Paintball is an outdoor team sport in which players eliminate opposing players by hitting them with capsules containing non-toxic, biodegradable water soluble dye and encased in a gelatin shell. The capsules are fired from a marker/gun. The game is played in various forms, ranging from general scenario play to specialized games such as capture the flag or protect the president. Woodsball (also known as bushball) is a specific variant in which the game is typically played on natural terrain using varying degrees of concealment and cover.
Players wear a variety of clothing, ranging from long pants and a sweat shirt to a full-body suit, which helps reduce friction against the markers and allows them to move more quickly. They also carry a pod pack and a gun, which are both padded and usually contain a tank that holds the pressurized gas used to fire paintballs. Players communicate with one another to form teams and strategize their moves on the field.
A hit in paintball can be defined as a solid mark of at least a specified minimum size, often nickel- or quarter-sized, anywhere on the body or equipment. Different rules vary as to whether hits on the pod pack or guns count and as to the maximum allowed number of hits per player.
Getting marked by a paintball may sting a little, but it’s no more than being flicked by a rubber band and will subside quickly as adrenaline kicks in. For most players, the sting of a hit is part of the thrill and what makes paintball so much fun.