Would you let your child play paintball today

[Lohman446]

At a local field with players at a much higher level? No. But if they played with eachother (like friends) and give them goggles, turn down the velocity to 200's and let them play like that... it would be cool. But not with the rest of us... I think it's just too intense/too much, and I'm not saying that ramping makes a difference either.

That was a valuable answer for me. If I decide to let my daughter play she is likely going to want to compete, which means the tournament scene at some point. And yes, in a controlled enviroment where I have a lot more control over velocity and safety than the normal field I would have no issue with it. My concerns are with an open play situation, or the tournament scene, where I loose some of that control.

[vonort]

Currently my sond is only 2. If he has an intrest in the game when he is 10 then yes I will take him too play. But also keep in mind that I play mostly "bandit" ball. There is one local feild that if they are open I would take him too play. At that point I would be sure that he understands all the potential "evils" in the game. And would not allow him to go down that road. Not as long as dad is still involved.

[phantomhitman]

Add onto this ramping that seems to suddenly have just become acceptable. Have you tried to get off the field lately after being shot?
It is not accepatbale at rec play. Unless you jump into a game of tourney players practicing this should not happen. Ramping should be kept to practice and tourneys. Talk to your field owner about that.

Add to this a number of players that seem to think velocity cheats are "cool"
This is a noobie thing. THe higher end/tourney players know better that this. They know they will be called for it if they hit another tourney player and he lays into him. Also, this can be solved by talking to the field owner.

Add to this the general attitude towards cheating in the game, and lack of fair play.
This gets blamed on the tourney crowd, and rightfully so. Some people are notorious for wiping on pro teams as well as your local field. I have pulled at least 3 times as many newer/rec players for playing on, wiping, or just ignoring the rules. They are just to caught up in the game, dont fully understand the rules, or the their pride is too big to ever be shot out. But I understand were you are coming from.

Just remember a quick talk to the field owner, or playing at that field 4-5 time should give you a good idea of how that field "plays". I would never drop my kid off and leave, I would play with them at least 10-15 times before even letting them onto the field by themselves. Just to see how they react to certain situations. Every kid is different and goes at different speeds. I have seen kids quit after one game (most of the time neck or close quarters shots) while others will dust themselves off and try again. Just encourage whatever they decide.

[NukeGoose]

Beat your children often starting at a young age, and they will hardly feel the sting of a paintball.

[Pyrate Jim]

My daughter was ten when she won MVP/young guns at the MXS event "the King Returns" down at EMR last year. The only time she got lit up was by our own team but came through like a trooper. When we left the field, she took off her mask and the first thing she said was "You're right, dad. This stuff tastes terrible"
This was not her first game, but it was the first time she had been hit six times up close. Kids can take more than you might think. (Plus I suspect she was kinda proud showing off the marks at school)
She still plays, and wants to do tourney, but I'm hesitant to put her in a competition at 11 years old. I let her do speedball in rec games, when I can be in the same bunker with her or at least close by, but she's not as good(or as tough) as she thinks she is.

So it's up to the child. Some are ready sooner than others. Let 'em try in a controlled situation and if they can handle more then let 'em go for it. If, like me, you're not comfortable with the child being in the hard-core of competition then play for fun and keep it a family thing.

[68magOwner]

Not that im old enough to have kids yet (or at least i pray im not going to get anyone pregnant soon), but, yes, i would. Not long ago a father brought his 10 year old out to play (knowt he age because i talked with the father some that day). The safety procedures were gone over with the child by the staff at the field, he was taught a few basics of rules/playing by staff/players (his father had never played before either, so, couldnt really help the son a ton). Then, he was sent on his merry way, jumped in the first small game on the X ball field je saw. I played that game, and, i can say that, everyone on the field recognized the situation, and new to take it easy on the kid. I think he ended up being bunker tagged that game, but, i saw him play more, and, i dont think he ever got shot more than once per game. People around here seem to be courteous players for the most part and use their heads while playing (rarely have any fighiting, major cheating, bonus balling, or what have you in rec play). The kid ended up sort of wimpering/crying after one game where he got shot (not anyone fault really, just how the game went down), but, after a few minutes to tend to his wounds (none really) he was back in playing. Child and father both had a blast, nothing bad all day. So, i would say that it would be fine, just watch who your daughter is playing with, I dont know what the players/scene around you is like, so, if you feel its not going to be a good situation, dont do it.

[CodeMA]

This is comeing from both a field staff member and tournament player...among other things... who can be quite arseholy at times ...specially on the field

We get a lot of younger players at our field, that we do let play under the right conditions(7 being the youngest that I know of) we do watch them a lot closer mind you...but they can play... and there parents are ushally right there or there playing in a church or bday party of some sort amongst there friends/family.... Most of em...like any other person...doesnt have a big problem being shot.... that being said, Ive seen grown men in there 30s+ strap on grossly undersized chest protectors because they were afraid to be shot by there own kids...


