Paintball – Cover Me, I Lost My Guppy!

Philip Schilling asked:


Backers, breaks and bunkers, oh my! Because of the distinct characteristics of paintball, enthusiasts across the globe have developed a very unique language that you will find only in the extreme sport of paintball. With the invention of paintball guns in the 1970’s as a tool for marking trees and livestock, this practice opened the door for gamers to create one of the most exciting, most popular of group extreme sports. Low and behold, in 1981, 12 friends got together and played the first officially recorded game of paintball on a 100-acre stretch of field. And they played without the use of any safety equipment whatsoever!

Today, the concept is the same, but the game is played quite differently with the use of advanced equipment. Tournaments are held throughout the world, with the first professional tournament held in 1983. Gaining recognition with the formation of the NPPL in 1992, the popularity of paintball has made leaps and bounds as an extreme sport with the progress of technology in the realm of paintball equipment such as guns, masks, suits, magazines, paintballs and pods. Advancements have been swiftly made in the area of paintball fields as well with the design of various props and layouts.

Once the referee yells, “Go, go, go!” to begin the game, the field is transformed into a battleground of strategy and warfare. A number of ways to play the game have been introduced, but the basic concept is to eliminate the opposing team by “killing” your enemy or capturing their flag. Avoid a direct hit from enemy forces and maneuver your way around the battlefield to victory. All you need is a marker, or paintball gun, plenty of ammunition, safety equipment to avoid serious injury, a battlefield and a good strategy. The sport of paintball can be as simple or as complex as you make it.

You don’t necessarily have to learn the jargon of paintball to play the sport. You don’t even have to purchase expensive equipment if you don’t want to. Many places offer rental equipment and although safety equipment is required, you can rent as many or as few accessories as you wish. The basic paintball gun is an air compressed or CO2 powered gun and you can upgrade with faster loaders, extra tanks, and an additional guppy (which is a pod to hold your extra ammo, by the way), depending on the rules of the game agreed upon between you and your opponent.

There are no particular special skills required to participate in the game of paintball, only a strategic mind and the bravery to be pummeled by balls sometimes sailing at you at speeds in excess of 200 mph. Ouch! That’s where that good safety equipment really comes in handy. Paintball courses can be found in many places all over the world. There is likely one in your area that caters to varying levels of play from the beginner to the expert. So, grab a fully and a guppy, hug a dorito, and Go, Go, Go!



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Paintball Guns – Our First Time

Tim Hoss asked:


We have heard about all the hype. Paintball is becoming an exciting, exhilarating extreme sport. It is an extreme sport and sounds intimidating. In fact it is intimidating and this is exactly what this article is about. For those of you wondering about the experience and if you should try it, the answer is a simple yes!! We are going to share our first time experience with you and hopefully, the decision will be an easy one for you to join the ranks of a paintball enthusiast.

There are many approaches to starting out. We offer two for you to consider. Obviously, the approach you take is a personal choice. One is definitely more expensive and risky but it really depends if you are committed to trying the sport or not. The second is cheaper and easy, but may be higher on the intimidation factor as you will not know anything about the equipment before you play.

The first approach is to go to your local field and rent some equipment and get started. This is not the approach we took. We had already decided that paintball was a sport we were going to do no matter what. So in our case, my son and I decided to take the plunge and buy some equipment. He purchased an Ion and I purchased a Tippmann 98 Custom Pro. I decided to immediately upgrade by adding a Cyclone Feed Hopper and an Electronic Trigger. What in the heck was I doing? I had no idea, but the type of person I am makes that decision an easy one.

I wanted to know about the marker I was going to use and I thought there would be no better way than to install the upgrades myself. I could have easily purchased one already upgraded but I wanted to learn myself. That is a whole other story that we do not want to get in to here. Rest assured I was able to do it myself. Again, this was my personal approach that you may or may not want to follow.

The second option of owning the equipment first allowed us to spend adequate time at home familiarizing ourselves with the paintball marker and safe handling. We studied the manuals and procedures for loading and unloading.

General gun safety applies. Make sure you are not pointing it at anyone and goggles are always worn even when you are just handling the marker. A barrel sleeve is on at all times and if applicable, safety applied or marker powered down. We purchased some reusable v-balls (for some at home backyard fun and learning about firing our markers).

Finally, the weekend arrived and the anticipation and intimidation factor were both peaked. We arrived late to the field and so we were walking in on a scene that had numerous players waiting to start another game. It was raining lightly. We were tempted to just pack up and go back home as we were not sure what to expect.

The first thing we did was go to check in with the field operator. He gave us the general run down on what to pay and if we needed to rent equipment. We informed him and others that we were new and that we appreciated their help and guidance. The players were awesome. The field operator told us our markers had to be checked for velocity and we did that. He quickly adjusted the markers to ensure that we were safe and within field limits.

The players decided that the next game would be Woodsball. In woodsball, it is basically as the name sounds – a game in the bush where cover and camo rule. The players were quick to explain the basic rules and mostly safety. Always wear your goggles!!! (A tip here is to buy a good quality double thermal mask. Fogging your mask up and problems with your goggles will take away from the paintball experience.)

