Well, it depends what you mean by "compete." If your talking about just playing around with friends, probably not. But if you plan on playing in senarios, or even if you are going to play at fields like this alot and dont want to get creamed, it wouldn't be a bad idea. You definently want to get camo for yourself if your gonna play alot, for the gun its not as nessasary(sp?) but not hard(i used camo duct tape). As for the tactics, thats pretty much basic stuff. Rushing a guy will work sometimes, but for the most part, you just want to keep yourself hidden. In speed ball they(your opponents) know where you are, so theres no point in hiding. In woods ball, the less they know about where you are, the better.