How Do I Play Paintball?

There are many ways to play paintball. They can be broken down into either Speedball, Hyperball, Woodsball, Scenario, or Stock games.

[] Speedball and Hyperball games
Speedball and Hyperball take place on small fields making them fast paced. Speedball is usually played with inflatable structures in many shapes including cubes, pyramids, cylinders, etc. (usually called "bunkers") while Hyperball replaces these inflatable bunkers with large metallic tubes. Tournaments (professional and non-professional) will almost always be played on speedball fields.

[] Woodsball and Scenario games
Woodsball and Scenario are more for recreational players or players who are in pursuit of more realistic simulations. Woodsball is (obviously) played in the woods and is where most paintball players start out. Trees and foliage provide great natural cover, but field owners may add in even more cover with wooden structures, cars, and tires.

A scenario game, on the other hand, is distinguished for its rules and not its setting. These games will have different rules to simulate a different situation, usually with different objectives such as escorting a VIP from point A to point B, or even adding in special roles for certain players (such as medics, demolitions experts, etc.) Scenarios are commonly played in the woods, but can actually be played anywhere you can come up with a good scenario (and where nobody will get hurt by a stray paintball.) Some scenario games include VIP, sniper, terminator, and attack/defend.


The Brass Eagle 'Talon', a common stock marker[edit] Stock games
Stock games are slowly regaining popularity. They have the same rules as any other game, and can be played on any type of field. The difference? Everyone uses a cheap 20-dollar plastic pump marker!

Stock games are preferred by many players because it encourages teamwork, and it saves money. Pump markers (see 'Markers' section) greatly restrict the player's firing speed so they are forced to conserve ammunition. New players also tend to waste paint when using a mechanical or electronic marker, so stock games are usually the best place for new players to start their paintball experience so they learn the value of using strategy over firepower and technology.

Some high-end markers are also made and sold with stock paintball in mind.

[] What Do I Need To Play?
Every paintball player must be equipped with a marker, a mask, paint and a large area to play in. Optional equipment includes squeegies, pod packs/harnesses, and pods (filled with extra paintballs).

[] Money
First and foremost, you will need money if you want to do paintballing as a hobby. Paintball fanatics are known to have very little money for anything that doesn't involve shooting paint at things, living or nonliving. Good players who get enough attention can aquire financial support from a sponsor for them to play in tournaments.

[] Markers
This is obviously the most important piece of equipment for playing. Markers come in many shapes and sizes, and some operate in different ways than others as well as using different parts. The price of a marker can be as low as 20 and as high as several thousand dollars. A first-time player who is unsure if they want to play or not should not buy a marker, and should instead rent a marker for their first game to see if they enjoy it or not.

There are generally five types of markers: Pump, Mechanical, Electronic, Pistol, and Other.

[] Pump
Pumps are obviously identified as having a shotgun-like pump under the barrel. Using it takes a while to get used to, but the concept is simple: after a shot is fired, you pump it once so you can fire again.

It takes a while to fire another round, so most experienced players will recommend that new players start with using pump markers in regular games or by playing in stock games to develop good habits of paint usage. New players are known to develop the bad habit of wasting paint.

A variety of pumps are available to players but they are much harder to find than regular markers. Pumps aren't just for starting players though, there are also high-end markers that are pump-action. The prices of pumps can vary from $20 to hundreds of dollars.Alot of times you can rent a gun from a the place that you play at.

[] Mechanical
Mechanical markers are the traditional paintball gun. No pump and no batteries make them the popular choice for the general paintballing crowd. They fire as fast as most players need their markers to fire and come pretty cheap compared to many electronic markers. That's not to say that expensive markers are all electronic, though. Plenty of high-end markers are mechanical.

[] Electronic
Most professional players in paintball will be found using electronic markers, but even markers as cheap as 80 dollars can be found with electronic hardware. Electronic markers have much less trigger-pulling resistance than mechanical markers. They also don't require the player to pull the trigger as far, and can thus be fired exponentially faster than the mechanical markers as well.

Often, electronic markers have the option of using different firing modes. Usually these firing modes can be: safety, semi-automatic, reactive (one shot on pull, one shot on release), ramping (shoots in full-auto if the trigger is pulled often enough), 3-shot burst, 5-shot burst, and full-automatic. The experienced players usually use semi-automatic because many fields and tournaments don't allow full-auto, and because they can fire much faster than automatic using the semi-automatic setting.

Players almost always combine their electronic markers with motorized hoppers because of the fast firing speed. Normal gravity-fed hoppers can't feed paintballs into the gun fast enough

[] Pistol
A pistol marker is loosely-defined as a very compact marker. They will usually take small 12-gram CO2 cartridges and use mechanical or pump action.

A pistol is almost always intended to be a backup marker in case the first one jams or is out of air, etc. Some people, on the other hand, have decided that a pistol (or two) is all they need to win.

Keep in mind that a pistol has a very short range and has a small magazine. Holsters and extra magazines are almost always available from the manufacturer.

