Jason Wheeler

Jason Wheeler is an English professional paintball player and coach whose career has included London Nexus, Toulouse TonTons, Russian Legion and Tampa Bay Damage. He received Paintball Access's Rookie of the Year award for the 2012 PSP season.[1][2]

Playing career

Early career and London Nexus

Wheeler began playing woodland paintball with his father. In a 2011 interview, he listed his early teams as London Tigers YG in 2005, the London Tigers professional squad in 2006, and Copenhagen Ducks/Method in 2007.[1]

He joined London Nexus in 2008 and remained with the team through the 2011 season.[1][3]

Russian Legion and Toulouse TonTons

In December 2011, Wheeler's move to Russian Legion for the 2012 PSP season was announced. He also joined Toulouse TonTons for the Millennium Series and French domestic competition, representing different teams in the American and European circuits.[3]

During the 2012 season, Russian Legion reached the finals at the PSP Phoenix and Chicago events. In an interview after Chicago, Wheeler discussed his preparation through individual practice, including shooting off the break, gunfighting and shooting while running.[4]

Wheeler finished sixth overall in Paintball Access's 2012 player rankings and received its Rookie of the Year award. Contemporary coverage highlighted his performances on the snake side of the field.[2]

Russian Legion subsequently confirmed that he had signed to remain with the team for the 2013 season.[5]

Tampa Bay Damage

On 13 January 2014, Tampa Bay Damage confirmed Wheeler's signing for the forthcoming season. Team manager Joey Blute said the organisation had followed his performances during his two seasons with Russian Legion.[2]

Coaching

Alongside his playing career, Wheeler has delivered paintball coaching and training clinics. In November 2011, he led a clinic for Samurai Paintball teams that included drills, three-player games and RaceTo practice. The session also covered tournament preparation, field layouts and sideline coaching.[6]

In 2012, Wheeler participated in Project K, an online coaching programme established by Loïc Voulot. He worked with its expansion into the United Kingdom and other English-speaking markets. The programme provided players and teams with training drills, instructional videos and ongoing contact with professional coaches.[4]

See also

• London Nexus
• Toulouse TonTons
• Russian Legion
• Tampa Bay Damage

References

1. Pro*file: Jason Wheeler. View from the Deadbox, 2 June 2011.
2. Tampa Bay Damage Signs Jason Wheeler for 2014. Lawrence Abernathy, Social Paintball, 13 January 2014.
3. Rabackoff Takes Off: Russian Legion Stronger By Two. Social Paintball, 26 December 2011.
4. Russian Legion's Jason Wheeler Discusses PSP Chicago and Project K. Marjee Clark, Social Paintball, 8 July 2012.
5. Russian Legion Announces Changes for 2013. Marjee Clark, Social Paintball, 26 December 2012.
6. Last Pro-Clinic Training for 2011: With Jason Wheeler (from London Nexus). Samurai Paintball, 7 November 2011.