If a person is starting out in the exciting world of paintball, they need to know how to carry the paintball markers in order to have the most success when competing. This sounds like such a simple thing, but they really need to have a good idea about what they are doing. The game can be very fast-paced, with people coming at them from all sides. Their reaction time is quite important. If they are even a step slow, they can be shot with paintballs and eliminated from the game rather quickly. Doing everything that they can to decrease the time that it takes for them to get off a shot will help them to win much more often.

First of all, it is wise for them to use the strap on the marker if they are going to be running. No one likes to admit that they would run away from a firefight, but everyone has done it at one time or another. Sometimes the best strategy is to run from the fight, regroup, and come back with a new plan in mind. The strap can help to keep them from dropping the gun while they are running. Stopping to pick up a fallen marker is a good way for them to get shot by those who are in hot pursuit.

Secondly, they need to keep the marker aimed forward at all times. Raising the paintball gun into the air is the sign that a person has been shot. They have to raise their gun and point it upward while they walk to the sidelines so that they will not be shot again. If they do this while they are just walking without having been shot, it can cause a fair bit of confusion.

A person should also make sure not to aim the gun behind them by flipping it upside down. This can be tempting if they are trying to shoot backwards while they run from the fight. If they do this, however, the gun will not fire. All of the paintballs that are in the hopper depend on gravity to fall down into the gun. The paintballs will not be able to get in the proper position to be shot out if they are in the wrong part of the hopper.

When crouching behind something, it is wise for a person to keep two hands on the gun even while shooting over the top of the obstacle. The person might want to hold it in one hand so that they are less exposed, but this is much less accurate for hitting the intended target.