Did you know that millions of people play paintball every year? The extreme sport is gaining more and more popularity as time goes on.
Some people play on tournament teams, but many players do so for leisure and entertainment. If you’re new to the world of paintball, getting started seems like a daunting task.
Luckily for you, learning how to play paintball is less difficult than it seems. From paintball rules to paintball tips, keep reading to learn everything you need to know for playing paintball.
How to Play Paintball
Paintball can be played on an indoor or outdoor field. In either case, the field is created to mimic outdoor, wooded environments.
To play, everyone needs markers (also known as paintball guns), hoppers (to feed paintballs into the markers), compressed air tanks, and (of course) paintballs.
Most paintball places allow you to rent all this equipment from them, especially if you’re a beginner. If you want to own your own gear, you can also purchase everything at a dedicated paintball store like Black Friday Paintball.
The rules of the game depend on the kind of game you’re playing. A capture the flag tournament, for example, will have different playing rules than an elimination-style game.
However, some paintball rules stay consistent no matter which game you’re playing. You often are not allowed to shoot a paintball at someone who is too close and too far away from you. When you are hit with a paintball, it is your responsibility to tap yourself out and leave the pitch.
Many pitches require you to purchase paintballs on site. This helps them guarantee that all paintballs in use meet their safety standards. And no matter what, everyone must wear their face masks at all times.
What to Wear
Speaking of face masks, let’s talk about the clothing and protective equipment you’ll need to play paintball. While it shouldn’t hurt to be hit with a paintball, it can sting, and it is completely acceptable for you to protect your skin and body from potential damage.
First things first, you must have a protective face mask specifically designed for playing paintball. It will protect your eyes and face from being hit with a paintball.
Also, you’ll want to wear clothing that covers your skin and helps you blend into the environment. Earth tones are very popular among paintball players. Long sleeves and pants will save you from cuts, scrapes, and most potential bruises.
Wear athletic shoes that have some grip on the bottom of them. If you wear a standard tennis shoe or workout shoe, it might not have enough tread on the bottom, leading you to fall and potentially injure yourself.
Finally, if you want even more protection, most places allow you to rent protective padding and gloves to cover any additional exposed skin.
A Note for Beginners
Many articles out there will try to give you in-depth tactical advice for your first day playing paintball, but this can be overwhelming if you’re just getting used to the game.
The best of the paintball tips we have for those new to paintball is to not be afraid. Getting hit is part of the game, and you’ll never score any points if you spend your entire time hiding on the field. Give it your best, and you’ll have a great time!
Get Out There and Have Fun
Now that you know how to play paintball, all that’s left is to gear up and have fun!
Looking for more fun ways to stay active with your friends? Check out the other articles in the Sports section of our site.
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