Challenging yourself

Airsoft is a blast. Let's face it, we do this because it's fun. Otherwise, why would we run up a steep hill a dozen times in 15 minutes, getting pelted by little plastic spheres that feel like bee stings at times, through brambles and over that same dang log that always catches your knee?

But it sure can be more.

For one, I like to challenge myself. Some games, even the pick up rec games, I like to set myself a personal challenge. It can be anything; Only allowing myself one shot from any given position of cover before I move to shoot again. Only shooting with my off hand. Or always making sure my opponent knows I am about to shoot him, so he has a chance to respond. It could be staying hidden and stealthy when you are usually a frontal assault style player. It could be trying to get nothing but one shot, one kill shots all day.

Heck, at Op:Hostile Takeover, I gave myself the challenge to get a hot dog kill, using a foil wrapped hot dog and bun that was left over from lunch in place of a knife.

The addition of these personal challenges gives added dimension to the game, and often gives you some pretty wild stories for after hours bs'ing. It adds another layer of fun to the game, usually. And if you incorporate them into your own playing, they can help make you a better player as well.

Challenge yourself to do things in a new way that you aren't good at yet. As you get good at these new tactics, challenge yourself again to something else. Over time, these little fun challenges give you extra tricks you can use in other situations. And once you have a rucksack full of little tricks, most people will think you are a pretty damn clever player and you will often be one of the first picked for teams in rec games, even if your gear isn't a super high end load out.

You see, it's not the boots that win the game. It's not the gun that wins the game. It's what connects them together. And a player who constantly challenges themselves can do a pretty damn good job of connecting the boots to the gun.

Oh, and the hot dog kill? Success!