Ollie Lang's God of Paintball

Before I discuss the book itself, a quick background on the author, Oliver "Ollie" Lang. In the world of professional paintball (yes, it's a real sport) Ollie is widely considered to be the very best. The premier player, having won every single pro competition not once, but sometimes three and four times over. By the time he was in his early twenties, he had achieved all this and more. He is both respected by his peers and feared by his opponents. Ollie started as a teen and helped form team Ironkids, but really cut his teeth in the sport on team Dynasty, where they traveled extensively and beat everyone there was to beat. Oliver made pro paintball history when in 2006 he was paid by Dye Precision to leave team Dynasty and rejoin team Ironmen and endorses their products, however, Ollie Lang's Power Paintball was his own brainchild. Google "Team Ironmen" to learn about Ollie's team, including team stats, roster, and sponsors, and everything Team Ironmen.

The book itself is well written. Ollie is a down to earth dude, and it really comes through in his book. The book offers a gold mine of information for everyone from beginner to intermediate players. He offers advice on every single facet of the game. The mindset before, during, and even after the game. He covers it all: Getting over certain "fears," Crushing common misconceptions, Just tons and tons of practical, field ready tips, strategies, and advice that unless you are a complete dunce, you will benefit from. He is truly a pioneer in the sport and continues to be so with the advent of his book. Ollie Lang's Power Paintball covers the sport from top to bottom:

• 10 essential Drills the Ironmen use everytime we practice.
• How being able to control your Inner Game will make you a better player.
• Eliminating the embarrassment of being the first guy shot.
• The two most important tips that even pros for get.
• and much much more.

Every little group or "click" has their own language, and paintball is no different. Ollie even includes a huge glossary of the slang and acronyms and their definitions, so even if you do somehow still suck after reading the book ( like me), at least you can sound like you know what you're talking about. Ollie Lang has truly outdone himself (again), and this is a must read for everyone from the weekend warrior to the aspiring pro.

Find out more about Ollie Lang's Power Paintball book here and check out the cool freebies he offers!

http://www.usfreeads.com/1720178-cls.html

Paintball Mainstream

Contrary to the belief that paintball is nothing but tough young men playing "war" wearing camouflage in the woods, the popularity of the sport has increased to the point where some nine million Americans have played it. Paintball versions of Capture the Flag, and Elimination have become popular pastimes for every kind of group from church groups to sororities.

Paintball venues have hosted birthday parties and bachelor parties. Corporations have held team building exercises involving paintball. There are paintball clubs and events for almost every age and skill level. Kids as young as 10 can play paintball, and this is due to the sport having strict safety regulations and a good safety record.

But, doesn't it hurt to be hit by a paintball? The sensation has been likened to being snapped by a rubber band, stung by a bee, or hit with a wet towel. However, the general consensus among paintball enthusiasts is that after getting hit the first time, adrenaline takes over, and the sensation of actually being hit fades into the background.

The most common paintball game is Capture the Flag. While there are variations, the basic object of the game is for one team to capture the opposite team's flag, while protecting its own flag from being captured. Players are eliminated from the game after being hit by a paintball.

Simple games of elimination are also popular. These games are played until there is only one player still standing. Sometimes there are different rules, such as pretend "medics" who will examine a player who has been hit and decide if he or she is fit to return to the game. Part of the popularity of paintball is that it is not a sport in which success depends on physical size or age.

And while it is possible for the paintball fanatic to spend hundreds of dollars on equipment, for the casual player, $25 to $30 will rent the proper safety and paintball equipment for an afternoon of fast-paced fun. Commercial paintball parks feature different themed fields, such as woods, cityscapes, or replicas of famous battlefields. Such parks usually also feature speedball fields, which are populated with inflatable bunkers. There are even indoor paintball fields, making it an all-weather sport in places lucky enough to have these facilities.

Commercial paintball fields also offer perks such as locker rooms, picnic areas, and concessions. They are required to meet strict insurance regulations and employ referees to ensure the players' safety. In addition, commercial paintball parks monitor the velocity of paintballs with instruments called chronographs. The velocity of the paintballs depends on the ambient temperature for markers (guns) that use CO2 for propelling paintballs. This problem is less pervasive in indoor, climate-controlled settings.

With improved safety features and an improving public image, paintball has gone from being somewhat of a "fringe" sport to drawing grandparents, kids, and everyone in between. Part of the appeal is the stress relief of firing off a round of paint, and part of it is the strategic and tactical thinking that is involved in the game. Paintball is also a sport where size and youth do not necessarily confer success.

