Paintball

[stevedh]

Today one of my co-workers expressed interest in getting into paintball -- very exciting! But, he also asked me if I think that his son would do ok (I think he's 10 or 11, not 100% sure). I explained to him that the pain factor really isn't that much of an issue since being shot doesn't hurt all that much, but that it's more an issue of being able to deal with the adrenaline rush of being shot at without panicking.

I (and I'm sure many of you) have seen kids younger than my co-worker's son do great and have an awesome time and older kids completely lose their mind and cower behind bunkers for the whole game. So I'm not really sure what to advise him. I suggested that my co-worker come out and play with me this weekend to judge for himself how he thinks his son will fare, but I'm not sure that's really the best advice I can give. Should I tell them both to just come on out and have a go, or what?

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[slinger]

I think 10 or 11 is fine. Just give them the choice of quitting mid day if they don't like it.



They can load pods, and tubes, and stuff

[Born4Evil]

My son started playing at 10. He'd been harassing me to play since he was old enough to know what it was (4? 5?), but his mother and I decided 10 was the right age.

He's 16 now, and still plays regularly, and often plays pump with his Dad.

[Chappy]

10 or 11 are the most popular cutoff points for insurance purposes.

[oldskoolkillz]

Mine were...12 when they first played.My wife freaked when my daughter came home with a bruise from it! She played...He hides!! lol
I just had to get them chest protectors...due too mom! They dont use them now@19

[Greenmtnphantom]

There is a couple that plays paintball with us that wouldn't let their kids play until they could stand in the back yard and at a reasonable distance (think it was about 50ft) took a hit. Standing there and taking it hurts alot more than in a game. If they didn't cry or whine about it they could play.

[Horizon]

They have to be old enough to understand the importance of never removing their mask. Around 10 seems to be about the right age for that concept to be able to sink in.

[Born4Evil]

Originally Posted by Greenmtnphantom

There is a couple that plays paintball with us that wouldn't let their kids play until they could stand in the back yard and at a reasonable distance (think it was about 50ft) took a hit.

I did the same thing with my son before we let him play.

[-=ArchAngel=-]

Originally Posted by Horizon

They have to be old enough to understand the importance of never removing their mask. Around 10 seems to be about the right age for that concept to be able to sink in.

+1
Too many times have i seen young renters lifting their masks because its foggy. They dont realize how easy it is for an eye accident to happen. Understanding proper safety is paramount.

Also, make sure he understands and practices proper sportsmanship and etiquette. (e.g. not overshooting, complementing someone after they shoot you out, GGing after a game, etc)

[Chris From Flurry]

Normally for most fields you have to be at least 10 to play and 13 at some others. I always suggest taking younger kids out to play for their first time in early spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler. That way they can put on a couple layers to help minimize the sting of getting hit and not be uncomfortable.

Just stress the importance of keeping the mask on at all times on the playing field and things should be good. I also like giving young first timers a mechanical gun if possible until they develop some trigger discipline since they are harder to accidentally shoot.