Play Paintball!

Everyone wants to know what it’s like to play paintball. The appeal is universal. Does it hurt? Is it scary? Will I be any good? There is only one way to find out: get out there and play! Paintball is the original extreme sport and nothing else compares to the rush you get when you step out onto a paintball field for the first time. Over 9 million people have already discovered what a unique and exciting experience paintball can be. The game is played in several forms by people from all walks of life.

You don’t have to be big and you don’t have to be strong; all you need is the desire to play. A paintball gun is the “great equalizer”. A six foot tall, 250 lb. body builder is no more lethal behind a paintball gun than a twelve year-old girl. Some would even say that the girl might have a slight advantage because she makes a smaller target! A paintball gun levels the playing field giving everyone the same chance to compete. Getting started in paintball can be a bit confusing at first for a beginner. Like any new sport, it takes time to learn how to play, what gear you need, and what to expect. Before you begin, you need to learn about of the basics!

The Basics

If you have never seen paintball played, it can be best described as a combination of “cops and robbers” and “hide and seek”. Players wearing goggles and masks run around a field or wooded area with paintball guns (sometimes called markers) and shoot paintballs at each other. A paintball is a spherical capsule with a gelatin covering containing brightly colored liquid. The paint is non-toxic and washes out of clothes and skin with soap and water. Paintballs are even edible, but not necessarily tasty. Although the game might look frightening to some, it is actually very safe. After over 20 years of being played, strict safety guidelines and protective gear have been developed that make it a very safe sport for anyone to play.

The Objective of the Game

While there are a few different types of paintball, the objective is usually either “Capture the flag” or “Elimination”. In Capture the Flag, a flag is placed on either end of the field and each team tries to grab it and return it to their base. There is also a variation of Capture the Flag called “Center Flag” where a single flag is placed in the center of the field and each team must capture it and take it to the enemy base. “Elimination” is simple: shoot or “mark” every player on the opposing team to win. Other variations include: “Attack and Defend” games where only one flag is in play and “Mutant” games where a small group of “mutants” are chased by “hunters”. Whenever a mutant is shot, he is eliminated from the game. However, when a mutant shoots a hunter, the hunter becomes a mutant and switches sides. Most paintball games last from five to forty minutes.

The Rules

Prior to each game, a referee will explain the rules and objectives. Depending on where you are and what type of paintball you’re playing, the rules may vary so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Listen carefully to the safety guidelines and follow them exactly. A referee may ask you to leave the field if he or she feels you are not playing safely. You will find that commercial paintball fields are VERY serious about safety. They want you to have fun but they don’t want anyone to get hurt. They won’t hesitate to come down on you like a ton of bricks if they think you’re a safety risk.

Unlike the game of “cops and robbers” you played when you were a kid, in paintball there is no question about who shot whom. Anytime a player is hit by a paintball and the ball breaks on the player’s clothing, skin, or gun, the player is “out”. Paintball is at its core a game of honor and integrity. A player who has been shot is required to call himself “out” by raising his marker in the air and loudly calling “Out!” or “Hit!”. Once that player is out, he or she must immediately leave the field and head to a safe area sometimes called the “dead box”. Eliminated players are not allowed to communicate with their teammates who are still in the game.

Often a paintball will strike a player but not break. This is called a “bounce”. Generally, a bounce is not considered a hit and the player is allowed to remain in the game. It’s always good sportsmanship to let your opposing player know a shot has bounced. You can do this by yelling out “Bounce!” or tell him after the game.

Sometimes you may feel a hit but be unable to see if the paintball broke. Instead of calling yourself out, yell “Paint check!” and ask a teammate or referee to check you over. If there is no visible evidence that a paintball has broken, you are declared “clean” and the game resumes. A general rule is that a paint mark the size of coin is considered “out”. Spray or spatter marks are not considered hits unless they are the size of a coin. If you call yourself “out” but realize the paintball did not break, you are still “out” and must leave the field.