[] Other
Some markers aren't really markers at all, they just happen to launch paint. Specifically, wrist rockets and blowguns.

Some people use wrist rockets as cheap alternatives to spending any money at all on air and barely spend anything on paint because of the slow firing rate. Its simplicity of operation also guarantees no mechanical failure.

Blowguns are a rare sight, and they usually use small .38 paintballs as opposed to the normal .68 paintball. The .38 paintballs are somewhat easy to find online but finding them in stores is difficult, although blowguns save money on air and are very simple to use.

[] Masks
In paintball a mask is REQUIRED in order to be in the playing field because it provides protection for your face, ears, and eyes. As we all know, paintballs travel at fast speeds, and getting hit in the face without protection can result in painful and unnecessary injuries such as lost teeth, cataracts, and blindness. Every paintball field has a rule about keeping your mask on when in a paintball field, so you had best follow it. It is guaranteed that anybody who violates this rule will have a referee yelling in their face and banning them from the game for a few rounds, if not the rest of the day.

Some masks will add additional protection for your neck, or even the top and back of your head. A common problem with some masks is fog appearing on the lens. This is avoided by replacing them with a thermal lens, or just buying a mask with a thermal lens in the first place. These thermal lenses are made to prevent fogging and are highly recommended by all paintball players.

[] Tanks
A tank is a canister filled with either carbon dioxide (CO2), propane, compressed air, or nitrogen (N2). These are all compressed gases that are used to project paintballs out of your marker. Certain markers such as the Autococker can only fire compressed air and nitrogen because carbon dioxide has physical properties where it tends to expand even after it has exited the tank.

Tanks come in many capacities, shapes and materials. They will have screw threads on one end and are meant to be screwed into the bottom, backside, or sometimes front, of the marker.

Tanks are made to be safe and durable during a game, but high pressures inside the tank still mean you MUST treat it with care. Heed the warnings written on the tank. Leaving it in hot temperatures, dropping it on the pavement, hitting it with a tack hammer, etc. might ruin your day.

[] Hydro Testing
It's a fact, tanks don't last forever. When every tank is made, a date is stamped on it to identify its age. Once the tank has reached x number of years, no responsible airsmith (a person who fills up tanks) will fill it up, because the tank is nearing the age where it may be unsafe if filled with high-pressure gases.

If you have an expensive tank you don't want to trash, you can take it to a paintball store or field that does hydrotesting, and might determine that your tank is fit enough to be used for another year or two. You give the store/field around 20 dollars (whatever they may charge) and they will put it inside a highly-durable case and try to fill it remotely. If it's too weak, the tank will explode, and the airsmith is protected by the case isolating the explosion, and you don't get a refund or your tank back. However, if the tank passes the test then they will slap a new date on your tank and instead of buying a new tank you can go spend your money on something better, like a new barrel or a nice jersey!

If you have a tank that is past its date and you don't want to bother hydrotesting them, don't throw them away! Your local paintball store will most likely take them and dispose of them in a proper way, free of charge.


A simple gravity-fed hopper[edit] Hoppers
A hopper is a pod that usually fits on top of your marker, and it holds and dispenses paintballs to your marker as you fire them. Hoppers usually hold around 200 rounds (except for stock markers which hold between 10 and 20).

Hoppers usually feed paintballs to your marker just with gravity, but sometimes that's not fast enough to keep up with the rate you're shooting at. To keep up, there are motorized battery-powered hoppers that will force paintballs into your marker at a faster rate than normal gravity-fed hoppers can. Beware though, being able to fire faster tends to develop a bad habit of wasting paint.

[] Your A-game
Regardless of what type of game is being played, paintball presents its players with both physical and mental challenges. Games typically require speed and stamina from its players, as well as reflexes, strategy/tactics, and communication with your teammates.

Teamwork is the most important key to winning a paintball game. Never start a game without a strategy for you and your team.

Communication is the second-most important. If you observe a real team in action, they will be yelling the position of the enemy to the rest of their teammates, and someone may be issuing orders or telling their team what they're about to do. Codewords (made up by the team) are used so the enemy doesn't use a team's own yelling against themselves.

[] What to Wear
First-timers and uncommon players should wear old jeans, a old pair of shoes/boots with good traction in dirt, and a sweat shirt over a tshirt. Expect to get dirty. If it's your first time DO NOT wear a T shirt and shorts. I've seen a girl play in a tank top, bad idea. Keep in mind the more clothes you're wearing the more padding you're gonna have. If you have enough clothing on you're also more likely to get a paintball to bounce off of you instead of breaking.

More experienced or professional players tend to invest in jerseys, pants, and shoes made exclusively for paintball. Jerseys are usually made from quick-absorbing material and usually have padding in the shoulder/elbow area for going prone, and non-slipping areas in front of the shoulder that provide a good surface to brace their tank on for a steadier shot. Paintballing pants are also full of padding, and the shoes are made to provide traction. Buying paintball clothes isn't needed to play and isn't needed to have fun, and they cost quite a bit more than normal clothes so only buy it if you're becoming a serious player.

