Helpful Accessories to Bring to Your Next Paintball Match

Posted by & filed under Paintball Fields in New Jersey, Paintball Games, Paintball Gear, Paintball in the Winter, Paintball Tips, Uncategorized.

Paintball HitPaintball is a physically demanding sport that requires thoughtful preparation to succeed. In addition to bringing standard gear like a marker, paint and goggles, it’s a good idea to have a few other items on hand during a paintball match as well. Check out a few of our favorite paintballing accessories below!

Bug Repellent

Our first suggestion is especially helpful when playing woodsball in densely forested areas. It can be hard to focus on finding your target when you’re distracted by biting insects. By applying bug spray before a match, you’ll have one less thing to worry about while you play.

Sunscreen

It’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen when you play paintball, even on cloudy days. After all, nothing can ruin a long day of paintball quite like a nasty sunburn. We recommend wearing at least SPF 30 sunscreen and reapplying every couple of hours to prevent skin damage from the sun. Be sure to look for “broad spectrum” sunscreen as well, which is designed to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

A Hand Towel

Paintballing is a messy endeavor, and a simple hand towel can be an invaluable tool when your goggles get obscured by splattered paint. You can also use a towel to mop sweat off your face and hands in between matches so that you can get back in the action without worrying about excess sweat impacting your performance.

Blister Bandages

There’s always a possibility that you might get a foot blister when sprinting from cover to cover during a paintball game. Instead of letting these minor injuries sideline you for the rest of the day, bring a package of blister bandages, which are designed to relieve pressure and prevent infection.

Ready to put your paintball skills to the test? Give us a call or contact us online to schedule a match at Battle Creek today!

Essential Paintball Gun Maintenance Tips

Posted by & filed under Paintball Games, Paintball Gear, Paintball in the Winter, Paintball Tips, Uncategorized.

Paintball GunIf you love paintball as much as we do, you probably own your own paintball gun and equipment. A paintball gun is a big investment, so it pays to know how to properly care for it. Today we’ll address a few helpful maintenance tips that all paintballers should keep in mind.

Oil Often (But Not Too Often)

Before playing, make sure to oil the front and rear bolt O-rings on your marker. Use only enough oil to coat the seals, since too much oil can build up over time and cause mechanical malfunctions.

Clean the Exterior After Every Use

After each game, clean the marker thoroughly after removing the Co2 or HPA tank. You can wipe down the outside of your gun to remove paint, but avoid using soaps, chemical cleaners or abrasive washcloths.

Store It Properly

Store your paintball gun in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can damage the tank in particular, since Co2 expands in high temperatures.

Deep Clean Periodically

After every few games, it’s a good idea to disassemble and thoroughly clean your paintball gun. Here’s a handy guide, which includes a list of all the materials you’ll need. To avoid misfires, make sure there’s no gas in your gun before you get started.

Now that you know how to properly maintain your paintball marker, you’re ready to play! If you’re in the West Milford area, we’d love to see you at Battle Creek. With 15 acres of woodlands, hills, paths and fields, we offer the perfect setting for a thrilling paintball experience. Give us a call or contact us online to book your next match today!

How to Dress for a Game of Paintball this Fall

Posted by & filed under Events, Fall Season, Paintball Fields in New Jersey, Paintball Games, Paintball Gear, Paintball Tips, Playing Paintball in the Fall Season, Uncategorized.

Paintball GroupWondering how to dress for your first (or hundredth) game of paintball? Well, there are different outfits you should consider, especially during the Fall season. Here’s our handy guide to help you find comfortable, practical apparel for your next game this Fall season!

Cover Up

Yes, it may seem counterintuitive to cover up when you’ll be running around, especially if it’s warm outside. The Fall season can be pretty warm sometimes, and other times, it can be very cold. However, wearing long sleeves and long pants will protect your skin from paint (which is nontoxic and harmless but annoying to wash off) and reduce the welts that can occur when paintballs hit bare skin.

Dress in Layers

If it’s relatively cool out, layer up with sweatshirts and sweatpants to further reduce the impact of paintballs on your body. If you’re a paintball enthusiast and enjoy playing during crazy weather, we recommend bringing rain gear and mud gear.

