I hope something resonates with you!
Reflect and Analyze:
Team Communication:
Set Realistic Goals:
Training and Practice:
Mental Toughness:
Adapt and Innovate:
Individual Improvement:
Team Bonding:
Strategic Planning:
Consistent Evaluation:
This takes time and discipline. More importantly it takes everyone. The effort put in has to be match across the board and it's not easy, trust me. Know that this list is extensive and quite a lot to master. A goal I challenge any of you with is to take a few of these steps and solely work on them exclusively.
Looking forward to seeing you guys in 2024!
Nick Slowiak
Ironmen
]]>Recruit Skilled and Committed Players: Look for individuals who have experience in paintball and demonstrate a high level of skill, accuracy, agility, and teamwork. Seek players who are passionate about the sport and committed to improving their skills.
Regular Training and Practice: Dedicate regular practice sessions to hone individual skills, team coordination, and tactical execution. Conduct drills that focus on different aspects of the game, including shooting accuracy, movement, snap shooting, bunker play, and teamwork exercises. Practice under simulated game scenarios to improve decision-making and adaptability.
Foster Team Chemistry: Develop a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual trust among the team members. Organize team-building activities, practice sessions, and social events to foster bonding and improve communication. Encourage open dialogue and create a supportive and inclusive team culture.
Develop Tactical Strategies: Study the field layouts and game scenarios to devise effective tactical strategies. Identify potential routes, cover positions, and communication signals that optimize teamwork and increase the team's chances of success. Regularly practice these strategies during training sessions.
Communication and Coordination: Communication is crucial in paintball. Establish clear and concise communication protocols, such as specific callouts and signals, to effectively communicate with teammates during gameplay. Emphasize the importance of constant communication and coordination to maximize team efficiency.
Define Roles and Positions: Assign specific roles to each team member based on their strengths and expertise. Roles may include front players (aggressive attackers), back players (defenders), mid-fielders (versatile players), and support players. Ensure that each role is well-defined and understood by the team members.
Analyze and Learn from Past Games: Review and analyze recordings of previous games to identify areas for improvement. Assess individual and team performance, strategic decisions, and communication effectiveness. Use this feedback to fine-tune strategies and address any weaknesses.
Physical and Mental Conditioning: Paintball is physically demanding, so encourage your team members to maintain their fitness levels. Engage in strength and endurance training to enhance agility and stamina. Additionally, emphasize mental resilience and focus by practicing visualization techniques, managing pressure, and maintaining a positive mindset.
Participate in Competitive Tournaments: Enter paintball tournaments and competitions to gain experience, test strategies, and benchmark your team's performance against other skilled teams. Competing against strong opponents will expose areas that need improvement and help you refine your team's gameplay.
Seek Sponsorship and Support: Paintball can be an expensive sport. Explore sponsorship opportunities and seek support from local businesses or organizations to assist with equipment, training facilities, and travel expenses. A well-funded and supported team can focus more on the game and perform better.
Remember, building a winning paintball team takes time, dedication, and continuous improvement. Regularly assess the team's performance, adapt strategies, and provide constructive feedback to help the team reach its full potential.
]]>With another Ironmen team practice here at Victory Paintball Park this weekend, we sat down with the man himself to learn more about what John is all about.
Age: 35
From: Austin, TX
Current Residence: Houston, TX
Playing since: 1998
Professional since: 2014 was my first year going pro with our Houston boys VcK.
Podium Standouts:
2nd Place Chicago NXL 2019
2nd Place Atlantic City NXL 2018
2nd Place Chicago NXL 2017
2nd Place Texas NXL 2017
3rd Place Texas NXL 2018
3rd Place Vegas NXL 2017
3rd Place Texas NXL 2016
1st Place 5 Man ICC 2019
2nd Place 10 Man ICC 2018
Best part of competing?