Testicle cups are important for the men for obvious reasons, but are often ignored. Although a shot to the nuts is a rare occurrance, an experienced paintballer will usually have either witnessed or experienced such a tragedy during a game.

Kneepads and elbow-pads are also made and sold for paintball so players can take hard dives without getting hurt.

[] Physical Conditions
Even if you are physically challenged or injured, the game of paintball may still have a place for you. Slower teammates are perfect for staying behind to provide covering fire and maintain defensive positions. Some people have been known to play paintball with the use of a wheelchair, and there are even entire paintball teams made up of people with disabilities.

[edit] Does it hurt?

Yes and no: Usually it stings for a second or two. It's comparable to being snapped by a rubber band. It also depends on how much clothing is on you, because more clothing provides padding for the impact, meaning less pain. To keep the sport fun, all good paintball fields regulate the speed of paintball guns. The speed is always 300 FPS (Feet Per Second) or lower, which has shown to be a safe standard speed.
After getting hit by a paintball, the spot of impact will usually form a ring-shaped welt although some places such as the thigh may form minor bruises

Isn't it dangerous?

Heck no! Paintball is statistically the safest of all extreme sports, as well as being safer than most (if not all) common sports! As Action Pursuit Games puts it, "the average player will suffer a Paintball injury about once every 500 years." The reason behind this may be because safety rules in Paintball are strictly enforced by referees.

What is paintball?

Paintball is an exhilarating sport where you get to play warrior without getting hurt. It basically involves using "markers" (politically correct for "paintball guns") to shoot at other people in games usually with a goal in mind, such as capturing a flag, or eliminating an entire team. The one rule that applies in every game is: if you get shot, you're out!

Stay Safe While Playing Paintball

Paintball is an extreme game that has thousands of players nationwide. There are more than ten organizations that sponsor events throughout the country at different venues. Though the inventors of this game created it just for fun, this game has grown. A recent survey has shown that this is the third most popular game in the world.

Safety is the most important concern for those who want to play this game. This goes from the clothing that should be worn to the types of weapons that can be used.

Protective equipment consists of a face mask, gloves, pads for the chest, knees and elbows. They must be worn at all times while inside the playing field. It is advisable to wear shoes with rubber soles given the rough terrain where the game is usually played.

Guns should be inspected before being used in any of the matches. This is because there is a maximum velocity allowed. The paintballs should not travel over 300 feet per second since anything greater can seriously injure the players.

To prevent a misfiring from occurring, barrel plugs should be used for the safety of the gun owner and the people who are present during the event.

The facemask may fall off suddenly during the heat of the action. It can also fog due to sweat, paint or dirt. When this happens, the player should call on the referee so that it to be cleaned off of the field. The opponent is not allowed to fire on the player until that person is ready to return to the firing zone.

Since this game is about fun, players are not allowed to curse or hit other players. The only activity allowed is shooting the opponent so that he will be eliminated.

Another safety feature allowed in the game involves giving the opposing player the opportunity to surrender; but should the player show any form of hostile action, then one has no choice but to shoot the opponent.

Aside from protection given to the players, the organizers of such events also put safety nets around the area and require the audience remain a certain distance away from the action to avoid being hit by any of the balls.

Safety is a primary concern of paintball and almost every other sport: this is why rules are set in place which the players have to abide by. This is done to protect both the players and the fans: to prevent injuries from happening and so that everyone can have a good time.

Where to Play Paintball?

There are various types of paintball fields that offer a challenge and excitement to players. Paintball fields add to the overall enjoyment of the sport.

Woods

oodsball?as it is referred to by a lot of paintball players is the urest?type of setting where paintball is played. On this type of field, players get the feel of the real war game.

Basically, the field is a secluded area in the woods which has an open area. Players are? learn stealth or how to advance the field in a very sneaky manner.

Concept Fields

The concept field is often created outdoors, with many objects that have been set up for players to take refuge in or seek protection from. Usually concept fields have a theme, the most common of which is the urban city setting with cars, buildings and many other city elements.

There are some fields that are very creative with their themes, such as medieval themes with castles which have towers, wagons and cutouts of people. Concept fields are interesting and fun: players are able to adjust the skill level of the group by removing or adding obstacles.

Speedball Fields

According to paintball fanatics the most exciting and challenging of all fields are the speedball fields. They are made up of equally spaced and equally sized barriers.

The challenge here is that a player can not see past the huge barriers and can bump into or encounter anyone at any time. With the smaller barriers a player can be concealed one way, yet revealed to another player.

Indoor Fields

These fields offer a much different approach and encounter from an outdoor field. The first and major thing that new players encounter is that here paintball guns are very loud: some find that the sound hurts their ears so they wear earplugs; but this is not necessary most of the time.

