What makes a paintball team a team? Is it that they wear the same jerseys or similar outfits? Is it that they are all oriented with the same goals in mind? This is a simple question with a not so simple answer. If you have been around paintball for any amount of time you will see that there is a vast array of paintball teams and that there is no two teams the same.
So again, what is it that makes a paintball team a team? So being me I am only going to comment on my personal feelings on this topic and I welcome everyone to comment on what makes their team a team. I have been around the game for quite some time and like most of you I played Outlaw for years. Before joining a team I really had no care for the organized portion of the game, I just wanted to have fun with friends and family. Eventually the bug bit me and I wanted more playing time with more people and I signed up with a local team. But the team I joined was also a team comprised of a family atmosphere.
Our team is one that stresses FUN. Yes, we like to win just as much as the next team out there but we want to have fun more than anything. We are a team, a team of individuals who come together every once in a while to bask in the glory that is paintball.
Now on to what I believe makes a team. A team should be a group of individuals who share a common goal, a group mantra if you will. You should be friends but also understand that there will be times when some members of the team do not want too follow the planned pattern. Being friends is a huge bonus but it does not need to be necessary although I would highly recommend it. On and off the field communication is the biggest factor in your team being a success towards whatever goals you have in mind.
Making a team is very simple, but keeping a team together is one of the toughest things you will ever try to do. Especially in this sport we call paintball and even more so now that the economy is in the crapper. There is a old book in my personal collection that breaks down what a team is or should be, keeping in mind you will all differ but here it goes…
Commitment: One of the most important traits will be the members be committed to the team goals. To put the team before you own personal success will grow the team.
Appreciation: Let the other members on the team know you appreciate them and all they do.
Come Together: Healthy teams enjoy spending time together on and off the field.
Communication: The biggest and most necessary trait is to express ones feelings to each other and put yourself in your team mates shoes. Discuss issues or ideas amongst each other but never behind ones back.
Share Responsibility: DO NOT just rely on your team captains or team leaders to do all of the work. Share the work load and everyone will be much happier.
Common Interests: The more you have in common off the field the easier it will be to have common goals and it gives the team something to talk about other than just paintball.
Organization: You must be organized, without this the team will fall apart in short order. Set up a chain of command and delegate responsibilities for everyone to help out with.
Respect: Have respect for each other. This does not mean you have to be the best of friends with your team or that you will never disagree with each other but if you show respect you can focus on the issue rather than the individual.
Be Adaptable: Some teams fall apart because they cannot evolve or change when needed. This is an industry that is constantly changing and to not be able to change with it can put the team at risk.
Last but not least~ Trust: You may not like some team members but when it comes down to it you need to know that they will have your back in a firefight, you need to know that your snake player will shoot out the guy across the field in the dorito when you tell him where he is. When tromping through the thick of it you must know when you bump you have a guy covering you.
There is soooo much more to running a team than most will ever imagine until you jump into the behind the scenes action. Between keeping everyone on the team happy to communicating with sponsors there is a never ending flurry of activity. If you are not ready to give up a large portion of your personal time and life I would strongly recommend you do not start a team. Join an existing team or just guest on some teams.
Together Everyone Accomplishes More! This is an old saying that really epitomizes what a team is or should be. Success is not something that will be handed to you. To have success you need to earn success, this means your life as you previously knew it will cease to exist.
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