Paintball is a game in which players compete in teams or individually to eliminate opponents by hitting them with paint-filled pellets fired from a compressed gas powered gun, known as a marker. The sport is played at a recreational and formal competitive level with organized leagues, national tournaments, and professional teams. It is often considered a form of live action role-playing where players are given an opportunity to experience a unique storyline and character development.
The game is usually played on outdoor fields of varying sizes using natural or artificial terrain for tactical cover and games can last anywhere from minutes to hours or even days in the case of scenario play. It has spawned several variants, including woodsball, speedball, and a number of specialty games such as “historical” or “fictional” games.
When you first start playing paintball, it’s recommended that you wear appropriate clothing for the sport. Long pants and a t-shirt or sweatshirt that you can move in are generally good choices as is a pair of gloves to avoid the potential for blisters from frequent shooting. A hat or bandana is also fairly common to protect the head from direct impacts as well as to stop sweat running into your mask.
You will also need a gun, which can be rented from most facilities. When you’re new to the sport, it’s a good idea to practice on an empty field with the gun you’ll be using before you go out into the game. It will help you get familiar with the trigger pull, how quickly and accurately it shoots, and how to reload.