As a member of the upper echelon of competitive tournament paintball players when it comes to age, I sometimes find it difficult to understand viewpoints presented by younger players. No, this is not going to be a sociopolitical rant about how terrible the younger generations are when it comes to responsibility, history, vision, work ethic, common sense, consequences of actions, Bernie Sanders and a plethora of other issues that boggle my mind. No, this will be something different. This will be more or less a bit of an emotional rant. I want to talk about adversity and how we approach it. More specifically, how Prime did not meet its normal exacting standards prior to the last event and how that should be expected to change.

Shortly after Prime took its 4^th second place finish at a national event (Dallas PSP), the paintball community was dealt a mini off season as things between the PSP and the NXL were being ironed out (or not for that matter). It was expected (<<< operative word there) that we would meet this opportunity with the same fervor and zeal we do a normal off season… with blood, sweat, hard work and determination to improve our game. We have always prided ourselves on that. It doesn’t matter if it is 103 degrees outside or if we are shoveling snow off the field before practice, members of Prime could be found practicing and honing skills. If you are a member of Prime, you have pretty much said goodbye to the majority of your weekends throughout the year. That is expected because that is how we, since the foundation of this team, did things and how we found initial success. It is also how you grow as a team and as a player. That’s what Champions do… they sacrifice and this program, or any program for that matter, should do the same if they wish to build a winning, competitive team.

That didn’t happen after Dallas…

We were “okay” with a 2^nd place. After all, it was our first event in D1 and we did “okay”. We got our groove after the prelims and proved we “deserved” to be there. I personally (see previous blog post – The Riddle of Steel) tried to motivate myself and others on the team into recognizing we were on the cusp. I fear I may have given players an out or rather, a way to rationalize our performance. My mistake. But I learn from them and hopefully this version of Prime does too.

Instead of taking advantage of the time given us to hone our skills, work as a team and improve upon our performance like we have in the past, we fell into complacency. That is the only way to describe it without becoming foul mouthed. We become complacent. Complacent means “feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder”

Boo-yah…

Granted, no one on the team believed that and no one on the team ever came out and said that (nor would they). However, it is the only way to describe what happened. Perhaps subconsciously? I don’t know. All I do know is that team members began to focus on other things almost as if to say, “we can play in that division, we will be fine!” not realizing that the other teams were not being complacent. I am by no means saying that the Prime guys can’t have lives. That is not the point here and my statements should not be construed as such.

What I am saying is, somewhere along the line between last season and this season, that fire, that drive, that quest for winning lost its way. You cannot afford to become complacent for one second in the competitive national paintball scene or you will simply create new adversity… one that is difficult to overcome. Was the team burnt out? Were we working too hard too often and now we were tired and wanted a reprieve? Maybe.

I faced my own adversity prior to the first NXL. I injured myself and was unable to attend the event (the irony being I did so after posting the last blog – see Cowboy Up from last month). I have been healing for the past several weeks. Those of you who know me know that I push things and I have a tendency to push too hard. Well, it caught up to me. If I really want to overcome my injury, I need to listen to my body and my doctor and follow a strict regimen. So far, I have done so because I want to play with my team. I have done it because that is what is EXPECTED by normal rational teammates who want me as a teammate at the next event. I have had to go against my nature in order to overcome. I will not miss the next event. That’s how I view things and how I had hoped my teammates viewed things. We were on the cusp… meaning we should have continued with what we were doing… we should have listened to our “doctor” and realized we should have tried harder to make it happen. We didn’t.

The first NXL was not our finest moment. For the first time in 3 seasons, Prime failed to make Sunday. I heard all sorts of reasoning. Team members were quick to rationalize one thing or the other. But deep down, I think everyone on both squads (our D3 squad did not perform well either) knew the real reason. No one put in the time needed. No one committed the effort that is required to win. No one was on that practice field as often as they should/could have been. D1 teams are next in line for the pro division and we were anything like a team vying for a pro spot leading up to that event. The proof is right there in front of the squad. Prior to Dallas, we had some of the most in depth and intense practices we have ever had and it equated to a 2^nd place finish in division 1 paintball (a 3^rd place for D3). Contrary to that and prior to the first NXL in Cleveland, we had some of the most automaton (going through the motions, lets practice what we are good at and that should make up for what we are bad at mentality) practices with scarce participation from all members and it equated to a 2-2 performance topped with a 13^th place finish.