Indoor fields are generally found in cities where there is a lack of open areas to play the game. Similar to outdoor fields, indoor arenas also offer a variety of themes and set ups. The range is considered to be the major difference.

A team with great team effort is the key to the game of paintball regardless of where you play - the basic paintball idea remains the same. The option is up to you: select a field that fits your interests and your performance level the best. Paintball fields are as diverse as one imagination.

Make Retreating in a Paintball Game an Advantage

To realize a common goal, teammates in a paintball game should take two important roles: one is to suppress and the other to invade.

Suppression is a way of distracting the opponent so that they fall short by not seeing the other team that is already starting to invade. Suppression goal is not to get rid of enemies. Control and concentration are needed to keep a team member from shooting.

A team who uses suppression as a tactic should consist of three or more players. Each member must know that their main objective is not to eliminate the other team members; although that could be true in other events. Movements during this game should be accurate and targets must be aligned in order to make sure that the opposing team is unaware of the suppression. A steady target and aiming of fire from the suppression players must not be in unison to leave the enemies with a puzzled feeling.

When making an assault, two or more of the paintball players who are making the suppression constantly distract one of the opponent players in order to disguise the players who are about to invade and attack the opposing team. Suppression often conceals the other players and if done well, would eventually destroy the enemies who would have to retreat and could soon be eliminated when caught.

The other role that is played by the rest of the team is invading. The players that are involved in the invasion must try very hard to hide themselves from the opponents while the suppression team is doing their job. This requires patience, control, and discipline to keep from firing in order to save the position. Make sure that with one shot severe damage to the opposing team is incurred rather than firing at one enemy player that did not realize the invader was there.

The invasion players target at least the majority of the opposing team players. Once they are in position to capture the flag, they must fire with great power and with full force. Since paintball guns are really loud, as soon as players start hitting target it must be accurate as there is no turning back. Enemies will know where the guns are firing from so the invasion team will have to incur damage all at once to keep the opponent from counter attacking. This will be shown by the amount of paint that is shot at the other team.

Popular Paintball Games

As paintball improved and became popular, many individuals tried their abilities at it; giving rise to the assortment and diversity of paintball tournaments and games.

Recreational or Capture the Flag

Played by two teams, where each team has a flag and the objective of both teams is to capture or seize the opponent flag and carry it to your team starting point. This is one way for your team to win and another way is by eliminating the opposing team entirely.

Each team has to defend their base and simultaneously dispatch team players to eliminate the opponent and capture their flag.

These games are usually played in the forest; bunkers and structures can be put up throughout the area.

Scenario Paintball

This is a paintball game with a theme set up behind it: there are an endless number of themes that can be created making the game feel and look very realistic. There are a number of players; in many cases as many as a hundred are involved in each team.

Each team gets the theme (storyline) a day before the start of the game. There are usually two teams participating, having the eneral?as a team leader.

Each player is given a role and they should work together as a team in order to carry out and win an assigned mission. Props in accordance with the theme are introduced and distributed throughout the field. There are questions asked in connection with the theme and points are awarded for correct answers.

These points are totaled at the conclusion of the game and the team having the most number of points wins.

Backyard

This can be played right at your own backyard, a friend empty property or at times any property but you must as you get permission first. You gather your friends to form a group and then conceptualize your own game which typically is apture the flag?

Speedball

Also called enter Flag? the speedball field is designed with many huge bunkers; usually nflatables?filled with air that are shaped similar to big snakes, soda cans, water tanks etc.

Here, a team can be composed of between three to ten players in a game. There is only one flag that is involved and it is located at the center of a field. The two teams start at each end of the field and attempt to gain possession of the flag at the center and carry it to their bunker. The team that does this successfully wins.

Paintball can surely challenge the oldier?in you. Give it a shot!

3 Paintball Skills to Master and Win the Game

Paintball has consistently prevailed as the fourth major unconventional sport in the U.S. In fact, statistical reports say that there are almost 12 million paintball players worldwide with 104 countries participating in various paintball competitions. This shows that more and more people are enticed to play this game.

However, it does not necessarily mean that the game is easy. Most of the players contend that they have experienced many trials, hardships, failures, and defeat before they were able to master the game.

Experts insist that playing paintball, just like the other kinds of sport, needs some skills in order to win the game. These skills are the primary tools that every paintball player must try to learn. Once they have mastered these skills, winning the game is relatively simple.

Here is the list:

1. Basic stance

The problem with most players is that they tend to face the bunker whenever they are standing next to it. This is such a difficult stance because it will give the player inadequate balance and a time-consuming response.

The best way is to stand behind the bunker with the foot that is opposite with the paintball marker or gun in lead. For instance, if a player holds the marker with the right hand, the left foot should be in lead.

2. Trick shot

It is important for every paintball player to know the psychological aspect of the game. This means that the player must know how to think and act appropriately according to the possible actions of the other players.

Therefore, fire some rick shots?in an area where the other player is probably hiding. It does not necessarily mean that firing too many shots creates advantage. The object of this skill is to create a ploy that will instigate the player to respond in return if ever he is really in that area.

