Paintball, not All Fun and Splat

Nathan Young asked:


It has come to our attention that there are a lot of people out there that don’t really know that there are different types of paintball. Our mission is to help those poor lost souls and open their eyes to what awaits them in the world of paintball. Although there are many variations of the game of paintball we don’t want to overwhelm you so we will stick to the main three. Now these may arguably be the main three but for the sake of this article we will say that they are the main three variations of paintball and they are Woodsball, Speedball, and Scenario Paintball.

Woodsball is oldschool paintball at its heart. Paintball started off for the most part being played in wooded areas which lent themselves to the "capture the flag" and "elimination" type paintball games to be played. Because woodsball can be played over several acres and there are usually not many areas where large portions of the field can be viewed at one time, woodsball games tend to run longer than other types of paintball play. Wooded areas also give players the ability to take part in some more realistic wartime situations such as ambushes, assualts on fortified positions and protecting VIP’s etc..
Speedball differs from woodsball in a number of ways. One of the most obvious differences is the look and size of the field. As opposed to the large and natural landscape of woodsball, speedball is played usually on artifical turf with artificial bunkers on a field that is typically no larger than half of a football field in size. The artifical obstacles and bunkers have evolved over the years, in the old days of paintball they were made of anything that was laying around mainly larger wooden spools and crates, they then moved onto corrugated sewer piping and eventually evolved into the more costeffective and asthetically pleasing inflatable bunkers that are more popular today.

Scenario paintball games are based on a storyline or theme. Scenario games allow for a wide range of player skill levels and an even larger amount of participants. These games can span a period as short as 12 hours or last for days. Objectives vary based on the storyline but cooperation is a major theme in these games. The largest game to date was Skirmish’s Invasion of Normandy, held annually in Jim Thorpe, PA, which drew 4,007 players in 2006. The summer of 2007 should be another record breaking season for paintball, it should be fun to see.



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Paintball Basics

Andri Irawan asked:


Paintball is a safe, simple yet challenging and strategic sport that is played usually by two teams, each with at least two players. Adults and kids alike enjoy this sport as they often refer to it as an advanced or improvised game of tag.

Tournaments attract many spectators of all ages, as it is a very exciting game to watch.

Paintball games are of various types, however, the most popular game often played is called “capture the flag”. The object or the goal of this game is for teams to advance to the opponent’s base, move the other team’s flag to its destined location, at the same time guarding your own flag.

The paintball field has many obstacles such as tires, forts, old cars, hay and the newest are “inflatables” that are constructed as refuge for team players; making the game all the more exciting, as if participating in an actual game of war in videos.

When one is hit, it can hurt briefly and at times give players bruises. Players are typically required to be in long sleeves shirt and pants, making sure that the color is not be identical as that of the judge and complete paintball gear such as mask, helmet and goggles for safety.

The sport of paintball has a distinct and accurate set of rules that are strictly followed. The producer of the tournament is the absolute authority in regard to either an alteration or addition to the rules; marshals oversee the event, and their decision is always final. No dispute on the paintball field is accommodated or entertained.

A military approach to paintball is useless, as that knowledge is recognized and understood by the teams. A team’s tactic should be carefully planned; your team’s line of attack will not be known by the opposing team, and there should be a quick switch of plans in case something goes wrong.

There must be a lot of team work involved, as everyone moves through the field. As a team member moves, there should be others to guard and keep watch and give off covering shots when necessary. A team that moves together with a common objective will have a great chance of succeeding in this game.

Communication in the field is also very important. A team-mate can shout the position of the opponent. The moment that a player is seen, the game for that player is up; so there is no reason for you to keep quite; instead, inform the others the location of the enemy.

The excitement of this game concludes when you are seen and eliminated – a situation that all team players struggle to avoid.

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Airsoft Vs. Paintball

Justin Kander asked:


Airsoft and paintball are pretty similar sports, and they can be played exactly the same way. There are a few key differences, such as that airsoft is used more in military and law enforcement reenactments than paintball. In this sense, gameplay can differ, but people use paintball guns for reenactments as well (just not as often). If you look at the big picture, the games aren’t that different, but sometimes strategy and tactics must be changed depending on the specs of your and your opponent’s gun.

