Paintball Paper Publications

Mike Lang asked:


Paintball is swiftly becoming a popular sport all over the world. There are now international competitions with prizes in excess of $100,000. It’s televised on ESPN and you would be hard pressed to not find a paintball field where ever you are. Along with the popularity come books that teach you how to play paintball and give pointers on playing the game as well as reviews on supplies and information on how to create strategies for the game. The following are a few books available on the market today to the paintball enthusiast that will help them develop and improve their game.

The Weekend Warriors is a paperback book by Scott Malensek. This book won’t give you a step by step description of how to play the game. Instead it reads more like a fiction book giving an account of the author’s paintball stories. The author has been a paintball player for many years and the stories span the time from you could only load one paint ball at a time into a paintball gun to today. You might learn something from the escapades of the author and you will learn strategies and what to do if something similar happens to you. The stories relayed in the book puts the reader into the player’s brain giving them insight and enabling them to solve problems on the field.

The Complete Guide to Paintball by Steve Davidson is another paperback that is a must read for paintball enthusiasts. The book gives you pointers and actual drills in order to improve paintball skills. This book gives you newest information on guns and new technology applicable to the game. It also provides information on tournament paintball and there are field listings in the US, Canada and other countries. Learn what to look for in a paintball gun and then read the section on care and maintenance of your equipment. There are over 500 color photos in the book. There is a great deal of detail in the book and it is exceptionally good for a beginner but a seasoned pro will also take away tips of the game. This book will give you an advantage when you play your next game.

50+ Ways to Play with Your Paintballs by Scott Malensek is a paperback that you must read. It gives you variations on games that you have been playing for years and also provides new game ideas. Most of the suggestions are very creative and will create a world in which you can envision yourself while playing a game. Some reviews of the book are less than complimentary stating that the book rambles and says the same thing over and over. Yet, other reviews call the book a valuable asset to anyone that plays paintball.

Gun-fu: the Martial Art of Paintball by Terry Adams depicts paintball as a martial art and explains techniques and strategy and encourages training to improve the game. Chapters detail body positions and psychological preparation for competition. There is even a spiritual flavor given to the game. It is good for the beginner all the way to players that have played the game for decades.



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Paintball Safety Rules

Mike Mitchell asked:


The rules of a paintball match may vary depending on the rules of the house where the paintball field is located. There are nuances to rules governing the number of players, how a flag is captured, time limits, and other game details.

However, there are universal safety rules that should be followed no mater what kind of paintball game you are playing, and on no matter what kind of field you are playing on.

Plug it up.

Paintball guns come with a barrel blocking device, or plug. Use it. The plug should be inserted into the barrel whenever you are not on the playing field.

Wearing a mask is macho.

Your mask must be worn at al times during the game. There are no exceptions to this rule. Don’t take it off for any reason until all the barrel plugs have been placed back on all the guns. The most severe paintball injuries occur when a mask is removed at the wrong time.

Your gun should be loaded, not you.

This is a simple one to remember – Do not drink and play. Do not play paintball if you are under the influence of any substance; illegal or prescription. You need to be fully coherent to dodge those paintballs whizzing by your head.

Do not blind fire.

Only shoot it if you can see it. Do not stick your gun out and fire without looking. You could accidentally shoot players and other things you shouldn’t.

Offer surrender.

As you can imagine, close-range shots are a lot more painful than shots from a distance. You should offer surrender to any opposing player within twenty feet if you have a shot on them.

Keep paintball velocity in check.

Keep the velocity under 300 feet per second (FPS). A good rule of thumb is around the 280 range. At 280 FPS a paintball can cause a small bruise; a paintball traveling faster than that can cause more damage including severe welts and broken skin.

Common safety takes some common sense.

Finally, most problems can be avoided with the best piece of equipment that doesn’t cost a dime – common sense. It should go without saying, but some people need to be reminded to not shoot private property, don’t shoot from a moving car, don’t look down the barrel of a gun, don’t hand someone else a loaded gun, etc.

