Paintball is a game that requires effective planning and fluid communication between teammates. It is also a highly physical sport that tests the ability to adapt to the environment, anticipate the movements of opponents and make quick decisions. Like a game of chess, success in paintball relies on intellect and determination rather than strength or speed.
The first organized paintball game was played on June 7th, 1981 in a wooded area of New Hampshire. The basic game was to capture the opponent’s flag by a specified deadline at each of four flag stations set through a 125 acre plat of woods. Bob Gurnsey, a writer for “Paintball Magazine”, wrote the rules of the game.
Players wear protective gear, including masks and goggles, to shield themselves from the impact of paintballs. Most regulated play takes place at dedicated paintball fields that offer safe playing environments and strict game rules. Often, the field includes an elevated platform for spectators and referees.
There are many variants of the game, with the most common objective being to eliminate opponents by marking them with a paintball. In addition, the game can be a team-based competition to complete a specific mission such as capturing a flag or defending a base.
Hits are typically considered to occur when a paintball breaks and leaves a solid mark of a minimum size, usually the thickness of a US quarter or larger. Some games do not count hits on a player’s equipment, such as their gun or pod pack, while others may exclude certain areas of the body from being marked (often the head and neck). It is not uncommon for players to play at unregulated venues without a specific set of rules; this type of play is referred to as renegade paintball or gonzo play.