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Dear Visitor:

Every day we are besieged by fan mail.  The amount of mail we receive is overwhelming.  As much as we would like to personally answer each and every one of your letters, there's just no way possible for us to do that.  There simply isn't enough time, so we have decided to do the next best thing and respond to your letters here, via our website.

Sincerely,

The Gladiators
 
 
 
 

 Ever since the Gladiators went on line with their new website, our team has received an enormous amount of fan mail.  The letters we receive most often seem to be from players who are seeking advice on how to organize a team and what they need to know to be a good captain.  The following is an excerpt from our team's playbook.  Specifically, it is an excerpt from the chapter entitled "job descriptions".

"The team captain is accountable for his own conduct and for the conduct of his teammates.  He  must ensure everyone on the team understands how important it is that they, as representatives of their sponsors and the paintball industry, behave in a mature and judicious manner at all times both on and off the field, regardless of whether or not they are wearing their team uniform."

  In my experience, one of the most important aspects of the job is to keep the members of the team well-informed about all matters pertaining to the team and any proposed or scheduled activities.  The captain must also ensure all team members have a copy of the schedule of upcoming practice dates.  A few days before practice, the captain should call his teammates to remind them about it and to ensure all of their gear is packed up and ready to go.  He must also let them know exactly what time they need to be at the field and what time they need to be ready to start.  And he must tell them what to bring and what to wear.

  The team captain must ensure he has the current phone number of each and every member on the team so that he can keep them informed.  On the morning of each team practice day, he should check with everyone on the team to see if anyone's phone number has been changed.  He should also make it team policy for his teammates to call and let him know if the number changes.  And if the team captain's phone number ever changes, he should call everyone on the team and let them know what the new number is just in case any of them need to get in contact with him.

  During team practices, my job is to supervise the routine training of my teammates.  When it's time to practice, it's up to me to make sure the practice gets started on schedule.  If it's time to start and you've got players waiting on other players to get ready, don't let them stand around doing nothing.  You're just wasting precious time.  Get them started even if it's just running drills or one-on-one shootouts.  Even when I'm stuck back in the staging area working on a gun problem, my co-captain takes charge and gets the practice underway.  (This is known as "delegating authority", a practice which I support wholeheartedly.)  There is no reason why anyone on the team should have to stand around and do nothing.  I remember a time when the supplier was late and we had to wait for him to show up at the field with our paint.  We worked on codes and movement techniques until he finally arrived with our supplies.

  In my job description, it plainly states that I am responsible for building and maintaining the morale and team spirit of my players.  For this, I have to exercise my imagination and come up with ideas which provide my players with opportunities to socialize, have fun together, and bond as a team.  Having a barbecue, going to the movies, or going on a trip together are just a few ways to bring the players closer together.  Other things like going to a concert or going on a hike together can be fun too.  To me, the Gladiators are like a second family.  I think it's that way with a lot of paintball teams.  And like they say, "The family that plays together, stays together".  By the way, taking a little time out to remember a teammate's birthday is also good for morale, which is why I marked everyone's date of birth on my calendar.

  As I indicated earlier, I am a firm believer in delegating authority.  As a matter of fact, I see it as a positive thing which can help to build trust and mutual respect, so I practice what I preach with every opportunity I get.  However, the mere act of delegating authority does not release or protect the team captain from blame when something goes wrong.  The captain, ultimately, is still responsible for getting things done.

  Well, there you have it.  These are my suggestions for building and organizing a successful paintball team.  If, after reading this article, you would still like some further advice, E-mail me at tvgladiators@hotmail.com and I'll do what I can to help you.
 

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   There's a question which frequently crops up in the fan mail we receive, which is, "What do the Gladiators do during a team practice?".  In this article, I will endeavor to answer that question, but before I get started, I suggest you take a moment to read the following paragraph.  It is taken from Chapter 5 of the Gladiators' playbook.

"Drills are used to build confidence, develop habitual behavior or responses, and to improve the skills of each individual on the team so that, collectively, they function more efficiently as a unit.  Drills are practiced to the point of monotony until the desired response or behavior becomes instinctive and second nature.  Ideally, drills should be conducted on the actual playing field, however, in foul weather, drills can be conducted indoors usings, when applicable, a mock up or a terrain model."

   For the Gladiators, a typical practice day begins at ten o'clock in the morning.  Our coach encourages us to arrive at the field early so that we're geared up and ready to go by then.  He also encourages us to get to bed early the day before practice, which is to ensure we all get a good night's sleep so that we're wide awake and alert the next morning.

   During practice, a lot of emphasis is placed upon the need to become thoroughly familiar with each other's modus operandi.  Our coach wants  us to practically be able to read each other's minds.  The object is to be able to second guess our teammates and anticipate their next move.  It's also very important that we get to know the sound of each others voice so well that we can pick it out of a crowd.  This negates any attempt by the opposition to impersonate a Gladiator or sabotage our plays.

