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