Top
Ten Reasons Noobs Quit Paintball
by Thumper April 16, 2009 with ideas and contributons from posters on
MCarterBrown and PBJunkie.com
From all the combined experience on MBC and PBJ here is why noobs quit.
The list so far -- in no particular order :
#1) The teams picked were noobs w/ rentals vs regulars; and the regulars ripped them up, and mom saw it.
#2) Noob gets GAT, then doesn't understand why he is still gets so beasted - and quits in confused bruised frustration.
#3) Airsoft is cheaper, and funner for kids.
#4) After seeing the players bunker each other, cuss, cheat and argue, the parent decided he would rather not have his child exposed to it (again).
#5) The field & staff seem to lack control of the playing environment. Parent concerned for safety.
#6) Because people call them Noobs.
#7) They think it hurts to get hit.
#8) The renters feel outgunned.
#9) The regulars act elitist - and unfriendly towards the renters.
#10) Projection of paintball image that sensationalized poor sportsmanship and/or poor judgement. (drive by shootings in news, youtube of Oli Lang, etc, "teen to loose eye")
#11) It costs to much to play.
#12) Their first experience was not fun.
#13) The recball experience seemed too competitive to possibly be fun.
#14) Player got overshot or saw others getting overshot.
#15) Getting berated by players, owners, or refs for unintentional rules violation.
#16) Poor quality rental equipment making experience not fun.
#17) Player sees environment as unsafe.
Top
Ten ways to encourage new players
by Thumper April 16, 2009 with ideas and contributons from posters
on MCarterBrown and PBJunkie.com
My last top 10 list examined why noobs quit. Without a doubt most of the reasons are avoidable.. Lets take time to put together a list that players, owners, and refs can do to help the novice enjoy his first few outings and become a loyal paintballer for life.
Players
#1) Mentor the novice and help them get their first elimination.
#2) Go out of your way to speak with the parents/group leaders, and show them that paintballers are good people.
#3) If you see a baller acting unsportsmanlike, rude, condescending, overly competitive, overly aggressive : straighten him out.
#4) Show the novice some respect. Talk to him. Befriend him. Let him use your favorite marker for a game. Teach him some tricks. Complement him on a move or shot. Let him borrow your gear for a few games.
#5) When playing, ask for a surrender over taking a close shot. Never take close shots, or even close to it.
what is a close shot:
10yr old : 60ft
12yr old : 30ft
14yr old : 20ft
older : 15ft
#6) Never overshoot, or even close to it. If one ball will do, only send
one.
#7) Have fun while playing - relax and let others see you having fun. Many will follow suit - and before you know it, everyone is having fun. Don't take yourself or the game too seriously.
#8) Ease up on the competitive thing and play in a more relaxed / fun focused mode.
#9) When you wrap up for the day, give your left over paint to a novice with a kind word.
Field Owners
/ Refs / Staffers:
#1) Refs: Coach the novice players some to help them learn the game (on & off the field)
#2) Refs: Offer endless spawn games with simple objectives so the novice players PLAY and not sit around waiting in the next game.
#3) Refs: Speak with the parents/group leaders and try and gain their confidence that the field you represent is fun, safe and appreciates their business. Ask about their concerns. Listen to their concerns.
#4) Refs: Teach honorball to all players, novice included.
#5) Refs: The rental gear should be as good as it can be, clean and safe.
#6) Refs: The novice players will break rules. Be firm, but respectful when enforcing game and safety rules.
#7) Refs: When planning mixed groups, consider who you are mixing together. If you must stack teams, stack them in favor of the novice players - never stack them against.
#8) Refs : If you see a baller acting unsportsmanlike, rude, condescending, overly competitive, overly aggressive : straighten him out.
#9) Field Owners: Have novice friendly overshooting/bunkering/surrender rules.
#10) Field Owners: Preach honorball & sportsmanship.
Thumper's
Reffing Tips for mixed groups:
Below are a few things I have personal experience with as ref / head ref
that work well for mixed groups:
Encourage regulars and staffers to play pump & hopper ball when playing with mixed groups.
Cap the field rate of fire at what ever the rentals shoot at. (e.g., Tippmann 98 : 6bps)
Play games with the first 5 minutes including a spawn feature so players taken out quicky can go spawn and gain the much needed experience.
Play games like search and destroy: 20 mixed vs 4 experienced.
If playing the same mixed group all day, between games allow the loosing team to pick one or two players from the other side so that after a few games the results will likely flip-flop.
If a group of regulars really wants to stick together, stack against them - figure a 3 to 1 ratio. adjust from there.
When picking sides:
1 kid with own gear = 3 renters
1 veteran = 3 kids with own gear
Split up your most veteran players so
1) they will hunt each other and not have to focus on novices.
2) so they will have to coach their team to win.