There are consequences to action or, in this case, inaction. And it hit us in the face…hard.

We are re-evaluating because we were shown that we may not have what it takes to be a professional program. That is why Prime was started. A grass roots program to work our way up to the professional ranks. We are almost there but to be honest with you, I don’t want it if we can’t compete. I don’t want it if the guys don’t give 150%. I don’t want it if we are just going to be a flash in the pan. I don’t want it so I can say we are “pro”. I want it because we earned it. I want it because we can do it. I want it because we can win. I want it because the guy behind me, in front of and next to me in that matching jersey wants it. And I will always do what I can to help my boys achieve that. Can all the members of the program say that to one another? If not, you better call me because we need to have a talk.

Say what you will about us. Love us or hate us, I know what the soul of this team is and I hope to see it again. I saw some of it this past weekend when professional player for San Antonio X-Factor, Grayson Goff came out and banged with us in 100 degree weather. I hope to see more of that in action and deed, not just word.

Gen. George S. Patton said, “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” Here’s to one hell of a bounce after Cleveland. Whatever Prime decides to do prior to Virginia Beach, you can rest assured it is in the best interest of the team.

Be water my friends,

*On a side note, I want to take another moment to remember my friend, Boca Loca himself, Coach Paul Richards. Words can’t express the sincere feeling of loss at his passing. Rest In Peace, Top.

Previously Posted

Excuse the title… I meant to post this on Valentine’s Day.

Not many of you know this but I am…well…was and still pretend to be occasionally, a musician. I used to have delusions of grandeur that I would be up in front of thousands of screaming fans as I ripped their faces off with my shredding guitar work. Alas, it was not to be. To this day I am a huge metal head. Of course, I am open to all genres but I stay pretty rooted when it comes to what is in my CD player: rock, hardcore, alternative and metal. Sabbath, Maiden, Priest, Purple… you get the idea. So, I was reading some work by Henry Rollins recently. If you aren’t familiar with Mr. Rollins, he began his career as the lead singer for the hardcore/punk band Black Flag. Once that band folded, he started his own record label and saw success as a solo artist when he created The Rollins Band. He happens to be a very intelligent person as well as a successful comedian/writer/actor. Anyway, as I stated, I was reading some of his work and one of his statements stuck out: “Youths write me and tell me that their band will go nowhere because of all the bad bands in the world. I tell them there has always been awful music and that no great band ever wasted any time complaining, they just got it done. Their ropey ranting is just a way to get out of the hard work of making music that will do some lasting damage.”

It was as if Henry was speaking right to paintball teams in general. Why? Take that quote and where he says “bands” put “paintball teams” and where he says “music” put “teams” and reread it. Go ahead, I’ll wait…

We have a standing rule among the Prime Program. No internet thuggery. No one is allowed to post anything of a critical nature ever. We are only to promote/support our sponsors in the best light possible. That includes leaving the juvenile, mundane, ill-informed and opinionated back slapping/name calling, excuse making to others. Not our fight. We let our game talk since that is what we are here to do, play paintball and hopefully, God willing, play it well.

That doesn’t mean we don’t stay up to speed on current events or happenings within the local, regional and national paintball scenes. We often have internal discussions about these topics. What kind of program would we be if we didn’t have a strategy for change? We would be foolish not to be at least informed.

