Monday, September 6, 2010
Anatomy of a PRO Paintball Roster
Anatomy of a PRO Paintball Roster
. . . is not an exact science. There has been innumerable approaches to putting them together There are some tenets however that have withstood the test of time. Some of these aspects have garnered more attention than others. Pro Paintball takes a look at five key components that make up a successful Pro roster. They are Age or Experience, Chemistry 101, Demographics, The Money Man, and Putting it All Together.
With the economy exuding so much influence over paintball, each of these categories could include some aspect of finances. This being the case, we will discuss the key role of money primarily in the installment entitled, “The Money Man”. The objective is to give some insight into what the numbers say. There are many reasons as to the ‘why’s’ of each subject. With the exception of the Money Man, however, we will delve into the what it is, not so much why it is.
To begin with we’d like to try an experiment. Listed below on the left hand side are four Pro teams average age. To the right are four random standings in the Pro Division of the PSP. See if you can match the correct average team age with their current ranking. (You can check your answers with charts below).
The chart above leads to our FIRST dissection of a Pro roster. In the past teams have been top heavy with older players. In more recent times, a shift to younger players began filtering into programs. A few teams have ventured into talent heavy young rosters at the Pro level. The fact of the matter is, in most successful programs there is a mix of both.
Still, there are some misconceptions. What really IS the average age of a Pro player? Are there any correlations between a team’s average age, their collective level of experience, and how they should be expected to perform? In other words, when building a Pro roster what matter more. . . .
Age or Experience
The above chart is certainly not a mandate against a roster composed of older players. It does show us something however. Namely, age does NOT dictate success. At 22.3 average years of age, Edmonton Impact has led both leagues Pro Division for most of the 2010 season. Tampa Bay Damage has been in five finals from both leagues this season. They average just less than 23 years of age.
If we go back and look at the average age of Pro Players we find it is an average of 24.32 years of age. Some feel an older, more mature roster is the way to go. There are circles within paintball who feel the youth movement into Pro ball that begin taking place around 2005/6 has hurt the Pro game. But really, the move was the beginning of teams facilitating better athletes. Tournament paintball has moved away from huge bunkers where literally three players could play behind.
In reality, most Pro teams keep an eye out for young talent. Why so? Front players and in particular snake players play the most physically demanding spot on the field. Diving, sliding head first and crawling over and over again is not something you see many 25+ year olds doing as the primary snake guy. It takes a toll on the body. So you see younger players filtering in at this position more than any other. The older and more experienced players tend to play behind them.
To answer the question as to what we can glean from comparing age, experience, and actual rank, Pro Paintball has prepared the three charts below. Take a look at the Ranking when based on a team’s average age compared to the average level of experience.
To answer the question as to what we can glean from comparing age, experience, and actual rank, Pro Paintball has prepared the three charts below. Take a look at the Ranking when based on a teams average age compared to the average level of experience.
The Breakdown
So clearly, experience at the Pro level takes precedent over age alone. For instance, let’s say you have a 25 year old with two Pro events under his belt and 19 year old with two Pro seasons behind him. Who is going to more effective is. In most cases, the experience will show.
Now at this point no doubt, someone’s ire is being raised about how it’s more than that. But unless the 19 year old has character issues or can’t play the needed position, he’s getting the nod over the other guy. Factors such as chemistry and in our current environment (for some teams) the ability to pay their way is given consideration. We will talk more about this in the Money Man segment.
It is noteworthy that several mid-twenty and over players have taken over spots on Pro rosters. Out of the 113 Pro roster spots used for the MAO (there can be as many as 120), 32% or 36 players were classified as Semi Pro or lower. Of those 15 are 21 and under. A few of the remaining twenty-one players are building their classification, while others have Pro experience but not recent.
Other Experience
This article is dealing with numbers based off of the Race To game, yet there is other Pro experience. A good number of PSP Pro player have had experience in the seven man format (NPPL). While the format is different, these players still chalk up games in the highest level of the NPPL’s format.
While it does add weight to a veterans experience level, there is no one database to quantify those numbers. A case in point would be Entourage. This team had six of their nine rostered players at the MAO who were 21 and under. Yet, several have two or more years playing Pro in the NPPL.
