Paintball

[Sir Brass]

I'd like to chime in with my agreement about involvement.

I started playing when I was almost 18 and at first my dad was against it (not vehemently, he just didn't see the point and thought it was a waste of my time and money), but my mother saw it as a good way for me to get out of the house when it wasn't swim team season. So, my dad caved, but took no interest. He warmed up eventually, but that expressed itself as "did you have fun? that's good." and listened when I'd tell field stories and such. Still won't play, though (and now he has a reason: his cyatica (sp?) bothers him too much for him to be that active all at once lest he really wants to suffer later in the day). Then again, I've been away from home during most of my time playing paintball (didn't get REALLY into the sport till I was in college). Still, if there's one thing that could improve the past pball experiences it would have been if my dad had been out there with me on the field (or even just there at the field taking pictures or something) playing.

So, to fathers: if you child wants to play and continues to show interest/love for the sport, one of the BEST things you can do to help strengthen the bond you have with them is to play with them. Get out there and take hits with/from them, and dish it out equally. Just get out there and have fun WITH them. Something I really envy when I see it is a father/son or father/daughter pair coming off the field equally dirty or covered in paint (or the dad being lit up, and his kid having that gleeful grin of having pulled an amazing elimination), and both smiling. It's a wonderful gift to give your child.

[collectorandtrader]

Originally Posted by Moosepatrol

The one interesting theme I found in this theme in this thread is everyone suggesting semi's to start on with kids. My boys have yet to fire a semi. They have only shot pumps for practise in the backyard, and their first game coming up will be pumps only. I believe this to be a better way to introduce kids to paintball. Slower pace, better grasp of tactics and teamwork, and a lot less paint in the air. Not to mention the cost factor, Anyone starting out should try to have their kids in a pump only night at their field.

I totally agree, you have to start with the fundimentals ( well at least if your going to raise kids with the same respect and appriciation for the sport we share) It mite sound strange but for the young ones a bigger marker is a little better too, not only does it give alittle more hard cover, but they will deffinitly build upper body strenth. I hope this thread doesnt evolve into how to genetically create the perfect paintball kid !
-RALPH

[Sir Brass]

Just make sure you get them a good pump. It may even be more expensive if you buy a new GOOD pump compared to buying a GOOD new semi (like an m98). However, the investment is worth it.

My FIRST pump experience was with a BE Blade. Turned me off to pump for so long, and even NOW I've only recently REALLY started playing alot more pump than I ever did before. It took me that long to build my skills up such that that back-of-mind bad experience (blade never worked right, and when it did, the ball dropped after 10ft and didn't break.....PATHETIC) faded and let me really go after developing my pump skills.

So, if you want them to start out with a pump, give them a QUALITY pump that you know will work and be relatively easy to maintain. And then let them get used to playing with it.

[Kevin the Scot]

[quote=Sir Brass;324125]Just make sure you get them a good pump. It may even be more expensive if you buy a new GOOD pump compared to buying a GOOD new semi (like an m98). However, the investment is worth it.

My FIRST pump experience was with a BE Blade. Turned me off to pump for so long, [quote]

I've been playing so long the only affordable guns were pumps! I agree it's a great way to start and practice making your shots count as opposed to "spray & pray"; however, it's hard to be the only kid out there with a pump when all the little agglets (and big Aggs) are using semi's....

As for affordable, besides Brass Eagle, who should be commended for still producing a pump, you can still buy the Maverick for under $100 new, which is a much better weapon!

I did see a guy using a Blade during a BIG game last month and he was having a field day with it! More power to him!

I'm still using my Line SI Skrimish SI and my PGP occasionally!
But I must admit, my new Invert Mini is very nice and extremely accurate and quiet.

Play often, play safe!

[Kevin the Scot]

[quote=Sir Brass;324125]Just make sure you get them a good pump. It may even be more expensive if you buy a new GOOD pump compared to buying a GOOD new semi (like an m98). However, the investment is worth it.

My FIRST pump experience was with a BE Blade. Turned me off to pump for so long, QUOTE]

I've been playing so long the only affordable guns were pumps! I agree it's a great way to start and practice making your shots count as opposed to "spray & pray"; however, it's hard to be the only kid out there with a pump when all the little agglets (and big Aggs) are using semi's....

As for affordable, besides Brass Eagle, who should be commended for still producing a pump, you can still buy the Maverick for under $100 new, which is a much better weapon!

I did see a guy using a Blade during a BIG game last month and he was having a field day with it! More power to him!

I'm still using my Line SI Skrimish SI and my PGP occasionally!
But I must admit, my new Invert Mini is very nice and extremely accurate and quiet.

Play often, play safe!

[Kevin the Scot]

sorry for the double post, we had a power surge,

[blackrain]

I'm really glad to see this thread is still alive. It makes me feel good seeing all the great advice people are putting out. Thanks once again for everyones help. Yes I feel pump is a great way to start out teaching kids.
Later,
Blackrain

[heinous]

Goggles on, or get out.

I am a player in my early twenties and I go to the field to play, and I'm sick of fretting over getting lawsuits every time some moron walks around a game with his face exposed. My pet peeve with goggles go with everybody, not just kids. I see people older than me with their masks off inside a field all the time.

For your children's safety, make sure they wear good masks ($50 range seems to be adequet, JT and Proto are good brands in that range) and the field is strict about their velocity limit. Often, the refs are just kids. Watch out for incompetent refs and go to the field with the least of them.

Gun is overrated. $200 and under is good for beginners, and the kid should try a rental/borrow from a friend the first time to see if he/she likes the sport enough to invest. Don't fall for the impulsive "can I have that $500 Shocker? it shoots better!" crap. If the kid is still acting that immature, nothing good can come from him having that gun.

Understand that a gun is an equipment and needs routine maintenance.

A paintball can take out a kid's eye as easily as a grown-ups.