Misunderstood: Paintball, an insider's view. A basic overview of the sport of paintball.
Jan 18 '05 (Updated Mar 25 '05)
The Bottom Line I want you to go and experience the sport, but do it safely.
Outlaw
I want to help, in a small way, others to understand one of my favorite sports. Paintball is an often misunderstood, misrepresented sport that gets into the limelight far too often for negative reasons. I want to educate you a little. I want to bring paintball from an outlaw sport to an enjoyable game that you would feel comfortable being apart of. I want paintball to be something you would feel comfortable with your children or your grandchildren playing.
Image
I live in a town where two years ago a three-year-old girl was shot in the eye during a drive-by shooting. She was in her car seat, strapped in, all safe and sound in the back seat of her family's car. The window was rolled down so she could enjoy the spring breeze on her face. A teenage boy shot her with a store bought paintball gun from a passing car. She lost her eye because of his actions. This has happened in many other towns, to many other people. This and many other malicious actions have been done by other misguided youth. My own vehicle was shot up this summer.
These images often make the press. These images are what we all see in the papers or on the news and mare what this sport really brings to its players. And until we as parents start parenting our children and understand what it takes to operate a marker and how and where they should be used we will continue to have these assaults taking place.
There is a charity paintball tournament held annually to help this little girl. It is one of the largest turnouts that Husker Paintball (props to Husker for doing this, that's why I am mentioning them by name) has every year. It is that big because so many players care enough to help. Help their own image and that little girl's family. These are the players we need to be encouraging; these are the types of players we should be raising.
The Basics
To understand the sport you need to understand the terms and the equipment so that you can better understand how they should be used. I will explain here some of the equipment used, why it is used, and some of the different types games played.
Marker: This is what a player calls a paintball gun. It is called a marker because the object of sport is to mark your opponent with a paintball. Most adult players refrain from calling it a gun because of the negative inclination. A marker cannot fire unless attached to an air source but many markers retain air and may be able to fire and cock for several rounds even after the air source is turned off or removed. Never fire a marker without the barrel plugged/ covered unless you are intending to play. Treat every marker as loaded and ready to fire. Cost: $35-$1999
Tank: This is what screws into the marker, either from below or from behind. It supplies air to the marker allowing it to shoot a paintball. There are CO2 tanks and compressed air tanks. CO2 are more affordable but more temperamental to temperature. The compressed air tanks are traditionally more expensive and hold much higher volumes of air. Some are made to hold up to 5000psi. Never use a dented, damaged, or leaking air tank. Cost: $60-$490
Paintball: A paintball is roughly the size of a marble. They are filled with either a soy based fluid/ gel or a gelatin based fluid/ gel. Almost all fill (paint) from a paintball is non-staining and can be cleaned up with water, even after sitting for several months. So, for the record, a paintball does not actually contain paint but has a fill designed for temporarily marking a target. It can be put into the washing machine and will not dye other items. Paintballs may hurt upon impact. Always wear a protective mask to protect your eyes. Protect your skin. Cost: $29-$65 per case of 2000.
Hopper: This is what feeds paintballs into the marker. It usually sits on the top of the marker. There are motorized, spring-loaded, and gravity fed hoppers. Cost: $5-$160+
Pods: Are what a player may use to carry paintballs around in. The paintballs are poured into the pod and then the pods are slipped into a harness that the player wears around his/her waist or chest. Cost $.50-$3.00
Barrel plug/ condom: A barrel plug is a ridged plastic insert that prevents a misfired paintball. A condom is a neoprene sleeve with elastic straps that attaches to the marker providing the same protection as a plug. These are not optional items and one or the other must be used whenever a marker is not in a game. You must always safety your marker, insert the plug or condom the barrel, and keep your marker pointed at the ground whenever you are not actively playing. This includes walking on and off the field of play. Cost: $1.50-$20
Goggles/ mask: Unlike normal goggles that only cover your eyes a paintball mask covers your eyes, mouth and ears. A paintball leaves the marker upwards of 300 feet per second. That equals about 200 miles an hour. A paintball looses velocity quickly but is still able to leave a mark on skin from about 40 feet and the impact of a paintball can be felt from over 50 yards. A paintball can travel well over 100 yards. Always goggle up whenever you are using your marker. Remember that a marker may still have enough pressure to fire even if the air source is turned off or detached. Make sure the marker's safety is on, not cocked, and empty of any paintballs before touching the trigger. Always wear your goggles when you are working on your marker for safety. Cost: $7-$120+
There are a multitude of other items that go along with paintball. You could go all out and buy jerseys, boots/ cleats, gloves, etc. I just wanted to give you the basics and the mandatory precautions.
