Calling all fathers!!! I need advice!!!

[STRIKEFIRST]

I was at my local shop today and a guy on there staff team comes up and says hey I hear you have a 6 year old...of course the proud papa I am, I'm like hell yeah check her out...she loves golf and paintball...yadda yadda yadda...he says mine turns 6 on monday...

AND he says why don't we put these two together on a midget kids team...I laugh it off...first I have never heard of anyone under 8 playing second the wife would never ever ever go for it.

Uh...MY WIFE WENT FOR IT.

She thinks it's a great idea!!! WHERE IS THE WOMAN I MARRIED?

If there is a "youth league" that young...would you let your 6 year old play?

I can only assume you would use brittle paint and a low velocity?

My world is upside down...My wife went for this...I'm speechless...not to mention a six year old who over heard everything and wants to know what gun she'll shoot!!!!!

Someone out there give this Dad some direction!

[Hossy]

Isnt there a law or something that you have to be atleast 9?
atleast thats the way where I live. I would try to wait a few years, or atleast make your daughter learn the rules, and the importance of following them.


EDIT:
the last thing we need is another one of these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5DQdxX6ttU

[Critical]

I'd do it. Especially since it would be all kids her same age/size. That would eliminate a lot of the danger posed by older/more aggressive players.




Make her play pump.

[STRIKEFIRST]

Originally Posted by Critical

Make her play pump.

That's funny...did I mention the kid walks a trigger...the joys of father hood. (Before I get a lecture...she know she has to have ALL her safety gear on BEFORE touching a gun even w/o a tank)

[Team Ramrod]

yeah, every insurance waiver ive seen requires that the person be at least 10yrs old to play. might want to check it out. personally, i think its a little young to be playing, but i suppose with all yours close supervision and velocities turned down you could get away with it in your own personal renegade field.

[Sandman_Bravo]

The primary reason (I was told) that 10 years old is the minimum age is that:
1- masks don't fit correctly and snugly on smaller heads
2-prior to 10 there isn't enough developed musculature and/or fat to sustane a paintball hit without undue trauma.
But beyond that, I wouldn't trust too young of a child to fully grasp the reprecussions of not following safety procedures.
BTW, my oldest boy played a few games at 9 but starts his first real year of paintball this year at 10 1/2.

[SpyderMan723]

Originally Posted by Sandman_Bravo

The primary reason (I was told) that 10 years old is the minimum age is that:
1- masks don't fit correctly and snugly on smaller heads
2-prior to 10 there isn't enough developed musculature and/or fat to sustane a paintball hit without undue trauma.
But beyond that, I wouldn't trust too young of a child to fully grasp the reprecussions of not following safety procedures.
BTW, my oldest boy played a few games at 9 but starts his first real year of paintball this year at 10 1/2.

I can see the mask thing playing a role..

but have you heard of PADDING? stuff a few pillows under their shirt and send them out to battle!

[Schecter1277]

Originally Posted by Sandman_Bravo

The primary reason (I was told) that 10 years old is the minimum age is that:
1- masks don't fit correctly and snugly on smaller heads
2-prior to 10 there isn't enough developed musculature and/or fat to sustane a paintball hit without undue trauma.
But beyond that, I wouldn't trust too young of a child to fully grasp the reprecussions of not following safety procedures.
BTW, my oldest boy played a few games at 9 but starts his first real year of paintball this year at 10 1/2.

On your first mark you sort of have a point, on a general masks, however there are masks that will fit a kids head.
On point #2, don't try and talk biology and development, because take it from a bio major, you have NO idea what you are talking about.

In florida, the waver must be signed by a parent or guardian of at least 21 years old, or 18 to sign your own.

[Hossy]

Originally Posted by Schecter1277

On point #2, don't try and talk biology and development, because take it from a bio major, you have NO idea what you are talking about.

just on a side note, wouldnt a kid who is younger have an easier time with getting hit, because of all the extra cartelidge in their body making a better cushion?

[Schecter1277]

Originally Posted by Hossy

just on a side note, wouldnt a kid who is younger have an easier time with getting hit, because of all the extra cartelidge in their body making a better cushion?

huh? no...

The only cartilage that is present only in kids is some in the hand and foot, otherwise at birth the rest of the skeleton(aside from the head) has hardened, however it is hylain cartilage which is quite bendable and absorbs shock quite well(in adults it is present in the knee and spine to absorb shock). However, in an adult, there is so much dense irregular connective tissue in the hands(the muscles of the fingers are located in the forearm) that most shock is absorbed that way. Between a 6 year old body and an adult body's ability to absorb the shock of a paintball there is little physical difference. The only difference would be mental, in which an adult may be able to take more than a kid, however, many adults can't take it, while I've seen 7 year olds with absolutely no fear.