If you are looking to get into paintball, you have come to the right place! The first steps in any new journey are usually the hardest. Whether you are nervous to step out there or you just don't really know where to start, that initial decision will be your biggest hurdle of being able to enjoy the sport of paintball! I myself took a long break from the sport and spent the better part of a year debating if I should get back into it. I went out and picked up an Empire Mini GS and less than a year later I am playing on a tournament team shooting a Planet Eclipse GEO R5. GET OUT AND PLAY, you will not regret the decision!
If you've never been or never shot a paintball marker, get out to the field and spend a day renting! We've all been there, the basic rental markers are usually short barreled, gravity fed, and wildly inaccurate. There are some fields out there that offer an upgraded rental marker, if that is something that is available, I would HIGHLY recommend spending the extra coin to have less issues and a more enjoyable time. If the lower end marker is your only option, that is OK! Try to keep that distance between you and the enemy short and not waste your paint trying to shoot across field!
What to expect?
Given this would be your first time ever shooting a paintball marker let alone getting hit by a paintball, that initial fear and adrenaline is unsurmountable. Still to this day, the first few points of the day get my giddy inside like it was my first day out with my PMI Piranha rental marker and $90 case of Empire Marbalizers. Depending on where you get hit will determine how much that impact will hurt. Most, if not all, fields have a "bunker rule" where you cannot shoot someone within a 10ft distance. This is to help with the close-range shots that typically cause the most pain. If this is one of your major concerns, there are a few options to help mitigate that.
Gloves: Your hands are extremely vulnerable when playing the sport of paintball. Not only do they help protect against impacts, but they also help when crawling on the ground or sliding to protect your palms.
Beanie/Winter Hat: This one might sound a little crazy for the people in the warmer climates but let me tell you, that extra layer helps immensely for close range head shots and getting hit in the back of the head.
Padding: Most fields offer rental packages on extra padding. Whether this is a padded jersey, standalone chest protector, full coverage mask, etc. Don't feel embarrassed if this is the route you choose, the people playing in T-shirts and tank tops are usually aware of the pain and are more concerned about hydration etc.
The atmosphere at the field will vary but you will find the paintball community is extremely welcoming and engaging with newcomers. The seasoned players love seeing new faces at the field to continue to grow the sport that they are passionate about. Don't let the flashy gear and high-end markers deter you from approaching, we have all been in your shoes and understand what this experience is like! I personally find it a point to let some of the rental guys shoot my GEO R5, it's always a good time seeing the "light bulb" moment go off on the disparity in markers. This usually sparks the conversation of, "Now this is a top-of-the-line marker, you can get an Empire Mini GS that does the same exact thing for a fraction of the cost". I try to remind newcomers you don't need to drop thousands of dollars on gear to start playing. I would suggest buying gear incrementally when you do decide to stick around!
In terms of clothing, the liquid inside paintballs is designed to be washable and not stain. That being said, there is a few paint fills out there that will stain your clothes. It would be best practice and highly recommended to wear clothing you would not be upset was damaged or ruined. Just remember, you are going to be running around, and you will get hot!
On the discussion of getting hot, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! This sport is taxing on your body when it comes to physical exhaustion and wearing gear all day. Bring plenty of water and electrolytes like Pedialyte or Liquid IV. If you have planned this ahead of time, I highly suggest pre-loading your water intake the days prior. If you are not used to doing physical activity or the temps are going to be high, your body will thank you for doing this!
Safety:
DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT EVER REMOVE YOUR MASK ON A LIVE FIELD! I don't care if you are hiding behind a tree or your buddy is in front of you. There is absolutely NO REASON to risk your vision.
I have seen things in my day, the one that sticks the most was a guy working on his marker in between games while the remaining players were finishing the round. The marker was aired up, loader was off, and he was trying to figure out what was leaking. There was a ball in the breach and a ball in the stack, he accidently shot the marker and the ball in the stack shot up and hit him directly in the eye. That was the end of his day.
Anytime you are off the field, you need to have your barrel cover on your marker at all times. I have seen it a number of times where a guy comes off the field and forgets to either degas (let the air out) or turn off (on battery operated markers) their marker and ends up popping off a few shots. I have been there when there is a barrel cover on and when there isn't, let's just say I was pretty close to having to change my shorts after being in the pits and having a gun go off inches from my unmasked face.
At the end of the day, this is a hobby and past time for 99% of the community and the main goal is to have FUN! I hope to see some new guys at the local field summersaulting and going "all rambo" out there!
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