So while Al's busy with the new website design I guess I'd better get on with it and post some more ballin footage.....
A lot of you probably keep hearing us both go on about the CPPS. Well it's our main UK league, and is head and shoulders above any other UK league we've ever played in. Last event we were impressed with how professional the whole thing was, and you'll be glad to know that the guys over at OKPBTV have got the whole thing on film for your viewing pleasure.
The footage is of all the different brackets so there are a lot of different levels of play but you can see that everyone really brought their game! The Elite division is where it's at though and damn where some of those games good to watch.
Anyway, enough from me. Enjoy.....
Showing posts with label CPPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CPPS. Show all posts
April 24, 2013
April 21, 2013
LEARNING CURVE.
We're back. It's official and I know I don't just speak for myself when I say it was the best decision we've made in a long time, well that and getting off our asses to make the GFH blog happen.
Have we learned anything so far this year now we're ballers again? The answer is yep, shit loads if I'm honest and we got some werk to do. We've always stayed in touch with the game and seen new teams come and go, rules change and the shift between the original XBall style of play to how teams play now and there are definite differences.
I used to skate, and I loved it!! I gave it up a long time ago then paintball replaced it for my adrenaline buzz. A year or so ago I went for a skate again with my old gang and picked it up again pretty quick. You can't really do that with paintball. Why? Well for one, your board doesn't change the way you deal with it and challenge you every time you try a trick but with paintball you have another group of guys shooting at you, being more aggressive and being more tactical. This is even before you remember what you should do when you make the 50. If you get there at all.
You see, the game's moved on. There's a much more collective mindset across all skill levels, not the huge talent gap like there was half a dozen or so years ago. The teams who would never even think of aspiring to play the top boys are actually playing the same game, albeit without quite as much desire to be the very best. So you don't get an easy re-introduction; you have to fully 'compete' to ease yourself back into the scene. Which is hard, but if I'm honest, exactly what we want and need.
So where does this leave us and what are we gonna do this year? Simple. We always want to play the very best we can and have a ton of fun doing it. It would be awesome to move up the ranks with the Planet Eclipse factory team, the SandBaggers, and play some exciting paintball that is great to watch, super fun to play and a little bit scary at times for our opponents. This won't happen straight away, we learned pretty quickly that our guncraft needs some werk and our fitness is lacking, but these things are easy to fix. We're planning a few training days over the next few months to brush up on our winning skills and there should be a clear difference in how we play, even at the next event. Once we're back on form there should be no stopping the GFH from whuppin' a few asses.
Has the progression if the game put us off a full blown competitive comeback tour? Hell no!! If anything it's made us want it so much more.
GFH: Coming to podium near you. Soon.
Have we learned anything so far this year now we're ballers again? The answer is yep, shit loads if I'm honest and we got some werk to do. We've always stayed in touch with the game and seen new teams come and go, rules change and the shift between the original XBall style of play to how teams play now and there are definite differences.
I used to skate, and I loved it!! I gave it up a long time ago then paintball replaced it for my adrenaline buzz. A year or so ago I went for a skate again with my old gang and picked it up again pretty quick. You can't really do that with paintball. Why? Well for one, your board doesn't change the way you deal with it and challenge you every time you try a trick but with paintball you have another group of guys shooting at you, being more aggressive and being more tactical. This is even before you remember what you should do when you make the 50. If you get there at all.
You see, the game's moved on. There's a much more collective mindset across all skill levels, not the huge talent gap like there was half a dozen or so years ago. The teams who would never even think of aspiring to play the top boys are actually playing the same game, albeit without quite as much desire to be the very best. So you don't get an easy re-introduction; you have to fully 'compete' to ease yourself back into the scene. Which is hard, but if I'm honest, exactly what we want and need.
So where does this leave us and what are we gonna do this year? Simple. We always want to play the very best we can and have a ton of fun doing it. It would be awesome to move up the ranks with the Planet Eclipse factory team, the SandBaggers, and play some exciting paintball that is great to watch, super fun to play and a little bit scary at times for our opponents. This won't happen straight away, we learned pretty quickly that our guncraft needs some werk and our fitness is lacking, but these things are easy to fix. We're planning a few training days over the next few months to brush up on our winning skills and there should be a clear difference in how we play, even at the next event. Once we're back on form there should be no stopping the GFH from whuppin' a few asses.