Paintball is meant to be fun and exciting. Following some basic safety rules can help you ensure your day ends in good times, and not a trip to the emergency room.

It is interesting to note that paintball is considered to be one of the safest extreme sports in the world. While there are safety hazards and rules that prevent injuries, paintball is actually a very safe sport when compared to others like “running with the bulls.”

Paintball sometimes gets a bad reputation because guns are being used when playing. Don’t let the equipment influence your choice to play the game! Get out there and play!



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Keep it safe and don’t eat those paintballs – 10 Essential Paintball Safety Tips

Mark Etinger asked:


The fact that Paintball involves a gun – doesn’t automatically turn it into a dangerous sport. Not at all. Horseback riding can be much more risky. Heck, even playing Scrabble at home can be more dangerous than Paintball, especially if you go for a word that has more than 10 letters in it. People tend to think that Paintball is dangerous because it seems like a violent sport. But Paintball has everything a fine sport should have, whether it’s physical activity, strategy or healthy competition – Paintball really sticks out.

Paintball can be dangerous at times, but only if a player will not follow the basic safety rules. So before playing Paintball, the next safety instructions should be taken into serious consideration.

Respect the Game. A baseball bat can send balls out of the field, but it can also knock off mailboxes. Paintball guns should be used for only one thing – playing Paintball. Never shoot Paintball guns at home or at your friends. Don’t use the guns except for practice or while playing. Do not even think about shooting or practicing on animals. It’s dangerous, illegal and really not funny. You want even make it on youtube. Play only in designated areas and avoid practicing around population. If you play outside an organized Paintball field, find a secluded field or forest and make sure that no one that shouldn’t be there is around. Protect Yourself – Wear a helmet at all times. Even if it seems that Paintball doesn’t really hurt your body, a direct hit can pop your eye out. Oh, and your dad’s safety goggles that you found in the garage – are not suitable for Paintball.  Protect your throat and ears most, but wearing heavier clothes is also preferred. Replace your gear – if you find a ***** in the mask, don’t use it. Never use a damaged CO2 tank as well. Paintball is a sport! Treat it that way. Starch before you play and drink a lot of water. Don’t engage in any unsportsmanlike activity. Be fair to yourself and to your friends and don’t fool around. “I didn’t think my gun is loaded” isn’t good enough! Never aim at anybody for fun, even if you think your gun is not loaded. When you finish playing, empty the gun and turn the safety switch on. Have someone in charge. Appoint a referee and give him a whistle. He should be the only one who can start the game and the one to end it, especially if something wrong happens. Make sure that your marker does not exceed the 300 fps limit. Setting the gun to shoot in higher speeds can be very dangerous to other players. Don’t be a private gun manufacturer. Don’t turn your vacuum cleaner into a marker. Don’t make your own paintballs and don’t even think about using frozen Paintballs. Don’t try to fix your own gun as well. If you have trouble with the air pressure, have an expert take a look at it. The air system can be dangerous to you and your friends. Never shoot anyone at close range! This one was picked at a Paintball forum – Don’t eat the paintballs. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but forget the fact that they are dangerous to your body – they also taste awful and the red ones are not strawberry flavored!

If you need to gear up and stock yourself with important Paintball accessories, check out www.choicepaintballguns.com. You’ll find the perfect safety accessories and upgrades for your current paintball gun, as well as kits, supplies, ammo and lots of fun products – all sold at affordable prices. Remember to be the best Paintballer out there, and be a responsible one.

Resource Box: Whether you’re into competition Speedball or tactical Woodsball, ChoicePaintballGuns.com offers the best paintball guns at affordable prices. Thousands of cheap paintball guns are available from the most popular brand names as well as custom paintball gun upgrades, kits, supplies, ammo and accessories.



