( Editor ' s Note: Shelley Farmer has done it all in paintball... from representing Great Britain in the Nation ' s Cup, to playing with Destiny, Karma, and a dozen other teams, to coaching, broadcasting for the NXL and being the best of the best ambassador for the game of paintball.
She ' s part of a family that I consider paintball royalty. Her father Bart, mother Lesley and uncle Rafe, all played pro paintball in the 80s and 90s. Shelley literally grew up with a paintball gun in her hands. Shelley knows more about paintball than most people know about the back of their hands.)
By Shelley Farmer
I grew up spending every weekend with the best European players of the 90s. That meant listening to pro paintballers discussing strategies and pre-planning events in order to win and was surrounded by competitiveness as a child.
In soccer( I’ m a huge Arsenal FC fan), use of attacking plays that create overload and lead to scoring opportunities is called“ the gunners theory”. The same is often orchestrated in paintball through coordinated movements and positioning with the intention of overwhelming opponents, leading to strategic advantages, and ultimately winning tournaments.
In our world of competitive paintball, distinguishing between amateur and professional players is vital for aspiring
athletes seeking to elevate their game to the top. While an average player approaches tournament formats with the primary goal of eliminating opponents, a professional player or high-level NXL divisional player understands that true mastery lies in the ability to achieve dominance over the playing field and controlling team dynamics.
This fundamental difference manifests in various ways. An amateur may enter a confrontation driven by a personal desire to outperform the opponent, akin to a duel. However, this approach and mindset limits their effectiveness during team play. Conversely, a seasoned player recognizes that the purpose of engagement extends beyond mere elimination; it is about establishing an advantageous position and facilitating strategic plays that benefit the entire
0194 paintball. media magazine