Has the progression if the game put us off a full blown competitive comeback tour? Hell no!! If anything it's made us want it so much more.
GFH: Coming to podium near you. Soon.
April 11, 2013
CPPS ROUND 1. THE SKINNY.
UK Paintball is dying on its feet.
BULLSHIT!! Whoever spread that rumour is an asshole!!
Our opinion may be biased as we're only playing the CPPS this year but if that one event is anything to go by, UK Paintball is very much alive. Screaming, kicking and punching alive.
Which was actually a problem for us. We'd kinda expected to come barging back into the scene after 6 or so years out and smash fools up. Oh how wrong we were. We did a bit of smashing, played some pretty badass ball but overall...we kinda sucked!! And we aren't too proud to admit it. We've always wanted to play against the best and there was always a huge gap between the best and the rest. That gap, for whatever reason just got a whole lot smaller.
The guys at the CPPS have done a staggering job of building a series that consistently delivers a level of events that we haven't seen for a long time. You'd play your standard UK events that were good at best, then hit up the Millenniums for something 'proper'. Which is probably why the talent gap was so big. Now, the CPPS is gifting us with a series that has given teams without a ton of money or sponsorship something big to play regularly. And it shows. From Elite right down to Division 5, you get to watch and play against teams that all seem to know what the deal is. All teams worked together, all teams seemed to know how to hold and shoot a gat, all players were running and gunning, shooting both handed and moving quickly up the field. Everyone knows their shit, which is super good to be a part of. And it can only get better.
This progress at lower levels means the top boys really gotta shine to show the difference, and after catching a handful of Elite games they really do. London Tigers have a fresh squad of ballers including the 04 legend Kyle 'milk tooth' Milton who play solid, fast and controlled ball. London Nexus always a joy to watch especially with another of our 04 compadres, Clint Moore, being on the top of his game these days. Birmingham Disruption are a bunch of great guys having fun who can turn a game around with pace and aggression and the new all star GI Sportz team; London Defiance had some real talent there with the likes of 2012 PSP rookie of the year, Jason Wheeler, showing us how the Russians do things. Really top drawer paintball from the Elite boys and having a long stint out of the game helps you appreciate it all the more. And, if I'm honest, it gives you something to aspire to.
So, the SandBaggers, how did we do? Our Div4 team came 3rd whilst we played in Div2 and came...5th. Sounds bad but once we'd realised that zero field knowledge, zero tactics and zero trigger time meant it was a pretty fair result. We won 3 and lost 2 games in the Race to 2 format, which was fun. We smashed our win games 2-0 in all three and lost 2-1 in both lose games. I lost count of the times we were eliminated for false starts or running out of bounds so we could have easily been top 3, but for now it is what it is. The teams we played just played better together, tighter, more controlled and more aware of their surroundings which we need to sort out. The teams below Elite all played good solid paintball. Which is awesome to see.
On to the event itself.
Good points: Amazing set up, great fields, staging areas were fully sorted for each team with plenty space, great viewing areas especially the mound and the refs made sure the rules were followed.
Bad points: Not many really. Not enough toilets I suppose, some dudes weren't stoked about the food but we brought our own, but other than that...nothing wrong.
Verdict: The guys at CPPS have genuinely built a series that really gives UK paintball a boost and a stage to shine on all levels. Worth every penny. The guys are chatty, honest and welcome criticism, the only egos there are the ones being shot on field. It's also a great event for appreciating and watching some good paintball, at all levels, whatever the age.
Our event could have gone better but we expected that. We knew we were rusty, still full of confidence in our skills and game but we definitely need a bit of freshening up.
Special thanks to Ledz and Planet Eclipse for all the incredible gear. From pants, shirts, gloves to pads, packs and more importantly our GEO3s, we had everything we needed to bring it. Also thanks to GI Sportz for paint and VForce Grillz.
Playing with the SandBaggers was a ton of fun. The guys on the team are buddies old and new and can really play ball. Thanks to those guys for having us join in the fun an here's to some great ballin' action for the rest of the season Won't be long before we're tearing fools up. It was great to have the first of the K2Kids with us, Jack, who's Chris' first born and LOVES his paintball. Won't be long before he's tearing up the d-side with his dad.
