Paintball - The Latest Action-Packed Sport

We all remember the 'good 'ol days' when as kidsreferee.
we used to find all sorts of things to throw at2. The duration of the game is predetermined.
each other-water guns, water-filled balloons,Usually 30-60 minutes.
mud-you name it and it became a game! I guess3. All players should have on their complete
you can say the 'inner child' never dies. Paintball ispaintballing equipment.
a sport where players shoot paint at each other4. When a player is hit and walks out of the field,
with guns (paintball guns). No, I'm not kidding-this ishe is not allowed to talk. This is called "Dead Man
a real sport where rules, strategy and teamworksilent".
are involved.Where is it played? On what are5. Players are not allowed to bring their own
called paintball courses.paintballs. All paintballs used must be from the
Paintball has become so popular that worldwidereferee.
leagues and tournaments are held and has even6. Clear boundaries must be set. Both the players
become a substitute for military training. It startedand referee should know when a player should be
in the 1970's as a tool for marking trees andconsidered 'out' of the field.
livestock until in 1981 some friends decided to try7. If two players happen to hit each other at the
it out as a recreational sport. They used nosame time, both are to be eliminated.
protective vforce masks or equipment and theirAside from these game rules, safety precautions
course was a 100 acre open field. Since then,are also a must mostly regarding the attire of
paintball has evolved with various forms with theplayers. These include:
indoor paintball field starting in 1984 and first· No t-shirts, short pants allowed. All should wear
professional paintball tournament held in 1983.clothing that cover arms and legs.
Does paintball have any rules you may ask?· No shooting allowed at a distance of 5 meters
Definitely it does! This is no child's game. Its rules· No hitting referees
seem to become more sophisticated as the game· No alcohol intake before, during or after the
changes. First let's start with the objective of thegame
game: to capture a goal without being shot with· No physical contact between players during the
paintballs. The goal is agreed on before the gamegame
begins, for example capturing the flag.· No shooting at a player who is walking out of
With that clear in mind, here are some basicthe field
paintball rules for all you paintball dads toOne thing to remember is that paintball guns are
remember before taking on your kids:strictly to be used for the game and using them
1. A player is considered 'out' of the game if heas a weapon can result in arrest. Other than that,
she is hit by a paintball and it breaks. Proofif you don't' qualify for military training but still
obviously the fact that you're covered in paint.want some action, paintball just might be the
Confirmation or "paint check" is carried out by thesport for you!