   Communication plays a major role in practically everything the Gladiators do, but it doesn't do us any good to communicate unless it's done right.  That's why we actually take time during each team practice to work on our communication skills.  We had to learn how to yell so that our voices would carry and our words would be loud and clear, a technique which demands self control and complete presence of mind.  Good communication helps us to avoid misunderstandings.  Even a minor misunderstanding can ruin an entire play.  Good communication also ensures us we'll be understood the first time, so there's no need to repeat ourselves.  Eliminating repetition saves time, something we simply can not afford to waste during the fast-paced games that we play.  In short, communication influences the way we function as a team, so we concentrate a great deal on this area each time we practice.

   In addition to dozens of other drills, one we practice regularly is loading our paintball guns without looking to see what we're doing.  It's natural to want to look at what you're doing when you're loading the hopper, watching where the paintballs go so you don't spill any on the ground.  We had to learn to break this habit because it's important for us to keep an eye on our opponents, otherwise they may take us by surprise and move up when we're not looking or paying attention.  Another thing we do is drop our empty loaders and wait until after the game to pick them up, that way our hands are always close to the trigger and ready to fire, not busy putting things away.

   During practice, we're taught to maintain awareness in order to minimize our exposure to enemy fire.  None of us want to be an easy target, so we practice ways to avoid getting shot.  We learn to keep our elbows tucked in close to our sides and not to leave our knees or feet sticking out from behind cover.  When we're shooting out of a building, we stay in the shadows and try not to backlight ourselves.  And we never stick our gun barrels out of the windows or doorways.  We just shoot through the openings.  We also practice shooting with both hands so we can shoot from around either side of the building without exposing ourselves any more than we have to.  Incidentally, the only time our coach will allow us to play in a walk-on game is when we shoot off-handed.

   When it comes to our practices, nothing is left to chance.  Not even the business of grabbing the cone.  As you know, fumbling the cone disqualifies a player, so our coach actually has us spend time learning to grab the cone without dropping it.  Ordinarily, you wouldn't think that grabbing a cone would be that difficult, but the fact of the matter is it can be, especially if the cone is slippery, either because it's been hit with paintballs or because it's raining and the cone is wet.  It can also be difficult to grab the cone when people are shooting at you.

   Well, I've told you about some of the things we do during our practices.  You and your teammates should think about trying them out the next time you get together to practice.
 

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    We're always getting letters from fans who say they plan to start a team of their own and want our advice.  Well, the first thing I would suggest is that you ask yourself, "Why do I want to start a team?"  Is it because you would prefer playing as part of an organized group of players, is it because you're tired of playing in walk-on games where your teammates change from weekend to weekend, or is it because you want to go all out and compete at the tournament level?  Whatever the reason is, the people you pick to join your team must share your reasons and share your vision.  You must all have the same goals if your team is to survive and make it through the problems and rough times that lie ahead.  Rest assured, in the months that follow after starting a team, your faith will be put to the test.  If your goal is to compete in tournaments and friends are asked to join your team, the relationship you have with each other can become strained and friendships may also be tested.  Things can get very complicated when trying to build a paintball team, especially if you have high expectations.

    In this sport, most teams start out without sponsorships.  Consequently, they have to become self-sufficient.  In order to accomplish this, paintball teams typically have membership dues.  Dues are commonly used to pay for team patches and miscellaneous expenses, like batteries for the team's chronograph.  More often, dues are used to pay tournament entry fees.  A treasurer should be appointed to manage these funds.  Dues should be kept current at all times.  If you have players on the team that aren't paying their dues, you'll never be able to save up enough money to pay those costly tournament entry fees.  You have no other choice than to drop a player who fails to pay his dues.  I know it's a tough decision, especially if he's a friend, but if you expect to reach your goals, you really don't have a choice.  And if the player's excuse for not paying his dues is because he's broke and doesn't have the money, he ought to get a job.  In his spare time, he could be delivering newspapers, mowing lawns, flipping burgers, or doing something to earn an honest buck to support his paintball addiction.  After all, if he can't afford to pay his team dues, how is he going to be able to afford to pay for anything else, like paint, air fills, equipment upgrades, etc.

    Not only is having enough money to afford to be on the team an issue, but so is having enough time.  Teams need to practice as often as they can.  If you have people on your team who don't have time to practice, you'll never make any real progress.  It takes lots of time and lots of practice to develop a respectable paintball team.  If a person can't put in the time, he shouldn't be allowed to join the team.

    Everyone on the team must be made to feel like he or she is an important part of the team.  One way to do this is to assign each player with a specific job or responsibility, both on and off the field.  On the field, make your best leaders the captain and the co-captain, your best runners the tape men, your best shooters the wing men, your sneakiest players the crawlers, etc.  Off the field, make it someone's job to gather as much information on tactics and team strategy as he can, make it another person's job to locate sponsors for your team, have someone check on the locations and group discounts available at other fields, make someone the team historian, make someone else the treasurer, etc.  Get everyone involved.  Encourage team effort and group participation.

