Earlier this year, we sparked a debate towards the PSP choosing to continue using the standard “Race-To” format as opposed to the previous “Halves” style of play. Currently, in the professional Race-To format, the first team to score 7 points wins; or the team with the most points after 20 minutes, wins. Apart from Tennis and Volleyball, paintball is the only professional sport to date that has a “ceiling” when it comes to scoring points against the opposing teams, limiting the victors to 7 and the losers with the inability to form a heroic comeback in the last minutes of a match. An example of halves would be, 2 periods with 10 minutes of playing time each. The team with the most points at the end of the 2nd period gets the victory.
In our latest video, we asked several pro paintball players what their opinion was on the topic and the answers just might surprise you.
What are your thoughts on the different formats?
[poll id=”23″]
It isn’t “quarters” if two of them make up a match. That is what a half is. That is like saying, an example of a quarter is an 1/8…
In this instance, we mean quarter as a period of playing time in a given sport. We’ve adjusted the article to reflect that and NOT confuse people. Thanks!
The poll at the end of the article is biased in that most people who vote just watched a video where all the pros said they were in favor of halves, so most people would naturally agree with them. But I don’t give a shit, I’m in favor of halves anyway. Keep pushing for halves, SocialPaintball! The PSP will have to listen.
I can see that the video may sway some peoples opinion….. Personally, I voted before I watched the video. Halves Baby!!!
I think halves is a great option for pros and D4+. However, I also think they should continue to offer race-to as an option for D4 (like they have different race-to-X for D4) and for D5. I don’t know what the level of D5 is at PSP events but i think race-to is a nice introductory type of format for new teams. Help prevent stomps.
I think a limited paint option would help.
The only reason I like race-to is because I’m broke. I’m in college. I can’t afford to be playing 30 points in a tournament. That a lot of paint. I think race-to is a nice little side note set up for certain areas/people of interest, but halves are definitely better. You get more play time, you get better play, and just more fun in general.
Just for me , too new in the sport to have seen halves.
Is it still a 2 min break after a point? to pod up and al that or is it more of a 2 squad thing?