The guns used in airsoft and paintball differ greatly. Paintball guns have a hopper that you pour paintballs into, while airsoft guns use clips. Therefore, loading and unloading is usually easier in airsoft, as is carrying around extra clips. In paintball, you need to have a vest or belt to put large cylinders of paintballs into. That doesn’t mean that airsoft has paintball trumped in this category. Paintball guns can usually carry more ammo than an airsoft gun, and you can still reload relatively quickly.

Ammunition; paintballs in paintball, 6mm BBs in airsoft. This is an important thing to consider. In a forest, there are many tiny branches that can break paintballs, thus stopping them from reaching their target. You have to find a very open area without any obstructions. Airsoft pellets are very small and the likelihood of them hitting tiny obstacles is miniscule. Also, in many cases they can be more accurate than paintballs, so it may not take as much time for a game to end as it might with paintball. The speed, in FPS, of airsoft is also usually higher (between 300fps and 400fps). It can be as low as 120fps, but that isn’t very efficient in an airsoft game. Paintballs can also be dodged; it doesn’t happen often, but if you see one coming toward you in advance it is easy to move out of the way. Airsoft pellets are too small to see at a high-speed, and dodging is basically out of the question. Therefore, overall, in the case of ammunition, airsoft has the advantage.

The next item on the list is maneuverability. Airsoft guns are definitely easy to hold and run with, while with paintball there are big and bulky external CO­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­2 and N2 (or compressed air) containers. Also, the hopper can sometimes get in the way. One gets used to how paintball guns are made, but shooting an airsoft gun is, well, somewhat of a relief. Some people have made advanced apparatuses where CO­2 is on their backs, and a tube from the paintball gun coils around into the tank on their back. I personally saw a man with two paintball guns, each with two tubes extending from the guns to the back-CO2 tanks. It was pretty cool. Anyways, it is clear that airsoft beats paintball in maneuverability.

Another important thing is maintenance. Paintball guns you do need to oil, clean, and of course refill CO2­ (depending on how much you play, frequently). If you have a gas airsoft gun, that will also needed to be refilled, but electric and spring airsoft guns require no gas at all. Both kinds of guns can break if not properly maintained. Paintball guns need the barrel regularly cleaned, although that is relatively simple. Most of the time, paintball guns have more parts than airsoft guns, and they may be more costly to repair, but crucial problems rarely occur in either gun type.

The thing about airsoft is people can cheat very easily. In paintball, the ball explodes and the paint is very visible on the person. Sure, one could wipe off the paint, but people rarely risk it because if they are caught, well, they are in trouble. However, somebody can get hit in airsoft and just shake it off. If there are two very competitive people playing, and they keep getting hit, one or the other can’t really prove it, unless they are close enough up to see the pellet hit the person. Airsoft relies on the honesty system, and sometimes that isn’t enough. 6mm paintballs are always an option, but they can break in the barrel, and that causes problems.

The superior product really is a matter of opinion, as there is no clear-cut winner. Each type of gun has its own advantages and disadvantages. Usually, if you start with paintball, you’ll stick with paintball, and likewise with airsoft.



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Types of Field to Play Paintball

Jerald Shapiro asked:


There are various types of paintball fields that offer a challenge and excitement to players. Paintball fields add to the overall enjoyment of the sport.

Woods

“Woodsball” as it is referred to by a lot of paintball players is the “purest” type of setting where paintball is played. On this type of field, players get the feel of the real war game.

Basically, the field is a secluded area in the woods which has an open area. Players “hare”, learn stealth or how to advance the field in a very sneaky manner.

Concept Fields

The concept field is often created outdoors, with many objects that have been set up for players to take refuge in or seek protection from. Usually concept fields have a theme, the most common of which is the urban city setting with cars, buildings and many other city elements.

