Should you “Take the hit”
By Andrew C. Syren
It never fails when the battle rages and the shots are being fired that somebody merges close enough to the enemy that the words “take the hit” are spoken. On most fields, this rule of play is enforced rather well and should be taken as a measure of good will to another player. However, there is always that chance that you’re up against some kid that watched the Matrix one too many times. With an attempt to pull off a move faster than it takes you to pull the trigger the kid often gets a body full of paintballs. And as you know, close range shots have a tendency to hurt.
“Take the Hit” is a rule that can easily dissuade a heated argument, but needs to be understood in full. When an opponent is within a few feet from you and tells you to take the hit, it would be best to answer quickly as some players can be rather impatient, if not overly edgy, at the time of play. To take the hit simply requires you to yell “HIT” and the game proceeds without you as you walk off the field or out of the arena.
This rule of play is not something that is often seen on the tournament scene, as most players would rather take their chances with a bloody welt than give up. Heck, there is always that chance that the opponents gun may not function, thus leading to a major upset in the game’s outcome. In any case, you will never see guys like Chris Lasoya give up on account of some opponent telling him to take the hit.
The biggest aspect of asking another player to “take the hit” is sportsmanship. Simply put, doing the right thing in this case can save you from getting the butt end of a tank upside the head. I have seen many players who yell, “take the hit” and fire a few shots into their opponents without giving them any time to surrender. As a result of this action, fights have broken out and somebody always gets hurt.
Being sportsmanlike is always the best way to approach any situation in the game. Thinking on the fly is easy, but deciding the outcome of a situation is easier said than done. Give the other player a second or two to think it over, if they chose to become another Superman and take on a speeding bullet, then feel free to light ‘em up. In the end, you’ll find that most people are not into receiving multiple bloody welts as a result of their Let Li impersonations.
Utilizing this method of showing mercy to another player can make a match much more interesting, and at the same time build up your own ego. Getting close enough to the opponent is hard enough but to have them surrender to you is a rewarding experience. To simply pull the trigger at close range takes a simple mind but to overcome your urge for firepower and tell them to “take the hit” is a true example of a sportsman.
Having fun at any sport is key to a sports survival in the industry. Allowing newer players to experience a more merciful side to the sport of paintball might just keep them coming back. So the next time you’re within a few feet from a newbie, have them take the hit. You just might enjoy it.