Because teamwork and communication are so important, clubs, church groups, and even corporations have enthusiastically embraced paintball games as a way for people to learn to work together and where everyone contributes. The large and growing popularity of paintball facilities and teams attests to its broad appeal.pa

Tippmann A-5 Paintball Markers Recall

RECALL AND REPAIR OF END CAP ASSEMBLIES
ON CERTAIN TIPPMANN^® A-5^® PAINTBALL MARKERS

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tippmann Sports has announced a voluntary recall of the end cap assembly on certain A-5^® model paintball markers. Click here to view the joint press release of the CPSC and Tippmann Sports

A-5^® markers with Serial Numbers 0409301-0422200 were manufactured with end cap assemblies that may break, eject, and cause personal injury under certain conditions.

If your A-5^® marker falls within this serial number range and has the “old style” end cap identified in the picture below, STOP USING YOUR A-5^® MARKER IMMEDIATELY. All A-5^® markers with the “new style” end cap are not the subject of this safety recall, nor are other Tippmann, US Army™ and TPN™ paintball products.

The serial number for your A-5^® marker is located on the left side of the marker near the front grip.

Register below to be sent a free repair kit and detailed installation instructions. Or, you may call (866) 841-3029 or email us at recall@tippmann.com for additional information. (001-260-749-6022 x3149 if outside the United States)

Recall Repair Kit Request

Please provide all of the following information to register for this recall and to receive a repair kit. Your repair kit will include detailed instructions on how to replace the end cap assembly of your A-5^® marker.

Additional Background Information

Tippmann Sports initiated this recall after determining that the end cap assembly on certain
A-5^® markers can break, eject, and cause personal injury under certain conditions.

Tippmann is committed to the manufacture and sale of safe, quality paintball products. It has sold millions of paintball markers and leads the industry in its commitment to quality and safety, earning an outstanding quality and safety record and resulting in millions of loyal and enthusiastic consumers around the world. We apologize to our customers and consumers for any inconvenience or concern this matter may have caused, and remain committed to developing, producing and selling the most innovative paintball markers in the industry.

Click here for downloadable Recall Poster.

PSP NEW ROF

’m sure many of you have heard the rumors that the PSP will be reducing the rate of fire for each division. From the information that I have gathered, there is no official number for the rate of fire but it will definitely be lowered. The rumored RoF’s for Pro & Semi Pro; 12bps, D1-D3 10bps, D4-D5 8bps.

The following was was taken from PBNation from a post by Lane Wright, guy who runs PSP.

“First, I want to clear up the “ignorant” comment. I meant ignorant as it is defined — unaware because of a lack of relevant information or knowledge

If you’re me to present you with the “numbers” of other companies in order to gain your trust, that isn’t something that I can do.

I can give you this number — a group of people who contribute 1.1 million into our 2.4 million dollar operating budget say they want a lower ROF. When it gets right down to it, that’s the basis of the decision.

I agree with their interpretation of THEIR numbers and why this is what they want. I also recognize that above and beyond what they pay PSP, they put additional millions into the teams. What they want is paramount in what I do going forward. It has to be.

You are correct that I should probably “act” a little more professional. But it would be just that - an act. I’m not professional. I don’t pretend to be professional. Honestly, I don’t think it is either one of the more important or more highly regarded qualities needed to do my job well.

I don’t dress professionally. I don’t look professional. I don’t act professional. I’m not a professional. I am a paintball player who happens to get into a position to make decisions for PSP.

The rate of fire is going to be lowered. That is an absolute fact.

You guys can talk about it, complain about it, discuss the heck out of it. But the fact remains, I believe that the best thing to do for all involved is to lower the ROF.

I didn’t make this decision one night at dinner. This has been discussed and thought about for months.

I have information that isn’t, nor is it going to be, available to the masses. That’s just the way it is.

The game will still be fun for just about everyone. The best teams will still win. The best players will still be the best players. Tournament paintball will go on. Next year no one will be complaining about this. 5 years from now, no one will even remember this. I have been through dozens and dozens of changes that “everyone” said exactly this same type stuff about. Just about every one of those decisions was a good decision.

The 2 that i think were wrong –

Separating the NXL from everything.
Increasing the rate of fire because we had the technology.

Both are being corrected (my opinion).”