Paintball is a team shooting game in which players eliminate opponents from the field by hitting them with spherical dye-filled gelatin capsules that break upon impact. The game is played with a gun referred to as a marker that is powered either by carbon dioxide gas from a cylinder or compressed air from a tank, and a supply of paintballs. Players also wear protective equipment, including a mask to protect the face and eyes, and uniforms.
The most basic paintball game consists of two teams, often color-coded (red/blue), attacking each other to score points and achieve the objective of the game. A variety of rules and variations govern the game, but most include some form of hit definition that requires a paintball to leave a mark the size of a US quarter or larger on a player or their equipment to count as a legal hit. Players are also expected to stay out of the game zone and call themselves out when eliminated.
Proper aiming technique is essential for a player to be successful in the game. The most common aiming point for the shooter is around neck height, which allows for a clean kill with the most chance of hitting an opponent in the chest. It is also important for the shooter to practice reloading and shooting their gun on dry land before playing so that they are familiar with the handling and range of the weapon. One thing that can be particularly frustrating for a new player is when their gun jams, which usually happens when they are not using proper firing stance or grip. To prevent this, the shooter should always keep one hand on the stock grip ahead of the trigger and not on the trigger itself.