| Paintball is as close to a military war game | | | | gloves and athletic cups. Your paintball |
| as civilians can get. In paintball, you'll | | | | facility should provide you with goggles and |
| navigate a natural obstacle course of fields, | | | | other protective gear as part of their |
| woods, hills and valleys; plan defensive and | | | | package. |
| offensive maneuvers; and work with your team | | | | |
| to win. If you've never tried paintball | | | | Those paintballs don't hurt…too much. |
| before, here are seven reasons why you | | | | The paintballs do hurt when they hit you-and |
| should. | | | | that keeps some people from trying the game. |
| | | | However, you can reduce the pain from a |
| It's great exercise. In many paintball games, | | | | paintball hit by wearing the right clothing. |
| you'll be playing on an obstacle course that | | | | Wear loose-fitting sweatpants, wind pants, |
| could be several acres in size. You'll be | | | | sweatshirts, and light, long-sleeved shirts |
| running, jumping, hiding, and shooting among | | | | in layers. Avoid jeans, as they are |
| hills, valleys, and other natural features. | | | | difficult to move in, and don't wear heavy |
| Paintball requires stamina. It's great | | | | jackets-even in winter, you'll overheat. |
| exercise-and it's far more interesting than | | | | Most importantly, avoid wearing t-shirts and |
| simply jogging the same route each day or | | | | shorts even in warm weather. A paintball hit |
| running on a treadmill at the gym. Play a | | | | on bare skin is painful and could break the |
| few paintball games, and you'll burn plenty | | | | skin. |
| of calories. | | | | |
| | | | There's a place for everyone. There's a |
| It's not just physical. As good as it is for | | | | place in paintball for every personality |
| your body, paintball is also good for your | | | | type. If you're an aggressive, athletic |
| mind. To succeed at paintball requires | | | | person, you'll definitely be a valuable |
| strategic thinking. You'll need to plan | | | | player. But paintball also requires stealth |
| offensive and defensive strategies to capture | | | | and surprise. If you're not particularly |
| that flag, defend that fort, or take out that | | | | keen on running up to an enemy with guns |
| team. Good strategies for paintball include | | | | blazing, try taking up a position as a |
| both aggressive tactics and defensive | | | | sniper. If athletics isn't your thing, you |
| elements such as ambushes, snipers, and the | | | | may be a talented strategist. The best thing |
| element of surprise. You may be surprised to | | | | about paintball is that it helps people |
| find that this game is far more cerebral than | | | | discover hidden talents. |
| you thought it would be. | | | | |
| | | | It's fun. Paintball is far more exciting and |
| It's a team sport. Paintball can be played | | | | challenging than your typical weekend |
| with small or large groups. It's a great | | | | football game. It incorporates strategy and |
| activity for office team-building, family | | | | physical activity, stealth and aggression-and |
| get-togethers, or even an adventurous first | | | | many types of players are valuable. Once you |
| date. During a paintball game, you'll rely | | | | experience the exhilaration of watching your |
| on your team to win-nobody can do it on their | | | | well-laid plans succeed, you're sure to want |
| own. The best part about paintball is | | | | to play again. It's a thrill to win, but |
| assessing the strengths of each team member | | | | even if you lose, you're sure to have a good |
| and assigning everyone a job that fits their | | | | time. |
| abilities. This way, everyone participates | | | | |
| in helping the team win. | | | | Paintball allows you to let loose and |
| | | | discover your "inner warrior." But being |
| It's safer than you think. Many people see | | | | aggressive isn't all there is to it. |
| the guns and hear about the stinging | | | | Sometimes, the most valuable player is the |
| paintballs, and believe the game isn't safe. | | | | one who knows when to hang back and stay |
| But in a well-run paintball facility, this | | | | calm. Aggressive players get taken out |
| game is relatively risk-free. A good | | | | quickly-but a calm, cool-headed sniper can |
| facility will brief all players on safety | | | | often make the difference between success and |
| before the game starts, and many will send a | | | | failure. So even if you can't quite see |
| professional out with your team to ensure the | | | | yourself as an action figure, give paintball |
| rules are being followed. Safety measures | | | | a try. You may discover a new way to get in |
| include never firing on a close target; | | | | shape, challenge your mind, and have fun with |
| keeping goggles on at all times in the field; | | | | your friends and family. |
| and wearing protective clothing such as | | | | |