Paintball's Treatment of Newbies

[PaintballerX]

I've played (and still do play) many sports. Now, a lot of them are like paintball. They encourage good sportsmanship, teamwork, hand-eye coordination, etc. But I've noticed one thing in paintball that isn't in other sports: harsh treatment of new players. "Newbie" is about the worst thing you can call someone in paintball (in a demeaning tone, at least). Why is this? I thought maybe it is because of the high population of pre-teen/teen players (no disrespect to you guys..I once was a teen :)). However...baseball, basketball, football, soccer---they all have high concentrations of young players. Why isn't "newbie" a bad thing in those sports as well? Perhaps it's because they are more mainstream? I don't quite get it; perhaps it's an automatic reaction to someone's seemingly stupid question that makes you want to tell them to go play another game/sport and let paintball stay as it is. People, for some reason, think that paintball is THEIR sport, and they have the right to tell other people not to play if they so see it fit. I don't quite understand this, but I'm hoping someone else can enlighten me.

[VertigoTech]

You have a good point. I would like to know this too, maybe its kinda like all newbz are treated like high school freshman, while the advanced players are like seniors....

[edspyder]

i was a newbie once, i knew how it felt

[VertigoTech]

we all were...

Why dont they just revolt...theres alot more newbs then pros ;)

[StealthElephant]

Paintball is a little different. I mean...with mainstream sports like hockey/soccer/basketball almost every kid plays these sports on a regular basis with their friends since youth. When your 12+ you may not be good, but you know how to play.

With paintball you can play woods ball a few times with your friends...but when you go to your local field for the first time your still gonna be a newbie. I mean....it's not like most sports where you live and breath it, you can learn about it and practice. I think the difference between woods ball and playing at a field for your first time will mean alot too.

[spyder4lifefoo]

down here newbs r treated with respect no one talks crap no one talks down to them its perfect

[Oh Hello]

Originally posted by PaintballerX
I've played (and still do play) many sports. Now, a lot of them are like paintball. They encourage good sportsmanship, teamwork, hand-eye coordination, etc. But I've noticed one thing in paintball that isn't in other sports: harsh treatment of new players. "Newbie" is about the worst thing you can call someone in paintball (in a demeaning tone, at least). Why is this? I thought maybe it is because of the high population of pre-teen/teen players (no disrespect to you guys..I once was a teen :)). However...baseball, basketball, football, soccer---they all have high concentrations of young players. Why isn't "newbie" a bad thing in those sports as well? Perhaps it's because they are more mainstream? I don't quite get it; perhaps it's an automatic reaction to someone's seemingly stupid question that makes you want to tell them to go play another game/sport and let paintball stay as it is. People, for some reason, think that paintball is THEIR sport, and they have the right to tell other people not to play if they so see it fit. I don't quite understand this, but I'm hoping someone else can enlighten me.

Your 14 dude.

[Congobongo]

i laugh at n00bs when they pick paint off the ground and think their gun is going full auto cuz their gun is running out of co2

[WVprankster]

some newbies bring it upon themselves. they assume too much, and seem to think that poring over forums and pb websites makes them un-newbie. WRONG! Frankly, a newbie being able to name the manufacturer of every bit and piece of my autococker doesn't impress me. what would impress me would be that same newbie not asking me "why did you buy a cocker? for less cash you could have had a tricked Impulse"

Case in point:

a boy about 14 comes into the hardware store where i work to get his CO2 tank refilled alot. he and i usually BS while i fill his tank. to hear him talk, you'd think he was going pro next year or something. But when the Lp chamber on his spyder was leaking, he brought it to me. didn't even look in the manual to see that he was missing an o-ring.

Newbies assume that when they play, there will be someone there to tell them damn near everything. Every time i go to a field to play, there are at least two who have no clue how to adjust their velocity, and as often as not have to have the ref or another player do it for them. there is no excuse for that. after spending(we'll be generous) $60 and upwards on a paintslinger, they aren't concerned at all with how it works, or how to adjust it. Now being helpful to newbies is something i try very hard to do, both for them and their parents' sake. but c'mon- they don't even think sometimes.

I'm not trying to trash them- they are starting out, and they deserve a chance to experience paintball(and i was one too, many moons ago). BUT- this is a big pet peeve of mine-- if the field is having an "open play" day, don't ask the more experienced players to "play off" so that the beginners can have a chance. while yes, it's true, the newbies payed money to play and not get their asses shot off, I paid just as much money to play the game the way i am accustomed to. newbies and field owners alike shouldn't expect that of mroe experienced players.

PaintballerX- alot of kids starting out at tackle football and soccer get their asses handed to them for the first few days of practice. a Newbie is alive and well in those sports too- ask any high school football player who went through Freshman Initiation.

sorry so long, i guess i got carried away. I'm done now.

[Phantom4Life]

Humans need a Pecking Order, nuff said get in line like the rest of us had to and stop crying

Now for the nice side of me: I dont know why, sometimes I think it hurts our sport, lets face it the ones that keep the fields profitable are newbies not us regulars so maybe a little credit should be given, especially since we were all there once, some of us never leave that state either :P. But anyways I digress. Play Fair out there, and lets help the new players they are after all the future of our great sport.

[TheBeardedFrog]

What are you talking about? If I get called a newbie in anything I get pissed off, even when I am one. which doesnt happen that often. Ive never been called a newbie in paintball only by a newbie and that didnt count. I dont really make fun of noobs to paintball like I do to other things though. Like in online games and stuff. Then Im all out mean.