You may ask, what does this have to do with your opening comments? Well, it’s this. I often stumble across posts or comments in forums or on social media where a team or a player will blame the outcome of a tournament on variables outside of their control. We’ve all heard and seen them at the event or afterwards, the keyboard cowboys, the conspiracy theorists. Some of the more common posts I read are, “The refs screwed us!” or “The refs were horrible and missed so many calls!” or “The refs know the team we were playing!” or my personal favorite, “We received a penalty by this one ref for rub my guy had on his face!” Whether these comments are indeed true or not should be irrelevant. We have all seen or participated in a game where a ref’s call, accurate or inaccurate, missed or caught, had a definitive impact on the outcome of a game, right? Right. But maybe we shouldn’t be looking at those variables. Maybe we should be focusing on what we can control and what, more than likely, is the real reason we lost that match or event. Maybe we should be looking at…yee-gads!… us/ourselves. Maybe it wasn’t the ref. Maybe… just maybe… you got outworked?

Let’s talk work ethic. How often does your team practice? HOW do you practice and how WELL do you practice? How STRUCTURED is your practice? Do you set GOALS for each practice? What elements keep you from practicing? How SUCCESSFUL do you want to be and on what level (local, regional, national)? What infrastructure do you have in place to help facilitate the team’s progress?

Ask yourself those questions and be honest with yourself. Here is how Prime would answer those questions:

1. Every weekend unless otherwise stated. It is understood that after an event, the teams have the following weekend off. This too falls under, “unless otherwise stated”. Family and school come before Prime but with notification. Every member knows to contact a captain and explain if they have something pressing that will keep them from the schedule. You have a major test coming up? You better be studying because Prime doesn’t want dummies. We want thinkers, motivators, innovators who are self-aware and analytical, who understand process. Education helps with that. We want people who understand the importance of family because we are a family. If you don’t genuinely care about the guy next to you I can’t make you a true Prime teammate.
2. Our practice is structured to build from the ground up. We start the day with everyone running and stretching together. Then we move into a little aggressiveness to get the blood pumping and create a little wake up call. We then drill fundamentals: Laning, run and gunning, snapping and communication. Next we will roll into situational drills, down body drills, closing drills. All questions and concerns are addressed during all drills. If the team is struggling as a whole, we will stay with the drill until we see marked improvement. A Prime practice lasts anywhere between 6-8 hours.
3. We usually set a goal during a particular drill or we will set a goal for the day e.g. improved communication with data getting across the field or consistently shooting a particular bunker dorito side of the field on the break by each player on the team.
4. We want to win on all levels and recognize that it will require a lot of sacrifice in order to do so. We don’t walk into rooms we don’t know how to walk out of.
5. We have a private communication board where a schedule is posted. We have a two page set of rules that outline expectations and behaviors for each individual player.
6. We practice in the rain, the heat and the cold. Practice is on unless there is danger to the team (lighting, tornado warnings, etc.). Why? Because most teams don’t.

With all that said, do you know your history? Do you know your finishes? Can you name your top finishes and why you finished where you did?

Did you scope the teams you will play at an event? Did you see how they breakout, how strong their guns were, where their guns were, what bunkers they frequent, what part of the field they push, what particular player(s) like to do and when? What’s their pit like, their demeanor? How do they handle being up or down points? Are they aggressive, defensive? How so?

The point of all of this is simple. What are YOU doing to put the odds in your favor? Will it be business as usual until the next time you have to blame a ref? “It’s supposed to rain this weekend guys so practice is cancelled.” “Most of the guys can only afford half a case, so we will only practice for an hour this weekend.” Or will it be, “Supposed to rain this weekend guys. Might as well learn how to play in it since I am sure we will enter an event where it’s raining at least once this year!” “Several of the guys can only afford half a case this weekend. Let’s come up with some drills to get the most out of that or maybe we can pool paint to make it go further.” You get the picture. You better. You’re drawing it.

Food for thought. Peace to all the teams who work hard and try their best every day. We salute you.

-Mike Bianca

Team Pr1me

Previously Posted

They say that being thankful is, in itself, a reward. I, like many Americans do this time of year, find myself reflecting on what I should be thankful for. Notice how I say, “Should be” rather than “am”. That’s because I am human and we don’t always recognize things for what they are. So, with that said, instead of recapping World Cup as I was hoping to do, I am thankful that I don’t have to relive the 2^nd place finish on Paintball’s biggest stage. Instead, I want to talk about something completely different and, for the most part, totally off topic from what you have come to expect in this blog.