3. Run and Shoot and Run

Like any person in a battle, it is best to master this type of skill in order to achieve the best action and win.

The problem with most players is that they continue to hide thinking that they can win because they remain invisible to their opponents. The point is that a player can never win if he does not try to eliminate his opponents.

Mastering this skill will definitely give every player an edge over the others.

In every activity, there is an equal skill to master. Mastery of these skills will ensure that the player can win the game.

Defensive Tactics in Paintball

The best offense is having a good defense. This kind of thinking is usually deployed in sports such as basketball or soccer where the team does its best to prevent the other team from scoring especially in a championship match. A team can also use the same tactics in the game of paintball by preventing the opposing force from capturing the flag.

Games start with both sides having limited ammunition. Since the game can last for a very long time, the team should make every shot count. The players should only fire when there is a clear shot rather than not being able to fire when it matters the most.

Spreading out over a certain area is a good defensive tactic. This is to cover the enemy no matter which direction he may come from. Should the opposing team see one of your team members, the others who have a better view should neutralize the opponent.

If in the opening minutes of the game, the team has lost half of its members, the best strategy is to fall back to the base and regroup. A perimeter should be set up to prevent the other team from outflanking the group while patrols can be sent out to search for the enemy.

If a scout has spotted the enemy, the person can take the opponent out. Should there be a group moving towards the base, then go back and tell the others and fight off the enemy with the same number of people. This plan could fail if any of the members of the opposing force escapes the attack and informs the others the location of your base.

The trick in catching the enemy off guard takes camouflage and concealment. Since the guns have a limited range, it is best to wait until the opposing force enters theill zone?before any shooting takes place.

When a firefight takes place, the players' position has been revealed. Since the enemy will return fire, the person can still survive the enemy's bullets by getting sufficient cover.

If this is not feasible, then transferring to a better area is a good idea. The player should inform the others before moving so that the others can give adequate cover.

It takes planning for the play to work. By communicating on the field, the team has a good chance of defending the base then surging forward to kill the enemy or capture the flag.

Why Paintball is Popular

Paintball is fast becoming one of the most popular games around. It has become an alternative past time from the usual athletic games being played; and it has become one of the most exciting outdoor sports in the world. Anybody can play paintball, regardless of race, sex, age and social status. It is a game for people who have taste for competition and adventure.

The game combines two of the most popular childhood past times: tag and hide-and-seek, the objective being to capture the flag of the enemy while protecting one's own.

There are several reasons for the popularity of paintball:

1. It is the team sport that enables one to remove an opponent from the game without being penalized for it. In fact, removing one's opponent is very much part of the game. It is the survival of the smartest and the quickest.

2. There is a strong sense of danger, not necessarily a physical one. The threat of being removed from the game makes it more exciting for the participants. But since it is only a game, the fear is not enough to make one mentally-incapacitated. With the right safety gear, no one is really in any real danger. It is all in the mind.

3. All players are equal. Experience is the only basis of one's edge over the other player. Factors such as race, gender and age do not put one ahead of the other.

4. There is a total absence of physical contact. There is no need for a player to manhandle his opponent so that he can be eliminated from the game. One only needs to shoot the opponent, which can be done from a relatively safe distance. Very few injuries and no deaths have resulted from playing paintball.

5. There is no need to be an athlete. Playing paintball does not require extreme physical strength. In fact, the game can be played with very few physical movements.

6.No one really needs to be experienced to enjoy the game. Though it matters, a lot of old-time players find themselves surprisingly eliminated by first-time participants. It is anybody's game.

7. It is gadget-crazy. Everybody likes gadgets. Paintball requires a lot of them.

Paintball is a very stimulating and exciting sport. Playing the game gives one the chance to renew the inner child in people. It enables one to maximize his sense of adventure, without risking life and limb for that sought-after rush.

Requisites of a Paintball Leader

It takes a lot of guts and character to be a leader in any sport. Even in paintball, where there is minimal physical contact and it can be played by everybody from all walks of life, there are certain qualities needed to be a leader of a paintball team.

First, he has to achieve that certain level of respect; the kind where other paintball players, some of them close friends, are willing to follow his orders. This is a feat to achieve since not everyone can bear to take orders from
just anyone. He should be a master strategist. In this case, flexibility is a must since he must make the initial battle plan suitable for any kind of battlefield. He must also be courageous, the type of player that will never hesitate to go into the frontline, even if he is protected by his men. He must be a well-liked character, someone who has the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all types of people.

What are the attributes that a paintball commander should have?

1. Experience and quick-wit:

Experience is one thing that is not gained easily: it takes a lot of time and patience to achieve the kind of experience suitable for a leader.

2. Physical fitness:

He must be able to get into the thick of things, and to be able to get into any areas that his men can go. Mobility is a necessity for a paintball commander

3. Respected aura

Respect is needed to convince all of the members of a team to follow whatever orders that are needed, dispensed, and carried out. No team player will follow someone he does not like and/or respect.