[Richy_C]

I'm nice too newbies, I lone them barrels, squeegees alot. :confused:

[Knowledge]

You can't compare mainstream sports to paintball by age classes. In hockey, soccer, or whatever the kids play with the kids, they are all either newbies, or somewhat experienced. And the adults play with the adults. Keeping it fair, there are plenty of adults that are "newbies" to what they play too....maybe they're just trying it out or whatever. But in paintball, young play with the old (I'm talking rec), you can have some 15 year old that's been playing for 3 years every other week going against a 25 year old that's played for maybe 3 months. It's just different. When I come across an inexperienced person, I try to help them with what they need help with. Remember people, everyone needs some guidance.

[VeNoM]

me too . . . i enjoy seeing new players enjoy them selves and i want them to leave the field with a good memory of their experience at the paintball field.

[Phantom4Life]

Look I am never mean to new players I loan them Paint, squeegies, my backup gun, whatever, I was merely stating the behavior of some people and the possible logic behind it. WOW 3 days in the froums and a scuffle already ;)

[thejucer]

you are all newbians. i am a nooB and i waste children with my gun. i dotn even go "play" paintball. i do drive bys. am i nooB or a gangster? someone please tell me. i have a marker and a sidearm.

[AK47]

You don't have noobs in other sports you have rooks

[Dynasty_PB]

you are all newbians. i am a nooB and i waste children with my gun. i dotn even go "play" paintball. i do drive bys. am i nooB or a gangster? someone please tell me. i have a marker and a sidearm.

nope, your simply and idiot

peace.love.unity

[oompaloompa2000]

I never liked normal sports....I always skateboarded,wakeboarded,snowboarded,and now i play paintball. I have noticed that alot of skateboarders play paintball..dont know why.

hmm.....there we dont talk bad about noobs that skateboard...but i guess we treat posers about how u treat noobs lol. I have been playing paintball for about 6 months....am i still a noob? lol

[Kamotz]

I think a big factor (keep in mind probably not the only one) is the equipment used for mainstream sports vs. paintball. You don't notice ignorant questions in mainstream sports because the equipment in question is much simpler. You'll have to agree a paintball marker is just slightly more complex than a baseball. To ask questions like how a baseball works, you have to be really dense. To ask questions like how paintball gun works, you only need to be about as dense as, say, old leftover pudding.

[Awhislyle]

I think in basketball its not as bad because they are a team that probably practice together or started around the same time like when they were 8 and now they are all 17

but in pb there may be someone 16 thats been playinbg for 7 years and is way better than the second timer 39 year old and he might get frustrated with the guy because his team may lose because he made a wrong move

and since the newbies will probably not be on a team with all people of same skill level then there will be some bashing of newbs in the game

[Burn]

What is classed as a Newbie though ?
I have played Paintball regularly for 11 years since the age of 12, but I have never thought of it as sport, more of recreation.

So in the sense of recreational play, I would say I'm an experienced player. I know what to expect, use good tactics, know my local fields like the back of my hand, etc,.
But as a sport, I have only just decided to purchase a marker and looked at starting a team with mates who have also played paintball for recreation.
In that sense I would say I'm a newbie.......but just because I haven't owned a marker before, or played tournament paintball before doesnt mean that I dont know what I'm doing and that I wont kick your *** ! lol

[Killer Kat]

I truly believe it's more of a hazing, or rookie initiation process, that this sport has adopted. It seperates the men from the boys, or the players from the wannabes. Once the game is played, the rookie moves up the ranks. We did this stuff as children all the way back to Kindergarden. You must remember that old rhyme,"Kindergarden baby"? I couldn't wait to get outta kindergarden and sing it to the next few years classes!

It's all in fun, However I myself try not to call them newbies!

I prefer to call them....:eyes:

FRESH MEAT! :laugh:

[Mrfxiitxx]

I think part of the problem with paintball and newbies is, look at other main stream sports. Most are broken up into age brackets. you dont have 10 year old kids playing against high school seniors in baseball, basketball, football, hockey etc.. very often. If the kids play baseball or another main stream sport alot the usually end up in a league with other kids their own age.

While newbies do help the sport grow I think everyone has a tolerance limit. After being told by some camo decked out newbie for like the 4th time, that I'm stupid for wearing a blue jersey instead of camo, and that I need to get camo hopper and gun covers I get a little annoyed. Especially when these same newbies usually end up cowering in a bunker and not accomplishing anything the whole game.

Another part of it is, yes paintball games need team work, how many experinced players like to be put on a team of all newbies. Not many, because alot of them while they say they will work with you as a team just dont. I cant count the number of times I've tried to get a newbie to advance to a bunker and they wont. Or the number of times they say they will if I give cover fire, and when I give them cover fire they dont, and I waste half a hopper of paint doing so.

Some newbies are okay they ask you questions about the game and actually learn, and try and play well, but it seems locally at least its few and far between. I try and help newbies when and where I can giving them advice on how to play certain fields where the good bunkers are, good points of advance etc...
But when newbies start talking smack, acting like they know everything and talking about how many kills they got even if they fire 3 rounds all game, it gets old and I think thats a big part of what gives them such a bad name and rep.

I dont go out of my way to torment newbies or anything, just the ones who repeatedly annoy me by mocking me wearing camo etc.. I just ignore, and give up trying to help with stuff.

Well theres my $.02 rant/rambling on the subject

Mr.Fixit

[speeddemon0016]

when somebody new to the sport of paintball says something ridiculuos, i just chuckle a little and correct them. that way they learn from there mistake.

[DagNasty]

whatever you call them, I'm just glad so many are getting into it. It gives paintball recognition, will lower prices, and let's us play more.