Event 1 done. Lessons learned. Good times had. More to follow. Until round two, we out!!
Check out CPPS on Facebook and for SandBaggers capers click the tab at the top of the page.
BULLSHIT!! Whoever spread that rumour is an asshole!!
Our opinion may be biased as we're only playing the CPPS this year but if that one event is anything to go by, UK Paintball is very much alive. Screaming, kicking and punching alive.
Which was actually a problem for us. We'd kinda expected to come barging back into the scene after 6 or so years out and smash fools up. Oh how wrong we were. We did a bit of smashing, played some pretty badass ball but overall...we kinda sucked!! And we aren't too proud to admit it. We've always wanted to play against the best and there was always a huge gap between the best and the rest. That gap, for whatever reason just got a whole lot smaller.
The guys at the CPPS have done a staggering job of building a series that consistently delivers a level of events that we haven't seen for a long time. You'd play your standard UK events that were good at best, then hit up the Millenniums for something 'proper'. Which is probably why the talent gap was so big. Now, the CPPS is gifting us with a series that has given teams without a ton of money or sponsorship something big to play regularly. And it shows. From Elite right down to Division 5, you get to watch and play against teams that all seem to know what the deal is. All teams worked together, all teams seemed to know how to hold and shoot a gat, all players were running and gunning, shooting both handed and moving quickly up the field. Everyone knows their shit, which is super good to be a part of. And it can only get better.
This progress at lower levels means the top boys really gotta shine to show the difference, and after catching a handful of Elite games they really do. London Tigers have a fresh squad of ballers including the 04 legend Kyle 'milk tooth' Milton who play solid, fast and controlled ball. London Nexus always a joy to watch especially with another of our 04 compadres, Clint Moore, being on the top of his game these days. Birmingham Disruption are a bunch of great guys having fun who can turn a game around with pace and aggression and the new all star GI Sportz team; London Defiance had some real talent there with the likes of 2012 PSP rookie of the year, Jason Wheeler, showing us how the Russians do things. Really top drawer paintball from the Elite boys and having a long stint out of the game helps you appreciate it all the more. And, if I'm honest, it gives you something to aspire to.
So, the SandBaggers, how did we do? Our Div4 team came 3rd whilst we played in Div2 and came...5th. Sounds bad but once we'd realised that zero field knowledge, zero tactics and zero trigger time meant it was a pretty fair result. We won 3 and lost 2 games in the Race to 2 format, which was fun. We smashed our win games 2-0 in all three and lost 2-1 in both lose games. I lost count of the times we were eliminated for false starts or running out of bounds so we could have easily been top 3, but for now it is what it is. The teams we played just played better together, tighter, more controlled and more aware of their surroundings which we need to sort out. The teams below Elite all played good solid paintball. Which is awesome to see.
On to the event itself.
Good points: Amazing set up, great fields, staging areas were fully sorted for each team with plenty space, great viewing areas especially the mound and the refs made sure the rules were followed.
Bad points: Not many really. Not enough toilets I suppose, some dudes weren't stoked about the food but we brought our own, but other than that...nothing wrong.
Verdict: The guys at CPPS have genuinely built a series that really gives UK paintball a boost and a stage to shine on all levels. Worth every penny. The guys are chatty, honest and welcome criticism, the only egos there are the ones being shot on field. It's also a great event for appreciating and watching some good paintball, at all levels, whatever the age.
Our event could have gone better but we expected that. We knew we were rusty, still full of confidence in our skills and game but we definitely need a bit of freshening up.
Special thanks to Ledz and Planet Eclipse for all the incredible gear. From pants, shirts, gloves to pads, packs and more importantly our GEO3s, we had everything we needed to bring it. Also thanks to GI Sportz for paint and VForce Grillz.
Playing with the SandBaggers was a ton of fun. The guys on the team are buddies old and new and can really play ball. Thanks to those guys for having us join in the fun an here's to some great ballin' action for the rest of the season Won't be long before we're tearing fools up. It was great to have the first of the K2Kids with us, Jack, who's Chris' first born and LOVES his paintball. Won't be long before he's tearing up the d-side with his dad.