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What You Should Know About Paintball

Hans Ortega asked:


Getting serious about paintball? Organizing weekend games would possibly not be doing the trick anymore and if you are like lots of paintball enthusiasts out there then it might be time to bring your game to a totally new level. What are your options? You can start a local tournament or maybe register a paintball organization. But if you wish to take things beyond just play then perhaps it’s time you join a professional league. NPPL paintball or the nation’s Pro Paintball League has evolved into one of the most premiere leagues in paintball. The league has been growing rapidly and attracting thousands of players from all over the country. This is maybe the best location for you and your buddies to strut your stuff so as to speak.

NPPL paintball is one the 2 biggest organized paintball competitions that travel across America each year. It’s the most famous and largest seven-man paintball competition in America. It holds 5 main paintball events each year and opens t registration to all paintball enthusiasts of all levels and ages.

The NPPL paintball contest draws players not only due to the money prize but also the prospect of climbing up the tiers into higher ranks until becoming authorized executives. The contests ranking scheme is descending and are as follows:

D3

D1

Players are sorted out in in these divisions to make sure that skills are matched proportionally and eventualities like professional groups being fighting against amateur groups will not occur. The regular NPPL season often starts around March and finishes on October with games being played each month.

The NPPL paintball tournament field is regulated at the standard of 180 feet length and 100 feet width. Each team side has a start box with the team flag which both 7 man team will consider their home base. Rules sensible it pretty much matches the standard capture-the-flag paintball game rule set, the main twist is that there’s a referee who oversees the full event.

Getting into a professional league like NPPL paintball is the following best step if you are prepared to bring your game to a new and more difficult paintball playing field.



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A Look At All The Various Types Of Paintball Games You Can Play

Gregg Hall asked:


If you are into paintball or thinking of getting into it, there are many variations that can be played. In addition to the simple choice of playing indoors or outdoors there are also variants within each of those genres. Despite the differences al of the games have a single purpose which is to shoot your opponent before they shoot you!

Here’s a look at some of the more popular types of paintball games being played today:

The first one we will have a look at is the old standby, “Capture the Flag”. This is a takeoff on the game of the same name that many of us are familiar with. The way the game is played is by each of the teams trying to find and capture the opposing team’s flag while guarding their own flag from being taken. Victory is achieved by getting the opponent’s flag safely back to your base camp without being killed.

Another popular game is called “Elimination”. In this game the first team to succeed in taking out all of the participants in the opposing team is deemed the winner. This is a fun game, even if only one remains standing his team wins.

Center Flag is a variation of the Capture the Flag game, in this version the game starts with a flag being placed in a neutral area usually in the center of the field, the team that is able to get the flag all the way through to the opposing team’s end of the paintball field wins the game.

Resurrection is a variation of Elimination except that in this version players may resurrect or come back into the game at the designated starting point once they are shot. This game is sometimes played in conjunction with Capture The Flag.

The last paintball game variation we will look at is one sometimes called “Just Plain Crazy”, also known as superman, total elimination, and counterstrike. This extremely brutal version is played solo or on teams and begins with each player or team at opposite sides of the field. Next they rush to the middle of the field and begin firing with the last person standing or the last person on a team winning the game.

This is usually done at the end of a round of paintball to get rid of paintballs and expend the CO2 cartridges or empty tanks. You are not eliminated with a single shot like in other variations, people quit due to pain or from running out of paintballs or air.



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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.

Simple and General Blog



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The Paintball Game: Evolution of the Gun and Game

kevin asked:


 

The evolution of the game has been swift from its origins in the 70s to the modern game we know today. It all started with the paintball gun; the term “marker” is a much newer term introduced to make the sport more marketable to the masses. So, what is the history of this relatively new sport and how has it evolved over three decades?

The first paintball guns were used on cattle ranches in the 1970s to single out animals from the herd. James Hale, of Daisy manufacturing , invented a gun for this purpose.

This practice soon evolved into a game and the first ever recreational paintball game took place in June 1981 in New Hampshire, USA. A group of friends used Nel-Spot 007s to play a very basic form of the game over a massive area to capture the flag.

One of the earliest guns available was the Splat Master; it was made entirely of plastic. It could hold ten paintballs, was powered by small co2 cylinders and had a slow fire rate. The gun had to be tilted back to drop each paintball into the firing chamber and cocked by pushing a button on the handle.

