Paintball can be a fun and exciting way to unwind with friends after a hectic work week, but there are a few basic rules on how to play paintball.  If you are going to an open field on your own to play paintball, walk around and regulate some boundaries and establish rules. 

When you play paintball, are there areas in which not to shoot?

  If you go to a dedicated paintball field or arena, ask the referees what the boundaries are.   Also when you play paintball, you should wear specific safety equipment like a mask, goggles, and knee and elbow pads and for men they should wear a cup.  Safety established, teams are then divided up with equal players.  Now are you playing a specific game like speedball, capture the flag, elimination or scenario games?  Also, make up a time limit when you play paintball.  No one likes to be taken out of the game early and then have to wait forever to get playing again.  When you start to play paintball, everyone is on their respective “bases” until the first team calls “game on” and everything begins. 

When you play paintball and someone is hit, there will be a small mark of paint somewhere on the players’ body.  Splatter occurs when a paintball hits a nearby object and breaks and only “splatters” on the player.  This is not considered a hit when you play paintball unless specifically stated within the rules that are set.    If unsure that you have been hit when you play paintball, call out “paint check” to the closest player so that they can stop and check the areas that you cannot see such as your back.

While you play paintball and you have been hit, raise your gun over your head and quickly leave the field of play calling out that you are hit to any players that you cross and go directly to the designated “dead area”.    Victory when you play paintball occurs when either team has completed the necessary objectives of the game being played.  Has the flag been captured by your team and taken back to your designated base or are you the last person standing?  This all depends on which game you are playing. 

Even though the game is over and victory achieved, when you play paintball still consider yourself to be playing while on the field and do not remove masks or safety equipment until  plugs have been put in the  gun barrels on all loaded guns.

Now that you have tried one type of paintball game, try another type.  You can play paintball for hours and not play the same game twice.  Just remember these simple steps on how to play paintball and fun and excitement can be had for everyone.