Paintball is a competitive sport that involves shooting specialized capsules of nontoxic water-soluble dye and gelatin outer shells that are fired from a marker/gun. The sport is played by people of all ages and genders, although it is mostly popular among adolescent boys. It is a tactical game of cover and concealment, and intelligence, more than strength, speed or agility is the key to success. The sport has spawned several variants, including woodsball, which is played in the natural environment over a large area and relies on the use of stealth tactics; speedball, which is played on smaller fields at a high-speed; and scenario paintball, which utilizes the entire field for play and emphasizes a storyline.
A player is considered hit if the paintball leaves a solid mark of at least a certain minimum size, usually nickel or quarter-sized, on their clothing, face, gun or pod pack (including any accessories). A significant amount of “splatter” does not count as a hit unless it clearly identifies the target. If a player is hit, they must leave the game and yell “PAINT CHECK” or raise their hand to indicate that they have been hit.
Before going out to play, spend some time familiarizing yourself with your equipment and practicing your marksmanship on a backstop or other target to improve your accuracy. It is also important to dress appropriately; a long-sleeved shirt, pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Flip flops and sandals are not allowed for safety reasons.