The paintball game was first marketed by Charles Gaines, a writer, as National Survival Game- NSG. It started in a very primitive form with players working individually rather than in teams. As the game evolved over time, the rules became more sophisticated and teams became a matter of course. Different types of games sprung up, but the “capture the flag” principle was the most popular.

As the paintball game developed, so did the need for a more sophisticated gun. The pump action marker was introduced with its increased rate of fire.

Caleb Strong opened the first outdoor commercial paintball field in Rochester in 1982. Two years later he opened an indoor version in Buffalo. The development of the commercial industry allowed for more organised, tournament style games and interest in the sport accelerated. The games became more exciting as smaller fields made the action quicker.

The gun continued to evolve in line with the paintball game. As the need for speed increased, the introduction of the 12 ounce co2 tank with its constant air was a major breakthrough.This in turn led to the advent of the semi-automatic gun with its incredible fire rate. Then followed the electric hopper to cope with the fire power of the semi-automatics.

Private and commercial fields are everywhere today as the sport has attracted a huge following. Whilst most players will only ever compete at a recreational level, professional teams compete at a national and international level with prizes worth hundreds of thousands of  dollars. The National Professional Paintball League was founded in 1992 and is the major force in the professional tournament circuit.

Professional players today are using fully automatic computerized markers. The Angel was the first of its kind. It was equipped with a motherboard in the gun’s handle offering a selection of different modes of fire.

There is no reason to believe that the paintball game has completed its evolution. It has come a long way from the cattle ranches of thirty years ago, but it is fair to assume that the sport has not finished its journey just yet.

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. For more information about paintball guns and other accessories, go to:

http://www.hawksbillpaintball.com

 



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Finding A Place To Play: Paintball Fields

Riley Hendersen asked:


For the paintball enthusiast, there are many different paintball fields from which to play. Part of this is the enormous popularity the sport has managed to garner for itself. A simple search typed in any internet search engine for “paintball fields” will bring up fields in virtually every state in the United States. This gives people many different options as to where to play and when.

There are several types of paintball fields. While some are indoors, most are based in the great outdoors. One of the most interesting things about the sport of paintball is the places where it can be played. While you should only play where it is safe, and where you have permission from any landowners, that really doesn’t limit your various options. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of places to play. This isn’t only true of the outdoors, where finding a paintball field isn’t hard at all, but it is also true of cities and towns, many of which will have their own indoor arenas that are used for paintball.

There are many types of outdoor paintball fields, and the terrain can vary from wooded areas, to relatively open fields, to paintball fields decked out with props like fake buildings, old cars, haystack walls, jerry-rigged forts, and whatever else the creative and active mind can conjure up. The variety often amazes beginners.

The woods are a natural and exciting place to play paintball. To many paintball players, the perfect paintball field is in the woods. In their minds this is the “purest” (i.e. most traditional) form of the sport. The thought behind this is that these fields are more like real-world combat. Players have to learn to use stealth, to work as a team, and often times when the paintball field is in the woods, fighting tends to break out spontaneously when one group fires on another from a cover position.

Another popular form is by having the paintball field at a “scenario field.” Which is an area that is designed similar to an urban assault and often has fake or basic buildings. The most advanced ones are even multi-story, and cover seems natural like in a city. This type of game leads to really fast action and sudden dramatic turns in who is winning and who is losing. This would be almost the complete opposite of a “speedball field” which is a very generic term used to describe fields with bunkers, haystacks, or just random obstacles across and otherwise open playing area.

Indoor paintball fields offer a very different experience from outdoor play. The first thing many new players notice when coming indoors is that paintball guns inside can be very loud. Because of limited space, play at an indoor arena is fast and furious, and will give you a massive adrenaline rush.

There are as many different types of paintball fields as there are players, and finding your best game in paintball might be just as easy as finding your preferred paintball field.