Sometimes you may be the only person who knows that you have been hit. Calling yourself “out” may feel frustrating especially if you are eliminated in the early stages of the game. There are paintball players who cheat by “wiping” their hits or “playing on”. Any attempt to remove a paintball hit or continue playing after you have been shot is considered cheating and is a major offense in paintball. As with any sport, you need to use your moral compass. If you cheat, you change the results of the game by stealing someone’s great shot. To play fairly, when you are “hit”, call yourself out and go sit in the dead box while you figure out how to do better in the next game. You’ll discover that it feels pretty good to call yourself out even if no one else saw you get shot. Playing with honor has a way of making the game more fun and more meaningful. Good sportsmanship will also help you game progress and improve. Protect your reputation by playing fairly; if you’re hit and you know the paintball broke, immediately raise your hand high into the air and yell, “Hit!” This is the most important rule of paintball!

What to Wear

Technically you don’t need special paintball gear to play; except for the goggle and mask (which are extremely vital to the game!). However, some types of clothing will give you a distinct advantage over other players. Camouflage or “camo” pants and jackets are popular because they offer protection from paintballs and will decrease your opponent’s ability to see you in a wooded area. If you don’t have camouflage clothing, you can still blend in to your background by wearing earth tones, browns, dark greens, and blacks. Paintballs will wash out but stains are possible so wear clothes that you don’t mind getting grubby.

Paintball involves a lot of motion so don’t wear anything too tight. Wear layers instead of a heavy jacket. As you warm up, you can remove layers as needed. Wear long sleeves and try to reduce the amount of bare skin that is left unprotected. Head coverings are optional but can offer some protection. Covering your head will hold heat in and may cause your mask to fog up.

Additional protective paintball gear can make your game more comfortable. Gloves will protect your hands from paintballs and the occasional thorn. A neck protector will keep sensitive skin covered and safe. If you don’t have a neck protector, wear a turtle neck or tie a bandana around your neck. Many players wear a protective cup for added protection. “Slider shorts” made specifically for paintball are also excellent and are padded in just the right areas. Crawling is common in paintball so consider wearing extra padding. These additions are not required, though. When you go out to play for the first time, if you just wear grubby clothes and a long-sleeve shirt, you’ll be just fine.

The most important piece of protective gear you will wear is your goggle and mask. Never wear any type of eye or face protection that wasn’t specifically made to withstand the rigors of paintball. All paintball masks will cover the face. Some masks even offer complete head protection. Choose a mask that fits comfortably and won’t slip or fall off when you are running. A variety of goggles are available. Goggles with “thermal” lenses will keep your mask from fogging better than single lens goggles. Even better, a goggle fan will keep your lens fog free in humid conditions.

If you are playing at a commercial field, they will issue you a loaner mask with your rental of gear. If you’re playing with some friends in the woods, make ABSOLUTELY SURE that you’re all wearing regulation paintball goggles. Shop goggles will not work. Only paintball-designed goggles make the game safe. If you are shot in the unprotected eye, you will very likely lose sight in that eye for the rest of your life. It is just not worth it to take shortcuts in paintball safety.

If you have a single lens goggle or rental mask, use “anti-fog” spray on the inside of the goggle before you play. Exhaling out of your mouth and downward will also reduce fogging. No matter how badly your goggles fog, NEVER remove them during a game for ANY REASON. If you can’t see anything, raise your marker in the air and call yourself out or hunker down until the end of the game. In between games you can carefully clean the lens and re-apply “anti-fog” spray.

“Outlaw” paintball is played in the woods by friends who gather informally to play and have fun. If you know a group of paintball players, ask if you could join them the next time they play. You will need to bring your own paintball gear or borrow some. A hand “chronograph” should be used to ensure that all markers being used are shooting at safe levels. The accepted maximum velocity for paintball markers is 300 feet per second. Anything beyond that level could be painful or even unsafe. Outlaw paintball games should maintain the same safety standards as a commercial field. Masks should be worn at all times. In between games, every paintball marker should be covered with a barrel blocking device. All spectators should have paintball masks as well in case of a stray shot. Always be sure you have the permission of the land owner prior to playing.

