How to Play Paintball: A Beginner’s Guide
Paintball has the power to turn your friends into sworn enemies, reveal your courage in the face of danger and make your shirt really dirty. It’s a pretty intense sport.
So it’s understandable how a beginner can feel intimidated before his first game. To clarify things a bit, we spoke to Paintball USA co-owner April Schwartz, who regularly helps new players find their way around the field. With his help, we’ve come up with a roundup of equipment, rules, and other essential information on how to play paintball.
What equipment do i need?
You don’t need to buy anything before you hit the pitch, and in fact, if it’s your first time playing, you probably shouldn’t. You’ll be better off hiring equipment so you get a feel for the game before deciding whether to invest in your own supplies.
A typical rental package will include the following items:
- Paintball marker (AKA “paintball gun”)
- Face mask
- Hopper (paintball container that attaches to your marker)
- CO2 or compressed air tank to feed the marker
You will also need to buy paintball in order to play, which you can do when you arrive. Many companies apply a “field only” rule, which means you can only use paintballs purchased on the site. This is done to ensure that all paintballs in use comply with the safety requirements of the field.
How much paintball coast?
The answer depends on how long you want to play and how nervous you are. A reasonable range could be $ 40- $ 80 for a full day of access to the field, equipment, and paintball.The biggest variable is ammunition – you can use anywhere from 250 to 1,000 paintballs in one visit, putting the cost of the paint somewhere. between $ 10 and $ 40.
Are paintballs bad?
Paintballs can definitely hurt, but there is a lot you can do to minimize the pain. “You want to cover as much exposed skin as possible,” Schwartz says. “Put layers of clothing between your skin and the paintball to [dampen] the impact.” Hoodies, sweatshirts or even just a pair of layered T-shirts give the impression of being “an explosive type of success, as opposed to something that stings”. Many camps also rent optional protective equipment, such as chest protectors and gloves.
What to wear paintball?
In addition to layering to protect yourself, the main thing to know about dressing for paintball is that you will be at a disadvantage if you are not trying to blend in. Most players dress in earth tones, olive green, and other natural colors so that they blend in with their surroundings.
You should also choose your footwear carefully. “Standard sneakers are smooth, [so] we recommend that you wear something with crests on the bottom,” says Schwartz. In particular, he recommends sporty studs, which have a little more traction. “You want to get some grip on your shoes, because a lot of times dirt has rocks and [it’s easy] to slip and fall.”
What are the rules of paintball?
There are many variations of the game, but almost all of them have some rules in common.
- Never remove the face mask for any reason while on the playing field.
- Shoot opponents only beyond a certain minimum distance. You also shouldn’t shoot players you know have already been scored. In Paintball USA, for example, “you can’t go closer than 10 feet and stand there and dump the gun on someone,” says Schwarz.
- If you are hit by a paintball and it leaves a solid mark, you are out of the game. (Paintballs that bounce without breaking do not count.) Put your hands in the air to indicate that you are out, then leave the field once the referee recognizes you.
- You are responsible for calling yourself, and doing it fairly may be the most important factor in keeping the game fun and friendly. Don’t try to clear the paint from a hit or you may face a harsh penalty for “drying” (and lots of dirty looks from your fellow players). That said, some camps have a “reincarnation rule” for starters. “If you shoot yourself early, you can clean the paint and go back,” says Schwarz.
What are some different paintball games?
Elimination
In this game, the game continues until one team has been completely eliminated. It can also be played individually, with the last person standing declared the winner.
Capture the flag
The objective in this team game is to cross the territory of your opponents, take their flag and return it to your base. Alternatively, you can win by eliminating all players from the other team.
Scenario
This category covers a wide range of games that involve setting a specific situation and assigning competing goals to each team. For example, in a “VIP” scenario, one team attempts to escort a certain player across the field to a certain endpoint, while the opposing team attempts to eliminate that player. Scenarios are often modeled on real-world military situations.
Speedb at full speed
Less of a specific type of game than a general style of play, this category covers any game played on a special speedball field, which, compared to a typical pitch, is smaller, flatter and lacking in coverage besides the artificial barriers placed along all the way. The point is to reward teamwork and aggressive tactical play over stealth and patience.
There are dozens of other major and minor variations on how to play paintball, with many fields offering their own curves. Check the camp website or ask when you arrive to find out what types of games are available there. And after you go out on the paintball battlefield.
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