Paintball is like chess with guns | James Green

Like most, James Green’s first taste of paintball came at a friend’s paintball party. 

“I was instantly hooked. As soon as I found out you could play it competitively, I jumped on a local team and have been competing ever since.” 

The sport had such an impact on James that soon he was watching competitions and documentaries on YouTube and made the decision to pursue paintballing to the highest level. 

At the elite level, paintball looks very different to the ‘birthday party’ format. Each team has five players, with the first to four points win. To gain a point, you have to touch a buzzer behind the opponent’s starter gate.  

“Paintball is like chess with guns and imperfect pieces. Strategy and decision making to control the field are just as important as the technical skills.”

This is often done by shooting all the opponent’s players, and this is exactly James’ role. 

“I form part of our attack. It’s my job to get down field and pick up easy kills on opponents who are unaware of my position.  

“This basically means I have to run far, find holes in the other teams game plan and exploit them to push downfield.” 

As soon as I found out you could play
it competitively, I jumped on a local team
and have been competing ever since”

Whilst James is now enjoying the highest level of paintball, he admits he hasn’t always found his journey to the top of the sport easy. 

“It was always a goal of mine to make it to the top level. Ever since I was thirteen on my first competitive team, I wanted to be on those top teams.” 

“When I came to university, I took a big step up by joining the Lucky 15s programme. I joined their feeder team, the Mustangs, that also competes in the top division of the UK against their first team.

“Even my teammates would agree I wasn’t ready for this step up and I had to work really hard just to tread water.” 

Now, not only does James compete for the Lucky 15s team, he also represents Great Britain. 

“It’s a real privilege. To spend so much time perfecting your game to be viewed as one of the best in the country is an honour.” 

In the 2019 World Championships, it will be James’ fourth time competing for Great Britain, something he admits is a ‘very proud moment.’ 

“Strategy and decision making to control the
field are just as important as the technical skills”

Alongside the pride of representing his country, the social element of being part of a squad is something James also appreciates. 

“The squads a bit of a mixed bag. Everyone is from all over the place and is in very different places in their lives.  

“It’s a really unlikely bunch of mates that is just a testament to how much this sport can bring people together, something I know I’ve experienced at every level of the sport.” 

Whilst his paintballing career has gone from strength to strength, James admits there are still areas of the sport that are yet to be utilised. 

“I’d say that coverage is probably the main link missing. If there’s an audience for it and we have the coverage, then funding and sponsorship should follow. 

It’s a really unlikely bunch of mates that is just
a testament to how much this sport can bring
people together, something I know I’ve
experienced at every level of the sport”

“I know some great work is being done to increase the coverage with live streams of the major events.” 

As the investment and broadcasting of the sport increases, James’ main goal is to continue competing at the top level. 

“As long as my body will keep letting me play, I want to see how far I can go. I know this a goal that I share with all of my teammates on the Lucky15s.”