On the road to ZAP IAO
On the Road to Pittsburgh Series
Newly Updated
The ZAP International Amateur Open is viewed by many as being the premier amateur paintball tournament in the world. Attracting teams from around the world as well as across the country, it is held at Three Rivers Survival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the month of August. Promoted by Team Effort Events, it is five excitement filled days of intense paintball action combined with one of the world’s largest trade shows. This will be the tenth anniversary of the event and they are ready to break all previous records for attendance and participation.
Looking back at the previous winners of the event, I wondered what advice would they give to a new team that was going to attend the event for their first time. I was able to contact Mike Goodman of P-N-L Factory Team and Jim Fox of the Highlanders and ask them just that. The question as posed to them ” If you were to give any advice to a new team attending the Zap International Amateur Open for their first time, what would you suggest.” Here are their responses, hopefully you will find them interesting as well as informative if your planning on attending this event.
Mike Goodman is affiliated with P-N-L Factory Team, which proves to be an interesting, story in itself. As it turns out, P-N-L is one of the top ten distributors for National Paintball Supply East, and has been for the last four years. The team as singular entity changes from event to event, which you would figure, would make it difficult to achieve success. Evidently this is not the case, as they demonstrated in 1999 when P-N-L Factory Team won the ten-man division at the Zap International Amateur Open. Mike’s response to our question was:
“The team has been around about 4 years and the roster changes from event to event. We pay all or most of the cost for the team to play, as the team consists of the people who run our leagues, work on our fields, and are also key National Paintball Supply East employees who have been instrumental in our business success. I guess I would tell a new team to walk the fields; finding the sweet spots, fire lanes and key bunkers. Also good communication is very important, not necessarily fancy codes but some thing that lets every one know what’s going on is the key. Our team is currently sponsored by J&J, Air America, 32 Degrees, PNN and most importantly National Paintball Supplies of New Jersey. Our sales representative is Sherry and without her help and Gino’s generosity it would not be possible to compete at the level we do and we would like to thank them.”
Mike’s response was short and straight to the point, although lacking in providing information for this particular event, it was more of a generalized response, which should be applied to any tournament. It is essential to walk the fields and be aware of the layout and structure. Fire lanes, angles and sweet spots are essential if you intend to make the eliminations necessary to win. As to how the field actually plays, that may be another story in itself, but at least you will have an idea of how things may unfold during play after you walk the fields. Communication is paramount towards success on any field. If you are not communicating with your teammates, you will loose track of what’s occurring on other parts of the field. Either way, Mike offered some reliable information and I would like to thank him for taking the time to respond.
Jim “Roadrunner” Fox is team Captain of the Highlanders from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. In 1998 Jim led his team to victory in the 5-man division of the Zap International Amateur Open. Jim also writes for A.P.G. (Action Pursuit Games) as well as other publications in the paintball industry and his articles often center round tournament paintball and tactics. His response to our question is:
“The first thing a paintball team ought to do is get the entry fee and lodging taken care of. The ZAP IAO fills up faster than any other tournament. Some teams, like the Highlanders, plan and make preparations a year ahead of time when they commit to the ZAP. Also logistically, see if you can get on the field and play at 3 Rivers Survival Games prior to the tournament. Open games or scheduled sessions are available. Players and teams will have to pay a field fee and purchase field paint. Get used to the layout of the land, it will be set up for a large game. This is very useful because, when the tournament starts the boundaries will then be set up differently for the tournament. This helps level the playing field so that no team has an unfair advantage.
“Arriving before the tournament is beneficial for figuring out the directions to the field and to your lodging. Another important tip would be to time how long it takes from your lodging to the field. Also when competing in this tournament bring enough players. Always have alternates. Someone may become ill or get hurt. A 5-man team should have 6 players rostered and 10-man should have 12 players. Always check tournament policy beforehand.
“The fields and the layout of the terrain are very well thought out, well made and maintained. Some fields have foliage that is thicker than others. There is a fair amount of trees. Some of the fields have small rolling hills, and gullies, but all are even for each team playing on them. Just try and walk the fields as much as you can. Try to arrive the day before you play and when you register, you will know where and when you play. However, if you advance in the tournament you may end up playing on newer fields. Also practice for Sup Air. Sup Air will be there for the first time this year.
“If you can buy paint early, do so. Keep it out of direct sunlight and vehicles. Take extra coolers to stow your paint in. Even you have the cheap styrofoam coolers. Don’t buy too much paint at one time, only enough to get you through several games. Then pick up some more later on. For example, don’t buy 12 cases all at one time, buy 5 or 6 then after that is used up buy some more. The trailer that sells paint is air conditioned. Check your paint for leakers right there. Do not take them back to your staging area and check.
“Make sure you have extra air tanks if possible. Get in line for air right after your game. Send your alternates to get your paintguns filled up. You starters need to clean up and reload, rest and take in fluids. Get your air early because there can be some congestion. Prepare right away after your game is over. If your game ends too quickly and you have to move on to another field to play immediately, find a referee and explain the situation.