Go Dark and Wear Camo

Save the all-white ensemble for later. Not only do dark colors reduce staining, but they also help you avoid detection during a paintball game. Paintball paint is washable, but you may find yourself crawling through mud or grass, which can ruin light-colored clothing. The goal is to stay hidden from your opponents so wearing camo can help you stay undetected in the woods or other fields.

Stay Loose

Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or anything that will constrict your movement. You want to stay as nimble as possible during your game.

Sneakers or Boots

Choose footwear that’s easy to move in and that you don’t mind getting dirty. Boots are recommended to play in because they are durable and good for rough terrains.

Safety Matters

Wear a hat or beanie to protect the top of your head, as well as gloves to keep your hands welt-free. Of course, you should also wear a pair of protective goggles at all times.

Ready to play some paintball in the West Milford area? At Battle Creek, we offer 15 acres of woodlands, hills, paths and fields—the perfect setting for a thrilling paintball experience. Give us a call at (973) 545-2556 to learn more or book your next game online today!

Essential Tips for Your First Paintball Game

Posted by & filed under Paintball Tips.

Playing PaintballGetting ready to play paintball for the very first time? Your first game of paintball might seem a little intimidating, but the truth is you don’t have anything to worry about. Just follow these helpful tips and you’ll be sure to have a blast.

Dress in layers if you’re afraid of getting hit by paintballs.

If you’ve never been hit by a paintball before, you might be concerned about whether or not it will be a painful experience. Paintballs can sting a little bit, depending on where you get hit, but in the heat of battle you’ll probably hardly feel a thing. If you’re still worried about it, though, a heavy sweatshirt can give you some additional peace of mind.

Keep your mask on at all times.

Regardless of your experience level, it’s important to keep your face covered with a protective mask at all times. While getting hit with a paintball isn’t nearly as painful as some people make it out to be, a paintball can do some serious damage if it hits you in the face. It’s always best to keep your face mask on until the referees tell you it’s safe to remove it.

Strategize with your teammates before taking the field.

One of the reasons paintball is so much fun is because it gives you the chance to coordinate with your teammates to maximize your chances of success. Before you take the field, talk to your team and come up with a rough plan for how you’re going to approach the match. This can give you a tactical advantage and help to build camaraderie among your teammates.

Don’t beat yourself up if you make mistakes.

Chances are, you’re not going to be the best paintball player on the field when you play for the first time. Don’t let it get you down! The goal isn’t just to win; it’s to have fun and blow off some steam in the process. Treat your mistakes as learning opportunities, and do your best to relax and have a good time.

To schedule your next game at Battle Creek, give us a call or contact us online today!

Improve Your Paintball Marker’s Performance With These Upgrades

Posted by & filed under Paintball Fields in New Jersey, Paintball Games, Paintball Gear, Paintball Tips, Uncategorized.

Paintball PlayerIn the heat of a fast-paced match, it’s important for your paintball marker to perform as well as it possibly can. The good news is, there are several straightforward upgrades you can make to your marker to give yourself a leg-up on the competition. Check out three easy ways to improve the performance of your paintball marker below!

The Barrel

Frustrated with your marker’s accuracy? If no amount of practice seems to be making your shots more accurate, you may want to consider upgrading your barrel. There are plenty of barrel upgrade options to choose from, but 12-16-inch barrels typically offer the best accuracy. Just keep in mind that especially long barrels can reduce the range of your shots. Short barrels, on the other hand, can offer additional range at the expense of accuracy.

The Trigger

Want to improve your rate of fire? A trigger upgrade might be just what you’re looking for. A double trigger is an effective, affordable and easy-to-install option for paintball beginners. This will make your trigger easier to pull and allow you to shoot more paintballs, faster. Other more advanced trigger upgrades include response triggers and electronic triggers.

The Tank

Want to make your marker more efficient and accurate? Swapping your Co2 tank for a high-pressure air, or HPA, tank is probably the right move for you. This will not only allow you to shoot your paintball marker faster and more accurately, it will also improve its performance in cold temperatures. HPA tanks can be considerably more expensive than Co2 tanks, but they offer a significant upgrade in performance.

Want to test your upgraded marker in the fields at Battle Creek? Give us a call or contact us online to book your next match today!