Here we have compiled a few of the more frequently asked questions about this wonderful sport we call paintball. Maybe this will put a stop to some of the myths and rumors that might keep some of our younger players from trying it. We hope this may put a few parents to ease as well.

What is Paintball?
Paintball is a sport played and enjoyed by both men and women of all ages and races. Paintball is a sport where teams of people use CO₂ or nitrogen/compressed air powered "guns" to project .68 caliber round capsules. These capsules are filled with a non-toxic water based paint. This paint inside the capsule is what is used to mark the player after he or she is hit to let them and everyone else know they are no long in the game.

What are Paintballs?
A paintball is a round, thin-skinned gelatin capsule with colored liquid inside it. Paintballs are similar to large round vitamin capsules or bath oil beads. The fill inside paintballs is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water. Paintballs come in a rainbow of bright colors: blue, pink, white, orange, yellow and more. When a paintball tags a player, the thin gelatin skin splits open, and the liquid inside leaves a bright "paint" mark. A player who is marked is eliminated from the game.

"Paintguns" or "Paint Markers"
Paintguns, also called "markers," come in a variety of shapes and styles. They may be powered by carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2) or compressed air. Many have power systems that use large refillable cylinders called "tanks" or "bottles" that give hundreds of shots before needing to be refilled. Some use small 12 gram CO2 powerlets as their power source, each powerlet being good for 15 to 30 shots.

With pump-action paintguns (pumpguns), each time you want to shoot a paintball you first cock the paintgun by using a pump, then you squeeze the trigger to shoot the paintball; you must recock the paintgun before you can shoot again. Stockguns, using 12-grams, have the most basic pumpgun configuration (though they are becoming ever-more high-tech within the constraints of the configuration) and stock gun play is in a class of its own.

With semi-automatic paintguns, the first time you want to shoot you must cock the paintgun (usually by pulling back a cocking knob or handle), but after you shoot the first paintball the paintgun's action will recock the paintgun for you; you simply squeeze the trigger each time you want to shoot a paintball.

With a full-auto paintgun, when you squeeze the trigger for the first time, the 'gun will begin to shoot paintballs and will keep on shooting paintballs as long as you keep squeezing the trigger; when you release the trigger, the 'gun will stop shooting.

Paintguns range from simple to sophisticated, but what they all share in common is a limitation on their power and range. The international safety limit on the speed (measured in feet per second, "FPS") at which a paintgun shoots a paintball is 300 fps. A chronograph is used to test for speed limits, and all paintguns can be adjusted to shoot under the speed limit. A paintgun's range is limited, too; even shooting 300 fps, at maximum elevation with barrel pointed up into the air, a paintgun can lob a paintball only about 50 yards.

Safety Factor
For safety, paintball players always must wear goggles specifically designed for paintball to protect their eyes. Goggles must be worn during a game and at all times when a person is in an area where shooting is permitted, such as the target range or chronograph area. A protective facemask is mandatory nearly everywhere, and should be worn regardless. Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Insurance statistics have shown that paintball is safer than golf, jogging, tennis, swimming and many other sports.
Referees on the field enforce safety and game rules. No physical contact is permitted in the game, and players are ejected from games or the play site for breaking safety or playing rules. Fields have boundaries, and a player who steps outside a field's boundary is eliminated from that game.
The Games we play...

There are many types of games you can play with paintball. "Capture the Flag", "Center Flag" just to name a couple of them. Here is a quick overview on a few of these games.

"Capture the Flag" is a combination of the childhood games "tag" and "hide & seek," but is much more challenging and sophisticated. Although there are many different game formats, typically a group of players will divide into two teams to play. The number of players on each team can vary from one or two, five or seven or ten, to over 1,000 on a side, limited only by the size of the playing field. The object of the game is to go out and capture the other team's flag while protecting your own. While you are trying to capture a flag, you also try to eliminate opposing players by tagging them with a paintball expelled from a special airgun called a "paintgun." Games can run anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the field and the number of players.

"Center Flag" is typically played on a "Speedball" field. You have two teams that start on opposite ends of the field, the opposing players can typically see each other at the start of the game. The field is covered with bunkers and obstacles to hide behind to prevent getting "tagged" or "hit" with a paintball by the other team. The object of this game is to obtain the flag that is placed at the center of the playing field and take it to the other side without getting "tagged". Players that are tagged from a paintball must drop the flag (if they have it) and exit the field. This is an excellent game that realizes a lot on team work and strategy. Center Flag games usually are timed and last around 10 minutes per game. This way you can play more games in a day. As well as adding to the excitement of play by knowing you have a limited amount of time to get the flag and get to the other side of the field.

Between games, players take a break to check their equipment, get more paintballs and have a snack or soda while they share stories about the thrills of victory and the usually funny agonies of defeat. Win or lose, everyone has a good time and there's usually the next game waiting for you.

What is Speedball?
Speedball is a version of paintball that is played on a field or course. A speedball field will have bunkers and obstacles on it for opposing teams to hide behind. Typically teams start on opposite ends of the field and each team can see each other at the beginning of the game. Games such as "Center Flag" are typically played on a speedball field. Games usually last around 10 minutes. Most of your tournament games are played on a speedball field. You can have anywhere from 1 to 10 players on a team in a speedball game. Speedball fields usually have referees on them to keep the games fair and for safety reasons.

Paintball in a Nut Shell...

Paintball is a sport played by people from all professions and lifestyles. It is a sport where women and men compete equally, and where age is not dominated by youth. Like a game of chess, being able to think quickly and decisively is what makes you a star in paintball. Intelligence and determination, not merely strength, speed or agility, are key to success in the sport.

Paintball is a character-building sport. Players learn about teamwork, gain self-confidence and develop leadership abilities while having fun and getting welcome stress-relief. Increasingly, corporations are finding the benefits of having their staff and management participate in paintball games.

Paintball is an exciting sport, and above all paintball is fun! It's a chance to shake off your day-to-day responsibilities and rekindle your spirit of adventure. When the adrenaline starts pumping, you can't help but love the thrill of the game

*Source: 2002 Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association study on sports safety