John: The best part of competing at the professional level is the challenge and experience of learning a new field. The mental challenge of coming up with and creating game plans. That experience never gets old. It keeps the game more fun and exciting than ever!
Hardest part of competing?
John: The hardest part of competing at the pro level was originally learning the tempo and timing of the game. Now after a few years in the pro bracket, the hardest part is putting all of the pieces together. Someone on your team can have the best event of their life, but if the players and coach don’t have it together during the same event, on the same day for the same match, you end up going home early.
Photo by Stephanie Buschang - @stephanie_b_photo
Favorite music?
John: I have to say rap or hip-hop is my favorite music to listen to. I grew up listening to it through friends and on the school bus. I didn’t realize until recently not everyone knows who DJ Screw is. I went to the same high school as Pall Wall and hip-hop music was, and still is, a big part of the city’s culture.
Favorite food?
John: Hands down Tex Mex Mexican food is my favorite food. Queso and chips helps me put on the pounds each year to stay warm in the off season. :)
If I was not a professional paintball player…
John: I would be someone who helps others start their own businesses and grow them. That, or a website nerd. I love entrepreneurship and the process. I genuinely enjoy seeing others go for their goals and succeed.
What’s something most would not know about you?
John: I met my fiancé Amy because of Matty Marshal talking about me on the GoSports webcast. Shoutout to her brother Ed for watching the webcast and putting a good word in!
What’s it mean to you to fight for the Shield?
John: The Shield and the Ironmen team name are legendary with a mile-long list of some of the best players to ever play the game! To be a part of the history is incredible. I am so damn excited to do my part to keep up the high standard the Ironmen name and the Shield represent. It’s an honor just to know I’m wearing the same Shield that some of the oldest legends to ever play the game wore.
Did you know many of the Ironmen before jumping on board?
John: I only knew a few of them before coming out that first weekend. Dan Norcross was my sales rep for a time when he worked at DYE. Corey Hall came down to Texas play a local 7 man event once before. Then there's Nick Slowiak and Nick knows everyone!
How’d the first practice with the team go?
John: I’ve never gone to a tryout without really knowing the team before, so I was fairly nervous. I felt the first day went fairly good. I had a couple solid games and a decent number of off-the-break kills. The second morning was rough. It took me way longer to wake up then it should have, but I did feel I ended the day strong.
Photo by Stephanie Buschang - @stephanie_b_photo
So now that you’ve had the DYE M3+ in your hands for a little while, how does it handle on the field for you?
John: I have shot cases upon cases of paint through my new M3+ already and it has stayed super smooth and rips each time I take it out. I’ve shot some super brittle paint without any issues. The thing I’m most excited about is the feel of the platform. The DYE Ultralite frame has always been one of my favorite designs DYE brought into the paintball world.
This isn’t the first time you’ve used the DM platform though. Can you share some of that history?
John: This is will be the 6th or 7th model DM I’ve got to shoot! In 2004, I picked up my very first DM4. My first team, Organized Chaos, won 2 national events that year and a 3rd place using the DM4. We were hooked on the DM platform. I shot the DM4, DM6, DM7 and DM8, along with the other DYE markers the PM6 and PM7. At one point I was the tech at a local field and had the o-rings sizes, pressures and settings all memorized I enjoyed the guns so much. I’m pumped to be back with the DYE DM. the first thing I did when I got home from the airport from the tryouts was open up my marker and get to know everything about it.
You have a successful paintball store ProEdge. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
John: First off thank you for letting me spread the name of the store! So, I opened Pro Edge Paintball in 2008 without a clue of what I was doing. I just loved paintball. I didn’t have a business plan or anything. Just an opportunity to open a store. The Houston paintball community has been absolutely incredible over the years with the support and patience as we learn what to do and what not to do as a business. We now have a steady online store, a YouTube channel that’s growing quickly and a great city of players who stop by to show their support. We moved into a larger store about 7 years ago and now have 5 employees. Business is steady and I couldn’t be happier with how everything has turned out!