4. Ability and willingness to communicate

A commander talks with authority and conviction - he can make people listen and take action.

A paintball commander must be able to put aside his personal performance for a while to analyze the performance of his team. He should survive almost every battle. He should be able to dissect and identify the flaws of his team and the battle plan whenever things go wrong and have the marts?to come up with a better plan the next time around.

Like all other participation sports, a paintball leader must be able to inspire other people to perform the best they can. Once this is done, the whole team, not only the paintball commander, will achieve victory.

Paintball: A Sport for Everyone

Paintball is one of the most popular outdoor participation sports around. The good thing about paintball is that everyone or anyone can play. There are no special requirements needed. Players can partake of the thrill paintball brings, regardless of race, age, gender and social status. The only requirement is a competitive spirit and the desire for adventure.

Paintball combines the elements of two childhood games, tag and hide-and-seek. Given the nature of those two games, paintball is for people who want to experience the unique rush that participation sports gives, minus physical contact. The objective of paintball is to capture the flag of the opponent while protecting his or her own. At the same time, players aim to eliminate their opponent from the game by shooting them and marking them with paintballs coming from paint guns. There are almost no limitations when it comes to the number of players, the limitation will only stem from the size of the playing
field.

The game can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life, whatever lifestyle or profession. There are no discriminations when it comes to paintball. It is a competition where the quickest and smartest survive. The chances of winning for each person are very fair, since old timers can find themselves being eliminated by neophytes. Men and women are equal in the game, and it is where the young do not necessarily have advantage over the old. To be an expert in paintball, a player must be able to think quickly, with precision. Victory is not at all dependent on strength and agility.

What can paintball bring to its players? Primarily, it builds character. Through paintball, one can garner skills on teamwork, leadership and self-confidence. The sport provides fun and relief from everyday stress, without the danger of injuries and death. This is a big plus for companies, and paintball is fast becoming a recommended activity for employees. Paintball gives the following benefits for the staff and management: morale boost, improved camaraderie, removal of the barrier between employer and employee, and enhanced group dynamics.

Paintball is available to everyone, and serves as an alternative activity for several events. Groups from college sororities, fraternities, athletic teams and company staff and management all grab at the chance of playing paintball. It is featured as a central theme during birthday bashes, bachelor parties, or just simple gatherings. It is an activity that everyone can truly enjoy.

Where to Play Paintball

Paintball is usually played in neighborhood backyards, somewhere in the woods, or on abandoned or empty lots. Though it is usually alright to hold paintball games at these places, there are safer venues for having paintball competitions.

Many fields specially designed for paintball games are being developed in the U.S. These organized fields allow paintball players to have their games in a safe environment.

It is recommended that paintball games be held in commercial fields rather than backyards and empty lots. Commercial fields have referees who know how to play the game in a safe manner. In addition, commercial fields offer several
choices when it comes to types of field, making the games more interesting and challenging for the players. Most importantly, these fields have insurance, and are in the proper zone.

If one decides to play in the woods, make sure permission is granted to play there. No one wants to have a game interrupted by an angry landowner because his or her property is being trespassed upon.

The scope of the playing arena should be determined, and the boundaries marked with neon tape so that players will know where and/or where not to go.

What are the factors to consider when scouting for a field to hold the games?

First, there is the price. The going rates for field rentals range from $15-20, plus the fees for gun rentals and paintballs. Secondly, one should inquire if the place serves food and drinks to customers. Lastly, one should inquire about their playing hours.

One of the best fields in the country for playing paintball is Robinhood Paintball located in Havre de Grace, Maryland. They provide different kinds of paintball games, such as recreational and tournament style plays. Robinhood Paintball has a total of six playing fields that give new gaming experiences for users because of its constant rearrangement. Considering the experience of the staff, their willingness to ensure that players will have a good time while staying on the premises, and the prices that Robinhood Paintball charge are fair enough. They will also guarantee the safety of the equipment that the players will use.

Aside from Robinhood, there are other fields in Maryland that offer good services to players. There is Maryland Paintball on Route 40 and Outdoor Adventures in Bowie.

When engaging in paintball games, just make sure to take all the necessary precautions in order to have a good AND safe time. Always remember to check the fields for potential danger, and to observe all the rules so that nobody gets hurt.

Do you know where to shop for paintball gear?

There are many online shops as well as retail stores all over the country that sell and offer paintball guns, markers, as well as anything and everything that relates to the game of paintball.

One shop that can be accessed online is paintballgun.com. This online store is unique in its own way because this shop is operated, built and run by players of paintball.

They have solid as well valid ideas what paintball players need and/or want to have. They also have a number of years of experience in the paintball industry.

Usually, items ordered thru paintballgun.com are shipped immediately - in as little as twenty four to forty eight hours.

Believe it or not, paintballgun.com offers a thirty day guarantee so that you can get your money back if you are in any way dissatisfied with their product. Just make sure that all merchandise purchased, whether new or used, is returned using the same packaging in which it was originally received.

