Paintball is a worldwide, fast-growing sport that is played by millions of men and women of all ages and lifestyles. Players wear protective masks and barrel-blocking safety equipment and abide by a set of strict game rules to prevent serious injuries.
The maximum speed that a paintball can be fired at is 204.5 mph. The game requires teamwork and communication in order to be effective. Some of the most common tactics include flanking (teammates splitting up to surround an opponent), runners (fastest members of a team who move to aggressive locations before their opponents can), and leap-frogging (teammates covering each other’s backs so they can advance together).
Players must be mindful of safety when playing paintball, as shooting at close range with high-powered guns could lead to severe injuries. Some of these injuries include twisted ankles, sprained wrists, and blown-out knees. Fortunately, these injuries are rare, and most can be prevented with proper equipment and an open line of communication about game rules amongst teammates.
A player is considered hit when a paintball breaks on the player or his or her equipment and leaves a solid mark the size of a US quarter or larger. Different variations of the game may have slightly different requirements for what constitutes a “hit.”
Players who are eliminated from the game must exit the field and signal that they are out by raising their hands in the air. In addition, players must refrain from rubbing off any paint splatter on their body. This is referred to as “wiping,” and it results in a harsh penalty from fellow players and often leads to a loss of points.