subject: Scenario Paintball Vs. Tournament Paintball [print this page] A lot of players have strong opinions; most scenario players have them against tournament players and vice versa. Most complaints are 'that's not how you play paintball, and where the challenge in that is?' Then you have the tournament players who laugh at us from across the parking lot because we wear camouflage and ghillie suits. Most scenario game refs are tournament players, usually as part of the field sponsorship or so they can have some pocket cash, most of the time they comment on the crazy outfits we as scenario players wear. Heck, I even laugh (not out loud) when a 'star wars' or sci-fi themed game comes up, but they do have a point on that one. Whew some of those 'outfits' even make me cringe ha-ha.
Most scenario players should take a page from the tournament players, either spend a day with them or learn from them by watching a tournament game. I swear you will feel inferior in your game skills after a minute performance by the tournament guys. Hey, it's their game and whenever I am out playing I want to be the best player at the end of the day. I am always looking to put another notch in my win column.
Because Tournament Ball is such a faster game, you have to be on your feet and be able to bust it to advance your game, from the angle positions, to the snap shooting. Some of this is the same in scenario ball except the speed and any mistake you make in speedball usually results in a huge splat to the forehead instantaneously.
They have their own signals, hand signals and calls worked out in a communication fashion that puts us scenario to shame, and we can take a lesson in that. When you watch a tourney there is no nonstop yelling back and forth, there is just a quick yell or a hand signal and that's it. On the other hand scenario players yell nonstop, and if we were trying to sneak up on something...we would fail miserably.
Though we share the field in scenario games, our sides are still split, they have theirs and we have ours, but we can always meet in the middle and learn something to improve our game. But don't be shocked if you are dressed up as Han Solo and you're having it out with a stormtrooper in the brush, don't be surprised if you nail a headshot and the ref tells you "Awesome Shot".
If you're thinking about playing in a tournament to improve your ball skills, just know it isn't cheap to register for the professional category. But save yourself some cash and sign up for the amateur or novice for some lessons in speed ball that you can apply to the scenario field. Another choice is to ask your local tournament team for some practice time with them. They will say yes at the sight of a fresh victim and in the end you will learn some valuable lessons to better your game. That way the next time you're out in the woods, you can use what you've learned against an opponent.
