
DIVISION 4 “Rookie”
1st Place: Max’d Kids
2nd Place: SLC Tombstone
3rd Place: DGAF
4th Place: LA Nemesis
PUMP “Open Division”
1st Place: Check it Factory – NV- 2
2nd Place: Check it Factory – NV-1
3rd Place: Order of Seven
4th Place: LAHitmen.com
Here is a list of the Media make sure to visit these sites and support these guys, without them there would be no youtube movies, no DVD, no photos for your fidge, myspace, and facebook.
01) Mike Wise – Chrono300
02) Jeff Mercader – Titanium Sportz
03) Andrew Holtegaard – AndrewHPhoto
04) Adoflo Lara – AndrewHPhoto
05) Larry Ayonn – 1GRPhotography
06) Jacob Kajiwara – JacobKajiwara.com
07) Dan Jordan – Innerspherephoto.com
08) Phillip Baker – 1904 Photography
09) Scott Graham – Posted Productions
10) Drew Cusick – Derder
11) Jon Bires – Derder
12) Derder Rob – Derder
13) John Arquilla – Almost Famous Paintball
14) Robbo Abitia – Keepitsquare
15) Cody Haggerty – Diesel Photography
16) Matt Dawson – Mattdphoto
17) Leon Ingram – PBG Photography
18) Dylan Gordon – Dylan Gordon Photography
19) Zach Kern -MASS Media
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
First look: Understood 2011 New Paintball Gear
PRO Paintaball is proud to present the first look at Understood’s 2011 paintball gear line. A few of these items are at Paintball Extravaganza this week and several others will be rolled out at the NPPL Las Vegas and PSP World Cup product exhibition. For those in the market for a new gatwrap or Understood Gear, be sure to check out using Summer2010 promo code and save 10% off your order!
The XSV Gear shows the 2 new XSV shirts. Beatdown City and the new Logo shirt.
NPPL Vegas is a sneak peak at what will be our Event shirt sold exclusively at the NPPL Vegas event. It will be a limited edition of only 36 pieces.
Chain shows the new Blue/Black Chain print Under Jersey and the new moisture wicking White/Teal colorway.
Circles 1 and 2 show all the new colors fo the Circles Under Jersey that debuted in DC.
WingsBBall and ChainBBall show off our brand new basketball shorts that also debuted in DC. They feature pockets and a drawstring waist.
San Diego Dynasty picks up Alex “Mouse” Goldman
Pro Paintball insiders have just received word that Alex “Mouse” Goldman has joined San Diego Dynasty and will be playing with the team at NPPL Las Vegas and PSP World Cup. Mouse previously played with San Diego Aftermath, Los Angeles Ironmen and a breif stint with Dynasty in 2007. No word on what this means for Aftermath but rumors are circulating that the team may be calling it quits. Stay tuned to PRO Paintball.com for the latest paintball news.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
So you want to play Pro?
As you stare down the barrel of your decision, are you standing at the crossroads or diving headlong into a freefall? Not to worry, PRO Paintball has your back with a road map, sound advice, and even a reality check.
With all the negative talk, economic uncertainty, and ‘woe is me’ that surrounds paintball these days, YOU have decided you can and will play Pro paintball. It wasn’t an easy decision to come to. Yet, here you are, resolved and committed. Done and done!
Um . . . not so fast. You do have a plan right?
Paintballs aren’t exactly falling from the sky as in free ones. Then there is that sticky obstacle of not living and playing on the (fill in the blank) Coast. Given that the closest Pro team is a gazillion miles away, your objective is formidable.
Yet you’ve been playing for a while now, have come up through the ranks, and consistently doing work. So just where do you need to focus your energies to get your skill set to the Pro level? On the physical or tangible side of things, we want to take a look at a set of skills that you would do well to hone. Similar to baseball, we call these . . . .
The Five Tools of Paintball
Run & Shoot Think about it this way. You cannot outrun a paintball. With your gun up not only can see movement down field, it can help you make your spot by making the other guy flinch or tuck in. Also, accurately shooting on the run provides an opportunity to get a kill. Taking ground AND getting an elimination put your team in a good position to win the game.
There are times when you just have to get there. These bunkers tend to be shorter runs with a big enough gap for the laner to turn and shoot. But having the ability to run and shoot accurately is a valuable tool to have in your arsenal. The two main areas for this skill are off the break and the first three steps out of a bunker.
The key to building this skill is quality reps that require good mechanics. Take running to the corner for instance. Having your gun stable right off the post. The early balls need to be in the kill zone.
A common mistake players make when working on this skill is to try to run to fast right off the bat. Slow it down, get it dialed in, and THEN gradually speed it up.
Laning Getting G’s off the break may not be sexy, but wow, does it make life easier. It is also one of the most underrated skills in the game. Good, consistent laners are very valuable. Your team automatically has the advantage when you drop a body this way.
As a back player, having a consistent kill rate off the break is a touchstone of your ability. If you are a front player, you should take time at the end of practice to work on it. The best laners in the game employ a whole subset of skills.
