Best format?

[Dicky]

I went to the formula 5s last weekend- gotta say that despite the hype, I found it a little boring- couldn't really see teams that were on the backfoot making any kind of co-ordinated counterstrike. It seems that in xball, if the point isn't going your way, you can lose it and it isn't the end of the world- I think this is why it works so well- teams can be losing 3-0 and then go on to win 3-4. The central buzzer is a good idea but realistically, it's not going to be the focus of the game if one teams dominating and the other isn't going anywhere near it.

It also seems that 7 man is seeing something of a resurgence in popularity.

So what's the best format?

Should we go back to the timed format in millennium xball rather than the first to 4/5?

Oh yeah- Super 5s is the way forward

[andyb]

This is kind of a side note. The problem with paintball there is no focal point. I'm guessing this is what fomula 5 is trying to do. I dont really know much about it. But I think what every the NSPL choose is the best

[ant290]

thing with formula fives is if one team is on their back line.. thats 10 minutes left of the game where the crowd are all thinking oh well they lost then.

with x-ball you can see the teams work harder to bring it back and each point starts to really matter.

x-ball is more emotional
formula5 is more play time per game ... potentially.

[Pinki]

I went to the formula 5s last weekend- gotta say that despite the hype, I found it a little boring- couldn't really see teams that were on the backfoot making any kind of co-ordinated counterstrike. It seems that in xball, if the point isn't going your way, you can lose it and it isn't the end of the world- I think this is why it works so well- teams can be losing 3-0 and then go on to win 3-4. The central buzzer is a good idea but realistically, it's not going to be the focus of the game if one teams dominating and the other isn't going anywhere near it.

I'm glad to hear a more objective review of this format - it always sounded to me to be too easy to sit back once the buzzer is pushed and lock the field, making for a stale and boring game - more so than the Campaign field layout @ SPL & CPL level!

It also concerns me that the overwhelming majority of it's supporters are players that are not exactly Athletes - to quote a player (who shall remain anonymous) after hanging the flag in D2 last weekend - "That was hard work, I'm going back to the F5's as it's easier." Great if you want an easy time/are not that fit, but is it something to be held up and applauded as the Format du jour? Personally I'd say no, as would anyone else that puts time and effort into their fitness and skills, not just about getting "trigger time".

It also seems that 7 man is seeing something of a resurgence in popularity.

God I hope not, I got bored of shooting 7-11 pods a game just to stop people moving. 7Man was a vastly over-rated experience imho - slow, dull and very few points of note. Take off the rose tinted spectacles people - remember the long waits between games, the rampant cheating and how a bad/wrong/missed ref call could cost you the Game/possibly even Event!

So what's the best format?

Old school X-ball, big ass pitches, 20min halves and more paintball than a whole season of F5's! Penalty boxes and lots of ways to play the field were the order of the day and I miss them.

Should we go back to the timed format in millennium xball rather than the first to 4/5?

I would like this, but it would possibly push paint consumption up, putting teams off - although for "fun" factor, nothing else comes close, trust me on this! The problem with "true" X-Ball is that very few people in Europe got to play it, it was only around for one season really and most teams were too scared/commited to 7man/insert other excuse here to try it properly. Add to that the TonTon's shooting 93 boxes in the Paris event (God knows how, but that was a massive jump from most teams consumption over the season) and the rumours that it was too expensive killed the format before it could get off the ground I believe.

Oh yeah- Super 5s is the way forward

5man is dead. Let's bury it now.

[Pinki]

formula5 is more play time per game ... potentially.

This is the thing that bugs me the most (this is not aimed in anyway at you Ant btw ) Why do people insist on measuring the "value for money" factor in paintball in game time/time on field/trigger time?

Surely it's the experience that matters?

Personally I couldn't give a rats ass if I spent 5 mins or 5 hours on field, providing I enjoyed myself - if the reffing is good, and the organisation is logical and timely, then all I need is the comradeship of my and the other teams, and everything else will be great - be it if I am playing Millennium or Woodsball. I measure my enjoyment in the professionalism and overall experience of the day, not counting the time I may or may not get to shoot my gun - that to me is too close to paintball masturbation for comfort.

