In the ball games like
we teach in our schools, if another team's player has the ball, it is
expected that the opponents will physically tackle him, check him, hook
him, or in some way, commit an act of physical contact that will bring
the player to the ground, which is why they wear helmet's, pads, and the
like.
Conversely, in paintball, the
rules expressly prohibit players from touching one another WHATSOEVER.
There is no physical contact or violence allowed.
Instead, each player has a
paintball marker which propels paintballs, which splash on the
opponents, making a spray of color that can be easily seen by the
referees, who then call that player "Out!", just like a
cricket umpire does.
Paintball shells are made of
biodegradable gelatin. They are exactly the same products as bath oil
beads, like someone might buy as a gift for Christmas, at a department
store cosmetic counter. However, instead of being filled with bath oils
and fragrances, they're filled with brightly colored, non-toxic liquid
that is very much like childrens finger paint, so they can be easily
seen when they splash on a players outfit.
When splashed, that player is
"Out", and then goes to the sidelines, awaiting the start of
the next game. His or her team continues on their quest to capture the
flag, but with one less player, and so it goes, until either all the
players on one team are out, on the sidelines, or one team captures the
other team's flag, and returns it to their own flag station before the
time runs out.
Frequently asked Questions.
Q: Doesn’t it hurt?
A: It ranges from the
least examples, which might not be felt or noticed at all, up to the
worst examples which are similar to the "smarts" you might
feel when your little brother used to snap you on the leg with a rolled
up wet towel. Most people find that the combination of loose clothing,
the protective gear, and the adrenaline surge from the pure fun of the
game makes it a non-factor.
Q: Doesn’t it condone / lead to
violence?
A: It’s common, if
someone has not yet tried playing paintball games, to notice the
paintball marker guns, and wonder about that. But actually, it’s been
found that quite the opposite is true. Participation in paintball games
tends to bring a tremendous feeling of stress relief.
Many companies throughout the UK
and Europe use paintball games as a team building exercise and stress
relief outing. Also, playing paintball tends to physically take a lot
out of you. People leave exhausted, relieved, and generally quite
thirsty and hungry, which is good for local restaurants and convenience
stores. It tends to be as fatiguing as snowboarding or skiing.
Q: Won’t it bring a "bad
element" into our local area?
A: The fact is, there are
paintball players in our local area's NOW. According to the United
Kingdom Paintball Sports Federation, almost 1 million people in the UK
played paintball in 2005.
Statistically, the single biggest
source of group bookings at Paintball Game Fields in the US today is,…
are you ready? CHURCH YOUTH GROUPS. There is no data available for the
UK.
Paintball’s popularity is
growing at a rate faster than snowboarding. Today, it’s very difficult
to find people who have absolutely NEVER heard of it. Paintball players
can be as young as 12 years old at most organized fields today. And
where do youthful players come from? Our towns, our homes, our schools,
our neighborhoods. It’s played by about 80% boys and 20% girls.
Regular kids, boy scouts, adults, and parents play.
Q: Isn’t it dangerous?
A: Since the use of safety
equipment is strictly and absolutely enforced, paintball is
statistically safer than badminton, golf, swimming and bowling.
