| Over the past decade or so paintball has become | | | | protecting their own flag. Players try to eliminate |
| popular all over the world, and it is an outdoor sport | | | | members of the opposing team by "tagging" them with |
| that anyone can participate in; players share a love for | | | | paintballs from their paintball markers. When players |
| competition and adventure. There are many variations, | | | | are hit, they raise their gun over the head and shout |
| such as Elimination and Capture the Flag. The playing | | | | out "hit," then leave the playing field. If the hit is on an |
| field is determined and boundaries are set, then game | | | | area of the player's body that he cannot see, such as |
| play time is decided, and two teams are created with | | | | the back, the player would call out "paint check" so |
| an equal amount of members. Selection of team | | | | another player can check for a valid hit, which is a solid |
| members is done with player experience in mind. | | | | nickel-sized paint mark. Victory is achieved when one |
| Advanced and novice players are divided up fairly. All | | | | team completes the game objective by capturing the |
| players must wear the proper gear for safety, and | | | | other team's flag. |
| paintball masks are to be worn at all times during play. | | | | Paintballs and Paintball Guns |
| Paint masks may not be removed until all loaded | | | | A paintball is a large round ball that looks like a bath oil |
| paintball markers have barrel plugs or covers in place. | | | | bead and is filled with a colored liquid inside that is |
| Players often include students, home-makers, and | | | | non-toxic and water-soluble. It washes out of clothing |
| professionals because it is a sport that many different | | | | and off of skin easily with warm soapy water. Players |
| people enjoy. Paintball is similar to playing a chess | | | | must wear paintball masks, and use paint guns to |
| game due to the strategic thinking involved. | | | | shoot the paintballs. There are many different types of |
| Playing Capture the Flag | | | | markers, and they come in a variety of shapes and |
| Although, this particular game is sophisticated and | | | | colors. However, they are all limited in the power and |
| extremely challenging it is actually very much like | | | | range capabilities. The international safety limit for |
| playing a game of tag combined with hide and seek. | | | | speed is 300 feet per second (FPS), and the range is |
| To begin any version of paintball a team member, | | | | limited to approximately fifty yards. Following the |
| once every player is ready, yells out "game on" and | | | | safety rules and having referees on the field to |
| the game starts. The object of the game is simple, | | | | enforce safety and game rules makes paintball a safe |
| each team is out to capture the other teams flag while | | | | sport. |