|
All About Paintball
Exactly What Is Paintball?
In only about 20-years, the new sport of paintball
has become recognized as one of the world's most exciting
outdoor participation sports. Paintball is played in many
nations thruout the world by millions of men, women and teens
of all ages and life-styles. Whether homemakers or high-school
students, professionals or retirees, all paintball players
share in common a love for adventure and a strong competitive
spirit.
Capture the Flag
Paintball is a combination of the childhood
games "tag" and "hide & seek," but
is much more challenging and sophisticated. Although there
are many different game formats, typically a group of players
will divide into two teams to play "capture the flag."
The number of players on each team can vary from one or two,
five or seven or ten, to over 1,000 on a side, limited only
by size of the paintball field.
The object of paintball is to go out and capture
the other team's flag while protecting your own. While you
are trying to capture a flag, you also try to eliminate opposing
players by tagging them with a paintball expelled from a special
airgun called a "paintgun." Games run from 20 to
45 minutes, depending on the size of the field and number
of players.
Between games, players take a break to check
their equipment, get more paintballs and have a snack or soda
while they share stories about the thrills of victory and
the usually funny agonies of defeat. Win or lose, everyone
has a good time and there's usually the next game waiting
for you.
Paintballs
A paintball is a round, thin-skinned gelatin
capsule with colored liquid inside it. Paintballs are similar
to large round vitamin capsules or bath oil beads. The fill
inside paintballs is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble
and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin
with mild soap and water.
Paintballs come in a rainbow of bright colors: blue, pink,
white, orange, yellow and more. When a paintball tags a player,
the thin gelatin skin splits open, and the liquid inside leaves
a bright "paint" mark. A player who is marked is
eliminated from the game.
Paintguns
Paintguns, also called "markers," come in a variety
of shapes and styles as you see in this special "paintgun
roundup" APG issue. They may be powered by carbon dioxide
(CO2), nitrogen (N2) or compressed air. Many have power systems
that use large refillable cylinders called "tanks"
or "bottles" that give hundreds of shots before
needing to be refilled. Some use small 12 gram CO2 powerlets
as their power source, each powerlet being good for 15 to
30 shots.
With pump-action paintguns (pumpguns), each time you want
to shoot a paintball you first cock the paintgun by using
a pump, then you squeeze the trigger to shoot the paintball;
you must recock the paintgun before you can shoot again. Stockguns,
using 12-grams, have the most basic pumpgun configuration
(though they are becoming ever-more high-tech within the constraints
of the configuration) and stock gun play is in a class of
its own.
With semi-automatic paint ball guns, the first time
you want to shoot you must set the paintgun (usually by pulling
back a cocking-knob or handle), but after you shoot the first
paintball the paintgun's action will recock the paintgun for
you; you simply squeeze the trigger each time you want to
shoot a paint ball.
With a full-auto paintgun, when you squeeze the trigger for
the first time, the 'gun will begin to shoot paintballs and
will keep on shooting paintballs as long as you keep squeezing
the trigger; when you release the trigger, the 'gun will stop
shooting.
Paintguns range from simple to sophisticated, but what they
all share in common is a limitation on their power and range.
The international safety limit on the speed (measured in feet
per second, "FPS") at which a paintgun shoots a
paintball is 300 fps. A chronograph is used to test for speed
limits, and all paintguns can be adjusted to shoot under the
speed limit. A paintgun's range is limited, too; even shooting
300 fps, at maximum elevation with barrel pointed up into
the air, a paintgun can lob a paintball only about 50 yards.
Safety
For safety, paintball players always must wear goggles specifically
designed for paintball to protect their eyes. Goggles must
be worn during a game and at all times when a person is in
an area where shooting is permitted, such as the target range
or chronograph area. A protective facemask is mandatory nearly
everywhere, and should be worn regardless. Paintball is a
very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Insurance
statistics have shown that paintball is safer than golf, jogging,
tennis, swimming and many other sports.
Referees on the field enforce safety and game rules. No physical
contact is permitted in the game, and players are ejected
from games or the playsite for breaking safety or playing
rules. Fields have boundaries, and a player who steps outside
a field's boundary is eliminated from that game.
The Game
Paintball is a sport played by people from all professions
and life-styles. It is a sport where women and men compete
equally, and where age is not dominated by youth. Like a game
of chess, being able to think quickly and decisively is what
makes you a star in paintball. Intelligence and determination,
not merely strength, speed or agility, are key to success
in the sport.
Paintball is a character-building sport. Players learn about
teamwork, gain self-confidence and develop leadership abilities
while having fun and getting welcome stress-relief. Increasingly,
corporations are finding the benefits of having their staff
and management participate in paintball games.
Paintball is an exciting sport, and above all paintball is
fun! It's a chance to shake off your day-to-day responsibilities
and rekindle your spirit of adventure. When the adrenaline
starts pumping, you will love the great thrill of the Paintball
Game!
Paintball Gears and
Accessories
In any sport, proper gear, outfitting and other accessories
are always necessary. Gear and accessories not only ensure
the safety of players but they also allow the player to be
comfortable. Gear is needed to perform a safely and effectively.
In paintball, some gear and accessories should be considered
before you actually play the game.
1. The most important gear needed to play paintball is the
paintball gun which is used to fire paintball at opponents.
There are many paintball guns to choose from. They come in
various sizes depending on the needs of any player.
2. A player must have a paintball masks as they are required
in playing since they ensure the safety of players. Paintball
masks are not just ordinary masks but are masks are specifically
designed for paintball games. An extra mask would serve as
a replacement should you need it.
3. Proper clothing is needed when playing paintball. The
clothes need to be heavy-duty and the colors are usually those
known as “camouflage”. Players are also required
to use shoes intended for running since paintball requires
a lot of running but heavy-duty boots may be used as an alternative.
4. Squeegees are also recommended equipment for players when
out on the paintball field: but cotton rags may also be used
to wipe off any paintball hits on the body.
5. First-aid kits must also be part of the equipment. Accidents
and injuries are sometimes unavoidable and it is better to
be safe than sorry.
6. Other tools and gear may be beneficial once a player gets
used to the game. He may find that screwdrivers, tweezers,
pliers, and even cotton swabs would come in handy. Spare batteries
for the guns should also be considered.
This gear and accessories are necessities for paintball players.
Some fields do not allow players to play the game if they
are not wearing the proper clothing, shoes, etc. Players must
always consider their own safety as well as the safety of
other players. Protection of the eyes is a priority when playing
paintball. All players must observe the safety rules and policies
set by the field to allow them to have an enjoyable and danger-free
game. |
