Laser tag is not just for kids and teens. Plenty of adults find enjoyment in suiting up in the sensor vests, grabbing the laser gun, and seeing their names top the scoreboard at the end of a game.
Maybe you have a work function coming up at one of our facilities, or you are taking your kids to play this weekend, and you’re wondering how you’re going to keep up. Maybe you have never played before, or it’s been a few years, and the thought of trying to run after children half your size and twice your metabolism is intimidating.
Well, worry no more, we are here to give you strategies and tactics for playing laser tag as an adult so you can keep up with the kids and be the talk of the water cooler!
Stay Moving
This first one might seem like a no-brainer, but staying in one place the entire game is going to get you caught and shot almost immediately. Stay mobile! Stay active! Don’t get pinned down in a corner or behind a barrier. Kids especially can sniff out hiding spots, even the best ones, and they can be ruthless attackers.
Utilize Cover
However, trying to stay moving does not mean you can’t use the cover in the arena. Find a blind corner and camp for a minute, waiting for someone to come running into your trap. Crouch behind boxes or walls, making sure your vest and sensors are hidden. And don’t be afraid to hide behind a teammate if you’re being chased!
Learn the Layout
Coming early and walking the arena is a killer strategy, but not a realistic one. As you enter the arena for your game, try to scope the layout before finding cover. Look for the hiding spaces. If there are elevated surfaces or multiple levels of play, look for the entrances and exits. Try to locate the sensors for bonus points. But don’t stand too long or you’ll be the first target!
Wear Dark Clothing
Office rules may dictate khaki pants and light-colored shirts, but in the laser tag arena, dark colors rule. You will stand out like a lamp at midnight if you come dressed in anything that is not black, dark grey, dark blue, and dark green. Even socks are potential beacons to your opponents. Bring clothes to change into if you’re coming from the office.
Wear Good Shoes
While we’re on the topic of clothing, make sure your footwear is quality, too. Sometimes the floors can be slippery in the arena, and your office loafers with no traction will potentially cause you to wipe out. Make sure you have sturdy shoes with a good grip, reliable laces, and ankle support. Injuries on the battlefield are a quick way to end your laser tag fun.
Aim for the Sensors
It might seem like a great idea to blindly shoot at opponents and hope you hit something, but with everyone moving as quickly as you, the likelihood is slim. Aim for the sensors, not the body. If you’re trying to make your own sensors less visible, turn yourself sideways whenever possible. You’ll reduce the potential of someone blasting you on the biggest sensor on your chest and make them work for that one on your shoulder.
Keep Your Shots Rapid
Unlike in paintball or airsoft, you’re using a laser gun. Therefore, there’s no load or reloading time for your blaster. Keep your trigger finger moving as fast as it can go. You’ll be more likely to hit your target if you can keep your aim on the sensors and shoot faster than your opponents.
Work as a Team
On the arena battlefield, you are not a party of one, you’re a team. Communication with your teammates is crucial to winning the game, as well as avoiding friendly fire and giving each other heart attacks when you discover their hiding places. Whether you make a plan before the game starts, gather in a dedicated spot for brief battle strategies during the game, or compare notes afterward as you plan your next round, communication is the most important part of teamwork.
It can be intimidating thinking about playing laser tag as an adult, either because you are playing against children who turn into wild people or because you’re playing for the very first time. Keep yourself moving, make sure you wear the proper clothes so you don’t stand out, and work together with your team and you will find your name at the top of the scoreboard!