Let’s face it, with all of the animosity and dreariness in this world, it is a welcome reprieve to think about the good in one’s life. I personally have several things to be thankful for. I am alive and well and live in, despite all recent attempts to change it, the greatest country known to man. I have, for the most part, enjoyed good health, am fascinated by the advancement of technology and am really digging a lot of the musical artists these days.

I like to do that. I like to think about what I am and should be thankful for in categories: Family, faith, job… that sort of thing. For example, in regards to Family, I am thankful for my wife because of the person she is, for the example she shows me, for the home she has made for us, for the devout Christian/Catholic she is, for the children she has given me and the support and belief she has in me. You get the picture.

I am also thankful for my “other” families. My paintball family and my Prime family. See, my paintball family is separate from my Prime family. My paintball family is all of you who help and try to make this sport great. Those of you who get up every day and think of ways to better this sport. Some of you do it by getting involved with reffing or event promotion. Some of you even run a paintball field or paintball companies. And some of you just make it great by being you and bringing your personality to the sport. You are the ambassadors and I am thankful you are out there doing what you do. To those of you who approach it with the attitude that paintball is, indeed, a fantastic sport, I salute you and wish you all the best during this Thanksgiving season.

Now, my Prime family…they are a motley crew. I am going to try and use an analogy here that some of you will get, some won’t… and that’s okay.

See… Prime is America.

That’s right, I said America. (Cue patriotic music) My Prime family is a melting pot of diversity. We have different religions and beliefs represented and all respected amongst each other. We have southerners, northerners, westerners and easterners. We have tall, short, fast, slow, smart, not so smart, ignorant, informed, pretty and ugly. And each and every one of us, when we are at practice, an event or just out on the town together, are a country. We will pass laws and those laws are enforced. We will declare war as a nation and yes, we will bring nukes if we feel it is necessary. Now, we can disagree and have different views on several matters but we always come together as a team, as one. If you have a problem with a member of one of the states of Prime, you have a problem with the United States of Prime. And like America, we will lay a whoopin’ on your @$$ faster than a hornet with ‘roid rage.

So, I want every member of Prime to know, past or present, that I am thankful for you.

Find what you are thankful for. Why? In the book titled THE PSYCHOLOGY OF GRATITUDE, the authors found that being thankful led to positive psychological, physical, and social outcomes; That it automatically lifts your mood and helps release stress and anxiety; it generates optimism and hope, helps you focus on the good things in your life, rather than what’s not going well; makes you feel good about yourself and your life and promotes living in the moment and increases feelings of peace and contentment. Huh…doesn’t sound like a paintball team to me… but I guess it could be.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Michael Bianca

Team Pr1me

Previously Posted

I am often asked, “What is the key to the Prime Programs’ success?” Before I answer this question, I usually find myself asking a question of my own: “What is your definition of success?”

Success is simply achieving a desired goal. Success itself is defined as “the desired outcome of an attempt”. The original Pr1me team was first started as a competitive D3 team with very specific goals in mind. We wanted to create a competitive team regionally and work our way up to become a competitive national team. But we also had very specific ideals attached to these goals. We wanted to create a team that wasn’t built on superstars but on the theory that a grassroots southeastern team could compete and do so through rigorous training, commitment, a private facility and, most importantly honor. Finding that mix of team players with the right attitudes, talent, learning potential and the same goals/views wasn’t easy.

It’s almost like Clint Eastwood’s character in the film, “Unforgiven”. At the end of the film where he has dispatched the main antagonist (played by Gene Hackman), Clint’s character, William Munny, is asked by a writer who did Munny shoot first. He responds by saying, “I was lucky in the draw but then I’ve always been lucky when it comes to killing people.”

It was kinda like that… kinda…except without the killing part. . Ok… not really.