Event 1 done. Lessons learned. Good times had. More to follow. Until round two, we out!!
Check out CPPS on Facebook and for SandBaggers capers click the tab at the top of the page.
April 7, 2013
STILL GOT IT?
Sort of. Well, yes but man were we rusty.
Of course, today was the start of the GFH homecoming tour at the first CPPS event of the season and it was AWESOME!!
We've actually championed the progress of the UK scene recently, even though others bash up on it and I tell ya something, we're right!! Don't get me wrong, we were under no illusions that we would turn up and just smash fools, we knew we had some work to do but after today, the standard is really high across the board. Most teams take it seriously and play some solid paintball. It's brilliant to see.
Anyway. This is a quick post to touch on the awesome day we had playing with the Sandbaggers and that we're all on. 150% back in the game!!
Full event report to follow but for now...it's on!!
Of course, today was the start of the GFH homecoming tour at the first CPPS event of the season and it was AWESOME!!
We've actually championed the progress of the UK scene recently, even though others bash up on it and I tell ya something, we're right!! Don't get me wrong, we were under no illusions that we would turn up and just smash fools, we knew we had some work to do but after today, the standard is really high across the board. Most teams take it seriously and play some solid paintball. It's brilliant to see.
Anyway. This is a quick post to touch on the awesome day we had playing with the Sandbaggers and that we're all on. 150% back in the game!!
Full event report to follow but for now...it's on!!
April 6, 2013
LOVE THE SMELL OF PAINTBALL IN THE MORNING.
It's on!! The GFH are officially on our way to our first event of the season. The CPPS is THE only series to attend in the UK, with a real Cup Event feel to it, making every leg feel special for all divisions.
We got two SandBaggers teams in this event, one in Div4 and the one we're ballin' with in Div2.
I'd forgotten how much the 4:50am starts hurt but I'd also forgotten how AWESOME that paintball morning vibe feels.
Just waiting to see the sunrise and the paintball mist rising from the cool dewy morning ground.
We'll keep you posted as we go, but for now it's on!!!!!
I'd also forgotten how bad paintball ass smells too.
We got two SandBaggers teams in this event, one in Div4 and the one we're ballin' with in Div2.
I'd forgotten how much the 4:50am starts hurt but I'd also forgotten how AWESOME that paintball morning vibe feels.
Just waiting to see the sunrise and the paintball mist rising from the cool dewy morning ground.
We'll keep you posted as we go, but for now it's on!!!!!
I'd also forgotten how bad paintball ass smells too.
April 5, 2013
BAG OF NERVES?
It's almost time. It really is. Just two days to go before the GFH make the first event of the year and as pumped and excited as I am, the 'paintball nerves' have just kicked in yo. C'mon, you all know EXACTLY what I mean.
What is it with paintball nerves? I mean we aren't scared of getting shot, we aren't scared of winning or losing so why do we get those feelings before an event? Some say its just pure adrenalin, you brain is working overtime getting you all worked up and that chemical reaction has to do something to your body. Others say it IS to do with failure. No one wants to be the guy shot on the break every point, or the guy that's bunkered outta the snake or d-side, or the guy who didn't shoot anyone for five points straight. And this doubt has an effect on your body. Either way its your brain going crazy with scenarios and your body paying the price.
So as I sit on the train, about to start a busy day at work I'm already preparing myself for the odd moment of 'paintball nerves' throughout my Friday and I'll be honest...I LOVE IT!!!!
What is it with paintball nerves? I mean we aren't scared of getting shot, we aren't scared of winning or losing so why do we get those feelings before an event? Some say its just pure adrenalin, you brain is working overtime getting you all worked up and that chemical reaction has to do something to your body. Others say it IS to do with failure. No one wants to be the guy shot on the break every point, or the guy that's bunkered outta the snake or d-side, or the guy who didn't shoot anyone for five points straight. And this doubt has an effect on your body. Either way its your brain going crazy with scenarios and your body paying the price.
So as I sit on the train, about to start a busy day at work I'm already preparing myself for the odd moment of 'paintball nerves' throughout my Friday and I'll be honest...I LOVE IT!!!!
March 31, 2013
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.