Making the Decisions
So experience is the more important indicator in assembling a Pro roster. The subtle difference between ‘age’ and ‘experience’ is similar to ‘speed’ and ‘quickness’. In paintball, we tend to talk about a players speed, but rarely does it factor in. The overwhelming majority of runs (be it a run through or a deep break) are under 14 yards. We could break out the stop watches for you ‘14’ time, but that’s not speed, its quickness. First step explosion has even more meaning in such short burst.
In today’s environment, owners and coaches are taking harder looks than ever before at their roster. With the attrition of numerous Pro teams and the eliminating of even some divisions (such as Semi Pro) there are a lot of Pro classified players without a home. This new market may very well slow down the youth movement and there is evidence that it already has.
Regardless, the Pro Division is very much a young man’s game. There is a long, long list of former Pro players who have stopped playing in the last three years. Will the trend move toward more experienced players looking for a team? Or will decision makers continue to bring in young players, getting Pro experience early? The jury is still out on that question. Either way, experience will be the leading factor.
There is another element essential to a solid Pro roster. It goes beyond experience and it’s one of the more difficult assessments to make. In our next installment of Anatomy of a Pro Roster we break down where skill meets unity as we step into the ‘lab’ for Chemistry 101. Stay tuned for part 2..
Friday, September 3, 2010
VFTD & PRO Paintball discuss the Power Rankings
What happens when you combine 20 pro paintball teams, two competing formats, current pro standings and mashed potatoes? Lots of healthy discussion. The mysterious Baca Loco from View From the Deadbox spent time analyzing our PRO Power Rankings and the communities response and poised several questions. Read on as VFTD and PRO Paintball discuss the Power Rankings.
VFTD: . . . the issue of two different leagues plays out when only some of the ranked teams compete in both the NPPL & the PSP. Clearly, it’s a factor as the top 4 teams all compete in both but it does create some potential controversies as well.
PPB: It is to be anticipated that teams ‘doing well’ in both leagues would be at the top of the Power Rankings. However, playing both leagues is no guarantee of being ranked near the top (see XSV ranking).
As you are well aware, the current state of Pro Paintball involves two competing PRO leagues utilizing different formats. The formula, as we have mentioned, is continually evaluated and fine tuned. Within those parameters, there is no partiality or favoritism.
VFTD: How does one reasonably compare Vicious with Mutiny, for example?
PPB: While these two teams as well as others do not play each other, they do have common opponents. While the value is a small one, it does account for this situation. Power rankings within the major sports have team rankings that also do NOT face each other in head to head competition.
Given that there are two pro leagues and two sets of pro rankings, our Power Ranking combines the official ranking data as well as several other data points to provide a gauge of how well these pro paintball teams stack up against one another.
VFTD: Are the rankings shaded in favor of one league or the other?
PPB: One of the main tenets concerning Pro Paintball’s Power Rankings is to let the numbers speak for themselves. The formula, while not perfect, is continuing to be tweaked. Currently it contains 11 components. In answer to your question, no team receives any favoritism, sponsorship, friend, or good ole boy points.
There is one agenda however. Namely, to make paintball more fan friendly. The Power Rankings are designed to provide both paintball fans and players something to discuss between tournaments. Our ultimate goal is to encourage dialog about the game.
In response to your question regarding the one league weighted in value over the other, we would ask: Do YOU view the two leagues as equal in their competitive value top to bottom? Should incorporating D1 teams into the Pro prelim schedule affect that competitive value?
VFTD: Can any team that doesn’t compete in both leagues realistically end up on top of the rankings?
PPB: Let’s use the Russian Legion for an example. Had the Russians won all three PSP events with the equivalent statistics they accumulated at the Mid-Atlantic Open, they would be right there for the lead. With the bonus series points that will be handed out for winning each league, it’s not out of the realm of possibility but they would need help.
Playing both leagues and doing well is not easy. There are resources, energies, and focus being diverted from giving a team’s all to winning one league. So some people may not like it, but really, it gauges better than you might think. Remember, the PRO’s are currently competing on two different formats. Could the (using our example) Russians step over into the NPPL and win? Maybe, maybe not. The Power Rankings can only factor in real numbers and not speculation.
VFTD: Would a team that competes in both leagues but performs poorly in one be penalized when compared to a team that only played one or the other?
