Paintball is a team-oriented game that requires strategy, communication, and cooperation to succeed. It can be played by people of all ages and skill levels, from casual weekend warriors to professional teams that compete in national and international tournaments.
Players wear safety masks and use markers to fire colored balls at opponents. The players’ objective is to hit the other team’s players without getting hit themselves, marking them “out” of the game. The team that marks the most opponents wins. Depending on the game mode, a particular goal may be established before play begins, such as “capture the flag”.
The sport of paintball was conceived of in the late 1980s by Bob Gurnsey (sporting goods retailer), Hayes Noel (stockbroker), and Charles Gaines (writer). During an afternoon beer-fueled discussion, the three friends debated whether or not a city dweller with street smarts could survive in the woods with only a survival kit and his wits.
To play, players must be enrolled at a paintball center or field and will be issued a marker and hopper. The gun is loaded with paintballs, and the hopper feeds them into the barrel when the player is ready to shoot.
Many commercial paintball fields enforce a minimum distance rule that allows players to offer a surrender opportunity before shooting an opponent, as direct hits can cause bruises and, in some cases, break the skin. It is also illegal to use fists, feet, or protective gear to strike other players. Fisticuffs are extremely dangerous, and referees will usually intervene to stop the fight quickly and eject the players involved.