    If your goal is to compete in a major tournament, then the members of the team should keep themselves physically fit.  A tournament can be physically demanding in several ways.  Not only do the games themselves take their toll, but so can a lot of other things, such as the weather, stress, lack of sleep, etc.  If you keep yourselves in shape, you'll be able to handle it.  To get in shape, each member of the team should begin a personal fitness routine which involves some form of aerobic exercise, such as running, mountain biking, roller skating, etc.

    Practice often.  Make it mandatory for everyone to come to practice.  If someone misses practice, he must have a good reason.  If not, and he obviously has a poor attitude, cut him from the team.  It only takes one bad attitude to ruin an entire team.  When you practice, practice hard.  Get serious.

    The person you pick to be the team captain should be the best man for the position.  His is the most difficult job of all.  In addition to being a good player, he must also be a good leader, one who can be fair and tough at the same time.  He must have good management and organizational skills.  And finally, he must set a good example for others on the team to follow, which includes being on time and fully prepared for practice.

    Well, I hope this information has been of some help to you.  Good luck getting your team together.  I wish you the best of success.
 

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    Team sponsorship.  Now there's a subject that frequently comes up in the fan mail we receive.  Are you looking for ways to sponsor your team?  Maybe I can help get you started in the right direction.

    To begin with, you have to realize that sponsorship is all about give and take.  I'm sure you've heard the old saying, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".  Well, that's sort of how sponsorship works.  In other words, the owner of a company or small business may be willing to sponsor your team as long as there's a little something in it for him.  That "little something" to the owner of a paintball business must lead to increased sales and profits.  Just like any other business owner, he's out to make money, so if you want him to sponsor your team, you'll have to be the ones to help him do it.  A field operator may offer to sponsor your team with lower greens fees, whereas the owner of a paintball store may agree to sponsor your team with discounted merchandise.  In return, the field operator will expect you to call his field your home and the owner of the paintball store will expect you to do all your shopping at his establishment.  They might even insist that you include the name of their business on your team banner and uniform.  You may also be obligated to donate some time helping out at the field or around the store.  Most of all, your sponsors will want you to keep bringing them new customers.  In short, if you want a sponsorship you'll have to work for it.  Don't expect anyone to just hand it to you.  Even after you earn it, you'll have to work to keep it.  Contrary to popular belief, sponsorship has its price.

    Okay.  Let's assume you're willing to work your tails off in order to get a sponsorship.  Even so, you're still having a very difficult time finding someone to sponsor your team.  It might be because your team is new and nobody's heard of you.  In that case, you have to find ways to put your team on the map and get your name out on the street.  Team recognition and visibility are what sponsors look for, therefore you must become a high profile team.  This takes ingenuity.  You might try wearing something unique so that you don't look like the thousands of other players dressed  in ordinary woodland camouflage.  Design an outfit unlike any other, one that will make your team stand out in a crowd.  Once you've decided on what to wear, get your team name stenciled on the back in big letters.  For maximum benefit, it's best to have a short team name.  Wear your uniform with pride.  Don't be afraid to be seen wearing your uniform in public.  You might feel foolish at first, but you'll get over that feeling soon enough when you realize your plan to promote your team name is working and things are finally starting to pay off.  You want to take every opportunity you get to wear your uniform in public, but you need to leave your paintball guns at home.  If you insist on taking your guns with you, keep them in a bag so you don't cause a scene.

    Another way to get exposure for your team is through the local newspapers.  You can submit a press release which includes a brief history about your team and some background information about its members.  Whatever you write, be absolutely sure to make it interesting.  If it's not worth reading, it certainly won't be worth publishing.

    One more way to get your team mentioned in the paper is to do something to help out the people living in your communty.  Hold a charity or fund-raising event.  Just be sure to invite your local newspaper reporter.  When he arrives, put on your best smiles.  He'll want to take pictures of everyone on the team.

    Clip and save all articles about your team.  Show them to prospective sponsors.  Let them see that you know how to use the press.  A shrewd businessman, one with a little savvy, is bound to see this as a major plus.  After all, if you were able to use the press to elevate your team, it simply stands to reason that you'll be able to do the same for a sponsor.

    In your quest for sponsorship, you'll find that local support isn't all that hard to come by.  On the other hand, factory sponsorship is a whole different ball game.  What is it?  Factory sponsorship is what every paintball team dreams of.  It is the highest level of team sponsorship available.  It includes free guns, free paint, travel expenses, paid entry fees, and just about everything else you could possibly think of to play championship paintball.  For most teams, factory sponsorship is a long way down the road.  Very few teams ever attain this super status.  Most fall apart or give up before they even get close.  That's because, before they can even be considered for this level of support, a team must first prove itself worthy.  What this usually means is that they're going to have to compete against the best teams in the industry and consistently beat them.  At the very least, they have to be able to give the big guns a run for their money.  And here's where you need to be very careful not to bite off more than you can chew.  If your team isn't ready to tangle with the best, you're all going to get spanked hard.  Tournament paintball at the championship level is something you have to work your way up to.  It's a slow process which can take a lot of time and a lot of money.   Usually your own.  It also takes a lot of practice, patience, and perseverence.  Anybody who thinks differently is out of touch with reality.  Either that or they've been smoking dope.  I don't mean to discourage anyone, but these are the cold hard facts.  It's also a fact, however, that most championship teams started out just like yours, with little or no help from the industry.  They made it to the top by practicing and working hard.  Your team can do the same, but you must be totally committed and willing to work hard to reach your goal.  If you're not, your team will never make it to the majors.

