6. Common Mistakes New Players Make

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It’s easy to make mistakes in paintball when you are a new player. Hey, even pros make mistakes so don’t worry about it, you’ll learn as you get in more practice. One mistake you may want to watch for is going to ground as soon as play starts.

It’s natural to feel on the defensive when you know someone is out to paint you, but if you dive into the first hole you see, you won’t know what the enemy or your own team are doing. And if you dive into the thickest bush you can see you’ll have a similar problem. This means you won’t be able to provide support for your own team either.

Beginners are often afraid to stick their heads out and look around. They fear getting spotted, but you’ve got to be able to see what the opposition is doing before you can play. A two second look will get you a quick view of what’s going on and it will take about three seconds for anyone to see, aim and fire at you, so you stand a good chance of not being eliminated right off.

Part of the above mistake encompasses not moving enough. The new player often thinks he should stay and protect his base, but this is usually not a good ploy. If you are not doing anything but protecting while the others are in action, get out there and join them. Your teammates will do it better if you are there giving support. And you don’t want to be left behind. Think how you’ll feel if they all get eliminated in the heat of battle and the other team charges in to victory and you are the only one there. You’ll sure be covered in paint, to say the least.

Another mistake that beginners are prone to make is that they don’t yell for help when they need it. Sure, yelling may give away your position, but if you are in trouble that has already happened. Yelling out information is good and will help your teammates know what they should be doing.

Don’t shoot too soon or at a target that is too far away. If you do either, you’ll give away your position and mostly miss the target. If you haven’t been spotted, try and take out your target with that first shot. When you’re playing paintball, it’s no use worrying about the cost of paint, go for it and give covering fire to your mates, or provide a distraction for the enemy so that your team can accomplish its purpose.