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Paintball For Newbies and Dummies

Benedict Smythe asked:


Paintball is slowly gaining ground and raising interest in a lot of people today. Back in the 1980s a couple of friends wanted to simulate the African safari experience of one of their friends and invented a raw version of paintball, where they hunt their opponents rather than animals in the forest.

About 10 million Americans are playing paintball, most of which are male with ages ranging from 18 to 40. It can totally encompass any age bracket. Players are usually divided in teams and in its most basic form, in order to win, you need to shoot or take down all the players of the imposing team. A lot of variations already came out and since it’s a sport with no rigid structure, you and your friends can add your own twist to the game.

The basic equipment of paintball are masks, paintball gun and paintball. Paintball masks are customized for the game and it usually comes with earflaps and would cover the whole of the face. The actual paintball is a soft gel capsule with paint inside which would break easily upon contact. Paintball equipment usually costs somewhere around $100 but if you’re just starting then I would recommend that you rent the equipment first from the paintball field where you will be playing. This will cost less with $10 to $80 per day.

As you get your feel around the game and advance to advanced levels, then you can invest on high tech equipment which would improve your speed, hitting accuracy and agility in playing the game.

If you want to be serious about your paintball game, then it’s high time to do some exercises that are a combination of cardio workout and strength training. Do a combination of these for at least 3 times a week but don’t overdo it and exercise everyday. Let you body rest in between workouts. Cardio workouts can be as simple as jogging or riding a bike. Strength training improves your speed and endurance to last the whole game without getting too tired. Diet is also important; choose fruits and vegetables instead of fatty and sugary food.

As a newbie, you need to know the safety precautions of the game. It is considered as one of the safest sports around but keep in mind we must exercise caution in whatever we do. Always wear proper protective gear while playing paintball. Blind firing is discouraged because you might hit someone or something in close range that can lead to injuries.

The basics of the game are simple. There are variations available but the simplest is to take out every member of the opposing team by hitting them with a paintball. Another popular variation is getting the flag of the opposing team; whoever gets the flag faster is the winner. Lastly, there is a variation called ‘king of the hill’ in which the teams try to capture the base of the opposing team. Whoever holds the base ‘hostage’ the longest wins the game.

Remember, the most important thing in playing paintball is having FUN!



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Paintball Tactics Of Professional Paintball Players

Gregg Hall asked:


If you are going to really get into the sport of playing paintball you are going to want to learn some tactics that will help you to survive longer on the field as well as have a better chance of winning more games. Here are some tactics used by professional paintball players that you can adapt to be better on your local paintball field.

When shooting the best method to use is to pepper the opposing player while moving aggressively towards their position. By doing this you will keep them from being able to fire and will keep them hiding behind a protective barrier while you move in closer for a guaranteed kill.

Learning how to use the defensive tactic of cover effectively is probably the most important aspect of paintball. Everything that exists on a paintball field can be used as cover in some way. You want to stand or crouch during moments of covering so that you remain mobile in case someone is trying to sneak up on you. Just remember that on most fields standing straight up also increases your chances of being shot, especially if you are tall! Crouching has a little less mobility but it gives you better cover and still gives you some level of stability.

Coming up from behind or flanking is a very important tactic to learn as it can be used in just about every situation you get into. You can even use this tactic to counter another team’s flanking maneuver as they break away from their attack to protect themselves.

The skill of suppression isn’t meant for taking out an opponent or team but more for the purpose of a distraction. This technique is often used in conjunction with a flanking maneuver or outright advance. You have to have really good marksmanship as well as good cover skills for suppression to work effectively. The whole function of suppressing is to keep the opponent preoccupied so they don’t notice your assault.

When invading an opponent’s position your goal is to eliminate as many targets as possible without getting hit to capture their flag and escape back to your side unscathed. Working together is the best way to accomplish this just as it is in a real combat situation.

When you are under cover and about to fire just remember that once you begin firing you have revealed your location to the enemy. Now, you have to take the fight to them and avoid being pinned down. If you learn these tactics it will also help you to defend against them.



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