I guess what Im trying to say, its based on the kid... Mentally mostly...and physicly(i.e. the gun setup, even a spyder, being bigger then the kid to were he cant actualy shoot the gun properly) Theres not much diffrence between 250 and 285 from most distances... it wont matter...

If the kids are serious about wanting to play compeitively.... the first thing they need to do is get used to, and accept the consept of bonusballing...getting bunkered, bunkering others...... Keeping there eyes on the opponet and not flinching... If taking the compeitive road... Tuff love is the way to go IMO...it will drill things into them faster and more effectively then the whole "its ok you dont have to do this....try to move when I tell you next time and dont worry about getting shot...." approach.... No its going to be...a move *shoots bunker* not moving still.... your no use...*drilled in the back* ... Just my opnion though


Oh and if you must make your kids wear "protective clothing"...please dont send them on the field looking like some deformed alien like creature out of some space age cartoon... its only going to get them laughed at and cause heat exaustion problems....

[bleachit]

no.

I dont think my theoretical child would be mentally or physically mature enough to deal with paintball... dealing with pain, and the desire to seek revenge upon those who inflicted it.

from some stories i have heard on this forum from time to time, I wouldnt trust others to keep my kid safe.

if I found a place that 8magowner plays at, then perhaps I would if I feel that my kid truely understands how to play "fair" and to not take the game personally when shot out.

or in order to get him/her used to the idea of being shot, I would do what I did to my sister...
drag her out back with a mask on (and she threw on like 5 layers of clothes) and just shoot at him/her with pgp or other slow firing marker.... good times.

[peewee]

I let my son play rec ball. I took him to a tournement to see what it was all about & he didnt like it. He looked at me & asked why everyone was so unfriendly. So recball /woods ball, yep tournement style . NO.

[Cameo]

After just under 1 year of teaching the rules and regulations. letting him watch and having him help my younger brother take apart guns I decided my son was ready to play.. Granted it was only at a Christian Camp field. He did very well, did not seem to mind the welts, played fair and with pride... Afterwards he helped clean the gun he was using and the mask.. I was very proud of him and felt that he did a great job, he got a ton of compliments from people who play there on a regular basis. I think it really helped him learn responciblity that he desperatley needed..
Now would I take him to a rec ball field?? I doubt it. I am not ready for that, let alone him..
~steph
ps: he is 6 years old..

[Recon by Fire]

My two daughter do play paintball and started almost 2 years ago. They are 16 & 18 now. They have never had a problem while playing rec ball. They only like rec and woods play really. But if anyone gets stupid on the field, don't worry about me being there or not, my 16 year old is a champion competitor in Judo and loves choke holds! Good daughter

[Hexis]

I've been thinking about letting my daughter start in five years (when she is ten) and kind of getting her ready for it.

Don't you think you are attempting to make a premature decision? Think about the changes in the last five years in paintball. The next five years are likely to bring as many or more changes to our sport/game.

[Lohman446]

Don't you think you are attempting to make a premature decision? Think about the changes in the last five years in paintball. The next five years are likely to bring as many or more changes to our sport/game.

For me, yes its premature, but when I think about the enviroment around paintball (especially competetive) I think that martial arts may be a better "hobby" for her.

[hitech]

Well, first I think 10 is too young for anyone to play. I don't think they are responsible enough to be playing. I have seen 10-year-old kids that are capable of playing, but very, very few.

My step-son is 11. There is no way I would let him play. I want him to enjoy it. It would end up ruining his view of the game. Almost all kids at that age are unwilling to sacrifice anything. Playing paintball you sometimes sacrifice comfort (i.e. pain) to play. The first time it really hurts they are likely to rethink playing.

That age just doesn't seem responsible enough to me. I'd just be too worried that something would go wrong.

I also hate playing against kids that age. As a father it's impossible to be as aggressive against a little kid. Fortunately there aren't that many playing.

One last thing. Just think of how much more mature kids are just a few years later...

[Arstron]

My girlfriend has an 8 year old daughter and since I moved in shes taken a big interest in paintball. I got a PT Extreme and some velcro balls and let her shoot that in the house. I've been teaching her the fundamentals about how to treat a gun right now. She wont point a gun at anyone. I picked up some cheap airsoft guns on ebay and had to force her to shoot me with it the other night so I think she understands how dangerous guns can be now. After Christmas she will have her own airsoft gun and then I can slowly get her used to playing until she feels ready to play actual paintball. Just FYI, the airsoft guns I got are very low velocity, you barely fill them hit at all. To answer the main question though, if she was ready to play, then yes I would take her to a recball field. My local field is very calm, not alot of swearing or over shooting although it does happen from time to time. The only thing I dont like about my local field is the lack of refs, but everyone does play fair.

Heck, theres nothing like teaching a young kid about paintball/guns, except for seeing the smile on their face when they get to shoot your favorite gun.