PPB: No, there is no component to the formula that takes points away. San Diego Dynasty is right in the mix for the NPPL Series, they currently sit 4th in the Power Rankings. There are points awarded for playing both leagues based on the statistics. The only ‘penalty’ would be their lack of playing well and not accumulating the most points they can.
WCPPL Team; Fuzion Interview
How did you guys do in the event?
Definitely not as good as we would have liked. Although our main Fuzion squad didn’t do well, I want to take a minute to acknowlege our divisional teams, Fuzion 510, Fuzion 707 and Fuzion 209. All 3 made it into Sunday, but 707 & 209 brought home silvers for our organization.
How did you feel about that?
t’s been a while since we haven’t made it out of prelims, so it was definitely a bitter taste. All you can do is tip your hat to the teams that played better and go back home and get back to the grind.
What was your team’s mind set going into the event? 
What do you think was working well for your team?
Pushing both sides of the field.
What adjustments are you looking for going into the next event?
Strengthening up our laning and our communication!!! Fuzion has had most of our success in the 7 man format, so we really need to get back to the basic fundamentals of communicating on the field. I think we’ve gotten too dependent on the side line coaching.
What do you think you guys weren’t doing so well?
Laning and holding our lanes. Communication during games were pretty much non existent.
What teams were giving you the most problems, and what were they doing well?
I think Ambush and SD Mob was playing well at this event. Ambush had a stronger and more consistent push through the snake. And Mob has that ability to stay composed even when their down on bodies.
What teams weren’t giving you a problem and what were you doing well against those teams?
I think all of the teams in our bracket were tough. We were just able to execute our game plan a little better during some of the matches.
Is there anything new the organization is doing that you want to let everyone out there to know about?
Nothing new, but we are committed to building a 5 star franchise with a deep breeding program.
Is there anything else you would like to add to close out the interview?
First and foremost I would like to give my man Mike Hinman much props for putting in so much of his passion and hustle into the WCPPL. As a owner and a player of Fuzion, I can’t thank you enough for giving us a league with so much quality and not driven by greed and is truely here for all the players! Much props to the Aftermath players for having the best reffing squad I have yet to see. Congratulations to my boys on Hitmen for grinding out 1st place against SD Mob. It was an exciting game to watch! And to my boys on SD Mob…keep your heads up, you guys were so dam close!! I also have to acknowledge Davis Ambush for playing strong at this event. Congratulations on your well deserved 3rd place.
We’ll see you guys at EVENT 4!
Much Respect,
Feddy 4
First look: GI Milsim Goggles, Paintballs
Last year the paintball community was debating the merit’s of a 50 caliber paintball, spurred by the announcement that a group of industry leaders including the Gardner brothers and Industry titan Richmond Italia. We caught up with pro paintball player Chris Lasoya brought us up to speed on 50cal. G.I. Milsim’s engineers had developed a 50caliber paintball and a full line of paintball guns and launched with a big splash at the 2009 PSP World Cup.
Fast forward to current, Richmond Italia, former owner of Procaps/Draxxus, is begining to roll out his new brand, G.I. Sportz. Just last week we learned that GI Milsim paintballs were being used at the final CXBL event (photo below). We recently stumbled upon an advertisement in the new Face-full magazine for GI Milsim’s new G.I. Sportz line of paintballs. The following ads showcase paintball boxes for their Field Paint as well as 50 and 68 caliber paintballs in tournament, competition, field and recreational varieties. Hidden in the advertisement are photos of a new paintball goggle.
For those unaware, Richmond and his brother own a lense production company as well as a tactical goggle company in Quebec, Canada. Rumors indicate that the Italia’s are currently or once were responsible for the production of the Draxxus V-Force lenses, meaning this would not be Richmond’s first entry into the goggle market. The goggles featured in the advertisement are similar to goggles produced by Italia’s company, EyeTactical. Rumors started circulating after last years World Cup that Richmond would be developing a new line of goggles and its very likely that we are looking at elements of GI Milsims new goggle line.
First look at the GI Sportz Paintballs courtesy of Halifax City United, a CXBL team.
Take a look at the up close photo and the ads below and let us know what you think in the comments below.
PPB Exclusive: VICIOUS 2010 Team Geo2