Ok, I won't blow smoke up your asses and say we've been training hard for the season...because we haven't. Actually, that's not entirely true because the way we see it watching vids, talking about it and planning what you fancy doing is all sort of practice. If you have that 'feeling' and have ideas then you're doing something, right?
I know, you still need real trigger time to hone your guncraft, but we've covered that off too. We've ran around Chris' house with all our new gear on, done some snap shooting drills from the doorways and even put a few crawls in on his rug. Perfect. What? That STILL doesn't count for real balling and facing real opponents? Well...we covered that too!! Thanks to the specially designed piece of military spec paintball simulation software; Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball, we've managed to compete against the best in the world!!
So, the big question is are we ready to bust up the D-Side at CPPS next weekend? I think, without a shadow of a doubt, that we're gonna be the best we've ever been.
Bring it!!
I know, you still need real trigger time to hone your guncraft, but we've covered that off too. We've ran around Chris' house with all our new gear on, done some snap shooting drills from the doorways and even put a few crawls in on his rug. Perfect. What? That STILL doesn't count for real balling and facing real opponents? Well...we covered that too!! Thanks to the specially designed piece of military spec paintball simulation software; Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball, we've managed to compete against the best in the world!!
So, the big question is are we ready to bust up the D-Side at CPPS next weekend? I think, without a shadow of a doubt, that we're gonna be the best we've ever been.
Bring it!!
March 28, 2013
FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS.
You know that one bit of kit that you love above all others..... Well my Sandana is just that. I flipping love that thing. Well I thought before our next run out at the CPPS in 2 weeks I'd start sorting my kit out. Got everything out and made sure all my stuff was ok. Even put a few things to one side to give em a wash. This was something that non of my kit got for the 12 months we played for Shockwave. It wasn't that people where scared to play us, they just couldn't stand the stench!!
Anyway, threw a few things in the Hotpoint and grinned to myself about how fresh and clean I was gonna look when I strode onto the field to shoot some chumps in the face. Weeellllll, it didn't quite go as I planned, all thanks to my lady friend......... SHE PUT SOMETHING RED IN WITH IT!!!!!
I am now the proud owner of the only custom gay pride edition Sandana! Now the worst bit of it is actually the terry cloth liner that can't be seen, but guess what? Yeah, I know it's there!!! How the hell am I supposed to be some bad ass serial killing mofo knowing that pressed against my head is the ghayest Sandana this side of the Manchester Pride march!
Still, at least Al is gonna love it x
Anyway, threw a few things in the Hotpoint and grinned to myself about how fresh and clean I was gonna look when I strode onto the field to shoot some chumps in the face. Weeellllll, it didn't quite go as I planned, all thanks to my lady friend......... SHE PUT SOMETHING RED IN WITH IT!!!!!
I am now the proud owner of the only custom gay pride edition Sandana! Now the worst bit of it is actually the terry cloth liner that can't be seen, but guess what? Yeah, I know it's there!!! How the hell am I supposed to be some bad ass serial killing mofo knowing that pressed against my head is the ghayest Sandana this side of the Manchester Pride march!
Still, at least Al is gonna love it x
March 21, 2013
OLD...MEET NEW.
It's almost time brothers and one of the things we're most pumped about is our new whips. We've been rocking our original EGO05 GFH factory editions (only 3 ever made) for a while and those things are pure fighting machines, but as we all know time moves on and things just get better. Fact of life (bit like me). So our signature EGOs will be dusted off, wrapped up and locked away for a rainy day.
Don't cry though, it's ok, we've been hooked up with brand spanking GFH Black Edition GEO3s. Ok, so they're just plain black from the factory but we did get custom GFH green barrel tips!! We're super stoked about these and our trigger fingers are twitching and my legs are bouncing in anticipation of tucking into a serious GFH FEAST at CPPS.
Confident? Hell yeah! Why wouldn't we be?
Don't cry though, it's ok, we've been hooked up with brand spanking GFH Black Edition GEO3s. Ok, so they're just plain black from the factory but we did get custom GFH green barrel tips!! We're super stoked about these and our trigger fingers are twitching and my legs are bouncing in anticipation of tucking into a serious GFH FEAST at CPPS.
Confident? Hell yeah! Why wouldn't we be?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)