The Sport of Paintball

Paintguns, also called "markers," come in a variety of shapes and styles as you see in this special "paintgun roundup" issue [ed. APG 12/96 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 paintguns, the first time you want to shoot you must cock 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 paintball.

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.

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-soluable and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water.

There are many different ways to play the game. I am going to give you a few of the most popular game types here.

<> Speedball: Speedball is a fast pase game that is full of adrenaline and paint. Speedball is usually played on a tournament field. These are mall fields that are have spare cover. The cover that is offered usually consist of air-up bunkers. If you are going to venture into the speed ball arena you will need a gun that is capable of keeping up with the other players. Your gun needs to be able to shoot at least 15 balls per second. This style of game is short and games typically do not last over 5 minutes.
Get your speedball jerseys here!

<> Prey: This is a very fun way to play among smaller groups. The way you play Prey is one person is nominated the predator. Everyone else is the prey. The prey get a certain amount of time to go out and hide. Once hidden the predator will signal by phone or radio that he is ready. Now the hunt is on. The predator walk the field or woods looking for his prey. If he spots one and shoots it, the prey that was shot becomes a predator also. If a predator is shot by a prey then the predator is considered dead and must sit out the rest of the game.

<> Woodsball: A game of stealth and endurance. You will not need a marker with high bps ratios but instead will need a marker with high accuracy. When playing woodsball you will usually want to upgrade your barrel to a long sniper like system. This will provide the most accuracy for your long shots.

Woodsball can either be played as a team deathmatch or regular deathmatch. A team deathmatch is where you break the group of paintball players into 2 teams. You then separate the teams and start the game. Once you are shot you are out. The team with that eliminates the other is the winner.

A regular deathmatch is played by making everyman for himself. All players will go out and hide. A referee will signal to start the game. When he does its do or die. You will need to eliminate every other player you see. The last man standing is the winner.

Check out some woodsball clothes here!

<> Capture the Flag: One of the more popular ways to play especially among amateurs and professionals alike. Capture the Flag is played by spliting a group of people into two teams. A referee will place an object (flag) somewhere in the middle of the court that is accessible to both teams. The goal of this game type is to move up, grab the flag and bring it back to your base without getting shot. This style can be very fun but without aggressive players it can turn into a waiting game.