Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Mailbag Extra: Teams needing help

I don't know what it is but VFTD has recently received a spate (which is more than a few and less than a bunch) of requests from teams looking for help literally from around the globe. (Normally it's the off season that sees the most requests coming in.) Typically I respond to each request by recommending they do an archive search (as there are a dozen or more practical posts of drills, practice routines, etc.) and if they still have a question to send me something specific. Lately, many of the questions have been about the fundamentals of the game, basic tactics and so on that here at VFTD I normally simply assume is shared knowledge possessed by both the serious competitor and the competitive up-and-comer. Which apparently isn't always so. And I was reminded of a recent conversation where it was agreed that the way the game is presently played it was possible to play the game without learning much of what used to be basic knowledge--even though it all still applies, even if in slightly different capacities.
Anyway, to make a long story longer I bring all this up for a couple of reasons. I'm going to put up a 'Help' page with all the archive links and content descriptions in place and am asking that anyone looking for some help go there first. (Nor do I want to hear about it if it takes a while, 'cus it will.) In addition I'm considering doing a few posts on fundamentals and rudimentary tactics since it seems to be a growing area of interest and need and am looking for some feedback from you people. What do you think? Good idea or waste of time? Finally if there are any other aspects or elements of the game that you would like to see covered post them up in comments or drop me a line.
And of course I am always available for private parties if the price is right--weekends booked in advance. 

14 comments:

DanC. said...

Great Idea.

DanC. said...

Great Idea.

Baca Loco said...

What do you really think, Dan?

Anonymous said...

it will help if players read it. Yes, many paintball concepts that used to be fundamental have been lost to the newer generations

sdawg said...

Yes! Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Could explain the hard edge again?

Grant said...

Good idea for those too lazy to use the search function - personally I think everyone should start from 2008 and ready every post - the dead puppet army indoctrination has to start somewhere...

ChuckF said...

Great idea.

Ken said...

How fundamental are we getting? How to pull the trigger? Or as advanced as in which direction to shoot?

Haha, I kid. (But really, coach hasn't gone over that last one and I'm beginning to think it's why my team is losing so much.)

What the hell is an archive?

Baca Loco said...

Ken
A lot of the play of the game oriented posts generally have assumed readers with a basic knowledge of the game. And however true it might once have been it's becoming apparent that is no longer always correct--if it ever was.
When I do basic tactics we'll be at the level of why you want to be in a particular position and what are your priority shots, etc. So pretty basic.

And just because there will be somebody who doesn't know--on the sidebar below the FAQ is the blog archive with titles and links to all blog posts from 7/08 to the present. There is also the Dead Tree Archive which links to all the original VFTD magazine pieces.

Anonymous said...

yes and yes.

Anonymous said...

That would be awesome even for experienced players who want a better understanding of how the basics should be applied. Thanks Baca!

RyanW said...

Is this going to turn into Robo's old column in PGI where every article was "stay tight"?


-Stay Tight!

Baca Loco said...

Ryan
That was every other article. And in between it was snap-shooting. And, no, it won't be like either of those. :)