Keeping your team together actually depends on each individual’s success. No, that was not an oxymoron. Think about it for a sec and bear with me.
Of course, having talented people on your team is essential but that “talent” could be for learning quickly or motivating or leading. We believe that a team that learns together and drives each other is more productive that one or two superstars. As long as the team is focused on the same goal and understands the parameters created by the environment in which they operate, there should be no issues. If everyone is motivated to be the best they can be and bring that to the team… selflessness…. Well, that is the key. Good leadership can do that, too. I would submit that good leadership, being an example, showing selflessness, is absolutely necessary for a team to survive. A lack of this will create ill-will. So right there, we have touched on three different aspects… attitudes, environment and leadership. Seems obvious that they would all be necessary, right?

Here’s what I suggest. Recruit like minded people. It doesn’t matter if they are the next Marcello Margott or Disney’s Goofy (well, maybe if they were Goofy… but imagine the resources!). What matters is that they have the same goals, drives, dreams and similar attitude you do. It can be very tempting to lower your standards in order to get that superstar player… but if you do that, you have already compromised your team. If the guy plays out of his mind but has a toxic personality, you may not have a team very long. Recruit people who understand what it means to be a team and want to be a part of that team, who don’t have to have the spotlight, who want what is best for the team and who want to learn as a team.

Personality types can be a difficult variable in creating and maintaining a team much less a successful one. But it should be a priority.

Next, I would establish a very specific set of goals for the team to work towards as well as each individual. Our first year as a team, our goals were to win the CFOA Xball series and become a competitive team by World Cup. We won the series and made Sunday at World Cup that year. We did this because everyone had likeminded goals and were moving in the same direction, as a unit, together. We recognized what we needed to work on in order to reach those goals. That combination of things is hard to beat. Challenge each other but do so with encouragement and leave the negativity out. Always remember the goals. We eventually began setting individual goals. We haven’t been too fervent on this but it is becoming more apparent that it helps. I would show up at the field during week days and doing nothing but laning and run and gun drills. Yes, I would have preferred to be doing something else than driving to the field after a long day of work but that’s what it takes.

And above all things: Communicate man! Communicate every chance you get. If people are afraid or concerned about expressing their opinions, they will internalize it and/or share with those that they do trust (everyone but who they have the problem with) and then next thing you know, BAM!… things start falling apart. You have to be honest. If you have an issue, voice it. Create an environment where it is not only allowed to voice an opinion or thought or concern but encouraged. If you hold this stuff back, it doesn’t go away and it festers until no solution will fix it.

Finally, and we have talked about this before, create a “culture” that shows appreciation for the team and the individual. Encouragement and rewards can work wonders. I read somewhere that a leader who understands and appreciates his team as a whole, as an entity, creates an environment where every member of that team wins. Sounds cool.

Remember, talent does not always mean success. I would argue that, more often than not, collaboration among like minded people with a common goal leads to success more often. The dynamics of a team are incredibly important to its success.

There is no magic formula that makes a Dynasty or Ironmen. But I guarantee that they have all used aspects printed above. Have the right vision and goals, don’t compromise, and you will see more success than not.

Good Luck!

Michael Bianca

Team Pr1me

Thanks to Paintballphotography.com’s Ian Whitaker and “Stretch” from 1904Photography for the photos!

Previously Posted

Paintball teams can learn a lot from how businesses operate. If you pay close enough attention, you will hear the term “culture” used significantly throughout media. There is the culture of a country or a people or, as I have already alluded to, a business. A successful business culture is an amazing thing to behold and you can easily recognize one if you are among it.

“Culture” is defined as the behaviors and beliefs of a particular social, ethnic or age group. But how can that translate into useful data in relation to a paintball team? First, we have to understand what exactly a “business culture” is and from there, we can identify the key take aways. I recently read an article in which MIT professor Edgar Schein described business culture as:

“… a way of working together toward common goals that have been followed so frequently and so successfully that people don’t even think about trying to do things another way. If a culture has formed, people will autonomously do what they need to do to be successful.”