They will recognize when lanes are worth bursting and then switching or staying on the main cut. They can put paint up to forty yards away in spots that can’t be avoided. They will also recognize body posture to adjust where a runner is going.
Laning percentages will be higher than running and shooting generally speaking because the player behind the gun is stable and not having to adjust for his own movement. Front players should work on this skill as you get a better perspective of what the laner sees. IF you lane well, some teams like to slingshot a front player on a delay just to mix it up.
The key here is without a doubt practice. Experience is another key element as you get a feel for the where the runners are going.
Versatility is playing different spots effectively. The ability to do multiple tasks on the field makes any player more valuable to his team. There are several components that come into play here.
Let’s use the example of playing the one on the snake side. Having the ability, at least in practice to play across field on the doritos side on your feet does a couple of things.
It gives you a perspective of how you are being seen from the snake. You also get a good sense of the speed that the other side will tend to play.
Being familiar and comfortable with the other side of a given layout also provides another competent body for that position. Sometimes due to an injury or sub-par play, an adjustment is needed. Your ability to be versatile makes the roster that much more flexible.
We would be remiss not to mention an often overlooked part of being versatile. Chances are you will never hear a paintball crowd chanting “Defense!” Still, the ability to hold a team off, down on bodies and burn a penalty can be the difference in winning and losing.
If you want to see what players on a team are their best defensive players, watch a game under these conditions. They are playing down one with a penalty, winning by one with 1:20 to go in the game.
One last thought about versatility. It shows a willingness to be a team player. We’ve seen lots of players list ‘everywhere’ as their position, but not many work at it. Become proficient with it. The biggest key here is to not box yourself in as a (this or that) position player.
Beyond that you want to systematically work the various positions. Being ready even when your team may not tend to use you that way says you’re prepared and talented enough to do so.
Impact kills per game ratio, getting up the field. At least one Pro team has as a tenet to their “Rules of Two” that front players get two kills every time they step on the field. It’s an impossible average over a season, but it does focus those players on their job. It can be done in stretches and during key games.
There will be instances where a front player just needs to hold the position and stay alive. Possessing the impact quality is tempered by recognizing your team’s needs at that moment. The goal is that when you walk ON the field, players on the other side are walking OFF.
The rule of two is the kind of mindset an impact player will have. Occasionally, you’re going to get a three-piece or even a four-piece. There will be games where you’re shot on the break. Some players seem to have a better knack for it than others, but getting G’s is the name of the game.
The key to building this skill is to know the shots on a given layout. Working on those shots accurately. Also, keeping focused on the objective, taking the other teams players off the field. Not being out of control or forcing it, but taking advantage of every opportunity.
Communication Have you ever been so focused on a task that when someone spoke you didn’t hear a word they said? Then you can appreciate how difficult it can to be to communicate during a paintball match.
One meaning of communicate is the ‘interchange of information’. On the paintball field, that’s not easy. As noted it involves talking and listening. Good communication, once again can change a game. Relaying a change of field position by the other team will allow your team to readjust.
With regard to the receiving or listening end of this skill, here is a basic tip. If you’re in line of sight of your coach or teammate, a simple nod of acknowledgment suffices. Sometimes you find a player who has the reputation for talking constantly during a match. That’s good IF . . . it’s clear enough to be understood.
When relaying information, doing so in picture blocks makes it easier to hear and assimilate. An example would be where the snake corner, dorito corner, and home bunkers are occupied. Instead of calling them individually, ‘three across the back’ is concise and builds a mental image quickly.
The key to building good communication is to do it during practice, make it a second natured response. It needs to be natural for you to the point that you can focus on your job and it not affect your concentration.
Specific Practice
Some of the hardest things to work on are ones your weakest at. Generally, we like to practice what we are good at. But to become a complete player and even put yourself in the discussion of making a Pro roster, you need a range of abilities.
Several years back, one paintball player spent an entire summer playing left handed (his so called off-hand) whenever he could. His snap shot actually became quicker and a little more accurate than his right based on drills.
The key to the above was the timing. This was worked on before becoming Pro. There are many areas where this direct improvement approach can work.
One example that a lot of young players have a tendency to do is running to upright. Being flexible, body lean, and first step explosion are three ways to improve your body mechanics and quickness. This applies to the breakout and moving from bunker to bunker.
Have a plan. Making a checklist is a good way to keep track of your workouts. If you don’t know a drill that can help you improve a particular skill, ask someone who knows. The national events have all the Pro players and coaches right there. The vast majority of them are easy to approach and talks to. Be specific, not just “how can I become a Pro player?”
Mental Toughness
Here are a couple of thoughts on mental toughness. When we think back over past and current players who were solid Pro players, there are some common threads.
Namely, they tend to let their play on the field do their talking. Another is rarely do you hear them talk down about another Pro player. Still another example is they are not self-promoting. What I mean by that is you don’t see them throwing their name out on message boards or chat boxes.
It is a safe bet, no make that a lock that you will never get picked up or looked at by doing such. So how does that apply to mental toughness? In this way; any endeavor you undertake involves uncertainty. There are few guarantees and certainly none when it comes to playing Pro paintball.