One of many Pro Tip videos John Jackson will be putting out this season for new and experienced players to take advantage of.
With a store and being a full-time player, it sounds like you’re around paintball 24/7. Do you ever get burnt out or need a break?
John: I definitely have those months where I don’t even want to hear the word paintball. haha During the offseason I don’t do much for playing because the season is so packed with travel and events that I feel I just need a little time away. Luckily, I still have that love for the game and I'm really enjoying working at the store around my guys.
2021 season goals?
John: I’ve never won a pro event before, so I’m fired up to do my part to win an event this season!
Shoutouts/thanks?
John: Thank you to Kyle, Jonathan, Tony and Richie who I 100% trust and rely on to run my store while I am away. Without these guys I wouldn’t be able to enjoy playing like I do. Shoutout to Chris from DYE for having me out to tryouts and sponsoring my first paintball team when I was 15 years old. Thank you to the Ironmen squad and coaches for letting be a part of this team's history. Thank you to all of the players and friends who have reached out to show their support for joining the new team!
Keep up with John Jackson and Team Ironmen on Instagram: @JohnJackson_22 & @TeamIronmen
]]>Can you give us a rundown of your journey and history in paintball?
Nikki: Seems like so long ago because it kind of was. The first time I played, it was on a camping trip. It was my brother, mom, dad and myself. We played 2 on 2. It really only took playing one time before we were playing at our local field, Paintball Sam's, every Sunday. Up until I moved to San Diego, I played in mostly CA amateur tournaments. Then I moved up to playing in the NPPL and PSP tournaments. Also during that time, my parents opened up a field in Woodland, CA called WAP. I worked and played there too. I definitely had a life filled with paintball. In 2006 I started playing at Camp Pendleton. In 2011 Francisco (editor’s note - Nikki’s life partner) and I had a divisional team, the Golden State Knights. Some of those players are still playing today, which is really cool. Being at CP so much, Francisco and I built so many great relationships with the players and that carried into supporting the Ironmen, which is where we are today.
Favorite part of the game?
Nikki: My favorite part of the game is that the gun is a great equalizer and it allows everyone to be able to play.
How does it feel to be paintball’s first female professional coach?
Nikki: Here I am, with an opportunity of a lifetime and somehow I don't feel any different than I did before. I've been in paintball for over 25 years and there's always been the mentality of next man up. In all those years, it just so happened that I was female. Thank you Dave Youngblood for having the confidence in me to coach this iconic team.
What was your role with the Ironmen organization before stepping in as official head coach?
Nikki: I was the Assistant Coach contributing to the team by watching, processing and providing feedback to the coach and players.
Can you give us the scoop on Victory Paintball Park?
Nikki: Victory is Francisco's labor of love. From 2016 until we took over the operations in October 2018, he spent almost every weekday at the Tournament Park on Camp Pendleton, now called Victory Paintball Park, bringing it back to life. He repaired and replaced turf and netting, we bartered for bunker sets all in an effort so the players could have a place they could be proud to play at. It's still an ongoing project. Without people in the industry, players and staff, Victory wouldn't be what it is today. We are truly grateful for all the support.
If you had to describe your coaching style in one sentence, what would that be?
Nikki: My coaching style is one of mutual respect and trust.
What’s a typical practice look like for the Ironmen in 2021?
Nikki: In a facet, we're going to strive to never be in the same situation twice. The more situations we are in, the more we will learn, which will help us be better prepared come tournament time.
Any big changes you are implementing with the Ironmen for the new year?
Nikki: There won't be any extreme changes and that's because we have a great foundation. That great foundation comes before my time with the team, but one I've been lucky to contribute to over the last 7 years.
Goals for the 2021 season?
Nikki: My biggest goals for 2021 is that the team stays healthy, strong and we are playing on Sunday afternoon.
Photos by Stephanie Buschang - @stephanie_b_photo