    Once you have found sponsors for your team, you have to keep them happy, so mind your P's and Q's.  A company that sponsors a team wants its products associated with players that are winners in every sense of the word, even in defeat.  When a sponsored team loses, they must be good sports about it and accept their fate with dignity.  On or off the field, the members of a sponsored team must behave like professionals.  To their sponsor, they are merely an extension of the company's marketing assests.  In effect, the team is a walking billboard and the message it conveys must be one that promotes and sells the sponsor's products, therefore, as representatives of their sponsor, the team must uphold a positive image at all times.  Your sponsor will want other players to idolize your team and buy the same equipment that you have.  Should a team fail to live up to its sponsor's expectations, the sponsor will pull the team's sponosorship.

    As I mentioned earlier, you will be representing your sponsor and his products.  Essentially, that makes you a part of his advertising campaign.  In the advertising world, it sometimes seems as if competitors can get away with saying just about anything they want about each other. This is not entirely true.  There's  this thing called "defamation of character".  If you start saying things about other manufacturers that can be interpreted as slanderous, you and your sponsor could get slapped with a lawsuit and wind up in court.  So, in a word, don't slam the competition.  Not only is this sort of behavior in poor taste, it can also lead to serious legal problems.

    In closing, I regret to say that, in this industry, when you get down to brass tacks and the real nitty-gritty, you will find that the door of opportunity only swings one way.  And if you're not careful as you're stepping throught it, that door is likely to hit you in the keister and knock you flat on your face.  You just need to have what it takes to pick yourself back up and keep going.  It's all in the game.
 

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Back to the TOP

    Paintball.  To some it's a pleasant diversion from the pressure and stress of everyday life.  To others it's just a hobby.  And for most, it's an addiction.  But for youngsters my age, it's just downright expensive!  So what's a young paintballer to do when he or she can no longer afford to play?  Quit, you say?  Forget that!  I don't know about the rest of you, but I couldn't quit even if I wanted to.  I've been playing paintball since I was 12 years old, and I love it!  I'm hooked in a big way.  Hey, I'll admit it.  I'm a paint-slinging fanatic.  A paintball junkie.  A splat-aholic.  If you cut me, I'll bleed paint.   But I'm not the only one suffering from paintball fever.  And as far as I know, there is no cure.  So, what can we do to feed the habit when the money runs out?  The answer, my fellow paintball addicts, is obvious.  Get a job!

    Okay.  Now that we've come to terms with the reality of our situation, what's next? Well, for young job-seekers looking for part-time work, there are the usual employment opportunities available, such as paper boy, bellhop, burger flipper, bag boy, pump jockey, baby-sitter, busboy, etc.  Maybe they're not the most glamorous jobs in the world, but at least they put a little money in your pocket.  You might even find work mowing lawns, raking leaves, or chopping firewood.  If you happen to be one of the lucky few that live close to a paintball field, why not apply for a part-time job as a referee?  That's what I did to feed my habit.  I've been refereeing walk-on games since I was 13 years old.  Over the years, I've learned a lot about the art of refereeing.  Yeah, that's right.  I said the "art" of refereeing, because that's exactly what refing is.  It's an art, one which can take years to master and perfect.  I should point out, however, that it is possible to save oneself a lot of time and grief learning the job if he or she has a good teacher.  I had one of the best in the business, Bob "Sarge" Shano.  He taught me everything I know about refing.  Now I'm ready to pass along the things I learned from him to those of you who are ready to take the plunge.

    To begin with, a good referee has a positive attitude towards his job.  He is enthusiastic, customer-oriented, and goes out of his way to help the players.  A good referee stays on his toes and is always on the alert, especially for safety violations by players and spectators alike.  He'll never sit down or light up a cigarette while he's on the job.  He keeps himself busy, even if it just means picking up trash and helping to keep the field clean.  A good referee is not a bully.  In other words, he never throws his weight around or lets his authority go to his head.  He is able to take charge and stay in control, yet he is never rude or impolite.  He strives to be courteous and diplomatic towards players and spectators alike.  He is firm, yet fair and impartial.  He never plays favorites.  When he makes a call, he bases his decision upon rules and facts, not on his personal feelings or some private vendetta.  He enforces the rules equally, to include the safety policies of the field.  He makes everyone, including his friends, chronograph their guns and, where required, use a barrel plug.  He makes no exceptions.  He ensures the game progresses along in a timely, orderly manner and that everyone is having fun, especially the new players.   He will not tolerate so-called "newbie bashing" or other unsportsmanlike practices.  A good referee cares about the future of paintball and uses his influence as a referee to promote its growth.  In short, he is a professional.

