Beaten down in the CFOA this weekend

[punkncat]

We have not played ball this bad, ever. We went 2-4 for the prelims, and one of those games was a gimme as the other team didn't show up. Our first game as really close. After that it was like watching the Titanic sink. Every game was progressivly worse. We were getting our butts handed to us all day, up to the final game of the day. We were all so pissed off at the day, each other, etc. that we didn't even talk. We just walked on the field with no game plan at all, and completly stomped them.

The whole week before was full of much drama, some of which I discussed here, and more I will get into later. Myself (co) and the team cpt. had it out right in front of the rest of the team, and our sponsor, over some really stupid crap that has been eating away at us all week. Just a totally FUBAR situation. May end up affecting our sponsorship for next month.

I will get in more detail when I get back from work.....I think if there were any teams that did worse than we did I would be very suprized.

[Badmovies.org]

I run into this a few times playing tourney, but that was years ago and tournaments were different. When it happened, we would all take a couple of minutes to collect ourselves. In effect, trying to change our mindset. Another thing that worked (and I still use this at times when playing woodsball - if the others agree) is to change up your "fire teams" that are working closely together. Sometimes you have to mix up who is playing what part of the field or working together. That can work.

[Rudz]

have a beer...

[rkjunior303]

everyone has days like that. if they continue, then it's definitely somethign to evaluate but i wouldnt let ONE day get you down.

[Lohman446]

You have had major personal changes in the last month have you not? I suspect you looked a lot at individual talent and neglected team chemistry (on and off field). That will often bite you.

I have found for instance that when I, and the best player at the field play together in a tournament it equals total disastor. We get along well but on field things go just wrong. Never yelling and shouting, but generally standing in the dead box wondering what just happened.

[thecavemankevin]

that exact same kind of drama is why so many of us give up torney ball and go back to rec (myself included)

oh well, learn from it and dont do it again. all you can do at this point

[rkjunior303]

we've been fortunate enough to have added people who really get along to our NEPL team but on and off the field. this is the best team i've ever been a part of and we all get along great with each other off the field - best of both worlds... hopefully you guys will iron out your issues!

[68magOwner]

I saw you play a game on field 4 from the sidelines. Your teamates got eaten up pretty quickly. I believe you got left alone at home.

Oh well, you win some, you lose some, better luck next event.

I played rookie day with raiden kids, who, lost pretty bad, we went 3-3 in prelims and missed the cut for quarter finals

On nov day, we ended up finishing a 2nd in a disappointing finals performance. (1 elimination shy of first)

My NCSU boys went 3-3 in beginner and missed the cut

Keep working on communication and teamork, and develop a sense of comraderie (sp). You guys will do better.

PS-learn to shoot left handed, please. (no offense, but, ittl help your game)

[Paintchucker]

The ordeals of getting a new team up and going "seem" pretty much like they did when I did it a decade ago! There is nothing like getting your butts handed to you to take the edge off those "high and mighty" attitudes. Gives you a great appreciation for teams that have played and remained together for several years... Time and due dilagence will sort it all out if it was meant to be... LMK if you need an old man to come down and help you shoot them youngsters up!

[rkjunior303]

PS-learn to shoot left handed, please. (no offense, but, ittl help your game)

2nded.

no way to shoot tight ghetto blasting left with your right hand.

[punkncat]

I saw you play a game on field 4 from the sidelines. Your teamates got eaten up pretty quickly. I believe you got left alone at home.

Oh well, you win some, you lose some, better luck next event.

I played rookie day with raiden kids, who, lost pretty bad, we went 3-3 in prelims and missed the cut for quarter finals

On nov day, we ended up finishing a 2nd in a disappointing finals performance. (1 elimination shy of first)

My NCSU boys went 3-3 in beginner and missed the cut

Keep working on communication and teamork, and develop a sense of comraderie (sp). You guys will do better.

PS-learn to shoot left handed, please. (no offense, but, ittl help your game)

Have worked on the left hand switch all month, but admittedly in a hot moment I go to what I know. I don't remember playing cross chest, but may have.....that pic from Classic will haunt me for a while I am sure.

It really sucks. My game was much better overall than at Classic, but the whole of the team was from worse to much worse. (*edit* Not meaning to say that I didn't make mistakes as well, just that in making my primary and achieving my objectives I was much better than last game. *edit*) We NEVER play that bad, and as was touched on earlier, there has been much outside influence on a few members causing our mind not to be "in the game".

With the drama that we have dealt with the last week, and some new stuff that came up this weekend, at this point there is serious question as to whether we will continue to pursue this. Its a shame as there was much hubub about our team from the last event. We have obviously gotten a few people's attention, and I would hate to see us not have a chance to redeem ourselves.

[punkncat]

The ordeals of getting a new team up and going "seem" pretty much like they did when I did it a decade ago! There is nothing like getting your butts handed to you to take the edge off those "high and mighty" attitudes. Gives you a great appreciation for teams that have played and remained together for several years... Time and due dilagence will sort it all out if it was meant to be... LMK if you need an old man to come down and help you shoot them youngsters up!

We can always use a wise eye to help us out. We generally scrimmage in Barnesville which would be quite a drive for you....

[Robbie]

sometimes you have to start from the begining.
Even though you might have people that have alot of experience. Go back to doing the basic drills and pushing those drills all day ...and i mean all day...wear the team down to nothing. people who suffer together and still stay will always be there. If they break and walk away it is no loss.
It does alot of things for the team.
It shows everyone the dedication of each player on the team.
It shows what skills you have really have and where you are weak.
(dont take the drills lightly)
Team mates have a renewed faith in everyones ability.
Sometimes when you lose a few games there confidence in some of there teammates skills gets rocked.
some back players start with ...I am tired of being the last one left.
Well you are the furthest one from the real shooting..so no duhh
The firnger pointing comes out and things got to hell real fast.
If you need to blame something blame the attack. When you all walk the field and you all agree on a game plan. If it fails than you were all wrong.
Drills to work on:
Off the break shooting
Shooting a fixed target off the break. This shows you can hit a 1' x 1' target from across the field.
You need this skill ...if you can drop one player off the break your games get easier.
all of you need this skill
Than add running and shooting off the break.
Work on just closing games out
3 on 2 ..3 on 1
Forces you to snap shoot more puts people under pressure.
Have someone watch and coach each player.. see if his form cracks under pressure and work on it.
Rotate players out of there normal postion so they see what the other person is going through.
Walk a mile in someone elses shoes and you see what stress they have.
Stop practice games in the middle have everyone stay where they are and say nothing.
Ask each player How much time is left.... where are his team mates on the field...where are the opponents on the field... what is the body count.
If you dont know these things ....your communcation is crap.
How can someone give cover fire if you dont know what shot he hasor to wht bunker he should be shooting at.
Sorry the post runs on.
Hope it helps.
Its worse when you are winning or playing good.. some people think they can skip a practice here and there.

[rkjunior303]

Stop practice games in the middle have everyone stay where they are and say nothing.
Ask each player How much time is left.... where are his team mates on the field...where are the opponents on the field... what is the body count.
If you dont know these things ....your communcation is crap.

this is GREAT advice right here. Communication is the #1 killer to a team.. You could have 5 or 7 great guys but if they're all doing their own thing, it just doesn't work - you can't have superstars on a paintball team... everyone has to work together.. Watch Heroes for a Day together.