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Is a PUMP Marker More Accurate?
Check out Paintball Safety for more information for new players and parents
Finish your Game (TIP)
Pump vs. Stock Play: What’s the difference?
Paintball Injuries on the rise?
Tuck It In (Tip)
Getting the most out of your Equipment (Tip)
Mental training: Poker and paintball
Is a Pump more accurate? By Lady Attitude
NO. However and But.... Pump players are far more accurate than a semi player (for the most part). You have to learn to shoot with accuracy if you are going to make it as a pump or stock player. Semi play you can get away with putting 6 balls in the air at your opposition but for a pumper they only need the one.
I have players all the time expect a pump marker to give them some magical accuracy. They see it all the time. The pump player that put that one ball into the mask of his opposition with such ease and grace it must be magic. NO WAY DUDE. Lots of hard work goes into pump play. No magic bullets here.
Once you have mastered the art of the aim you are on your way to becoming feared and respected.
Practice your changes by Lady Attitude
The hardest thing about stock play is changing out your 12 gram. So how do you do this easy and accurately with lighting fast speed? Practice. Practice. Practice. I don't think you should just practice changing your 12 gram but definitely put the process into your drills. For example: I would take out 4 or 5 12 grams cartridges your marker and paint (and all your safety gear RIGHT). Pick 3 targets and from a kneeling position practice shooting each one while popping out of your bunker. Start off slow and then add a little speed. Now as you need to change your cartridge out don't look. Concentrate on your target as you would in a game while changing your cartridge. You should be able to do this without looking. If you are getting hung up try a stock harness or wrist 12 gram holders or whatever works for you. Now continue your shooting drill from a standing position and repeat your change. It may take you several weeks but you notice a grand improvement.
Finish your Game by Lady Attitude
Quick Tips to help finish your game:
Always have an idea of what should happen next in a
game. A simple game plan is always preferred but if you play with a regular
group you can get more elaborate. Just making sure you can cover the players
left on the opposition and advancing is enough most of the time.
It is tough to try and coordinate the end game especially
if you don’t know your teammates very well. But at least working with a few
buddies overtime will help. You have to know where the last opposing players are
positioned. You also have to know where your own teammates are as well. Make
sure you can cover all of the opposing players. When I say cover what I mean is
to be able to keep that player from moving and also be able to tuck them in when
you need to. Now if at all possible you will want to move any player that is in
a blind spot. Meaning the other side cannot see that area of the field. You can
often move through much of the field without taking on any paint and end up in a
great control position. You have to really pay attention and have a pretty fair
experience level to be able to pick out these blind spots but by just looking
for them you are on your way.
A strong offense is the result of teamwork and good communication. Your team has to effectively clear out the last few players quickly as well. Don’t let the other team recover from a great loss. Once they settle in or are allowed to take a strong defensive position you will have a lot tougher time digging them out. Again, playing with the same bunch of players will give you this time of movement if you work at it and understand where the game is and what has to be done. It usually only takes that one player yelling “Move NOW” to get the end game energy started.
Why Play Pump? by Lady Attitude
The biggest growing reason many players make the switch is money. If you are playing every weekend you may burn through 4 to 6 cases of paint a month. When playing pump you might go through (maybe) a case a month. Pump markers have less maintenance demands in general and most pumpers can do all their own repairs because it is really that easy. My number one reason for playing pump is the players themselves. Players that play pump have very similar dispositions and beliefs as well. You will find that they are (in general) really into the play itself. They love the challenge and they play with honor. Learning to play pump is another challenge and a whole new game. For a player that has been playing for a while especially if you are getting a little burned out on traditional play you might want to take a hard look at a Pump Marker. You can re-ignite your love of the game and uncover a brand new excitement on the field. It is a frustrating test but once you get that first elimination you are on the first steps to balance and power. Chin up.....
Pump vs. Stock Play: What’s the difference?
