When is a youngster ready for PB?

[Cameo]

Looking through different forums, websites and magazines for Paint ball I have noticed quite a number of younger players. I was curious what y'all thought was an appropriate age/level of responciblity for a child to start such a sport? What types of things whould you look for in a child to see if they could handle such responcliblity?
A bit of a back ground. I have a 6 year old son, he is quite feisty (that is an understatment). For as long as I can remember I have thought him that weapons were for "responcible people". It has been brought to my attention by many male freinds that I shouldn't try to keep such things away from him. I am not going to go out and hand him a rifle, but could responciblity be tought with such things as paint ball guns?
~steph

[Blazestorm]

I'm not quite sure, but my neighbor is turning 11 in feburary, and his parents asked me where they could go to setup a paintball party, which places could do it, and which ones would be the best. The biggest influence on this was just me letting him shoot some of my guns in my backyard, I taught them safety throughout the process and showed him how fun it was.

Couple years later he wants to go play, I plan to go along, let him use my mask (spoil him ) and maybe let him use my gun a few games. I plan to take them to an indoor place where theres turf and airball, not because I enjoy playing there, but it's the worst rain in seattle in a longass time, Just pouring.

I gave my little brother an old spyder and showed him how to take care of it and shoot it in the backyard, he had just turned 7... He takes care of it and knows not to even point it at anyone even with the barrelplug on, tank off, hopper off, and safety on.

Just teach him the right way, right away.

[Chronobreak]

yes go over rules with them and watch etc as much as possible safety gear.

i would say 8-11 depending on the kid

i dont think ive had anyone under 8...ever..

under 10-11 i would suggest an adault or elder be near/on the field at that time.

also probly at a younger age try to stay in a private group.10--11 people

and let em know be careful with him

etc etc

i started at 11

[NewMagMan21]

I reffed a bunch of 9 y.o.'s they played pretty well. AThey just couldn't get how to uncock their guns...

[Kallahan]

Most people underestimate the intelligence of a single 10 year old, most people overestimate the intelligence of multiple 10 year olds :)

If you sit down and tell them the truth, the safty rules, and watch them when they play, I see no reason a child should not play.

[Enemy]

my cousin is like 10 maybe younger and he shows more consideration for saftey when shooting his sling shot and thier .22 than a few 13 yearolds.. remember in colorado this 13 yearold picked up the .22 while my uncle was setting up targets and pointed in his direction. i was so pissed the gun didnt stay in his hands for long and i almost put him on his butt he ran off and cried!! so its more dependent on the child than the age! another time was my two brothers the younger one(2 years younger than me) never did anything stupid with my bb or pelet guns but the middle one who is just 1 year younger than me picked it up while i was setting up cans and tried to shoot the cans to startle me he popped me in the hand on the webbing of my thumb!! good thing the pos had bursted its tank so it was no where near shooting at full power but that still hurt i believe i was 13 back then!!

[HOMOCIDAL2]

Kids

One important part of it is, All the rules in the world don't mean squat, if you don't lead by example. Kids aren't as stupid as when i was a kid. If you tell them to do something and you do something else, what do you think they will do? My son is seven, and hes been ready to play for about a year. I'm just afraid to send him to school with a bunch of bruises on his body, and then be accused of child abuse by DCF.

[Tunaman]

I taught my Son early...gave him the low down on weapons and safety at age 8. I took him to play paintball that same year. We both go shot up pretty good, and he cried a little. I asked him if he wanted to quit and go home but he said no. He is still playing and will be 20 in Feb. Teach him right, and go play with him. You will have a blast. I sure did and will never forget it.

[Kevmaster]

Cameo...depending on the kid, i'd say between 8-12 is when they would become ready.

somethin like that

[Mr. Mouse]

Yea i'd have to say 8-12 too, depends how mature/responsible the kid is, and also depends what the field age requirement is if hes under age he cant play but its mostly up to the parent to decide, and if you get the family into it its great, i got me my bro and my dad playing and we go out and play woodsball since there not really airball fans, but hey paintball is all in good fun.

[B.A.M.]

[QUOTE=Mr. Mouse]Yea i'd have to say 8-12 too, depends how mature/responsible the kid is, and also depends what the field age requirement is if hes under age he cant play but its mostly up to the parent to decide,QUOTE]
Totaly agree. Plus my Cousin is 10 yrs old and i might take him paintballing with me sometime.

[nippinout]

A kid is old enough to play, when they can be slapped in the face without crying.

[JRingold]

A kid is old enough to play, when they can be slapped in the face without crying.

Nice, someone call social services.

Seriously, a lot of it depends on the child. If they have an interest and understand that getting shot can hurt, and they still want to play, go for it. You may want to show them some welts from arm or leg shots to be certain that they understand. With my friends kid we took him to an indoor field first, the FPS limit was 270 so it was a little less intimidating. When he went to an outdoor a few months later and the limit was 300, he was able to notice the difference. (Temperature probably had something to do with that also.)

[SSniper]

^^ unfortunately ive never even been able to see my mag operate above 250 because thats what the field i play at is set to lol... but yeah.. i would say that around 10 is the age that i think kids would be ready to play.. it all depends on maturity... and the type of players that frequent the field your taking them to... you dont want them to have a bad experience their first time... having a 10 yr old use a 98 custom versus a bunch of timmys and crap like that...

[HoppysMag]

i say when they can get hit 3 times from a decent distance at 280 fps and not ball thier eyes out, a little wimpering is ok. but older than 10