AAR's: Evaluations for your team at scenario games.
Posted 09-24-2008 at 05:00 PM by Mothman
Do you ever ask, How am I really doing on the paintball field? Am I doing the right things, what can I change, what am I doing wrong? Evaluations of scenario and woodsball games happen all the time, just not in a constructive form. It's mostly delivered in casual conversation, or story telling, either to bring laughter or marvel in some of the strange things that happen on the field. What most players and scenario teams stay away from is criticism, and with good reason. No one wants to be yelled at, or put down and hurt feelings. What teams end up doing is staying as far away from criticism to keep the good times going, that is until someone just can't take it any more and speaks out. So first I'll go over what is good criticism and what is bad. Next I'll go over what a AAR is and lastly I'll wrap it up on how to carry one out.
So what is criticism? Webster's right off the bat defines it as usually unfavorable criticizing. This is a mainstream notion that to criticize is something negative. Webster goes on to define criticism as a observation or remark, or even a evaluation or scientific investigation. So it can be scientific, logical, relevant, something more positive than putting someone down.
Enters the word "Constructive". Constructive can mean to promote improvement or development. So if we combine Constructive with Criticism, we get constructive criticism that is a evaluation in order to achieve improvement, or development. This is the best an AAR has to offer.
The AAR is a "after action report". It is originally used by the US military for obvious reasons (staying in line with protocol, becoming more proficient and professional). Since we are applying a evaluation to paintball it seems more fitting to call it an AAR instead of a "crit" ( which we used in art school).
The way to do the AAR is, after a days play and your team is relaxed and huddled, announce that the team needs to do it's AAR's. Each player evaluates their performance by mentioning 3 things they need to change, 3 things they shouldn't have done, and 3 things they need to continue to do. Allow room for teammates to add to the commentary. Each teammate also needs to remember that this is constructive criticism and not to add personal conflicts into the mix.
What can you and your team gain from doing a AAR? Everyone can learn from another's observation. Sometimes players need to hear others comment on their own game. Teammates may need to be reminded of what you contribute to the game. They may also need to inform you of what they need from you. Each game should be seen as a learning experience. No one should consider themselves at such a degree that they can't learn any more.
Try it out and reply back or if your team already implements this, let us know how its going for you.
Charles "Mothman" Cole
www.thescenarioplayer.com
So what is criticism? Webster's right off the bat defines it as usually unfavorable criticizing. This is a mainstream notion that to criticize is something negative. Webster goes on to define criticism as a observation or remark, or even a evaluation or scientific investigation. So it can be scientific, logical, relevant, something more positive than putting someone down.
Enters the word "Constructive". Constructive can mean to promote improvement or development. So if we combine Constructive with Criticism, we get constructive criticism that is a evaluation in order to achieve improvement, or development. This is the best an AAR has to offer.
The AAR is a "after action report". It is originally used by the US military for obvious reasons (staying in line with protocol, becoming more proficient and professional). Since we are applying a evaluation to paintball it seems more fitting to call it an AAR instead of a "crit" ( which we used in art school).
The way to do the AAR is, after a days play and your team is relaxed and huddled, announce that the team needs to do it's AAR's. Each player evaluates their performance by mentioning 3 things they need to change, 3 things they shouldn't have done, and 3 things they need to continue to do. Allow room for teammates to add to the commentary. Each teammate also needs to remember that this is constructive criticism and not to add personal conflicts into the mix.
What can you and your team gain from doing a AAR? Everyone can learn from another's observation. Sometimes players need to hear others comment on their own game. Teammates may need to be reminded of what you contribute to the game. They may also need to inform you of what they need from you. Each game should be seen as a learning experience. No one should consider themselves at such a degree that they can't learn any more.
Try it out and reply back or if your team already implements this, let us know how its going for you.
Charles "Mothman" Cole
www.thescenarioplayer.com
Total Comments 1
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Well....My Friend you have done it again.....And like the First Time with your permission I would love to post this next week in the Mothman Page to keep my Site Fresh....One thing I would like to add is Good Communications between Players and open lines just like in most good families is the way to strengthens your team....Good Job MOTHMAN........SARGE OF THE 501 RANGERS
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- AAR's: Evaluations for your team at scenario games. (09-24-2008)
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