By Lady Attitude
In 1981 a new game was born it involved a marker gun (the Nel-Spot 007), 12 flags and 12 players. The National Survival Game followed the following year and grew steadily. This new capture the flag game was going to go through many evolutions. Over the years we have went from various markers and upgrades to wooded field to the new concept arenas. The very first markers sold were a fixed breech/barrel assembly mated to a modified air pistol frame with a 12 gram adapter. Markers now have went from pump to stock to electronic monsters.
So the largest misconception is that paintball Stock Class and Pump are the same animal. I suppose in the same way pump and semi are the same animal that is true. But the truth is there are many differences that can be seen once you dive into the markers.
The “Stock Class” term is coined from the marker. Believe it or not there are strict rules that determined what is “Stock Class” and what is pump or modified pump. Also, believe it or not, there are internal definitions and configurations that not all of us agree on but for the most part I have provided the basics.
Stock Class:
A stock marker must be manually operated. To load a paintball the operated
must cock the marker and only one ball must enter the chamber.
The feed tube must run parallel to the breech requiring a tilting motion
to load this paintball. The feed tube cannot hold more that 20 paintball when
capped or when the stock tube is inserted. No ramping additional are allowed
either that would encourage a paintball to roll to the bolt. This is to insure
that a marker must be tilted in order for paint to load. Autotriggers are not
allowed at all in Stock Play. A “Stock Class” marker can only be powered by
a single 12 gram CO2 Powerlet. No modifications can exist that would speed load
a co2 powerlet. The operator must uscrew the knob or cradle holding the powerlet.
It must take no less the 1.5 turns for this motion.
Pump Class:
A pump marker must be manually operated as well. To load a paintball the operated must cock the marker and only one ball must enter the chamber. But most of the above Stock Class guidelines fall out the window after this. Co2 tanks are allowed. Autotriggers are allowed. Hoppers are allowed.
Semi Class:
This is really just about everything else that is not fully auto and not pump or modified pump. Most markers today are classified as Semi-auto.
I started out in the 80’s with a modified pump. Stock Class came along as a grass roots movement a little later. Stock and Pump are closer in breed than anything can be. Stock is considered to be a more purist approach but in a world of semis to me it is a tinny fraction of a point. The Old School Challenge was created in such a way that it brings together both breeds on an even playing field. Limited paint insures an equal advantage. Whichever marker you choose it will be a personal experience. I have both. My stock is straight forward and lightweight. A “Stock Class” marker is perfect for the great one baller and great for the devoted baller. Pump play is where I would start if I was just finding this aspect of the sport especially if the idea of pump scares you. If you have no fear I recommend grabbing a stock marker and taking it for a spin.
Paintball Injuries on the rise? by Lady Attitude - 1/5/2003
I awoke this morning to a news report claiming that Paintball injuries have risen sharply over the last 3 years. I do agree that this is the case I do not agree that the coverage was fair as no details were provided. The truth is it does not shock me that injuries are up in our great sport and there are a lot of reasons why.
More people are purchasing over the internet. This is not a bad thing but the consumer misses out on instruction from a knowledgeable clerk. With regular retail stores that carry markers as well this is the same problem.
The person I spoke with recently at a local sporting good store had no idea what paintball even was and no other staff member could tell me anything about the sport. The last item I would like to point out is, even though I have not seen the statistical breakdown of the injuries, I would bet that these incidents were largely renegade games.
It is unfair to classify these injuries as Paintball related. That would be like street racing fatalities being classified with Professional racing. It is not the same thing.
A player that does not understand paintball will generally not use the appropriate safety equipment. They simply don't know enough and do not understand the consequences. I have spoken with people that purchased equipment but did not even know that there are paintball fields on which to play on. I also have came across people that play with no goggle systems. They simply did not know they existed.
So what is the answer? We have to do a better job of educating the consumer. We, my local stores, have a brochure that we offer to parents and new players when they come into our shop. It educates them on the proper safety gear and cautions them about appropriate use. I also include similar material when I sell over the Internet.
Here is your homework. Go into a local retail store that carries paintball gear and ask a few basic questions. You might be shocked.