    Having summed up the attributions of a good referee, I will now talk about some of the supplies, equipment, and other items you'll need as a referee.

    To begin with, you'll need a wristwatch, preferably one with a countdown timer or stopwatch capabilities.  You'll also need to make sure your watch is synchronized with the field operator's.

     On hot days, consider carrying a canteen or water bottle out on to the field with you.  If not for your own benefit, then to help quench the thirst of some downhearted newbie who looks like he's about to keel over and die of dehydration.  You'll really be appreciated for it.

     Another item you'll need, which is usually supplied by the field operator, is a whistle or an air horn, either of which can be used as a signal to start or stop the game.  Just don't forget that a whistle, and especially an air horn, can be very loud, so before using one make sure it is pointed away from the ears of any players or spectators in your immediate area.

     Other items supplied by the field operator include team armbands and flags.  Speaking of flags, try to remember not to leave them behind before moving your group to the next playing field or flag station.  And for those times when you do forget, it helps to carry extra flags.

    With the exception, perhaps, of an indoor field or a small outdoor field, all organized fields use some form of two-way radio communication.  Radios allow you to stay on top of the action and to report player injuries without ever having to leave the injured player's side.  When you get your radio, make sure it is working properly.  It's also a good idea to carry spare batteries for your radio.  Use your radio for official transmissions only.  When using the radio, speak clearly and say only what needs to be said.  Avoid small talk and idle chitchat.  Transmissions regarding the disposition of the players or the status of the game should be kept confidential, so before using the radio to transmit game updates, move away from any players who are close enough to eavesdrop on what you are saying.  And finally, be responsible and handle the radio with care.  Also, make sure you safeguard it against loss or theft.

     Other things you'll want to consider carrying are shop towels for wiping hits, lens spray for cleaning goggles, a squeegee for cleaning breaks in the barrel, first aid supplies for minor cuts and bruises, surveyor's tape for marking field hazards, and a spare pair of goggles just in case the strap breaks on one of the rentals.

    There's something I would like to point out before continuing on with this article.  If you're going to be a referee, you have to dress for the part.  You want to wear bright colors so that you stand out from the players and no one mistakes you for a target.  At the very least, wear a fluorescent orange hat and vest.  Be forewarned, however, that in spite of your best efforts to be conspicuous, you can still expect to get shot by mistake.  That's because there always seems to be someone in the group with the propensity to shoot at anything that moves.  When this happens, try not to go off on the player.  Just give him fair warning not to let it happen again or else you'll eject him from the game.

     All referees should know basic first aid.  Where poisonous snakes inhabit the region in which the playing field is located, you need to learn a thing or two about treating snake bite victims.  Your repertoire of first aid know-how should also include the proper treatment for frostbite and sunstroke casualties.  There are plenty of good books available on the subject of first aid at the public library.  You can also contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for a schedule of classes on CPR and basic first aid training.

     When you accept employment as a referee, be prepared to work your tail off.  Being a referee is not an easy job.  Sure, at times it can be a very rewarding and educational experience, but at other times it can be very stressful.  As such, on the day before you report for work, try to get a good night's sleep.  You'll want to feel fresh and completely rested.  You'll also want to be at the field before the players arrive, therefore it's important that you get to bed early so you can wake up early and get to the field in time.

     If you're new to the field, familiarize yourself with the general layout and with the way the staging area is set up.  Know where the first aid kit and fire extinguishers are located, in case of an emergency.  Be ready to point the players in the direction of the outhouses or rest rooms when they walk up to you and ask where they're at.  If there's a public telephone or pay phone available for the customer's use, know where it is.  Not knowing these things can make you look very foolish in the eyes of the player.

     Until the players get there, do what you can to help the field operator prepare for their arrival.  Sweep out the pro shop.  Empty the trash.  Check the rest rooms for toilet paper.  In short, make yourself useful.  When the players finally do arrive at the field, you can help direct them to the parking area and the player registration desk.

     When the field operator gives the player orientation, you should be present to listen in on everything he says.  You need to know what the penalties are for breaking the rules, and it's during the orientation that the field operator will lay down the law and warn the players what to expect.  He will talk about goggles, barrel plugs, chronograph limits, and any other concerns he has about player safety.  You, as a referee and his personal representative, must share these concerns.  Remember, the primary purpose of the player orientation is to educate the players, particularly newbies.  Helping them to learn the basics will  reduce the risk of an accident, minimize confusion, and result in fewer misunderstandings.  Nonetheless, as a referee you're still bound to have some problems, but trust me.  You won't have half the problems if you simply take action early on to discourage them.  And the best place to do that is back in the staging area, before you get the players out on the field.

     After the orientation, the field operator will get the players geared up and ready to play.  After the players have purchased their paint, chronographed their guns, and donned  their playing gear, the next step will usually be to organize the teams.  You may be given that task to perform.  If so, start out by dividing the group so that there is an equal number of experienced players on each side.  You must also balance the firepower on each team, making sure there are just as many experienced players with semi-automatics on one side as there are on the other.  After a couple of games, if one side keeps spanking the other and it's quite obvious that the teams aren't balanced, you'll need to go back to the drawing board and make some changes.

