| The game of paintball is won on seconds and | | | | goes, "If looks could kill". We all know that just |
| inches; small mistakes can have dramatic effects | | | | looking like you can play paintball only goes as far |
| on the outcome of games. Scenario or | | | | as the "game on" signal, from there you and your |
| tournament players can use the information that I | | | | team need to have the skills to backup the look! |
| am about to share; the secret of intimidation. | | | | Now that you have the other team doubting their |
| What is intimidation? It is the ability of a player to | | | | very manhood, let's get inside their head a little. |
| make his opponent feel scared, doubtful, or | | | | When you arrive at the field keep a positive |
| worried even before they step onto the playing | | | | attitude and walk around like a rooster in a hen |
| field. | | | | house. Don't slump and mope around like you just |
| How can a player use intimidation, and what | | | | lost your best friend, be confident and KNOW |
| advantage can this give you or your team? Let | | | | your team is going to win. Your mental confidence |
| me give you an example: Your playing in your | | | | will be picked up by other teams and puts a seed |
| first 5-man tournament and getting ready to walk | | | | of doubt in their heads. Remember that games |
| on the field, you look across the field and see | | | | are won and lost on mental mistakes and |
| your opponents all decked out in matching | | | | breakdowns, if you can get in the head of your |
| uniforms and covered in sponsor stickers from | | | | opponents; you are half way to victory. Our team |
| head to toe, they all have dark angels and are | | | | has gone so far as to bring all of our trophies and |
| chanting their team name over and over. How | | | | plaques to the tournament and display them on a |
| does this make you feel? Scared, doubtful, | | | | table under our canopy. Teams will come by and |
| worried, or all the above? You may not break as | | | | say, "Wow, I hope we don't have to play you". |
| far down the field, your intimidated, you may not | | | | With a smile I'm always thinking, we have already |
| make a move to get a better angel on your | | | | won the mental game, and normally the actual |
| opponent, your intimidated, you may hesitate | | | | game follows suit. |
| when firing you marker, you are intimidated. What | | | | With today's teams being so evenly matched, any |
| do all these things have in common; you will | | | | advantage can take a team to the top. If you |
| probably loose the game. | | | | break paintball down to it's basic form, anyone |
| Now that you understand the dramatic effect | | | | can shoot a marker and everyone can learn the |
| intimidation can have on your opponent's mental | | | | basics of not being hit. So what makes a team |
| game, lets find out how to use this tool. Similar to | | | | better than another? Luck, practice, dedication, |
| the example, a team must look intimidating. Your | | | | and mental sharpness separates the big boys |
| team needs to have matching uniforms; this gives | | | | from the rest of the crowd. Luck, as I call it, has |
| the impression that your team plays as a unit. It | | | | a way of evolving into skill over time. Paintball is |
| also helps to have numerous sponsors with their | | | | won by inches and seconds, so give yourself |
| logos and stickers on your markers and uniforms. | | | | every advantage for each of these factors. Mess |
| This tells the other team your tournament proven | | | | with the minds of your opponents and watch |
| and have the support of the industry on your | | | | your scores sore all the way to the finals. |
| side. Next, you need top of the line equipment, | | | | Intimidation can cripple a team's mental outlook |
| this illustrates you are serious about the sport, | | | | and give your team a quick max on the score |
| and money takes second place to performance | | | | sheet. So keep practicing your Jedi mind tricks |
| and durability. Along with a great looking banner, | | | | and hope you never see Sudden Impact on the |
| packs, tubes, squeegees, and mask you are now | | | | other side of the field! |
| a very intimidating looking team. Like the saying | | | | |