Hmmm… I think there are aspects of that statement we can build upon and work with, don’t you?

Mike Myatt, a writer for Forbes Magazine, says that business culture is created either by design or by default. This concept intrigued me. Here is how he laid it out: A culture created by default will more than likely produce lackluster performance. Why is that? Simply put because most people look for the easiest way to accomplish or achieve something (i.e. Path of least resistance). That being said, the opposite of this approach is a culture that is created with intent or design. In order to create success (excellence), one must intentionally set out to do so and they must continually work to maintain it. (See where this is going in relation to a paintball team?) The next obvious question would be how to do this.

In order to develop a winning paintball culture based on successful business culture, let’s first use an example. How about something that is very important to me (and should be to you too): Family. Family sets the ground work for our ethics, dynamics and socialization. This is the first instruction we receive in regards to how we should behave/act. Pr1me has always said we are a family and there are certainly aspects of family in how we approach the team. There is the patriarch/leader, the “older siblings” and the younger children. Some get “scolded” and others help guide or advise. It can be very family-like when it needs to be.

Here are what many social experts perceive as the building blocks of a culture that most organizational experts agree must be present:

Values. Values are the main foundation of a culture. Values are the goal setting, the purpose and guide as to how each family member acts and behaves in different situations. We should strive for positive values such as trust, a hard work ethic, respect, honor, etc. Understand that each set of values are shaped by an individual’s education, religion, social status and experience. Now, some values amongst team members will clash. You must determine early on what you want those base values to be. For me and Pr1me, I wanted it to be honor and respect. Know that you want to avoid negative values such as resentment (why does he get to play more?), laziness (why should I help set up/take down?), entitlement (I’m the best here so I shouldn’t have to drill). Those are usually derived when a culture is developed through “default”. See how that all comes around?
A team that has positive base values like the ones I listed above has, in my opinion, set itself on the road to success. If you don’t trust the guy in front of you, behind you or beside you, you can’t be expected to play to your fullest potential. Make sense?

So how can we develop positive values for the team? Positive values require constant reinforcement and that reinforcement must include consequences when they are not adhered to. You must look for and stamp out the negative values from the team. If you don’t, that toxin will spread and before you know it, the family you have is named Manson…

Norms. These are what I like to call the rules of engagement. They represent your team’s values in action. Norms guide how your team members interact with one another and with the others (refs, other teams, sponsors). How does each of your team handle each other at practice or an event? Does one yell and point fingers? Is one never wrong about what should have happened and makes sure everyone knows it? Or do they assist each other and look for more insight or perhaps provide valued input based off recognized knowledge? If you are the leader of the team, whether you realize it or not, you are teaching the Norms through your own behavior, in words and actions.

For example, Pr1me is a private field and we do not require a field fee for a team member. However, all members are required to help set up and/or take down the field after practice. If you fail to perform one of these duties, you are not only ridiculed by the pack (see ritual/traditions) but are charged a $20 field fee.
Rituals/Traditions. This is your paintball team’s identity or soul. These are what the team has in common. It’s the glue that binds teammates together. Rituals and traditions can be the setting up and taking down of the field EVERY weekend, the meeting up at a favorite local restaurant after practice, the workouts, the drills, rites of passage for new members…(those can be interesting). You get the picture.
As with the other two pillars, rituals and traditions can either be created by design or default. When left to default, you end up with subpar rituals that are boring and meaningless and don’t bring the team together. With no identity there will be no loyalty. With no loyalty there will eventually be no team.

Look at teams like Dynasty and Vicious. I guarantee they have all of these aspects (and probably more) in play hence their longevity and success.

Creating a successful program is not easy. It should be approached with what I like to refer to as a comedic seriousness. Take it seriously but don’t be afraid to laugh at your mistakes because you WILL make them.

Not really sure how to wrap this one up so I will conclude with this –

Congratualtions to Pr1me for their podium finish at PSP’s 2014 West Coast Open as well as Pr1me 2’s podium finish at the same event. Photos to come!

Mike Bianca

Team Pr1me

Previously Posted