     Get a headcount of how many players there are in the group, because immediately after each and every game you'll need to account for them and see if any body's missing.  If someone is missing, do not start the next game until you find them.  They could be lost, hurt or dehydrated.  I remember Sarge telling me about a story he read in APG.  It was about a player in Montana named Kelly Cundiff.  He had gone out one summer afternoon with a group of friends to play paintball.  It was a blistering 91-degrees that day.  When his friends decided to pack it in for the day, Kelly was nowhere in sight.  Although nobody ever saw him leave, they assumed he had gone home early.  The following week, another group had gone out to play and found Kelly's lifeless body out on the field.  It was days before any of Kelly's friends even knew he was dead.  Maybe now you can understand why you need to get a headcount after each and every game.

     When it's time to escort the players out onto the playing field, before you lead them away take a real close look at their goggles.  Check for cracks or other defects in the lens.  Make sure the players are wearing their goggles properly and that they fit snugly.  If any of the  players are wearing hats and there are bushes, low hanging tree limbs or any other objects out on the playing field on which a hat could get caught or snagged, have those players put their goggles on first.  This ensures their goggle straps are under their hats and it's less likely that their goggles will be pulled off along with the hat in the event that it does get caught or snagged on something.

     When it's time to head out to the field, keep the players in a group and have them follow close behind as you lead them to their flag station.  When leading the players to their station, keep in mind the fact that some people move slower than others, so keep checking over your shoulder for stragglers and adjust your pace accordingly.  One more thing.  Just before heading out, remind the players not to take their keys, wallets, checkbooks, or any other valuables out onto the field or they might accidentally drop and loose them.

     When it comes to a game of walk-on paintball, confusion is inevitable.  None-the-less, you want to do all that you possibly can to minimize the chaos and avoid any misunderstandings, so just before you begin the first game, take a moment to explain the rules and to point out the boundaries.  Then give the players a few minutes to formulate a plan and prepare themselves for action.

     Also, before you begin the game, make sure all new players have been given an opportunity to practice shooting and loading their rental guns.  Explain what they need to know about any special features the gun may have, such as "breach lock" or "auto trigger".   Teach the players a thing or two about paintballs, like how they need to keep them dry and protected from the rain.  This would also be an ideal time to explain the purpose of the squeegee and the proper way to use it.  Explain to the players that keeping the barrel clean helps to keep the gun shooting straight.  While you're on the subject of squeegees, let everyone know that they are not to be used as a substitute for a barrel plug.  Also, make sure the players understand that they are to bring their paintball gun to you if they are having a mechanical problem and not to risk personal injury by attempting to fix it themselves.  And finally, point out the DANGER label on the gun's compressed gas cylinder.  Let them know that the cylinders are under extreme pressure and are not to be tampered with in any way.  Or dropped.  Or left out in direct sunlight.

     Out on the field and during the game, keep one eye open for field hazards.  Keep alert for barbed wire, broken glass, poison oak, widow makers, bee nests, and other hazards.  When you see a hazard, mark the spot, promptly warn the players, and report it to the field operator.

     If you're following a group of players during a game, avoid following too closely so as not to disclose or give away their position.  When a player is lying in ambush or trying to sneak up on an opponent, avoid staring at the individual so as not to give him away.

     Depending on the way things are done at the field where you're refing, you may or may not have to stop the game to perform a paint check.  If you can conduct the paint check without having to stop the action, then that's what you should do.  If you must stop the game or call the player neutral to do a paint check, make the check and make the call quickly so as not to bog down the action.  Also, when making the check, be careful not to obstruct the player's line of fire or block his field of vision.

     Between games, get the players ready to go for the next match.  Have them wipe off all splats from the previous game so that you don't mistake any of their old hits for fresh ones.  Make sure their shoelaces haven't come undone.  You don't want players  tripping over their own feet and breaking their necks.  Have the players check their barrels and hoppers for broken paint before reloading their paintball guns.  While all of this is going on, look around to see if there are any players who appear as though they're not having fun and ask what's troubling them.  Also, pay particular attention to the way in which the players handle their paintball guns.  Keep a sharp eye out for bad habits, such as players looking down the barrel, standing around with their fingers on the trigger, or waving the gun around and pointing it at other players.  Caution the players and let them know that paintball guns must be treated with respect and handled like any other firearm, irregardless of the fact that they are not real guns.  Most are unwitting and simply don't know any better, so educate them.  Do not scold or yell at them.  You are not a drill sergeant.  Also, in regards to the matter of proper paintball gun handling, make sure the players use a barrel plug when and where required.  If the barrel has paint in it, it must be cleaned before the plug is inserted so that there's no chance of it dislodging should the gun go off by accident.  Remember, you are the field operator's first line of defense when it comes to preventing costly eye injuries, so when everyone's barrel is supposed to be plugged, it's up to you to make sure that they stay plugged.