Ricochet2k - Apache November 2003
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To: Dealers, Distributors From: Ennis Rushton Subject: Apache-Attack Loader We have received and approved the final design of the “Apache” ATTACK LOADER. It looks great! It will be the lightest of all the super fast loaders weighing in at only 16 oz with batteries. This compares to the Evolution at 20 oz and HALO B at 24 oz. The Apache has a capacity of 190 paintballs and is rated 17-19 balls per second. As with other Ricochet models the battery life far exceeds the competition. We are estimating 7,500 shots per set of 9-volt batteries. Tests are being conducted to confirm this number. Other features include Spring Loaded Clear Lid, EZ View Windows on both sides EZ load battery Magazine 99 minute and 59 second game timer Memory for game timer and alarm mute Auto shut off after 20 minutes Adjustable o-ring neck Low battery Indicator 60 second and 30 second warning alarms The Apache is the only high-speed loader that will still function as a gravity feed hopper in the event of a dead battery situation or malfunction. Product should be available by early November with an MSRP of $129.00. A great bug Thumbs of from Lady A.. |
If you play Scenario games (and even if you don't) Reality Paintball has the absolute best fields and equipment I have seen in 10 years of paintball. A few of the creators and I spent a Saturday touring their facility and I will tell you that if you have not played here you don't know what REALITY is. No imagination necessary.
This is a private field that is invitation only. They are not a business. They started this field to offer players a place to play that didn't break their banks. For more info please visit their site or check for a soon to be completed article by me.
Looks like we need a field trip, boys.
Getting the most out of your equipment (Appeared in APG)
By Lady A
Paintball equipment in my home tends to migrate quite a bit. From my floor, to the living room, to the workbench and back to the closet its pattern of migration can vary greatly. My equipment gets to the field quite a bit too and sometimes finds the opportunity to travel across the US. There are also the rare occasions when it gets locked in my truck for several weeks at a time. In any event, the movement of your paintball gear from one location to another can cause damage to it. The more equipment you own the greater the risk you will damage something in transit or lose it entirely.
There are many low cost and no cost solutions for caring for your equipment. Get an equipment bag. Nothing fancy just something that will keep your equipment safe and in one location. Standard luggage bags work well in this capacity and with some foam you are on your way to a custom one of a kind gear bar too. I also recommend a goggle bag, barrel bag and gun bag but not really as important as a good gear bag. There are many great companies out there that manufacturer all that you desire and the cost varies so I will leave that up to you. There are also several low cost alternatives that creative minds can find. These are usually the best solution. For instance, my boyfriend has a violin case he uses for his marker bag. With its hard shell and padded interior it is a great choice.
A few more tips:
Not that you have all the right bags you must still pay attention to actually packing your gear. A goggle bag works great but I pack my jersey, gloves and hat into a ball and store that inside my goggle system. This will reduce the chance of them being crushed. Whenever you pack your marker remove the air tank and barrel (I always leave my Ricochet2k on my marker whenever possible) also remove all paintballs. Store you marker in such a way that it does not move or slide around. I would hold onto the original box that it came with too this box can be used again and again especially if you fly with your equipment. Airport security seems a much happier when they find a marker in its original box (less explaining). Avoid leaving the marker in your car for too long especially in extreme cold or heat (extreme condition will limit the life of your o-rings). Ever drop a case and have a barrel damaged because of it. I have. But I am much more cautious when I pack. My barrels are stored in a case and on long trips (especially when I fly) I may use a blue print cylinder as well. This keeps the barrels from banging around and getting chipped. Anyways you see where I am going. Keeping your equipment in good working order is a lot easier if you limit the punishment to on the field use.
Tuck it in. (Appeared in APG)
By Lady Attitude
The first hurdle in paintball, besides not shooting your own teammates, is learning to not be a target and to somehow remain useful to your team. How many times have you been sure you were safe and sound behind your bunker when like magic paint appeared on your foot or elbow or even worst your lenses? What we think we are doing and what we really are doing are sometimes quite different. Learning to play tight and be one with your bunker is your goal. It is the first step for improvement for a baller. Well, that and learning which way the barrel points.
I noticed quickly that I was always getting shot in the foot when I first started playing. I quickly realized that in certain shooting positions I actually planted my foot outside the safety of my bunker. Opps. This is a learned behavior and my not be as easy as you might think to correct it especially if you have been playing for a while. Practice and a good system works wonders for your game.
