Paintball Basics & Tactics
Every time you play paintball, you will probably pick up a tactic or two. But here are some important ground rules regarding safety and good sportsmanship to get you started. Your fellow paintball players will expect you to know and abide by these quick do’s and don’ts.
What It's All About
What is paintball, anyway?
At its essence, paintball is a competitive game played like any other competitive game, to win. It requires specific gear (goggles, a gun/marker, pressurized gas, and paintballs) so you can safely shoot at others and be shot at. Paintball is like a more challenging, high-stakes version of tag, hide-and-seek, or capture the flag. Beyond that, paintball is hard to describe. It can be played indoors or out, with as few as two people or as many as 500; a game can last 5 minutes or 24 hours; it’s objective might be to take something, bring something, find something, or simply be the last person standing. Depending on the field you play, tactics will be vary as well. A paintball game can be different every time, but there’s one thing that stays the same: it’s an adrenaline rush.
Isn’t paintball dangerous?
On the contrary, paintball is one of the safest activities out there. Industry standards like paintball masks, barrel plugs, and limits on paintball gun velocities help prevent injuries. Also, commercial fields have referees to ensure that everyone follows the rules.
Ok, so paintball’s “safe.” But doesn’t it hurt?
Honestly, sometimes. It depends on how fast the ball is traveling, where it hits, whether it breaks or not (balls that just bounce of tend to be more painful), and what kind of clothing you are wearing. Sometimes you won’t even feel a hit. But even when a shot does hurt, it’s usually just a quick sting – the kind of thing you say “Ow!” about and then forget about a few seconds later. Some hits come back to haunt you hours, or even a day, later – as bruises. They might feel a little sore or tender to the touch. If you bruise more heavily than other people, make sure to wear layers or invest in a vest.
Fear of pain is probably one of the biggest factors stopping people from trying out paintball, when it shouldn’t be. Yes, occasionally more serious injuries occur, but they are rarer in paintball than in most other sports.
What if I don’t know how to play paintball?
Relax! We will put beginners together. Either you will be out on the field with playing against people of your same general level of experience, or the teams will be mixed so that abilities equal out.
A ref will go over the rules with you, go over the field layout, and will often provide strategy advice about how you should approach the field.
Paintball basics are simple – shoot and try not to get shot. Beginning paintball players do tend to make a lot of strategic mistakes, but you will be making them along with everyone else. When you are out on the field, think about what you and other people are doing, what works and what doesn’t, and why. You will probably find that you improve your game each time you play.
Paintball Do’s
ALWAYS wear your paintball mask when you are on a field, regardless of whether or not there is a game going on. Accidents happen, and a paintball mask could save you from losing an eye.
Listen to the ref and follow the rules of the paintball field. Rules exist for player’s safety. When everyone follows them, you can concentrate on the fun stuff – playing
Dress appropriately. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts provide protection against the impact of paintballs. The right clothes let you run, slide, crouch and do other maneuvers more safely, as well.
Paintball Don’ts
Shoot people if they are too close. Paintballs can come blazing out of marker at 300 feet per second! It’s important to give them time to slow down. Commercial paintball fields normally have rules about how far apart you have to be to shoot someone. If you aren’t sure what the rules are, play it safe: don’t shoot at anyone closer than 15 feet from you.
|
