I Was Wrrr...rrr.....ong !!!!!!!!
For years I have been defending the pro scene both over here in Europe and in the United States. There have been a legion of critics who lined up to attack the NPPL (and by extension pros over here) and I would engage those critics in fierce debate and would generally beat their ass into the ground (metaphorically speaking of course) because nearly all of those critics had never been anywhere near a pro tournament and were generally critical because they were just plain jealous.
Over the past week or so, I have had to reflect on many things regarding the pro circuits here and in the States and what has become apparent is that when bad behaviour erupts at either the NPPL or at the Millennium, it generally involves the top teams and I have to say, those teams tend to be American.
But before anybody thinks this is going to be an anti-yank critique, I would qualify that last statement by saying that in the NPPL, virtually all the teams who qualify for the semi-finals and finals are American and the Millennium also tends to have the American teams in our semi-finals and finals.
So, to state that most bad behaviour is American based is misleading, it would be more accurate to say that most bad behaviour is in the semi-finals and finals in the pro sections of the NPPL and Millennium tournaments.
And it is here; I have to acknowledge that perhaps my staunch and sometimes blind defence of what I believed (and still do) to be the best leagues in the World may flounder a little.
I have witnessed many such outbursts (of which I have been involved in a fair few) and they do seem to erupt in the games where top pro teams are playing.
There is without any doubt (getting scientific here) a statistical significance between bad behaviour and pro teams…..No argument, I am in denial no more !!!
The reason for this is varied and I am sure people will offer up all kinds of speculations but I believe it is a combination of pressure to perform that perhaps the pros feel a little more than other teams and ineffective judging.
Pros, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, sometimes get away with murder and it is this lack of consistent adjudication, coupled with pressure that produces the unfortunate circumstances for players at the top end to act like idiots.
Like most areas of life, behaviour will always tend to descend toward the lowest common denominator if no restrictions or deterrents are imposed.
Paintball is in no way immune from these inclinations.
Let’s get this sorted by educating and empowering the judges, only this way can we all enjoy the game we love so much.
And from a selfish point of view, and I think I speak for the vast majority of pros both over here and in the States, if we were to effect these changes, people at all levels of the game would begin to respect us for whatever skill we may possess rather than revile us for our bad behaviour and end up ignoring any good points we may have.
Just my opinion u understand
Any ideas anyone ?
Robbo
For years I have been defending the pro scene both over here in Europe and in the United States. There have been a legion of critics who lined up to attack the NPPL (and by extension pros over here) and I would engage those critics in fierce debate and would generally beat their ass into the ground (metaphorically speaking of course) because nearly all of those critics had never been anywhere near a pro tournament and were generally critical because they were just plain jealous.
Over the past week or so, I have had to reflect on many things regarding the pro circuits here and in the States and what has become apparent is that when bad behaviour erupts at either the NPPL or at the Millennium, it generally involves the top teams and I have to say, those teams tend to be American.
But before anybody thinks this is going to be an anti-yank critique, I would qualify that last statement by saying that in the NPPL, virtually all the teams who qualify for the semi-finals and finals are American and the Millennium also tends to have the American teams in our semi-finals and finals.
So, to state that most bad behaviour is American based is misleading, it would be more accurate to say that most bad behaviour is in the semi-finals and finals in the pro sections of the NPPL and Millennium tournaments.
And it is here; I have to acknowledge that perhaps my staunch and sometimes blind defence of what I believed (and still do) to be the best leagues in the World may flounder a little.
I have witnessed many such outbursts (of which I have been involved in a fair few) and they do seem to erupt in the games where top pro teams are playing.
There is without any doubt (getting scientific here) a statistical significance between bad behaviour and pro teams…..No argument, I am in denial no more !!!
The reason for this is varied and I am sure people will offer up all kinds of speculations but I believe it is a combination of pressure to perform that perhaps the pros feel a little more than other teams and ineffective judging.
Pros, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, sometimes get away with murder and it is this lack of consistent adjudication, coupled with pressure that produces the unfortunate circumstances for players at the top end to act like idiots.
Like most areas of life, behaviour will always tend to descend toward the lowest common denominator if no restrictions or deterrents are imposed.
Paintball is in no way immune from these inclinations.
Let’s get this sorted by educating and empowering the judges, only this way can we all enjoy the game we love so much.
And from a selfish point of view, and I think I speak for the vast majority of pros both over here and in the States, if we were to effect these changes, people at all levels of the game would begin to respect us for whatever skill we may possess rather than revile us for our bad behaviour and end up ignoring any good points we may have.
Just my opinion u understand
Any ideas anyone ?
Robbo
