Paintball is a team-oriented, tactical sport that requires communication and coordination in order to succeed. This dynamic game has been embraced by participants of all ages and backgrounds, from casual weekend warriors to professional teams that compete in national and international tournaments. Regardless of the level at which you choose to play, understanding and applying basic strategies and tactics can greatly enhance your experience on the field.
In paintball, players tag opposing teammates by shooting them with capsules of non-toxic water-soluble dye and gelatin outer shells, called “paintballs,” from a device called a marker or gun. The resulting hits leave solid marks on the opponents’ clothing and equipment. The game originated in the early 1980s when two friends, Charles Gaines and Hayes Noel, combined their shared passion for outdoor activities with a desire to recreate the thrill of survival games they played as kids.
Players wear protective masks, goggles, and hunting-like outfits that help camouflage them from their opponents. Specified boundaries mark the playing area, and referees on the field enforce safe and game rules. Players may be ejected from the game for breaking safety or playing rules.
The game is usually played on specialized playing fields that feature natural terrain and cover like trees and berms. Whether you’re playing capture the flag, team death match, or another scenario-based game mode, stealth and concealment tactics are a major part of any effective strategy. Players often take breaks between games to check their equipment, reload, and share stories about the thrills of victory (and the usually funny agonies of defeat). Among the most common injuries are soft tissue abrasions, contusions, and a skin condition known as paintball purpura, which is caused by the impact of a projectile from a marker gun.