Paintball is a team shooting game in which players compete to eliminate opponents by hitting them with spherical dye-filled gelatin capsules that break upon impact. The sport can be played at a recreational level or at a formal sporting level with major tournaments and professional teams. Players wear protective gear including masks and a face-covering jersey, shoot from a compressed gas-powered gun known as a marker, and move around an outdoor playing field that may have natural or artificial terrain for tactical cover. Game goals vary, but include capture the flag and elimination.
A player is tagged (or out) when they are hit with a paintball that leaves a solid mark of at least a minimum size, typically the size of a coin or a quarter, on their body or equipment. Some paintball games and fields use a different minimum-size mark, or require multiple hits on the arms or legs. Players must also keep their masks on at all times except when inside the safe-zone, and must communicate with other players for best strategy.
Almost anyone of reasonable fitness and age can play paintball. It is a very social and inclusive activity, where men and women compete equally and the competitive spirit is often more important than physical strength or speed. Paintball is also a relatively low-impact sport, and while it can sting when you get shot, it does not cause any serious injuries. The most common injuries are bruises.