Paintball is a team-based combat game using compressed air markers to tag opponents with colored balls and score points. Often played as a survival game or to complete mission-based scenarios like “Capture the Flag”, it requires tactical thinking, fluid communication and anticipation. It is a global action sport with many modalities and an international community of players.
The first rule of paintball is that it’s dangerous and can hurt, so be sure to wear appropriate protective gear, including masks and eye protection. Players are also required to follow safety rules established by their local field or club. In addition to wearing the proper gear, players should always be aware of the limitations of their equipment and never shoot at anything that they can’t see.
A player is considered hit when a paintball leaves a solid mark of a minimum size (often nickel or quarter-sized) on their opponent’s body or equipment. Some variations of paintball only count hits to the gun, Pod pack or arm/leg straps; professional fields and tournaments typically include all hits on an opponent.
Direct paintball impacts commonly cause bruises, welts and occasionally break skin and bleed. To decrease these risks, some commercial venues require a minimum distance beyond which players cannot shoot their opponents, while others enforce a surrender rule requiring that a player who approaches an opponent within the minimum range offers the other player the opportunity to surrender before shooting.