Paintball has been on the decline since 2007, a recent market research report has found.  The report calls for a softening of the decline starting this year, and blames weak economic times for initially dropping participation in the sport, but even as economic times have started to turn around and a favorable demographic trend, the sport has failed to make up for lost gains.

Observe/Orient, Decide, Act. We do it all day every day but can you as a player turn an everyday occurance in to a winning strategy? Sure you can if you realise its happening in your head as well as in your opponents head at the exact same time.

The OODA Loop system was developed by US Air Force Colonel John Boyd as a tactic that can be used basically any place, and any time. Be it in your personal life, or during business negotiations, and most importantly in the battle field. Observe/Orient, Decide, Act, four simple steps that can make or break an engagement on the paintball field. Out of those four steps though we really only use three of the steps as the fourth step is ingrained in our personal being but we'll get into that later on in this article.

The paintball mask IS your most important piece of gear.  You simply cannot play without it.  It is your first line of protection for your eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Choosing a mask is actually more complicated than a lot of players, especially new players, realize. 

We often hear the complaints that so-and-so is shooting hot during a paintball game.  Shooting hot, for those not in the know, is when a player’s paintball marker is shooting above the field maximum speed, usually 275 to 300 feet per second.

It might well be true that an opponent making the complaint was hit by one or more paintballs that were moving faster than the field limit.  But that does not necessarily mean that the player who fired the paintballs is shooting hot.  Let me explain.

Ultimately, players enjoy paintball due to the various facts of unity, friendship, and the fact that you can legally shoot at people...But, the one thing that players sometimes over look is that there normally are OPFOR playing also. So I thought that I would draft up this quick article to help out.

Everyday, I explain the primary factors involved in operating in built-up areas, such as villages, cities, so on and so forth. One key thing that I have noticed, is that human nature plays a big part in the training. What I mean by that is, the human mind needs to know what it can't see. This is called battlefield inquisition. You may know it as, putting our nose where it doesn't belong! B.I. is a nutural reaction, and is more so intesified when in a surprise mode.

Every squad want to be the best, the only problem is, leaders try to use drills that they have seen in movies, or read about online. Well, there is a way to over come the repetitiveness of it all. Sure the military channel has loads of great shows and ideas, however, take it from someone who has lived it, its rare the same thing happens twice. Except being shot, I got that twice.

If ever you have had a job, went to school and played team sports, or even went to a church. All three have certain points that add up to an amazing leader. Just because you are the go to player for that team, doesn't mean that you know it all. Trust me from experience in real life, a book doesn't always have the answers. Much like in life, everything hasn't been thought of...

Today's units are comprised of all skills and types. Players can range from ages 14 to 60, and levels of fitness can change the pace of a match. Knowing your players can drastically tilt the game in your favor. Placing your players in positions that they excel at is always your best plan. However, the true problem is how do you know who goes where. I am going to help you solve that problem in the following article.

This is the second part for the Drill commands. I would have just done one but i had to sort something out so i saved it so i wouldn't lose it when i left my computer.