The first thing you need to do is find a flaw in your game. If you are like me this won't take long. Just identify the part of your body that has the paint on it (all the time). Depending on which part you have identified you now need to look at the mechanics of your motion. Take a look at yourself in action. This can be done in a mirror, have a friend video tape a few games or have a fellow teammate or player spend a few minutes watching you and reporting what they see. Evaluating your own game is a little harder if you don't have feedback. If you could see the flaws in your game they would have already been fixed but that being said a lot more attention to your body mechanics may give your game the boost it needs.
Next step is finding your flaws and fixing them. If you lead with your hopper (if you hopper can be seen before you barrel this is a problem) for instance you need to correct this movement. By studying yourself in a mirror and popping out and back in from the edge you will quickly see the problem and be able to reposition yourself. Study your body alignment, hand position and how you line up your shot. By spending time and working towards the corrected form you will find immediate improvement in your game.
Practice makes perfect. Of course no game improvement article is complete without the nudge to practicing what you have learned. Each time you play correct your form. When you slide into your bunker note your body position and be sure to work within your bunker. Where are your hands? Feet? Hopper? Knees? Practice, practice, practice and have fun.
Back
to the Top
Pump play is totally awesome. It is exhilarating to eliminate a player that has just unloaded half a case of paint on your bunker and with your one clean snapshot your ball finds their lens. That is fun. Is it hard to take up a pump? Yes It is frustrating and scary and nobody wants to go back to crawling when they can run but for those players out there that have the undiscovered knack for this style you will learn a new appetite and develop an entirely new style.
So why would anyone want to play pump? Pump play is cheaper. The average player uses 80% less paint. It also offers a new challenge. You will also have the opportunity to build an old skill and learn a whole different aspect of the sport.
For those out there that want a new challenge pump play might be it. I encourage you to seek out more information and see what it is all about. Check our your local field and cruse the Internet for pump and stock play. Feel free to check out this site too and get on the message board an ask questions.
Paintball at 30,000 Feet - Flying with Paintball Gear
By Lady Attitude - Article originally printed in Paintball Magazine October 2002
My team traveled to Seattle in the 2000 season. This was the first time we flew with our equipment and I wanted to ensure that we had done everything up front we needed to, to ensure a great trip. I called the Airline we were taking to ask what I had to do to get my gear checked with no problems. They told me to make sure that I tell the people at check in time what I was carrying and to make sure my air tanks were empty. I did this and the workers at check in then told me that there was no way I was getting them on the plane. So our tanks stayed in Orange County and we winged our way to Seattle with no tanks.
The scariest story I ever had recounted to me was a player in Seattle that not only checked his air tank without having it inspected but did not empty it. He checked it in with 3,000 psi. This could be deadly and should never be taken lightly. We, the players, have a duty to see that we are responsible not just for our actions but also for the action of those that might endanger the lives of others.
Traveling in an airplane with co2 or HPA tanks can be a potentially dangerous to everyone on board the plane. But with simple safety steps the danger is neutralized.
After speaking to many different players all over the world the one thing that I found regarding air travel is that no one has the same answer and the questions even vary. I decided to find the answers and wrote a simple letter to 3 major airlines.
Letter to the Airline:
Dear Sir or Madam:
Responses
___________________________
Alaska Airlines
Contact the Reservation Desk with any questions regarding Paintball Equipment before you fly.
1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522)
___________________________
American Airlines
Air tanks are prohibited.
___________________________
Southwest Airlines
15 minutes with John Andrus a Southwest Employee
Not only did Southwest contact me by phone but also John Andrus was more then happy to answer my questions and is pleased that this information is getting to the players that need it. This is my summary of the items we discussed and not an exact quote.