A one year warranty is provided to all and /or any parts of items purchased, as well as an extended warranty on all guns purchased.

The catalogues they provide are also available online. This is one of the reasons they are able to keep their prices low since printing is expensive and takes longer than posting item details on the net. Also, their prices are updated online and they try s much as possible ?to lower their prices for you.

Currently, any items purchased through their online store can be paid for using credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Amex and Discover.

They also accept checks and are also utilizing the online service of Paypal.
All items purchased from paintballgun.com are one hundred percent insured.
Just make sure that you keep on record the number of the invoice, the tracking number and any damage the item might have incurred during shipping when you call the department that handles claims at paintballgun.com.

Another online shop that sells paintballs is Xtremez Wholesale. They are the source of most items found in paintball shops that are found across the country. However, their focus is on special paintball as well as Airsoft retail stores.

Their trade shows are a perfect venue to display their products, making it easier for you or anyone to directly make that one essential purchase in one shop, conveniently and easily, rather than going to many others.

There are many paintball stores but it may be easier to locate and purchase goods online thru the internet. All one has to do is seek and surely you will definitely find!

Paintball: the art of retreat

In cases where you encounter a situation where you or your paintball team have to back down and retreat, the following are effective ways to make retreating more effective, if not successful.

Always have a plan b:

When you or your squad needs to move to another position, make sure that this area is far safer as this will be the place where you have to retreat to. Plan ahead so that you will know the ideal place for you and your team to be. Usually, good places to retreat are those that provide cover for the team or is a nearer to the other squad units of your team. It is essential that this area is known by everyone, and all know how to get there. It is also important that all go there together, when such a need arises.

Fight together, run together:

When it is time to retreat, retreat all together, retreat as one group. ll for one and one for all?is the best defense you can have. Your group combined strength is a force to reckon with when under attack.

Imagine if your team was to run off in various directions, you would be unable to watch and protect each other. It is difficult to battle the enemy if everyone is far apart, especially if you and your other team mates are safely nestled in their separate areas.

Fire, fire, fire and fire:

The most effective way to break from an attack is to fire back with an enormous amount of paintball ammunition as this will cause the opposing team to hide and protect themselves from your fire. When the leader of your squad decides to retreat, continue firing all together, hit everything that is moving for about three seconds and then, retreat! Do not forget to fire back and occasionally turn around to check on anyone who may be firing at you. Do this as a group.

Keep in mind that retreats are not an opportunity to duck and cover but to make moves that are strategically important to the group welfare. Therefore, it should be quick.

Exception to the rule

There is an exception to the ire when retreating rule.? The act of retreating and not returning any shots is when you or your squad is asked to help your fellow team members. On this occasion, moving as a unit with speed is still very important.

Retreating is not easy but it could be the best choice you or your group have to keep your team from losing.

Outnumbered, outsmarted, but not outdone

There are a few things you could do when you are outnumbered during a game of paintball. The first - do not panic. The second, you must think ?it is just a game. Or is it?

The first thing to do is to select a team leader. After that is done, it is the leader that teammates must rely on when quick decisions have to be made.

The following are basic things that can be done when you or your team feels that they have been outnumbered in paintball.

Be on the defense:

Make sure that all of your team mates are placed near the boundary of the field so that the opposing team will have little chance to sneak up on you. Next, designate one to three players to patrol the field (the number depends on your team size). Ask them to patrol around the field, specifically looking for an enemy and taking that enemy out. In case they notice a group of the opposing team, and this group does not notice them, this small patrol team must immediately go back and advise the rest of the team the location of the enemy.

The squad:

Make sure that if any enemy force is notice, and this force is the size of a squad, a similar sized squad should be dispatched to face the opposing team.

Lure them out:

The patrol should be sent out to attract the opposing team and entice them to be defensive. However, there is a risk when doing this as there is a possibility that a member of the opposing team could escape and be able to warn his own team mates. It is also a possibility that it might not happen, and victory could just as well be yours.

Ignore the enemy:

You could also make the choice to pretend that you have not seen the opposing enemy. The idea is that, if they did not see you, you are not a threat to them.

Get together everyone:

Make sure to gather all members of your team together then carefully, cautiously move up the side of the field that you think is less likely to be utilized by the opposing team. When you are there, try to hunt the enemy force and strike the opposing team from that side.

Basically, the best thing to do when outnumbered is to relax. This makes thinking easier and the action clearer.

Mark! You are it!

Paintball is a game where markers or guns are filled with non-lethal paint put in gel-like capsules which basically are used to shoot opponents. These markers are propelled by compressed gas.

Markers used in paintball evolved through the years - their use now is not the reason they were created years ago.

Markers for trails, trees and cows:

Believe it or not, the use of these markers started in the 70 when farmers and members of forest groups used them to mark trees as well as trails, and cattle. The guns used then were powered by gas. Then - whether by inspiration or boredom ?the users of these guns began playing around and instead of aiming them at other objects, decided to use the guns on each other.