[onasilverbike]

as the Format du jour?

Strike One!

[Pinki]

as the Format du jour?

Strike One!

Pour quoi?

[Dicky]

as the Format du jour?

Strike One!

Insightful as ever Pete. Surely you have some time between delivering old ladies their shopping to post up your thoughts- which is best for you to photograph?

In seriousness though- I didn't see many 'big moves' last weekend- it was quite stagnant play really. Surely these are what makes good action photographs as opposed to guys just stood there shooting lots of paint.

[Chris - Syd]

Pete was referring to the use of French (ackk!) on an English speaking forum that does not allow foreign languages.

[Dicky]

Your thoughts grumpy?

[Chris - Syd]

Hey, dumb ass... look at my profile pic... I am NOT grumpy!

My thoughts are pretty obvious. The NSPL runs the formats it does, because I consider them (after much careful deliberation) the best.

So, a combination of Race-To-? and 5-Man.

I don't have any personal experience with the Formula 5s, so I wouldn't like to comment publically.

[Dicky]

Look at my profile picture- I'm not a dumb ass

Sure- I guess that makes sense. And it certainly wouldn't do you any favours to comment unfavourably on someone elses format- I see that.

How about a shift from 4 point xball to a timed game as a showpiece then Syd? I remember watching it in 2004 (I think) and it looked pretty intense.

[onasilverbike]

I have no 1st hand experience of Squeaky Ball (aka F5)and therefore can only base my thoughts on the experience of others!

IMHO its like one big woodland game but in a giant Sup'Air arena, somebody correct me if I'm wrong. Whilst it certainly has its fans, nay, devotees, I tend to concur with Dicky thoughts, if 'fat blokes' can make it "up the snake" then it is unlikely to have the visual dynamic of even 7-man. From a photographers point of view, the shots I want are the big moves and the impact shots, the rest is all filler! I tend to concentrate on one or two players on either side of the field for the first, trying to anticipate their moves, for the second, its as much a matter of luck as judgement, Race-2 format gives me a chance to cover both sides of play, as long as the sun isn't shining directly in the lens from one tape and therefore capture more players moves.

It is interesting that Eric tried to put a F5 event on in the Midlands at the CPPS venue, but came up two teams short of break even, an issue Sosta doesn't have in that his infrastructure costs are lower, he's already sold enough Paint, Reloaders, Halos,Timmies and Vents etc to have a big enough garden to hold the event at home, other promoters are not that fortunate and have extra costs to cover.

Personally, I have to concur with Pinki, the true X-Ball format was the most intense experience you could wish for with a paintball gun in your hands, but is unlikely to make a resurgence due to the sheer costs involved through the paint consumption.

[onasilverbike]

as the Format du jour?

Strike One!

Pour quoi?

Strike Two!

[ant290]

formula5 is more play time per game ... potentially.

This is the thing that bugs me the most (this is not aimed in anyway at you Ant btw ) Why do people insist on measuring the "value for money" factor in paintball in game time/time on field/trigger time?

Surely it's the experience that matters?

Personally I couldn't give a rats ass if I spent 5 mins or 5 hours on field, providing I enjoyed myself - if the reffing is good, and the organisation is logical and timely, then all I need is the comradeship of my and the other teams, and everything else will be great - be it if I am playing Millennium or Woodsball. I measure my enjoyment in the professionalism and overall experience of the day, not counting the time I may or may not get to shoot my gun - that to me is too close to paintball masturbation for comfort.

i was merely making a comparison between the two.

having played formula fives i found that although there is still 15 mins on the clock. if your team is not so proficient you can spend most of that time walking back to the pits.
my favourite format is koth race to .... as its great fun to watch. followed by cpl and spl millenniums although i know my knowledge is extremely limited i still found that you could see all of what was going on.

on a competitive level surely the cheaper you can win events the more viable it is that you will keep going to them? with race to 4/5 you only need enough paint to win those points whereas i think if formula5 was a highly competitive event it would be hard to find a team that can economically win events and keep full paying sponsors happy. (if there are any teams who are sponsored to this level anyway idk?)