Paintballs
Paintballs could possibly be carried on however it would be preferred to check them with your baggage. The prime reason here is the security check. You may meet up with someone that is less aware of what a paintball is. This could cause a delay if they have to verify the contents. Their job is to make sure it is safe and being the thorough and conscience professional Southwest people are it may take awhile to investigate and get an answer to avoid this potential delay simply check your paint. Another tip from Southwest is to make sure it is packaged in a properly sealed container. In the event of hot weather conditions and a lay over they don’t want that paint invading the space of anyone else’s luggage. Broken or melted paint should not be able to escape your great packing job is the bottom line.
Tanks
Small 12-gram cartridges used in stock play are NOT ALLOWED under any circumstances on the plane. The reason here there is no way to discharge the air and keep the integrity of the cylinder.
HPA and co2 tanks must be verifiably empty and the valve must be in an open position to insure the pressure in the tank remains equal. This can be accomplished by insuring each tank has a gauge and an open valve.
Marker
You CAN NOT store your marker with your carry on luggage. Always check your marker and let customer service know that you are carrying it in your checked luggage. It will startle them to find it on an inspection and this could cause you delays if you have to explain to them what paintball is and why your marker is in your luggage. You letting them know up front will assist them and you.
On any of these items the Southwest employee can contact Corporate Safety if there are questions as to what can be taken on a plane and how it should be treated.
Thanks to John and Southwest for providing this information.
__________________________________________
Before You Fly
Contact the airline before you even make you reservation. Some airlines are more player friendly than others. Pack your Marker and air tanks with care. Make sure they are de-gassed and safe. Make sure all of your tanks you are traveling with have a properly working gauge and that all the air is released before packing. A standard duck bill can be put on the tank to open the valve and leave it open. If you are a stock player, check your gear bag and equipment for loose 12-grams and get them out of your airport luggage. Co2 tanks usually have no gauge and you may have difficulty checking them with an airline even if you know it is empty and drained. Luckily most fields you will be playing at will have them available to you and it is a lot easier to find and buy a co2 tank that it is a HPA tank.
If you need equipment and don’t want to hassle with the Airlines you can always ship what you require to the hotel through the mail or service. Call the hotel before doing this to make sure they will accept packages for you. Make sure you insure your package it just in case. And again de-gas the tank and leave the valve open before packing.
Good Luck and Happy Trails….
Lady Attitude
Anyone who has spent a decent amount of time on a paintball field will tell you that paintball is more a mental game than anything else. Sure you’re moving and shooting, but you have to anticipate your opponents’ moves and you have to think and coordinate with your team members to execute a strategy that will win the game. If you just move and shoot without considering your own teammates or your opponents’ intentions, you will never improve at playing paintball. You can buy the most expensive paint. You can purchase a beautiful electronic marker that throws out paint at twelve balls per second. You can deck yourself out in name brand jerseys, pants and fancy gloves and body armor, but learning the mental game is what separates the newbies from the tournament players.
I am not an advocate of gambling. It isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re underage and short on money. But for me personally, poker has taught me a lot about paintball and my paintball background has helped my poker game considerably.
How?
1) Poker is a game against multiple opponents. You have to understand that each opponent has their own style of playing and you may be attacked from several angles at one time if they perceive you to be a weak player. This is identical to being “pinched” by two or more players during a paintball game. And in paintball, like in poker, you have to figure out how to keep your opponents who are pinching you from gaining too much confidence in their attack and have them respect your ability to counter. If your opponents respect your ability, they will be less aggressive.
2) Reading body language is essential. Someone who is too eager to bet, someone who holds their breath, someone whose breathing becomes shallow- all these little things tell you something about what your opponent is about to do. You have to be aware of it. On the paintball field, an opponent who was previously kneeling suddenly plants a foot down on the ground and starts to look at an adjacent bunker- you can tell that they’re considering a move. You have to be ready to shoot down that lane and have them run into your paint. Or if there’s someone shooting a steady stream of paint at your bunker, you know that they’re doing it so that someone else can move up to bunker you. You have to prepare to do an anti-bunker move. Reading between the lines of your opponents’ actions will give you insight to their intents.
