UPDATE 3/24/11: Ollie Lang hasn't updated his site in a while, and because of this, it has been pegged with malware. I would promote his ebook if he cared enough to take care of this issue, but since he obviously doesn't (because it's been there for freakin ever), I must remove all links to his site. If you were interested in getting his ebook, I'd recommend instead getting this book. It is an insightful read, and everyone I have loaned it to has really enjoyed it.

What do you care about in paintball?  Some paintballers care about airsmithing, others want to learn the art of scenario paintball, while some wish to learn everything there is to know about the competitive side of this great sport.

The great thing is, a lot of what you care to know in paintball can be learned on forums, websites, and through specialized courses.   Some free, some cost.  Some written by smaller voices in the paintball community, and a few written by well known faces in the sport.

Power Paintball is a digital book written by Ollie Lang - a competitive paintballer that's been in the paintball scene for 10 years now.  Ollie has played on some of the best teams in paintball, of which have earned top spots in the world.

If you are into learning more about becoming the best player you can be in paintball - regardless of whether you play woodsball or speedball, and enjoy a good read on an activity you love, then give Ollie's book a read.

Unlike traditional books which cost much more to publish and bring to paintballers that care to read, Power Paintball is in an easily distributed downloadable format.

By offering it in a downloadable version Ollie is able to get professional tips into the hands of paintballers around the world without the hassles of traditional publishing methods.

If you find you don't like Ollie Lang's digital book after reading it, you can get your money back.  Give it a read, if don't learn anything, get a refund. However, I can't imagine not learning anything from someone who's at the top...

Read Ollie Lang's Power Paintball.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHWSWXEZ_xM

Episode 2 - Shooting off the break, why its important, drills, and how to properly do it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4AcdAK4IK8

Episode 3 - Snap shooting, practice drills, and tips on doing it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oNq9_avIuA

Episode 4 - Shooting on the move, how to practice it, and keys to doing it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQeZHa-Q3vg

Dynasty has become an excellent source of paintball tips for paintballers that want to make it to the top. A lot can be said about the advantages of learning from someone who has done it before you. If you are really serious about the sport, then Ollie Lang's guide on playing like a pro is worth looking into. He's been there, he's done it, and the tips he has to share in his book will make you a better paintballer.

If you do play with a pump, you might want to look into a smaller hopper, like one of these pump paintball hoppers. The tighter the profile the better.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoe5ZPOuoN0

Essential paintball tactics include everything from aiming and shooting, movement, knowing how to play the positions on the field, and covering your teammates.

This video emphasizes the positions on the field and their key roles.

Anywho, here's his video. He also covers some other great in-game playing tips, like how to appropriately grab a paintball pod and pack it in your harness.

For more on the positions in paintball and strategy involved with each position, check out Rob Rubin's paintball positions video walk-through.

Front - get as far up the field as needed, work for angles, should be small and fast, near flag.

Back - Eyes and ears, cover advances, prevent movement, eliminate movers, shoots most.

Mid - Versatile, move to kill, cover advances, work angles.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5GxxT97UQ

In paintball there are basically three positions on the paintball field...

1. Front
2. Mid
3. Back

Pretty basic and straight forward right? Each position has their own purpose and value to the team, but only one position in my mind is the most important, and thats Back. Now before you get upset and start harassing me with comments for basically saying Front and Mid players suck beans compared to Back players, think of a really good comment to write below, because I'd rather see a rebuttal that actually has some thought put into it.

Here's my reasoning for why Back players are the most valuable players in a speedball match...

The break determines the outcome, it presents both teams with a chance to get the other out before they reach a bunker. While the Front and Mid players are busy running to their bunkers, Back players are working for outs, shooting lanes and covering their players move. The more tagged off the break, or the better your Back players cover your movement, the better your chances will be during the game.

You can superman slide into the snake, but if you can't read the game your done. I've seen plenty of fast players make it to the snake and make ridiculous mistakes because they suck at reading the game, and I've seen Back players win matches with all odds against them because they could read the game and respond accordingly with instinct like movement. Back players are the eyes for the team and need to read the game and communicate effectively for it to capture a victory. if your Back player does not communicate well, and cannot fill in positions as Front players make moves or get eliminated, then you'll lose.

Contest this if you will, but Back players are the most valuable players on the paintball field; they lead the team through communication, cover teammates moves, fill in positions as teammates drop out, and practically determine the outcome of the game during the break.

Which position would you want your best player to play at?

The thing is, if you know your opponent you can counter every move they throw at you. If you know their weaknesses and their strengths AND play them you WILL win.

The game went like every other, my teammates guns turned into salad shooters, and it was up to me to make something happen. What ended up happening was so predictable, every one of them turned their attention to my incapacitated teammates. Why? Because they were the type of players that go for the "easy" kills, the type of team that starts from the bottom and uses their numbers to take down the top.

All I did was defend my teammates by shooting the lanes before their bunkers, the very lanes they would be running up to bunker my teammates, and believe me, these players were looking to bunker(one strategy I will never understand).

Their aggressive player went first, then their "hero" tried secondly along with the "sidekick," and the last two were the type of players that always manage to sneak an elbow out.

If you are a regular at a field, or you have a certain group you always play with, then this strategy is a must. If you play smart, you will win. If you know what you are up against, and play accordingly, you will win.