It's D-Day and I'm all excited at the prospect of playing in my first paintball tournament. Being a complete noob and not knowing what to expect, I fill my head with all the different things I should do and how I should play. Run fast. Stay low. Communicate. Pin the opposition. Stance. Snap shoot... STAY ALIVE!
The one cardinal rule as a front player... STAY ALIVE. I could not manage that long enough to be of any help to my team.
I tried stopping short. I end up being pinned by the 2 corner men.
I tried sliding into the snake. I end up taking one on the loader.
I tried sliding into the snake. I end up taking one in the face.
I make it to the snake and battle 1 in the back can, 1 in the center dorito. I end up taking one on the knuckle.
I make it to the snake and battle 1 in the back can, 1 in the center dorito. I end up taking one in the face AGAIN!
Granted that as a front player the odds of getting hit are going to be higher but it still is a bitter pill to swallow knowing that I couldn't stay alive that little bit longer and maybe take out 1 man or help my team gain some kind of advantage before my demise. To get hit and then watch my team mates get taken out 1 by 1 is not my idea of fun. Worse still getting hit early in the game!
I'm ultra competitive and I play to win. I may be gracious in defeat but I F#@%ing hate losing. I'll be the first to admit it tho... I GOT PWNED! ROYALLY!! Regardless the reasons, I got my arse handed to me on a silver platter, no doubt about that.
Still, the day wasn't a complete waste. I got to learn ALOT today. Thanks Desmond, Nizam, DT, The Marshals and the rest at Southern Xtreme. (If I didn't mention you here, its only because I don't know your name... heh) The advice and pointers were a great help! I got to learn about being tight in bunkers, shooting stances, field awareness, strategy, movement, timing, diversion as well as having hands on experience with a MacDev Droid and Planet Eclipse EGO. Not to mention the difference between lobbing and straight barrels.
I come away from this with an even greater desire to play well and so its time for drills drills and more drills boys.
