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