Paintball is a game of strategy and teamwork in which players use markers to tag opposing teammates with paintballs. The sport is regulated by a set of safety and game rules, enforced by referees who oversee games at play sites. A player who breaks these rules is removed from the game and is subject to a fine or suspension. The game may be played for recreation or on a formal competitive level that involves major tournaments and professional teams.
The sport is played on indoor or outdoor fields of varying sizes that include natural or artificial terrain that provides cover and obstacles for players. Some games have specific goals and objectives, such as capturing a flag or eliminating opponents. Other games involve a more general goal of defending or attacking a particular area of the field. The duration of a paintball game can vary from minutes to hours, or even days in “scenario play” games.
A key to success in paintball is effective communication among teammates. Several strategies exist for achieving this, including hand signals and more complex techniques such as flanking, runner positioning and leap-frogging.
Paintball is a non-contact sport, and the only physical contact permitted between players is tagging them with paintball projectiles. Colliding with or physically restraining other players, as well as using fists and feet (apart from protective gear) to hit them, is against the rules, and referees are trained to respond quickly to these fights and eject instigators from the game.