| Paintball evolving into a professional sport is pretty old | | | | Safety is an important concern, with regard to the |
| news. The rising popularity of the sport since its very | | | | sport. It is also an important criterion for choosing a |
| inception guaranteed its evolution from being just for | | | | particular style of the game for a competition and the |
| fun to a serious money earner. Going by the increase | | | | like. The following simple guidelines and rules can save |
| in the numbers of 'sponsored events' and the like, one | | | | one trouble with the sport and keep the player |
| can easily conclude that league championships are as | | | | injury-free as well:o Wearing masks at all points of |
| old as the game itself. Paintball competitions and | | | | time during the game is especially important. Some of |
| organised league tournaments date back to the 1980s. | | | | the most painful injuries occur due to a player's |
| Ranging from regional tournaments to the World Cup | | | | carelessness at taking off the mask at an |
| tournament, players get maximum exposure in terms | | | | inappropriate point of time during the game. One should |
| of gaming skills. It also goes one big step further in | | | | always refrain from taking off their mask when they |
| qualifying paintball as a 'legitimate sport'. | | | | are near, in or around the dead zone or within the |
| Some important national and international leagues | | | | range of the field.o Playing when one is in their |
| played today include Paintball Sports Promotions in the | | | | complete senses is a mandatory rule of the sport. If a |
| United States, the Centrino series in Eastern Europe, | | | | player is under the influence of alcohol, |
| the Millennium Series in western Europe, the United | | | | drugs,prescribed medicines and other pharmaceuticals, |
| States Paintball League in the US, and the National | | | | it only makes sense to refrain from playing and stay |
| Collegiate Paintball Association in the US and Canada. | | | | safe.o Markers must be kept on the safe mode when |
| Besides this, several local and regional leagues are also | | | | the game is not on. This is a safety precaution for |
| held from time-to-time. Of late, players have started | | | | oneself, as well as to aid the safety of other players.o |
| entering into contractual agreements with professional | | | | Refraining from shooting one's opponent, when they |
| teams and are now making their living out of the sport. | | | | are closer than 5m is not just advisable but a |
| The general rules conventionally applicable to this sport | | | | mandatory rule as well. One could be penalised in |
| are as follows:o 3 referees are present in the field | | | | extreme circumstances. Ideally, if an opponent is at a |
| throughout the duration of the game.o A player stands | | | | distance closer than 5m, the player should say, "You |
| eliminated if the paintballs hit him and split open.o If any | | | | dead, don't shoot,"and the opponent must surrender. |
| of the paintballs hit the opponent player's marker or | | | | So, go ahead... scoot and shoot everyone. Your time |
| any other part (shoes included), he stands eliminated. | | | | starts- Now! |