New start/break method?

[ElliotB]

Been thinking what small fields were missing from large fields. I think I narrowed it down to the rush of running into position. On a small field, you can easily get shot out from the "start" or "break-out" box. But on big fields (e.g. SC village sized tank fields) you have ample time to run full speed into position without fear of getting shot out of the break.

So what I'm suggesting is, if on a small field (where you can easily shoot and mark a target from end to end) you would have to do a full lap of the map before being able to open fire. You could even put team obstacles, a little footwork tire, ropes, hopscotch, spin around a bat, take a drink area within the lap, etc...

Pros and Cons of such a method?

Pros: more cardio, kids love to run = tired kid at home, less firing lanes off the break = more movement, target acquisition off the break is harder to acquire = more communication...?

Cons: more cardio, cost of double netting to prevent cheaters...?

What say you, good idea/bad idea?

[Toestr]

There's a field in Europe called the Cobalt Project or something like that. It's basically a huge team vs team obstacle course, and you're supposed to evade eachother between stations, and you search for a code or something. I'm honestly not really too sure how it works, but there's a bunch of videos of it on YouTube. Definitely not a conventional field, and I think you're supposed to use all their gear.

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[Jordan]

One question... what about the slower people? Do they get lit up, or are they off limits until they've completed the lap?

Those of us with bad knees and worse cardio will probably just walk the whole way, anyways.

[Memornix]

+1 for bad knees

[Cyberpyr8]

I once played at a smaller field and we put the guns on the back side of the field (each team on their own side) and everyone started in the middle. When they said go we ran to the back to get our guns and then started playing. Still doesn't help slower guys or people with bad knees but I have always thought that was a fun way to play. It also didn't let the back players with tons of paint get there before you and start shooting lanes before the faster players had their guns and were back in it.

[maggot]

This sounds like a terrible idea... unless you have park benches for me to catch my breath after the lap.

[glaman5266]

Sounds complicated. I say make an arch/marker 10-12 feet around the start box. No shooting 'til you cross that line. If you're caught, you're out. Simple & effective.

[Ecapnation]

The average paintball player isn't exactly athletic....so good job on creating a game format to chase away more players.

[Shaftski]

Do a LeMans style start. Hopper tank, and barrel separated from marker and at your feet. Whistle blows, you have to assemble your marker then run. Or grab parts, run with no one shooting, then assemble when in position. Big time laughs when someone blows a tank o-ring during assemble, or drops their barrel on their way to the bunker. New wrinkles to strategy.

[Lt. head-shot]

Do a LeMans style start. Hopper tank, and barrel separated from marker and at your feet. Whistle blows, you have to assemble your marker then run. Or grab parts, run with no one shooting, then assemble when in position. Big time laughs when someone blows a tank o-ring during assemble, or drops their barrel on their way to the bunker. New wrinkles to strategy.

I like this, but maybe just no paint in the hopper. That way you can either choose to run to a bunker and then load, or load and shoot on your way to a bunker.

[glaman5266]

I like this. Have to try it sometime.

[wunderbarsafari]

Sounds complicated. I say make an arch/marker 10-12 feet around the start box. No shooting 'til you cross that line. If you're caught, you're out. Simple & effective.

I like this. Similarly, I’ve played some games with no shooting until you reach a bunker. That worked really well because the slobs like me can walk to a back spot and the young kids take advantage of the slow start and try to make the 50

[CrowsFeast]

This all sounds complicated. Might work with regulars but probably not great for the new guys who are trying to figure out how things work.

Keep it simple. 1 whistle to 'start' (everyone takes off, no firing) double whistle after 3-10 seconds (depending on field size, layout, orientation of the moon, ref remembers they have to actually start the game) and people can start firing.

[pghp8ntballer]

This all sounds complicated. Might work with regulars but probably not great for the new guys who are trying to figure out how things work.

Keep it simple. 1 whistle to 'start' (everyone takes off, no firing) double whistle after 3-10 seconds (depending on field size, layout, orientation of the moon, ref remembers they have to actually start the game) and people can start firing.

I agree with this.

Or make everyone shoot stock Nelspots or PGPs?

I think a wide bunker just in front of the breakout would be a good thing for beginners.
They can run/walk straight while just ducking to get to safety. They can go from there if they choose.

[iamthelazerviking]

This is why small fields shouldn't exist haha. Or at least they should be organized better, where the ref breaks up the groups more. Countless times I have been in a 10+ vs 10+ on a very small field. Can't move. 5 people stacked per bunker. A fearless rental runs up the side fanning the trigger and gets everyone out, while already covered in 300 hits. Absolutely horrendous.

[Alexndl]

1 whistle to 'start' (everyone takes off, no firing) double whistle after 3-10 seconds and people can start firing.

+1 on this

I personnaly never shoot the first 5 second of a game, I just focus on finding a good spot and playing pump without AT limit the number of shot I could take at the break

[CrowsFeast]

This is why small fields shouldn't exist haha. Or at least they should be organized better, where the ref breaks up the groups more.

A good field layout helps a lot too. Small indoor place I used to work (was the size of a curling rink with... ~6 lanes? Well, once upon a time it was actually a curling rink) was split in 2. One side was a smallish speedball field and the other was 'buildings' (hallways formed an H shape with 'bush field' and 'shipping yard' at top and bottom). Really reduced shooting lanes and sight. depending on game style you could move up through the buildings as well as the hallways. You could also mess with what was considered in or out of bounds to create different 'game modes' to switch it up.