This article is all about how to play paintball and is designed for beginners or those who have limited experience in paintballing.
Paintball is a fast paced, high adrenaline sport played worldwide, both in a recreational setting and a competitive one. The popular game aims to stimulate real life warfare and can be engaged individually or (most commonly) as a team.
The sport is a mix between the old fashioned ‘hide and seek’ and ‘tag’. The difference being – you’re tagging your opponents with 68 caliber paintballs! In this highly strategic game two teams battle to eliminate the opposing players from the field or complete the objectives determined by the venue. The remaining team will be declared the winners.
Playing with friends? Be warned that enemies are quickly made as the game intensifies and the process of shooting, strategy and elimination begins to take place.
Concentration is the key to survival in the challenging sport of Paintballing.
Paintballing is ideal for corporate events, birthday parties or just playing with friends and bringing excitement to the weekend. It is designed to have fun, keep you on your toes and bring out your killer instincts. Despite the aggressive nature of the game it remains one of the safest sports to play once wearing all the required protection.
There is both Indoor paintball and outdoor paintball so check the venues near you and give them both a go.
What Gear is Required When Learning How to Play Paintball
If it is your first time, you should hire what is required. Check with the venues to see what they hire out. Most times they will give you overalls but if not, make sure you’re wearing thick, loose-fitting clothing. A long-sleeved shirt and pants, preferably natural earth colors so that you blend into your environment. Wear comfortable shoes – something you can run in but that also have grip for uneven and wet terrain.
Most venues will supply the main protective paintball gear such as a paintball helmet/mask, paintball armor and paintball hoppers (this is a container used to hold paintballs which supplies them to the paintball gun.) Again check with the venue as there may be a hire fee for these items.
When going in to combat you will then be issued with a paintball gun. If you decide to play regularly or perhaps you love it so much, that you want to become a professional paintballer and work towards playing in the professional paintball league! If this is the case, you may like to purchase your own paintball gun that suits your personal style to the game.
A hit to the back of the head with a paintball can be painful, so make sure to wear some head protection other than the provided mask. A woolen beanie might come to mind but should be avoided if you do not wish to be eliminated in the first round. Beanies will get hot and cause your helmet or goggles to fog. Baseball caps have also been used but need to be worn backwards to get your goggles on. The protective head gear that is now most commonly used is the faithful old hoodie. This can be worn over the top of your goggles and can be pulled down if you are getting too hot. Again, make sure your hoodie blends with your surroundings so you’re not a sitting duck!
A tip for the male Paintball player- Wearing padding in the crotch or an athletic cup will give precaution to some unwanted pain. Any player may also like to wear gloves as a hit to the knuckles can be quite painful too.
Paintball Guns
Paintball guns are operated by compressed air. They shoot paintballs the size of marbles at high velocity towards your target. When starting out you will just use what the venue supplies or hire it from there, but if you continue to play this addictive game you may like to purchase your own gun or marker. You can easily pick up a starter gun from between $100 – $150.
Once you become a more serious player or look to become a professional paintballer, you will prefer to look for a gun that is more suiting you’re playing style. These can be purchased up to $700.
A little bit of trivia for you – the paintball gun was originally designed to mark trees or cattle.
Paintballs
Paintballs are your ammunition. They are filled with nontoxic, biodegradable and water soluble dye, encased in a gelatin shell. They are completely safe for the players and the environment.
Paintballs do hurt a little when they hit the flesh and that is the reason protective clothing is worn.
When playing a paintball game, teams are given different colored paintballs so they know when the opponent has been hit by them. The paintballs can be purchased at most venues or purchased in bulk if this is becoming a regular sport.
How to Play Paintball – Basic Rules
The rules may change slightly at each venue.
Venues have different games that you can play and you pick which one you want to play on the day. They are normally played between teams and a time limit is set with a countdown visible and a buzzer that will go off at the end of the game.
The aim of the basic game is to eliminate as many of your opposing team players as you can until only your team is left standing. You’ll then be named the winners……And gain bragging rights over your friends.
Simple Rules you must Remember
- NEVER remove your mask!
- ONLY fire on your opponent from beyond the minimum distance allowed.
- Hit your opponent only once. There is no point to hitting them multiple times as you are only wasting ammunition.
- Once you are hit, you are out. Hold up your gun or hand so that you do not get hit again and leave the field. (This is up to you to let everyone know. Play fair. Once hit you must leave.)
- If a paintball bounces off without exploding and leaving color, that player is free to continue playing.
- Paintballs run our faster than you think so make every shot count. Think and plan your shot, rather than wasting a lot on one target.
- Find a venue and Have FUN, now that you know the basics on how to play Paintball.