3) Poker is a positional game. Cards are dealt in a clockwise fashion. Positions are divided up into “early”, “middle” and “late” and depending where you are, you have to vary how tight or how loose you play. An early position poker player and a front playing ‘baller have no choice but to play extremely tight. The amount of information they have about their opponents is limited and they are in positions that take a lot of heat. Ever hit the 40 or the 50 off the break and not be able to raise you head up for what seems to be forever because of the multitude of balls hitting your bunker? You’re blind to where your opponents are so you have to make sure that everything, from the tips of your shoes to the top of your hopper is safely out of harm’s way. A late position poker player and a back player likewise have the luxury to see what their opponents are up to. They can play more loosely because they have a heads up on what angles the opponents have. You play your game according to your position.
4) Patience and good timing are essential for a good game. Acting without adequate information or out of impulsiveness will on occasion pay off, but more often than not, it will hurt you. Same thing in paintball. Running off to bunker someone without letting your teammates know what you’re about to do will work a small percentage of the time. But having a coordinated attack where you are covered during your bunkering move is a better idea. Keep in mind that a strong defensive game in which you keep it crossed up and vigilant of your lane will nearly always defeat an impulsive, impatient opponent that just wants to be aggressive. Sometimes inaction is the most powerful tool you have. If you have an unbeatable hand in poker and bet aggressively, you don’t get a chance to lure your opponents into the pot. By hammering away at an opponent’s bunker, you keep them in. If they are kept in, you can’t shoot them. STOP shooting and just post. Let your opponent have a chance to look out and then…well you know what happens next.
5) Practice, practice, practice. Skill doesn’t come automatically. The really good poker players have had years of experience and keep their skills sharp by playing. So should you. Playing once a month just doesn’t cut it if you want to be good. It requires field time, lots of field time.
6) Losing is an educational experience. No one, including your typical poker player or paintball player wants to lose. Let’s face it: it’s just one of those things no one wants to deal with or confront. It’s human nature. But losing is a powerful tool that you can use to increase your chances of winning the next time. Exploring your mistakes and being made aware of your weaknesses is essential to improving your game. Are you eliminated most of the time by shots to your elbow or your foot? They’re probably not tucked in properly. Are you taking too long to look? Are you not talking it up enough? Re-living your bad games to understand your mistakes is not the same as beating yourself up over being a bad player. You have to be neutral in your approach and detach yourself from the game to be able see it clearly. It’s not “I should’ve, could’ve”. It’s “next time I will…”
7) Don’t underestimate the power of luck, good or bad. Whether it’s coming off of a blind and making a straight flush with cards you would have thrown away or a ball coming out of your barrel, flying crooked and suddenly making a sharp right turn into the goggles of your opponent, stuff does happen. Understand this. Accept that it will happen from time to time. Just don’t tell the guy my brother gogged last week that it was only because he had to sneeze and he accidentally squeezed off a ball while the guy tried to move up on him. Be willing to chalk some things up to dumb luck.
8) Respect your opponents and recognize that you’re part of a unique family of players. I’ve watched poker players playing for huge pots get beaten by very narrow margins shake the hands of the players who beat them. “You played that well,” “good hand”, “you gave me a run for my money”- these are sincerely spoken words backed by sincere smiles. They welcome new players and are always willing to discuss strategy and answer questions between hands. Paintball should be approached with the same kind of attitude. Bringing in new blood helps the sport grow and being willing to respect your opponents brings out their best game which in turn brings out YOUR best game. I remember walking up to Oliver Lang of Dynasty and asking him what my walk-on group did wrong off the break when he and his friends played walk-on and totally demolished us. He was very friendly and surprisingly detailed about what lanes they chose to shoot down and how their front players moved under the protection of the back players. Although they finished us in about 10 seconds, at no point did I ever feel he was talking down to me. I came away feeling encouraged and excited about playing.
9) Enjoy yourself and have love of the game. This sounds so basic, but it seems so easy to get caught up in the emotional turmoil, that you forget to have fun. Being in a foul mood at a poker table doesn’t help your game and you’re more apt to make mistakes. And if you’re not getting along with your teammates or the refs, it’s hard to take pleasure in playing. A friend of mine once, literally, bounced up to me and hugged me, he was so happy. I asked him how his team did. He had a huge grin on his face. “I got hit in the back of the head by my backman in four consecutive games, we had some players who got pulled for playing on when they weren’t and I think we’re coming in last place.” I was amazed that he was smiling and told him so. “I got to play,” was his reply. Wow. Not a pro player but a great representative of the game of paintball. I think a lot of players could learn about attitude from him.
