Paintball is a team shooting sport in which players eliminate opponents from play by hitting them with spherical dye-filled gelatin capsules that break upon impact. It is played on a variety of surfaces and game modes. The sport’s most common form is played in tournaments where teams compete with each other. It is a form of simulation warfare that can be both competitive and fun.
A player’s gun, known as a marker, is pressurized with a tank of compressed gas. The tank is attached to the barrel through a fill port, usually on top of the gun. A hopper holds the paintballs and is attached to the gun through another port, often on the side. When the trigger is pulled, a burst of gas shoots the paintball from the barrel and propels it forward to the target. The gun’s accuracy depends on the ability of the user to properly align the sighting optics and hold the trigger steady.
The most important piece of equipment for a paintballer is a pair of good quality goggles. The goggles protect the player’s eyes, ears and face from stray bullets while giving them an unobstructed view of the field. They also help to keep the lens clear from sweat and smudges that can obscure vision.
There are a number of rules that govern how the game is played. Some regulated fields and tournaments specify that only hits on players’ bodies count (other than to the gun or pod pack), while others require that a paintball leave a mark the size of a US quarter or larger.