There are a lot of safety concerns with paintball. There are in all forms of contact sport. Would you play full contact football in nothing more than jockey shorts? I don't think so. The safety items are mentioned to keep the sport safe for those playing and those handling the markers. This sport is very safe if you take the precautions.
I am so confident in the safety I allowed my eight year old son play his first game this summer. He was under constant supervision and was taught all needed safety procedures. Did he forget to turn the safety on his marker? Yes. Did he forget to keep the barrel pointed down at the ground even when his barrel was plugged? Yes. But that is what I was there for. I was there to teach him how to be safe. He got his first welt from a paintball. He understands how it feels now. I would trust him enough that he would use his marker safely 99% of the time. But until I know he will use his marker safely all of the time I am with him 100% of the time. I do allow him to keep his marker in his room. I however do not allow him to keep the air supply, paintballs, or the hopper. I check his maker for safety before it is stored. When he has his marker in his room there is no danger. Having it his rooms builds trust and responsibility.
You will experience things in paintball unlike any other sport. Teamwork means as much or more in paintball than any other sport. Communication, precaution, strategy, trust, and confidence are just but a handful of the qualities I seen growing in my son.
The Sport
The game is played by as few as two people playing one on one to as many as several thousand playing on one field. You can play in the woods or specialized paintball fields.
Paintball started out in the woods. I started playing about 15 years ago with pump action Splat gun made of plastic playing in the woods. When playing in the woods you must remember how far a paintball can travel. Most paintballs will burst when fired through thin braches or even thick underbrush but you should take precautions that houses or traffic are not in range of your game. Never play on property that is not yours unless you have permission of the owner. This is called Outlaw Paintball. You could get trespassing, destruction of property, or even the unlawful discharge of a weapon (depending on where you live) charges against you. Outlaw paintball is dangerous for property owners as they may be struck with stray balls or have their property temporarily marred by paintballs. It can also be dangerous to the outlaws. A player could fall and get hurt in unfamiliar grounds without someone being able to find them.
Modern day paintball in the woods is often referred to as woodsball. Many fields around the country have large woodsball fields. They are great places to play a scenario game or a war based game. The nicer fields clear much of the undergrowth to make the game less of a battle against the trees. Any number of players can be playing woodsball at a time and is usually played at a slower, more strategic pace as players find cover in trees and plan moves to get better angles on opponents.
Arena style play started out in the late 80's and early 90's. These are usually smaller fields surrounded by protective netting to catch stray paintballs. They could have manmade structures like large wooden spools or inflatable bunkers. There are many variations of this type of game including speedball and xball. These games are usually played at a much faster pace than woodsball. These games are usually played by 3, 5, 7, and 10 man teams. Many cities have indoor speedball fields that can be enjoyed year round.
You can also play rec style paintball, which is usually played in more open areas than arena style. There could be natural or manmade structures and bunkers around the field to provide cover. These games can be played by small groups up or could fill the field with thousands of players running a re-enactment game.
There are several hundred fields around the country to be played on. They can be very affordable to almost expensive. I would encourage you to look around the field before deciding to pay to play. Ask to watch a game from the sidelines (make sure you are wearing your mask because you are in the line of fire). See if they clear obstacles from the field. Check to see if the referees are alert and actively policing the game to keep people safe. Many fields offer rental equipment so be sure that the airsmith shows you how to safety the marker and operate it properly before getting on the field. Most fields will train new comers on the rules of the game but if they don't offer and you don't know, ask. Never be afraid to ask questions at a field. Remember, you are paying to be there and the staff is there to help.
Life Lessons
I will tell you that this sport has given me a more confident, honest, and thoughtful son than I had a year ago. Paintball allows him to think on his feet while interacting with others. If he makes a strategic mistake he will quickly know as he gets marked. He gets the trill of victory when he pulls a flag playing speedball or marking an opponent before he gets marked himself. He is learning sportsmanship in being honest when he gets marked and doesn't try to hide it. Walking off the field he is planning on how to do better not trash talking the other team.
In a large rec game my son and I may be playing with over a hundred strangers and to see my son follow the flow of the game and interact with confidence with adults and other children means a lot to a growing child. He has learned to quickly follow commands and to think quickly when he needs to make the decision to press, fall back, or fire.
Those are the lessons that carry you through to adulthood.
For me, my experiences are more of the thrill type. How quick I can make my move or how well I can plan my player's moves before a speedball match. This game exercises my mind and my body.
Final thoughts
I want to leave you knowing that with precautions, paintball is a very safe and fun sport. I also want you to understand that this is probably the best game that you will play. You will rely on yourself and others in ways that you haven't in sports. The game is as expansive as your imagination.
I want you to go and experience the sport, but do it safely.
Other paintball stuff to check out:
Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball for XBox
For a great place to buy paintball gear:
Paintball Mountain.com
Thanks for shooting by...
Christian921
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Member: Christian Stanley
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