There are other, more subtle truths that can be found in poker that more or less correlate with the game of paintball. But it’s more fun for you to discover them for yourself. I’ll see you at the card table, if not at the fifty.
The 4 Bad Bubbas by Lady A.
The day was 100 degrees easy. We had been at the field (my first time at this field) for 3 hours now and I had was hopelessly pissed. My marker was in the shop and the rental marker I was using was crapping out on my all day. THIS SUCKS! I have to shake this off. But four of the local Bubbas were singling me out pretty much all day (being a woman this happens on occasion but I really was not in the mood). I had about had it. But have to be nice about the whole thing right. Don't wanna lose my COOOOL! So I load up wipe up and get my game face on. We walk to what looks to be a endless forest field. Thick trees actually keep the sun on low beams. My body temperature drops instantly and I feel a certain calmness run about me. The floor of the wooded field is mostly covered with vegetation. The ref tells me this is their brand new field and they had only been playing it a few weeks.
Cool, I think. This ends the home field advantage thing for the bubbas. The game is about 40 on 40 and is actually the perfect size for these fields. The pack leader looks at me and points. "Heyya Lady, you take the left tape and just do what you can I will take some right and maybe leave a few here". "Oh good a plan, not much of one but I suppose a little plan is better then none" of course I think that to myself. We band up and my 2 newbie buddies look at me with hesitation. "What do we do?" they ask "Follow me and just believe" I tell them. So on the break we take about 30% of the field and the paintballs fly. I leave my buddies and have them hold tight. I tell them in no uncertain terms are they to be eliminated. They bunker in and watch me scamper away. A women on a mission. I crawl along the tape dragging my legs behind me. I keep it quiet I know the other team is right there ahead of me so I belly my marker and dig with my elbows. I can hear the markers and the paintballs rush by me from time to time. nothing too close but just enough to keep me on my toes. The brush is pretty thick along the tape so moving through it not too bad. I make some great time but just to make sure I give it a few more feet. Now to put my plan into motion. I figure to roll into a bunker just off the tape and this shoot put me in great range. Once I settle it in my mind I check right and roll into a wooden bunker and stay down to asses the situation. I spy my bubbas on the hunt for me no doubt. But I am so far behind the lines that no one would ever suspect this. COOOOL. I take am and crack right on bubba 1s shoulder. A beautiful pink mark almost glows from his shoulder. He wipes it and they all drop to their bellies and start looking towards the front line. This is going to be fun. I move pretty freely in the back of the field and decide to move to the right side and save the best for last. The ref is hip to me and is smart enough not to give me up but at the same time he starts pointing my eliminations to their box and off the field. I mean this is so easy it is ridiculous. This is not even fun. Finally I get back to the Bubbas that are still bunkered down and Crack, Crack Crack, Crack this time I hit all of them and the ref points them off the field. I am so excited I going running back to my team to be given the heroes welcome that I so richly deserve and crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack Opps I probably should have identified myself. I lay on the ground covered with hits from my own team. I am still laughing. That was fun. My team rejoices as they run the flag in. O f course I am standing off field in the box with the opposition. Oh well I am still sassy and kicking. My field rental spyder and I managed to take out 26 of the opposition within 5 minutes. I got my game back and the rest of the day went fantastic for me. I must have eliminated 200 players the whole day. but the truly rewarding part was ending the bubbas reign of terror. apparently they used to make a habit of singling people out and driving them from the fields. women especially were high on their list. By the end of that day the refs and players had ribbed them so bad they were screaming and yelling at each other. I went back to that field a few years later and the story that they tell of the Lady and the 4 bad bubbas is sooo much better it makes me cry. I mean really. It is amazing how a legend grows and the story becomes pure good against pure evil. The absolute power and the outrageous fight against all odds. WOW. I like that.
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