There are some fields that are very creative with their themes, such as medieval themes with castles which have towers, wagons and cutouts of people. Concept fields are interesting and fun: players are able to adjust the skill level of the group by removing or adding obstacles.

Speedball Fields

According to paintball fanatics the most exciting and challenging of all fields are the speedball fields. They are made up of equally spaced and equally sized barriers.

The challenge here is that a player can not see past the huge barriers and can bump into or encounter anyone at any time. With the smaller barriers a player can be concealed one way, yet revealed to another player.

Indoor Fields

These fields offer a much different approach and encounter from an outdoor field. The first and major thing that new players encounter is that here paintball guns are very loud: some find that the sound hurts their ears so they wear earplugs; but this is not necessary most of the time.

Indoor fields are generally found in cities where there is a lack of open areas to play the game. Similar to outdoor fields, indoor arenas also offer a variety of themes and set ups. The range is considered to be the major difference.

A team with great team effort is the key to the game of paintball regardless of where you play – the basic paintball idea remains the same. The option is up to you: select a field that fits your interests and your performance level the best. Paintball fields are as diverse as one’s imagination.



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Paintball Rules: Understanding the Basics

kevin asked:


 

 

It is difficult to write a definitive set of paintball rules. There are many different branches of the sport and many different levels. Paintball can be played at a recreational level for a bit of fun with like-minded friends. Alternatively it can be on a more formal footing at commercial fields, or professional play at tournament level. There are the recreational options of woodsball, scenario and tactical paintball or the speedball option. However, underscoring all of these is the basic concept of the game and some established common features.

Paintball rules dictate that there are two teams, divided equally. A team generally has between five to ten players, one of whom may be captain. One person is chosen as a referee. The referee oversees the game, controls the time and scoring, mediates between players and ensures the agreed rules are being followed. His decision is final and unarguable.

Each team is set out onto either side of a “field”; a space with predetermined boundaries and      obstacles ,depending on the type of game being played. The overall objective is for a team to reach the other side of the field to capture the flag. Most games run for an average of 45 minutes. The referee starts, and ends the game with a whistle at a prearranged time.

Paintball rules specify that whichever team is first to capture the flag is the winner.Should time run out before the flag is captured, the team with the most players remaining wins. Alternatively, a point system game may be played, with different scores for different achievements.

A player is eliminated if he is hit by a paintball, from either team, and it breaks on him or any part of his gear. If a paintball strikes a player without breaking, or if it first strikes a foreign object, such as a tree, and subsequently splatters the player, the player remains in the game. When a player has been marked, he must call “OUT”, hold the gun over his head and leave the field immediately. The player must not return to the field for the duration of the game. The referee can pause the game at any point for a “paint check” to clear up any uncertainties.During pause of play all players must remain in their positions.

Paintball rules stipulate that only one player can guard the flag at any time. Players are not allowed to pick up barricades and move behind them, nor use mobile shields such as eliminated players leaving the field. All players must understand where the boundaries are. A player is eliminated if he moves outside the boundary and shots fired from beyond the boundaries do not count.

Many paintball rules are concerned with safety. Paintball is a non-contact sport and physical interaction is not permitted. It is forbidden to fire at an eliminated player leaving the field, or at any player holding the gun above his head. It is also against the rules to shoot from a distance of under 5 meters. A paintball can travel at up to 300 feet per second and can cause serious injury if fired at close range. Players should keep a distance of 5 meters between them throughout the game. It is advisable to wear protective goggles or a mask at all times during the game. Likewise, long pants and sleeves, at the very least, should be worn for added protection during play.

There are a wide variety of paintball rules depending on the type of game or level at which you are playing. Some rules have been established to keep the game moving and prevent conflict; others to increase the safety of the players. Whatever variation of rules you are playing to, it’s important that all the team players are in accord before the start of each game for maximum enjoyment and safety.

Hawksbill Paintball

Hawksbill Sports was established by players, for players. Our goal is to give you the products you need to enjoy the sport of paintball. We have low prices and fast shipping and promise the best customer service you can find anywhere. www.hawksbillpaintball.com

 

 



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