Paintball Rules

Paintball is a competitive game played between two teams using markers gun, like devices that shoot balls filled with paint. The object of the game is to eliminate opposing players by hitting them with a paintball while avoiding being eliminated yourself.

Paintball games can be played on indoor or outdoor fields and vary in length depending on player numbers and desired duration. Games last from 5 minutes (in larger games) to up to two hours (in smaller games).

Before you play your first game, it is important to understand the rules of the game. The following are some standard paintball rules that should be known before playing.

Paintballs for use in a paintball marker must be made specifically for that purpose. Paintballs are manufactured with a liquid component and a solid component, when the liquid is released from the paintball upon impact it should stain the target. Paintballs must not burst or crack on impact or they will leave scuff marks that do not wipe off easily.

No Eye protection shoots balls of paint at high velocities. Depending on the type of competition, games can be as short as 10 minutes to as long as half an hour or more per match.

The playing field is divided into two halves with each team starting in their own base. At the beginning of each game, each player gets a chance to start off where they want on the field depending on how much room is available; this will usually be dictated by whether or not there are more players on one team than another.

Make sure you know the rules of the field before bringing your gear and playing. Players are required by most fields to wear a mask, barrel plug (when appropriate), paintball marker, gloves, and shoes at all times during play. If you want to lend or borrow equipment always ask the person you are borrowing from if they mind and always check to make sure everything is in good condition before using it.

When playing at a paintball field be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to what others are doing, especially when walking through the woods or brush. If someone calls out "hold" stop where you are until told to go ahead.

Make sure you bring enough paintballs for the day of play and always carry a pump or some way of refilling your marker on the field. Do not shoot excessively, if your opponents are down call a cease-fire before shooting at them again. Call yourself out when hit by saying "I'm dead" loudly so that players on your own team will know that you are out of the game.

If you are hit in the head when wearing a mask, kneel down with your marker pointed up in the air until another player checks to see if you are dead.

Don't take shortcuts when crossing the field to get to your destination. If it is necessary take short steps while moving through woods or brush. Remember that paintball fields can be a combination of natural and man-made terrain.

Don't go behind a tree or bush to relieve yourself; this will not only take too long, but you may also miss the action when another team sneaks up on you; it can be embarrassing if your opponents catch you "red-handed."

If you are hit by more than one paintball from behind you have been eliminated from the game. If a player is hit in a spot where there is no room for a paintball to go through, they should call themselves dead and wait at that spot until another person comes to check on them.

Don't stand directly in front of someone who is firing their marker as the paintballs are difficult to see coming at you. Don't shoot players who are not in the game. If there is an argument about whether or not a player should be included in the game, settle the problem by making the person sit out for five minutes.