     As a referee, you will often find it necessary to talk to the group.  When it is time to do so, ask everyone to give you their undivided attention.  Be polite about it.  Before you begin talking, make sure everyone in the group is listening.  If the players start talking to each other while you are speaking, just stop talking and wait.  Typically, what will happen next is someone in the group will tell his buddies to quiet down so that the referee can finish and they can get back to playing again.

     Try to keep things moving right along.  Don't let the players get too comfortable between games or they'll spend too much time shooting the bull.  You must see to it that as many games are played as possible, so keep the players hustling.  Do this without being pushy or bossy about it.

     It's a well known fact that every referee runs the risk of being shot by mistake.  It's just an occupational hazard.  With practice and experience, you'll learn how to move freely about the field while avoiding the majority of stray shots.  You'll simply acquire a knack for anticipating the action and for staying out of the line of fire.  As I mentioned earlier in this article, one thing you can do to reduce the risk of being shot is to wear light colored clothing.  Something else you can do that helps, especially when entering or exiting a building, is to shout, "Referee.  Don't shoot!".  No matter what you do, however, you're still going to get shot.  It just goes to show you were doing your job by staying on top of the action and jumping right in to make the calls.  Jumping right in means doing just that, so make sure you're wearing all the protection you need, including a cup, otherwise you're going to be more concerned about being shot than you are about refing the game.  A referee that's too concerned about being shot isn't much use to anyone.

     During a game, only the players and the referees should be allowed on the actual playing field.  You don't want anyone or anything to hinder or impede the progress of the game.  Spectators must watch from the side lines and keep out of the way.  They must keep their goggles on at all times.  If they venture too close to the action, let them know they are in danger of being shot and politely ask them to step back and out of harm's way.  If they fail to comply, stop the game and try asking them again.  If they still refuse to cooperate, don't argue with them or loose your temper.  Just stay calm and notify the field owner.  He will deal with the problem in his own way.

     You should chronograph paintball guns, rental guns too, periodically during the day, checking to make sure they are still shooting at the safe limit, which is usually 300 feet-per-second or less for outdoor fields and typically 250 feet-per-second or less for indoor play.  Changes in velocity can occur due to a rise in temperature, mechanical defects, or a number of other reasons, which is why it's important to monitor the speed of the guns throughout the day.  A gun that is shooting too fast can be a major safety problem.  By the way, you never want to chronograph a paintball gun that runs on CO2 right after the tank's been filled.  Give the tank a chance to warm up first.

     Rest assured.  There will be many instances when you're skill as a referee will be put to the test, especially in dealing with heated arguments between the players.  When an argument breaks out, you must act quickly to diffuse the situation before it has a chance to escalate and tempers really start to flare.  Speaking of tempers, don't  loose yours.  Just stay calm and get the players to explain the problem to you.  Get them talking to you so they'll stop yelling at each other.  The sooner you can do this, the better.  When mediating a dispute between the players, be considerate enough to listen to both points of view, even the one you don't agree with.  In the end, you must resolve the matter as quickly and as fairly as possible so that the players can get on with the game and you can get on with your job.

     I cannot emphasize enough the importance of knowing the rules of the game.  You must know the rules better than anyone else.  Knowing the rules will make you a competent and decisive referee.  In addition to knowing the rules, you should also learn all you can about the sport, the equipment, the players, and all the little details associated with the industry.  There's plenty to learn about paintball from books and magazines.  You can also learn about paintball on the internet.  The more you know, the more others will respect and appreciate you.  The fact is, when a referee has the respect and appreciation of the players, his job actually becomes a little easier.  Players will cooperate willingly, things will run a lot smoother, and you'll have fewer headaches.

      I mentioned the importance of knowing the rules.  And just as important as knowing the rules is knowing when to adjust or modify them.  For example, in a game involving young children, lower the velocity limit.  Another example of a situation where the rules would need to be modified is when they allow the use of smoke grenades.  In places or environments where a smoke grenade could accidentally start a fire, you should rule out their use.  Now take, for example, the rule regarding bouncers, which do not count as an elimination.  But on extremely cold days when everyone is bundled up and wearing several layers of clothing, you might consider modifying this rule so that any hit counts, even bouncers.  The point I'm trying to make here is you need to stay flexible and exercise a little common sense in your application of the rules.

     Despite your best efforts or how well you know the rules, at some point or another you will slip up and make a bad call.  It happens to the best of referees.  And it's bound to happen to you too.  When it does, the chances are the players aren't going to let you forget that you fouled up.  Don't take it personally.  Just put it behind you and get on with your job.  As Sarge would say, "Everybody makes mistakes.  Even the players.  Why else do you think they keep getting shot and eliminated?  It's because they make mistakes too."

     Let's face it, nobody's perfect.
 

