What does it take to play pro ball?

[Lo Scannacristiani]

Back to the point please gents. The reason i ask is because i plan to either join or create a team of my own. I have 7 years experiance in the woods and on the Sup air feild but I have never really played in any legue or serise at a serious level. What im looking to gain from this thread is an over view of what the best want from their players so i may use it as rough plan for what i look for in others and to ultimately develop my own skills to that level.

 

[jj igotcha]

Originally posted by sjt19
Lost - i have no idea what you are talking about mate.

From a personal point of view, my life for the last 4 years has been paintball, just like that of my team mates, just like that of Nexus and Tigers. I have poured every penny I have over the last 3 years into playing for Shockwave, it has meant I cant do lots of things that my friends outside of paintball do. That kind of commitment is common across Shock, Nexus and Tigers.

i think the truth of the matter is pro is just a word when applied to uk paintball, as sam has said he pours every penny he has got into playing the game. people who assume you earn a living or even get everything for free at that level are in my opinion very misguided, Nexus are probably the heaviest sponsored team in the uk and maybe robbo could say whether or not his players still have to put their hand in their pockets for stuff like travel, hotels and training but i'm guessing that is certainly the case with shock and tigers. this just goes to show how committed these guys are when they forsake everythin else to play the game. something for any wannabe pro to think over, i could never make the kind of sacrifices your average pro player makes cos i like a social life away from paintball.
jj

 

[sjt19]

Couldnt agree more JJ, and I have always thought that 'pro' is a state of mind, rather than a level in paintball.

I have missed out on so many of the things my friends do, and girlfriend does in order to play for Shock. I wouldnt change it for a second, as I have had so many awesome experiences, but it isnt always the walk in the park that so many people think it is.

I know players on Shock and Nexus that have lost wives/girlfriends and in Kyle's case blow up girlfriends to pursue their dreams of playing at the top level.

 

[Robbo]

The guys on Nexus basically get free paintball; that is hotels, equipment, flights, car hire etc are all free.
Along with training paint and training facilities etc.
Some players also get help with training expenses.

They get this because they are willing to work hard at what they do, they train hard and are extremely talented.
It's all about the talent they possess and the commitment they give.

The word 'pro' as when used by paintballers isn't definitive in the sense none of my players actually gets paid (they do I suppose by default) but it more accurately denotes a level of play (the highest possible within our sport) and a degree of commitment.

But the way things are going, it may not be all that long before they can really call themselves pro.

 

[Edd Hobday]

Originally posted by sjt19

From a personal point of view, my life for the last 4 years has been paintball, just like that of my team mates, just like that of Nexus and Tigers. I have poured every penny I have over the last 3 years into playing for Shockwave, it has meant I cant do lots of things that my friends outside of paintball do. That kind of commitment is common across Shock, Nexus and Tigers.

....i'm there with you on that one buddy Just not for any of the 'big three' of course

-EDD

 

[Mario]

everything sam and robbo have mentioned and luck...

 

[Dusty]

Originally posted by Robbo
My personal list of requirements for my players is based upon the holy quartet of :-

Talent
Commitment
Humility (willingness to learn)
Athleticism

You give me that lot, and I'll give you Pro NPPL, Pro Millennium and so much more ........

talent? doubtful. no more/less than anyone else i expect. not counting the obvious exceptions.

commitment? as much as can be expected from a guy with a house to pay for, better half and a pup to feed. make as many training sessions as i can when i ain't working to pay for the house etc.

Humility? definitely willling to learn, i know from experience in life sometimes you can teach others, more often than not they teach you.

Athleticism? yup thats me. 2nd Dan black belt 10 years experience in martial arts.

In Northern Ireland? never gonna happen!!!!! basically my point is this, for a normal person with a normal life like mine, paintball arrived after the rest of my commitments. I have no doubt in my own mind i could learn to play like anyone else within reason, but does that mean I can go places with paintball? catch 22, when i was young i couldn't afford to play, now that i am older i can afford to buy the gear, but still can't afford that level of commitment.

onlly places i will be going are as far as my wages and missus allow me to.......................

 

[Gyroscope]

OK, well that Ireland issue is simply a test of commitment, then. You would never have gotten as far in martial arts as you did if convenience dictated whether or not you progressed. Same with the house.

Seriously, pro-paintball players do not have normal priorities. Many cannot even understand concepts like "increasing". There is a circuit missing in their minds, so that they put paintball in front of damn near everything. It's sorta sad, really. Poor little buggers. They just don't know any better.

 

[Dusty]

Ireland is an issue, there is one tournament paintball team over here, and they are great guys, but flights and getting markers on a plane alongside the standard issue balaclava isn't easy. its not like a bus or train ride away to the local tournaments! the martial arts thing? yes i travelled and trained every night for 2 years solid. like i said before, Northern ireland?? you can travel one side to the other in less than 2 hours!!!!that said i know people who got their black belts for training once per week at their local club. it just took a little longer.

don't get me wrong i am not saying that i would like or am able to go pro now or anything like it, (i lie i would love it!) but I do have my priorities set out in life, and unfortunately i think some people have to realise playing "pro" paintball is just never going to happen for them, no matter how bitter a pill that may be to swallow.

 

[DarWood]

You work hard at anything in life it will eventually come!
A personal example of that is training every sunday since November last year... the amount I have improved is just amazing!

Commitment and the drive I believe are the most important things (not just in paintball) to achieve anything