Walking in towards the field and well away from the field, we were told that from a certain spot we must keep our masks on at all times. When we arrived at the field we split in to teams. My son (aged 12) and I were on a team of 4 against 4 that were decked out with markers, nitrogen, remote lines and camo. Well did I mention our intimidation was peaked!!

We had never been hit by a paintball, let alone shoot anyone. We were not army veterans, marksmen, or athletes. We were just a father and son wanting to shoot paintball but at that split moment, we new we were in too far to back out and not far enough to stop. They told us some more basics like what “army rules” meant. The term is used to describe the rule that we would only be out if we were hit on the torso or head (not limbs). They told us not to remove our mask and to raise our arms if surrendering or hit. We were told to walk out with your arms raised until you are off the field. Do not shoot anyone too close and ask them to surrender.

If you run out of ammunition or air, you are also out. This would explain why the “intimidator” team had gear belts that held extra paintball “pods” (plastic tubes that hold a fill of paintballs for your loader) and a place for an air tank or extra air tank.

Okay we were positioned. We were split up and both teams had called out to the referee that we were ready to play. It was game on. Instantly the excitement peaked and we were in the game. My son flanked to the left. We stuck together and moved forward until we found some cover. All of our “Call of Duty” online experience flashing before our eyes. Don’t give away our position, be patient…ah just shoot!!!! One of us hit a player…a head shot. We both took credit for that one!

We felt cocky now. Shooting and exhilarated. I decided to move to another spot. Started to move and then in an instant ouch! I was hit in the back and out. I raised my hands over my head and called myself out. Moved to the edge of the field and watched from the sidelines. Reflecting how stupid I had been to just move without being more stealth like. Crap, now I had to wait until the next game. The earlier “ouch”, was not too bad. We felt our wounds but they were not very painful. We could describe it as an isolated almost sunburn feeling.

Soon after my son was also hit and he came out. Both of us could not wait to go again and like the first dive in to a pool – our hearts beating with excitement and exhilaration, we were hooked!



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The World of Custom Paintball

Adan Rivers asked:


The world of extreme sport saw the dawning of new and cutting edge games such as the custom paintball and air soft. Custom paintball is one strategic and military – orientated game which requires not only physical abilities and endurance, but also psychological and psychology conditioning. Custom paintball has pre-requisites so that players would experience high level of performance in their game.

What custom paintball gear is critical to have?

Custom paintball guns are paintball gears which a lot of fans spend a large amount of their cash on. There are different relying of paintball guns depending on the user’s discretion and private, distinct desires. As an example, the player’s style and methods in playing the game is an important determinant as to the kind of new or used paintball marker to purchase.

What sorts of plan are you use in custom paintball?

It’s important that the gun has a quicker way of loading paint for faster shooting. Many upgrade marker kits are available for better performance, but to be more effective, there are other guns which are more fitted to your requirements without the pricey upgrades.

Another style of combat is a sniper type system or attack. In this case, a gun that can assure more accuracy from distant places or locations is of utmost option. A pump sniper paintball gun is OK for this need and style. A good magazine for your marker similarly plays an imperative role. Other stuff to consider are upgradability, manufacturer and comfort in using this equipment in the period of your game.

What are important features of a custom paintball?

For instance, you must have a selection of upgrade options for your custom paintball gun. This means it can keep up with the constant and growing need of its user at any point in time. Likewise, it’s important that your gun is very much in compatibility to your body system therefore comfy to use. Finally , the brand of producer of your marker should be reliable enough in manufacturing top of the range custom paintballs.

Likewise , web stores also offer great lines of paintball gears and necessities.

Custom paintballs have definitely taken the sector of sports by force, and in a brief period, short time period, that is. Therefore, it is always imperative to consider accessing them with great discretion and smart judgment.



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How To Paintball – Paintballtips For Beginner

Paintball Tips asked:


Paintball is the fastest growing sports worldwide and every day thousands of new players join this exciting sport. Many might think it is an extreme sport – well, it is but there several differences to “normal” extreme sports. One of the major differences to regular extreme sports is that you hardly can survive a game on your own. Yes, you need to cooperate and communicate with your team-mates.

Have you ever been to one of these career assessment centres held by big companies when you apply for a job where your social behaviour, team spirit, leading skills are being tested? Guess what? I think they should exchange their entire psychological test against a round of paintball and then select their new staff. You have to be highly communicative, you need interpersonal skills to follow or organise a team.

For beginners, the most important thing to remember is to protect yourself. Many injuries with paintball have occurred. The number one paintball rule is: never ever take you mask off because the velocity of a paintball is high and it can easily damage your eyes. So, be careful when you are playing. To be a successful player you need to follow some further simple rules. Well, of course you need the right gear. Without a high quality gear it’s hard to win. But, I think knowledge and skills ‘how to paintball’ are even more important. It does not make sense to spend a fortune on gear, if you don’t know how hide effectively; playing in a team and so on. One question I came across many times is that beginners waste an awful amount of paintball. Unnecessary in my view ! If you have the right knowledge and skills you would use only a minimal amount of paintballs and still be the winner of the game.

I think it is also important that boys and girls have different strategies – by nature. Boys tend to use more paintballs whereas girls are think twice before they shoot, although the percentage of girls actively playing is



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