In cities, you will find commercial fields that offer “tourney ball”, “hyperball”, or “speedball” that are played on small fields with air-filled bunkers set up in identical positions on both sides of the field. Many tourney ball fields have seating and netting which allow spectators to view the action on the field. Woodsball™ on the other hand, is a term that describes a style of paintball that is most closely connected to the roots of the game. Woodsball™ is played in open, rural environments where the landscape is as much a factor as your opponent. Woodsball™ emphasizes teamwork and stealth. It’s great to try different types of paintball to see which one suits you best.

Parents

Many parents are apprehensive when their son or daughter begins to show an interest in paintball. However, the sport of paintball offers some excellent opportunities for parents to be involved with their kids and teach valuable life lessons. Paintball is even fun for families to play together and like every game or sport it’s a great way to teach responsibility.

There is no evidence that playing paintball leads to violent tendencies or delinquent behavior. If anything, meaningful activities and hobbies help keep kids busy and out of trouble. If a young person enjoys playing, he or she may want to consider joining a team. Playing on a team requires diligence and hard work. Like any team sport, paintball teaches how to succeed by working together. Paintball also provides a form of exercise which is a healthy solution to rising rates of obesity in the United States!

Many parents find playing paintball to be a fun way to spend time with their teen. Since paintball is more about stealth and wits than strength or size, adults and young people are evenly matched. If a parent doesn’t want to play, he can ref. It can be difficult to find someone willing to referee an outlaw paintball game so a parent’s involvement will be welcome. As a referee, the parent can check to see that everyone is playing safely. Remember that every referee must also wear a paintball mask.

After your kids are involved with paintball for a while, they may want to own their own equipment. Maintaining their paintball gun teaches responsibility. Strict rules can be established that state that the paintball marker can only be used for playing paintball. Any misuse should result in a suspension of privileges. Since paintball can become expensive, it’s a great incentive to teach your kids how to save their money, work chores to earn extra cash, or for your older kids- to get a job! Getting your kids involved in paintball is just as safe as any other sport, so embrace it and let them (and yourself) have some fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt?  Depending on where you get hit and how close you are standing to your opponent, a paintball may sting or you might not feel it at all. At close range, on bare skin or tight clothing, Paintballs can cause a welt. Overall, it’s not that bad. The sting lasts momentarily. Paintball guns do have options to slow down the velocity so they barely hurt at all, but most people find that knowing it can sting a bit adds excitement to the game.

Will I get shot a lot? Probably not. Most beginning players tend to hang back and play defense. It’s the Rambo wannabes that charge the enemy base and get “lit up”.

Should I wear extra padding?  Not really. A long-sleeve shirt and denim pants are probably sufficient protection. When you’re shooting at safe velocities (under 300 fps,) paintballs don’t hurt bad enough for the average person to concern themselves with extra clothing. You’ll probably notice that experienced players wear no additional padding or protection (except maybe a cup.)  That’s because being really hot is a lot less comfortable than getting hit with a paintball.

Is it scary?  No, but paintball is intense. Think of it like a roller coaster. You know the ride is safe but that doesn’t stop you from screaming like a baby as you careen through curves at 80 mph!  Afterwards you can’t stop talking about it with your friends. You laugh and run to get back in line again. That pretty much describes paintball.

What should I bring?  If you’re going to a commercial field, you won’t need any professional paintball gear, but make sure to bring water, a couple of towels, snack food, and plenty of cash. A change of clothes for the ride home isn’t a bad idea either.