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    Interestingly enough, the Gladiators get a lot of fan mail from people who ask us all sorts of interesting questions, like “Which one of us has the biggest Cocker?”, or “How often do our balls bounce?”. (Like I said, we get people asking us all sorts of interesting questions.) Anyway, apart from the questions we receive, we also get e-mail from folks who just want our advice. We've even had people ask us what we thought they should do to get more players to come out to their paintball field, which just isn't the sort of question we would expect anyone to ask us, but because so many people do, a bunch of us decided to get together and do some brainstorming on the subject. In this article, I'll talk about some of the things we came up with. Before I do, however, you need to realize that the Gladiators are not experts on the subject of paintball fields because none of us has ever tried to start a field of our own, but we are paintball players and we know what we look for when we're shopping around for a place to play.

     One thing we look at when shopping around for a field is whether or not we can expect to get our money's worth. We like paintball fields with plenty of cool stuff, like forts and bunkers. We're not talking about a stupid bunch of pallets nailed together, which might be some field operator's idea of a fort. Or a dumb pile of branches some field operators would call a bunker. Those things are bogus. We're talking about really cool looking stuff, like bunkers made out of sand bags. Forts that really look like forts, with walls tall enough to stand behind so we're not forced to take cover on our bellies or our knees. And we wouldn't want the stuff falling down around our ears, so we would expect these things to be built sturdy.

     Another thing we would be concerned about is whether or not the field is being operated safely. Is there a chronograph and do the referees know how to use it properly? Do they know how to keep dishonest players from cheating the chronograph? Do they monitor the velocity of the players' paintball guns throughout the day so that the guns don't have a chance to go "hot" as a result of a rise in the temperature?

     Another thing we would be very concerned about when it came to safety is whether or not it was actually safe enough for us to take our goggles off in the staging area or the parking lot without having to worry about someone shooting our eye out. Is the no shooting rule strictly enforced? Are real barrel plugs used, not just squeegees? Are the referees checking to make sure the barrel plugs fit snugly and won't dislodge from the barrel should some careless individual accidentally discharge a gun in the staging area? Are players cautioned to keep their fingers off the trigger and to be careful where they point their guns when they are in the staging area? Speaking of the staging area, is it netted or otherwise protected from adjacent shooting areas and playing fields? If netting is used, is it the right kind? Is the netting in good repair? Safety wise, these are some of the things that would concern us.

     We would also be concerned about the kind of players the field operator was catering to and whether or not he was playing favorites. In other words, is he making sure everyone plays by the rules, or are the players out of control and allowed to run amok. Does the field operator make everyone, to include his friends, chronograph their gun and use a barrel plug? And are his referees fair and impartial? Do they try to be helpful, or are they just rude and bossy?

     We would also want to know that drinking was not allowed out at the field and that the rule was being strictly enforced. In our opinion, paintball and alcohol just don't mix. We're talking from personal observation here. We have seen drinking allowed at other fields and saw what happened when it got out of hand. We'll never go to another field or tournament where alcohol is allowed. It just gets crazy and we don't want any part of it.

     At one point in our discussion, someone brought up the subject of rental equipment. We don't have to worry about this because we all have our own gear, but we think that those who need to rent equipment would want to know what sort of shape the field guns and rental goggles were in. After all, what good would it do anyone to rent a paintball gun that doesn't shoot straight or hardly ever works? And what good would it do anyone to wear a pair of goggles if the lens is all scratched up and they can barely see? If we had to rent equipment, we would want it to be in good shape.

     Another thing we talked about was just how much it mattered to all of us that the field was set up and laid out properly. We think that a paintball field should be user friendly, so when it comes to the lay out, we look for fields that offer customer convenience. A field should be set up so that there is ample parking space in the immediate vicinity of the player registration area. We have visited fields where we had to park about a quarter mile from the check in area. We have to wonder, "What are some field operators thinking?”. It's not that we're lazy, but rather than waste half a day hiking back and forth to our cars, we want to get the most out of our time playing. After all, that's our main reason for being at the field. To play! Not to get a work out. We feel the same way about the actual playing field as well. Rugged terrain is for ATV's and mountain goats. It's not for us. We have been to fields that more closely mimicked an obstacle course than a playground. Again, the operative word here is play, not work. We're just not that big on peaks and valleys. Hey, we expect to sweat a little and get our fair share of exercise, but we're not there for the boot camp experience. Save that stuff for the Army commando and Navy Seal Teams. Besides, it's hard enough trying to keep your goggles from fogging up without huffing and puffing every step of the way up the side of a mountain.

     When deciding to play at a field, we would also want to know whether or not it had a snack bar or a pro shop. The pro shop would have to be operated by an experienced and knowledgeable air smith, not just some dude standing behind the counter whose only claim to fame is that he knows how to work the cash register. We would also want to know whether or not there was a toilet out at the field and how sanitary it was, especially if the girls on our team were thinking about playing there. (We expect nothing but the best for our girls.)

     There are other things we would look at, but these are some of the main items we would consider before trying out a field and deciding whether or not we would want to play there again. Chances are if we had a good time at the field, we're going to tell our friends and invite them along the next time we go there to play. We think satisfied customers and word of mouth are the best ways to grow any business.

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