Paintball is a team shooting game in which players eliminate opponents from play by hitting them with spherical dye-filled gelatin capsules that break on impact. The sport is regulated by referees and safety equipment. All participants wear protective masks and barrel-blocking safety gear, and use a gun that fires small BBs called “paintballs” or “markers.” Players may also carry pods of paintballs for rapid reloading.
The game can be played on a variety of surfaces in natural environments and varies in duration from minutes for Speedball games to hours or even days for scenario-based play. A player can either rent a gun, BBs and eye protection at a paintball field or purchase their own equipment. Many teams participate in a paintball league that organizes regulated tournaments and play for financial prizes.
Players use various tactics to gain advantages during the game. A basic communication tactic is to use hand signals to tell teammates where the opposing team is located. More game-oriented strategies include flanking, which involves teammates splitting up on both sides of the field to corner the opposition. Runners, the fastest members of the team, may be sent forward to surprise the enemy or capture a flag. Leap-frogging, where a few teammates advance up while the rest cover them from behind, is also a common strategy.
Depending on the distance and force of a hit, paintballs can cause bruises or broken bones. To reduce the risk of injury, most commercial paintball fields have a minimum-distance surrender rule in which an opponent must offer to surrender before being shot. Some teams opt to help protect knee and elbow joints with pads, which are soft foam worn inside a player’s pants. Padded gloves are also used to protect the hands from jarring impacts.