Paintball is a competitive team sport in which players use air-powered guns to shoot small, round capsules filled with water-soluble dye (paintballs) at each other. The game is played on outdoor fields or indoor arenas. It can be played in various game formats including elimination, capture the flag and scenario-based games.
Basic goals of the sport include eliminating opponents by tagging them with paintballs and capturing a flag from a set location. Teams also need to control the field by preventing the other team from gaining an advantage or getting an accurate shot on their opponent.
Rules and safety: All players and those in or near authorized shooting areas must wear a safety mask. There are strict boundaries on the playing fields and a “dead zone” where players who have been hit will be eliminated.
Strategy: Intelligence and determination, not size, speed or strength, are the keys to success in paintball. Top strategies involve flanking, runners and leap-frogging to get a position where your team has the most options for taking a shot or gaining control of the field early on.
Equipment: In addition to the gun, participants must also have a helmet and face mask to protect them from paintballs. They may also wear hunting-like outfits to camouflage themselves.
In order to play paintball safely, participants should attend a safety orientation before entering the field. They should also read the rules and know how to operate their marker. If they have questions about the rules, they should ask a referee.