Will I get embarrassed?  No. Over nine million people play paintball. They all had to start somewhere. Just play and have fun. You might be called a “newbie” but don’t worry, that’s not a bad thing. Who knows?  If you are smart and stealthy, you might end up taking out some “experienced” players.

What’s the best Paintball Marker under $150?  Tippmann 98 Custom, without a doubt. This paintball marker will play strong out of the box and the available upgrades will allow it to grow with you as you develop as a player. If you have ever played paintball on a commercial field and rented a marker, chances are you were using a 98 Custom. Field owners choose Tippmann guns because they stand up to abuse and never let you down. If you like to tinker, the 98 Custom offers more upgrades and modifications than any other marker available. Play with it right out of the box or customize it just the way you want it.

What is the best Paintball Marker I can buy?  The Tippmann A-5 is unbeatable. Tippman A-5 is the Custom 98’s bigger, badder brother. Capable of firing up to 15 balls per second, the A-5 is simply intimidating. Tough as nails and built to withstand even the most demanding player, the A-5 is in a class by itself. A number of upgrades are available for the A-5 including the “flatline” barrel – the only barrel available that can increase the distance a paintball will fly. With an A-5, you might get outsmarted but you will rarely be outgunned. You can pay more but why? Commercial field owners usually choose Tippmann guns for their rentals because they offer the best quality and durability out there!

What kind of mask should I get?  There isn’t a huge quality gap between masks. A cheaper mask will usually be just as safe and comfortable as an expensive mask. If you’d like to spend more money, buy a mask with a thermal lens (it helps to prevent fogging.)  Otherwise, by the least expensive mask that feels comfortable to you.

What kind of paintballs should I buy?  Paintballs come in 200, 500, 1000, and cases of 2000. Before you buy a case, try 500 and see what works. The quality of the paintball will dramatically affect your accuracy and consistency. Buy the best paintballs you can afford. Better paintballs are the biggest factor affecting accuracy – much more so than an after-market barrel or expensive gun.

What’s the difference between CO2 and compressed air?  Paintball markers are powered by CO2 or compressed air tanks. CO2 has long been the industry standard. Compressed air tanks are more expensive but offer some attractive advantages. Compressed air is cleaner and easier on your marker. Compressed air also is more consistent, especially in cold weather. Before you choose between CO2 and compressed air, check with your local field or paintball shop to see what kind of tanks they refill. Most fields and shops will fill both. Compressed air is generally superior and you can get an air tank for around $70.

Why do paintballs at my local field cost so much?  Many local fields are “field paint only” meaning you can’t bring or use your own paintballs. All paint must be purchased at that field. You will notice the cost of paintballs at a commercial field are higher than what you might see at your local shop or online. The reason for this is that your local field must cover its costs for overhead, insurance, staffing, etc. These costs are factored into the price of paintballs. So, don’t worry; you aren’t being ripped off, it’s just the way it goes.

What is tourney ball?  Tourney ball is a term that describes paintball played on a small field that has air-filled bunkers set up in identical positions on both sides of the field. Many tourney ball fields have seating and netting which allow spectators to view the action on the field. Tourney ball and its variations, “hyperball” and “speedball”, are generally found in urban areas. Sometimes tourney ball is portrayed as the “cool” kind of paintball. Don’t get sucked into this myth. You can become an “advanced” player playing Woodsball™, and you may find that Woodsball™ is more fun and rewarding.

What is Woodsball™?  Woodsball™ is a term that describes a style of paintball that is most closely connected to the roots of the game. Woodsball™ is played in open, rural environments where the landscape is as much a factor as your opponent. Woodsball™ emphasizes teamwork and stealth. The crunch of a twig and the sound of a distant battle are part of a sensory experience that is unique to Woodsball™. Since it is played in a variety of settings, every Woodsball™ experience is totally unique. Unlike the cookie-cutter air bunker setups found in tourney ball, Woodsball™ rewards the player who can adapt to a variety of terrains and use natural cover to their advantage.