However, having the inner confidence to fight through those times where doubt creeps in, staying focused on the goal and the task at hand. That takes mental toughness.
You are never going to have 100% support. Especially when attempting to play at a level that has limited availability. It takes a resolve that win or lose; you are going to give it your best shot. Even then, there is another matter to be aware of.
The Reality Check
Ok we are not going to lie. The odds are not in your favor. There are 120 roster spots in the PSP Pro Division this season and approximately 112 (8 times 14 teams) in NPPL Pro. Even with some 232 spots, six of those teams and many other Pro players cross over playing both leagues.
Should this diminish your determination? Well, if it does then you already knew the outcome right? What you want to come away with is that down the road when the window to play Pro has passed, you have no regrets. No regrets that you should have done this or tried that.
It is true that there is a glut of pro and semi-pro players due to contraction of teams and upper divisions. The key is to focus on your abilities and your opportunities. When we look at the PSP MAO Pro roster, when did these players make the jump to Pro?
Of the 123 roster spots, 29 players or 24% came out of D3 or D2. Some Owners, coaches, and captains tend to look at taking talent they can mold themselves. So it does happen.
For the right kind of ball player, odds like these are just that much more of a challenge. We can’t promise you that employing these suggestions and developing these skills WILL land you on a Pro roster. What we can tell you is that, these will without a doubt improve your chances.
Now What?
To be clear, we are not advocating dropping everything your doing. An education, developing a good work ethic and appreciating family are the kind of staples that will have the most lasting impact on your life. With that said, you want to play Pro and we dig that!
So after reading over this article, what would YOU say is something you need to do in conjunction with these directives? That’s right! Be in great physical condition. It takes hard work to get there. We have seen numerous ‘flash in the pans’ that end up not sustaining a Pro career. So that should tell you it’s not over by just reaching that level, it still requires work and dedication.
To be sure, there another set of skills that you’ll need to employ if you want to get to the Pro level. They are the intangibles. They can’t be measured with a stop watch and you will never see them charted on a layout. But without them, your game is not complete.
Be sure to catch part two of “So You Want to Play Pro‘ when PRO Paintball breaks down “The Mind Game”.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
PPB Exclusive: Bob Long G6R Intimidator Specs
A few months back, PRO Paintball published a sneak preview of the new Intimidator G6R, showing off the internals and a providing a first look at one of this seasons most highly anticipated paintball gun releases. Master engineer and veteran pro paintball player Bob Long has returned to his roots to redesign one of the best selling electronic markers in competitive paintball, the Intimidator. Paintball history buffs will recall the original Intimidator prided itself on speed and efficiency, setting standards for paintball guns for years to come.
New Bob Long G6R
G6R Paintball Gun Specs, a PRO Paintball Exclusive;
Classification: Generation 6 Intimidator
Configuration: Electro-pneumatic. Open bolt. Stack tube poppet valve.
Barrel Thread Type: Autococker
Included Barrel: Bob Long 14” One-piece Tournament .685 Bore
Included ASA: Gen 6 Intimidator On-off
Intended Propellant: Compressed air or nitrogen only!
Intended Propulsion Speed: 230-300FPS (feet per second)
HPR Pressure: 160-180psi
LPR Pressure: 65-75psi
Estimated Shot Count: 2100+ shots (factory settings using 68ci 4500psi air source)
Motherboard: Tadao Odoshi
4C Eye Compatible: Yes
4C Eye Equipped: No
Estimated Rate of Fire: 26+BPS (4C eye upgrade with board set in ramping mode)
Trigger Activation: Micro switch
Trigger Return: Spring assist
Trigger Adjustment: Travel and Activation Point
Weight With Barrel: 1 lb. 13.7
Weight Without Barrel: 1 lb. 8.9oz
PALS Event 2 August 19-22- UPPIC – United Paintballers of the Philippines
The following is a guest post by Tommy Tucker of PBRack/Team USA who recently competed in the PALS event #2.
The 2nd leg of the PALS event was just recently held in Clark City, Philippines. We sent over a PBRack team playing under Team USA, rolling up to the tournament you could tell they want to promote paintball in Asia in a positive light. The tournament commenced with country anthems, the president of the Philippines advisor or something to that sort giving the opening announcements. Followed by a free buffet for the teams, while they held a demo match between Team Datis- Iran and Team Epic- Japan.
It was surprising to see how progressed the level of play is in Asia, I would compare it to be close to the Millennium D3-SPL level. The tournament format and the reffing were spot on, teams played tough in Division 1. The Philippines is a really unique place, the people are really friendly, the ladies are everywhere and the beer is cheap. Overall the tournament was a really rad experience, they still have a few things to get in line before they’ll be drawing teams from North America (prize package wasn’t as advertised) but if you want a fun tournament to play in a foreign land the PALS events are worth looking in to.
Division 1 Results-
1st- Team USA by PBRack
2nd- STK- Australia
3rd- Team Datis- Iran
4th- Xtioneers- Malaysia
-Tommy Tucker