Paintball is a team shooting sport in which players compete to eliminate opponents by hitting them with spherical dye-filled gelatin capsules known as paintballs. Players shoot the paintballs out of air-powered guns called markers, which fire them at high rates of speed. The paintballs break upon impact and leave a mark, indicating to the opposing team that the player has been eliminated. The game is played on outdoor or indoor playing fields of varying sizes and may include natural or artificial terrain that provides tactical cover. Games can last from minutes in “scenario play” to hours or even days in “elimination-style” matches. In addition to traditional team deathmatch and capture the flag, many scenarios exist, including those designed to simulate military or tactical operations.
Unlike most recreational sports, paintball has become a professional sport with organized competition that features major tournaments and professional teams. In addition, the technology behind the sport has been adopted by law enforcement and paramilitary organizations as a training tool.
Despite the professional nature of some of the competitive events and intense media coverage, paintball is a non-contact sport that can be enjoyed by almost any sized group. Several safety precautions are taken by all players to ensure the safe enjoyment of the sport, including the use of protective masks and barrel-blocking safety equipment, and the strict enforcement of game rules. In fact, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, paintball is a significantly safer activity than bowling and running and far less dangerous than riding a bicycle.