Paintball is an adrenaline-pumping extreme sport that can be played in a variety of ways. Players compete on teams, shooting each other with small spheres of gelatin infused with oil that explode on impact. The game’s rules vary by venue, but most games are centered around team death matches or capture the flag. Some venues allow a free-for-all game in which everyone fights everybody else, but most enforce a 3m or less distance between players for safety reasons.
Some players wear specialized clothing and equipment like masks, gloves, and goggles to protect themselves from being hit by other paintballs or the environment. Some also use hats, toques, or bandanas to protect their forehead from direct hits and stop sweat running down into the mask. Remote lines connect the marker’s fuel tank to a harness or backpack, allowing players to move about the field without having to hold the marker.
Communication between teammates is essential, as is scouting the playing area for opponents. Most effective strategies involve flanking, a tactic that involves teammates splitting up to attack different sides of the opposition or gain an aggressive position early on. Other tactics include runnering, where a fast player gets ahead of the opposing team to surprise them, and leap-frogging, where teammates advance side by side to cover each other as they pass through an opening.
While paintball can be extremely dangerous if not played properly, most serious injuries are caused by unsupervised youths and drunk players. The sport is fairly safe when played correctly, however, and as long as the basics are followed, the sport can be a great way to relieve stress or bond with friends.