I recently took a friend from work out to play paintball.  I could tell he was a little nervious as well as anxious to get out and do some shootin.  He came prepared by bringing lots of water and appropriate old beat up clothes (ones which he wouldn't mind getting dirty).  I lent him my Automag, goggles, and gloves.  He also got a camo jersey from one of my friend Russ, so he was good to go.
        "Game ON" I yelled, as we started his first game of speedball.  Jason ran into place and frantically started ripping off balls like an amatuer trying to get to his bunker.  "Hit" he yelled after a few minutes of frantic firing.  A few things that I noticed was that he was standing out in the open, giving his opponents many opprotunities for pot shots.  I told him to tuck in a little, making it harder for the opponent to have a decent shot.  I also told him to not always come up in the same spot, because a good opponent will be waiting to take you out.
        "Game ON" I yelled as we started the 2nd game.  Jason, destined not to get out as easy this time, ran up on the bunker, dug in, and started a great exchange of paint, taking out 2 of his opponents.  "Good job" I yelled to him, as I say him walking off the field, high from his first 2 kills.  I told myself, it was now time for me to play to see if he could get me out.  My friends Eric and Steve joined me, as we took on 4 opposers with Semis, one of them being Jason.  As the game started, we were able to get 2 oppoents out quickly.  I furiously looked for Jason as I ran around one of the back barracade which covered the back of the field.  "Pow" as I let a round rip, hitting Jason in the back.  Steve shot the last guy off the field.
        One thing important thing which I told Jason was that you need to be able to watch all angles from your bunker.  This way, if someone (like myself) trys to bunker you, you will be ready to act, and not be suprised by an unprepared attack.  We laughed as we walked off the field.  Oddly it seems that most newbies take a little longer to figure out basic strategies to learn the game, and how to prevent getting shot early in the game.  With a few simple suggestions, Jason was playing like a pro!  I think that more experienced players should give a suggestion to the "first time players" when they see them on the field.  They should remember that they were once there, and should try to help out when they can.  This is what keeps the game fun, and the sport of paintball alive...
 
Just a thought.  Happy Paintball'n!!
Sean Takeda
President, The MPN