And then there was paintball:

It was in 1981 that a group of friends decided to play their own unique version of paintball. They were using same guns they were using to mark trees when they talked among themselves and decided to buy into a tree-gun manufacturing business. The guns were then modified to control the speed as well as the power of the marker.

They promoted the guns and markers to the public and iola? the game of paintball officially began at a field near Rochester, New York, in 1982.

The first paintball marker:

Ironically, the first ever paintball marker was not called a paintball marker and was not even used for paintball. It was called a paint-pellet and was created by the Nelson Paint Company originally for the forest industry. It was invented by James Hale and the patent was approved on January 29,1974.

The first paintball gun:

The first and only gun designed especially for paintball was called Splatmaster was invented by a man named Robert Shepherd who was issued a patent on July 3,1985. Later on, markers know as electro-pneumatic guns were developed.

The first paintball marker that is washable:

A specially designed marker with a washable fluid placed inside of soft gelatin capsules was invented by a man named George Skogg: the patent was officially granted on January 6,1987. This special marker fluid is more precise when shot: when it hits something, it is brighter and more visible. It is easily washable with regular soap and water or detergent.

Paintball markers have become user and player friendly through the years. Who could imagine that what was used originally for cattle and trees could be enjoyed by many people as a game? Hooray for paintball!

Paintball: it is not a game, it is a cool war

Paintball is a game where there are two groups (teams) of players and each group aim is to eliminate the opposite team via shooting paint balls at each other.

The following are the basic rules in playing paintball.

Follow the referee:

Paintball should have only one referee for each game. This referee who will start and end the game as well as stop it (in order to check for paint) and be the decision maker should any problems or game issues arise. Fortunately or unfortunately, any verdict issued by the referee ?as in any other game ?is final and cannot be repealed.

You are out:

A player is no longer in the game if he or she is shot by a paintball marker that cracks or splatters on him or her. This applies when the marker or pellet breaks anywhere on the player's clothes, equipment or gun. Take note that whether the shot came from a fellow teammate or from an enemy, the marked player is required to call out EADMAN?or to yell UT?in reference to themselves. They are required to immediately leave the field using the route that is the safest as well as shortest, all the while calling him self out.

You are in:

If a player is hit by a paintball marker and the marker does not crack or break, that player is still in the game. A player is also considered in the game if he or she is accidentally splattered by a paintball marker, especially if the splatter is caused by the paintball marker hitting a rock, a bush or tree. But this rule no longer applies if the player calls him or her self UT?or EADMAN?even if they have mistakenly thought that they were hit only discover that they were not. The rule says that they are still required to leave the field using the safest as well as shortest route.

Safety is the best policy

All players are required to wear protective clothing that covers the arms, neck and legs. ?shirts are not allowed to be worn during the game. All players must have goggles as well and these cannot in any way, be removed during play.

Paintball is a game of strategy as well as quick thinking. But just like any other game, there are rules that need to be observed to make the game not only more challenging, fun, exciting, but most importantly fair.

Paintball: It's all about the Gun, Baby!

A paintball gun (also known as paintball marker) is used to mark opposing players with paint. It uses air (carbon dioxide) to force the paintball out of the barrel at the speed of about 300 feet per second. This will cause paintballs to break upon hitting somebody but will only cause mild bruising to a person. This could blind a person, though, thus making it a necessity to wear a face mask or eye protection such as goggles.

There are four types of paintball guns and they are classified according to their firing modes. These are pump action guns, semi-automatic guns, fully automatic guns and ramping-mode guns.

In the early days of paintball, all guns were pump action. Each shot would require the person wanting to shoot to manually pull back the bolt to let a paintball fall in front of it and then manually push forward the bolt to bring the paintball in the position to fire. This was excruciatingly slow when compared to other firing modes used today, but is loved by many people as it teaches the importance of a person skill with his gun.

Semi-automatic guns were designed so that when the trigger is pushed down, a shot will be fired and the bolt moves back automatically to load the new paintball in position for the next trigger pull. This allows the player to increase firing frequency and accuracy because he will not have to manually pump the gun.

Fully automatic guns are those that will continue to fire paintballs as long as the trigger is held down. The Tippman SMG was the first to feature a fully-automatic gun.

Ramping-mode guns are guns that can fire up to 15 shots per second. This type of gun prevents abuse from semi-automatic guns or fully-automatic guns that can shoot more and can cause injury to other people.

These types of guns are used in different kinds of situations, usually to prove who the best player in a tournament is. Pump action guns promote using stealth and are desired by experienced players because of the challenge they present. Semi-automatic guns are used by players hoping to improve their shooting accuracy and since they do not have to pump every shot, they are able to concentrate more on their targets. Fully automatic guns are used by infantry and middle men in attacking another team base. Ramping-mode guns are for controlled environments where there is a specific rule to prevent injury and other problems.