1. The First Rule - A Modern Expose on the Reality of the Sport; Locker Magazine.
I traveled countries. I experienced different cultures. I met people, shared experienced and saw
places I never would have. I got high off the emotions. I celebrated the accomplishments and was
scarred by the disappointments. I was addicted. I chased the highs and ran from the lows. I went
to war. I went to war every weekend and I poured myself out across the field. I left pieces of me
scattered across them all. I left pieces of flesh strewn across blades of grass from bloody
knuckles and bleeding necks. Like a visceral place marker; something that said “I was here”. I
protected my brothers and closest of friends; sometimes people I had never met before. I bled. I
bled for them all. And I bled a lot. A sanguine sacrifice for unsung glory and respect between
barbarians. Gnarled creatures covered in hardened mud, sweat and dried blood. They resembled
humans but they were far from it, for these things; these things fought each other with merciless
ferocity. Something that would strip a man of every societal convention instilled in them
reducing him to a primal being, who knew nothing other than to kill or be killed.
Matty Marshall within the first few frames of “Sunday Drivers” set a tone and resonated a
message that would shape a generation of players. He explains the lure of the lifestyle which
engulfs the national and international player is too potent, too addictive to be passed. One
becomes addicted to this lifestyle and to this raw primal nature that the game offers even if it is
for a few moments. The ability to mute the outside world and to focus on the task at hand. The
aggression, the ferocity, the viciousness that the modern society has quelled within the masses
and has characterized as immoral or wrong is celebrated and rewarded within a controlled and
confined environment. That is not to misconstrue the tournament player as an individual who
carries a natural violent disposition, one prone to aggressive behavior should they be denied the
therapeutic release of the sport. Nothing could be further from the truth, instead the player is
encouraged to channel their inner competitive nature while promoting man’s natural desire for a
power struggle. That’s all it really is. A struggle between the two teams. A struggle to show who
is more dominant and deserving, which then in turn transcends into a fight. A grueling battle for
each point. So now it begs to question, why? What exactly is it that pushes the player to travel
thousands of miles, get little sleep on uncomfortable couches, sacrifice weekends; social lives
and years for the sport? What is it that gnaws at the soul of the individual forcing them to
persevere; to push through physical, mental and emotional barriers? Passion. This is where the
fire lies, not in the hopes of financial gain, not in the hopes of world renowned fame but in a
silent nod from a like-minded group of individuals. The bloody welts, abrasions coupled with
paint and mud stained hands become badges of honor. The universal sign that they belong to
something more, something unsaid but understood. The first rule of fight club is, you don’t talk
about fight club.
This passion creates an adrenaline deprived thirst, something only cured by this highly volatile,
extremely potent life style of the traveling competitive tournament player. This however is vastly
different from the players who are playing events for the sake of playing. This is not to be
confused with the teams who have matching jerseys competing to increase their social media
credibility. No, this is for the player who grinds week in and week out to win; to leave their
mark. This is the player who is working in the gym, doing drills on their spare time, reviewing
footage to maximize their potential as a top competitive player. From practices to tournaments
their bodies endure physical torment, deprived of nutrients, dehydrated and over worked to the

2. point where muscles burn with the pumping of what feels like battery acid; rebelling through
slowed function and motor skill. But they keep going, unmoved by the subconscious objection.
Typically you see this in upper echelon divisional athletes in division one and two. Though not
to discourage lower divisional players and teams, this sort of work ethic and dedication is
typically congruent among the players fighting to go pro. Complacency will take hold in the
lower divisions and players become accustomed to the competition and never really strive for
more. Grayson Goff of BKI Paintball and San Antonio X-Factor touches on this in his most
recent article, “F+ for Participation” which draws on the notion that the sport has become too
inclusive to celebrate lower divisional accomplishments which breeds a level of entitlement
among the lower ranks thus discouraging progress. As Goff explains, there should be no reason
the sport puts Division Five and Four players on a pedestal who then in turn feel as if they are
entitled to “a deal” or compensation to play their division. The harsh reality is that passion fuels
those at the upper echelons of the sport. Heart causes them to persevere through injury and
emotional barriers, the sooner others realize this the better the sport will be off as a whole. If the
player wishes to receive recognition and accolades for accomplishment, earn it. Fight to the top.
Interestingly those who grind their way to the top, or even just spend their weekends
travelling, practicing or competing are rather silent when it comes to their accomplishment or
their passion in a sport that they love. Often it is seen that these same players who earn their title
or rank simply just explain they are in the city or area for a “tournament”. Delightfully unspecific
and captivating. The sport as a whole is crippled with a lack of awareness and understanding at
public level. Within the microcosm of the paintball community, competitive paintball or Xball is
understood however within the macrocosm of the sport community it is widely regarded as
military simulation or para military wannabes. The competitive paintball player base as a whole
could be held accountable for this as more often than not the players do not take the time to
vocalize their passion or explain the game to educate the masses. The server that served the team
at dinner could potentially be interested but had not had any one to ask about it; that person may
be the next big thing, but if they are unaware they will never be given the opportunity. The sport
as a whole has made great advancements with webcasts and the commentating however to truly
make use of this and gain traction the player base needs to support it through public education.
This is a large part of what defines the tournament player’s life. How many missed birthday
parties, arguments with significant others, or sacrificing late nights with good friends in lieu of
early morning travel and practice; how much or how many of those justify talking about and
explaining the passion and commitment the upper echelons of the game requires. What differs
the professional athletes and semiprofessional athletes in other sports from paintball, both are
well versed in their craft but who carries and plays with more passion; those who has a vested
financial interest or those who do it because they want it more than the other guy. Be proud of
the sacrifice. Be proud of the sweat collected in practice and the blood lost in tournaments. Be
proud of the small circular bruised rings littered across the beaten post event body, they are
symbols of the struggle, they are metonymic of the fight. This is who you are. Own it.
The first rule of fight club is, you don’t talk about fight club.