A simple A–Z guide to the paintball terms you’ll hear on site.
Whether you’re a first-timer, a parent, or a walk-on player, this glossary explains the most common paintball words used during our games at Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park. Everything below is tailored to the activities we actually run (including Kids Paintball and standard Paintball sessions), with a focus on safety, clarity, and helping you feel confident from the moment you step onto the field.
A
Accuracy – How precisely a paintball hits the spot you aimed at. Affected by paint quality, barrel cleanliness, and stable shooting.
Air / HPA – High-Pressure Air. This is the air system used to power our paintball markers. Safer and more consistent than CO₂.
Airball (format) – A fast-paced style using inflatable bunkers. Not used in our kids sessions but sometimes used on walk-on days.
Ambush – A surprise move where a player waits quietly behind cover to tag an opponent.
B
Back Player – A supporting player positioned further back who provides cover fire and communication.
Barrel – The front tube of the marker that the paintball travels through when fired.
Barrel Bag / Sock – A mandatory safety cover placed on a barrel when not playing.
Bounce – When a paintball hits a player but does not break. A bounce does not count as an elimination.
Break (Off the Break) – The opening few seconds of a game when players sprint from the start base to their first bunker.
Bunker – Any object used as cover (wooden barricades, tyres, structures on our fields).
Bunkering – A close-distance tag of an opponent behind cover. This is handled safely and under staff supervision—players should never rush dangerously or physically contact each other.
C
Chronograph (Chrono) – A device used by staff to check marker speed for safety (measured in FPS).
Cover – Anything you hide behind to avoid incoming paint.
Communication – Talking with your team to share positions, warnings, and tactics. Critical in all games.
F
Field – The playing area for the session.
Field Paint Only (FPO) – A rule that paintballs must be bought on site for safety and consistency. Applies to all players.
Flank / Flanking – Moving around the side of the field to gain a better angle on opponents.
FPS (Feet Per Second) – The speed limit markers must shoot for safety. Staff check this, so players don’t need to worry.
G
Gogged – A direct hit to the mask. Perfectly safe—just means you’re out for that game.
Game Area – The active space where play happens. Always listen to marshals’ instructions here.
H
Hopper – The container on top of the marker that holds paintballs.
Hit – When a paintball breaks on you or your equipment. If it breaks, you’re out.
K
Kids Paintball – Our low-impact paintball sessions using pump-action, lower-pressure markers designed for ages 10+ (School Year 5+).
L
Laning – Firing controlled shots into known pathways to stop opponents advancing.
Low-Impact Paintball – The safe, lower-force version used in Kids Paintball.
M
Marker – The correct term for a paintball “gun”.
Marshal / Referee – The trained staff who oversee games, ensure safety, and make calls.
Mask – Mandatory face protection worn at all times in the game area.
O
Overshooting – Firing unnecessary shots at a player who is already out. Not allowed at our venue, and marshals intervene immediately.
Objective – The win condition in a mission—e.g., capture the flag, defend the base, escort the VIP.
P
Paint – The safe, biodegradable paintballs used in all sessions.
Pod – A small container used by walk-on players to carry extra paint.
Pod Pack / Harness – Worn around the waist to hold pods (not used in Kids Paintball).
Playing Tight – Keeping your body close to cover to reduce exposure.
R
Reload – Refilling the hopper with paintballs.
Running and Gunning – Moving while shooting. Requires balance and control; taught carefully in advanced sessions.
S
Scenario Game – A themed game with objectives (e.g., rescue, capture, defend). Common in our paintball sessions.
Slide / Dive – Safe movement techniques to reach cover quickly. Only used in advanced walk-on play.
Snap Shooting – Quickly popping out from cover to take a shot, then returning behind cover.
Spawn / Start Point – Where your team begins each game.
Staging Area – The safe zone for resting between games (masks off allowed).
T
Tag / Eliminate – When a paintball breaks on a player, marking them out of the game.
Teamwork – The key to winning most missions. Communicate, support, move together.
W
Walk-On – A paintball day where experienced players bring their own kit and join mixed games.
Woodsball – Paintball played across large outdoor areas with natural cover (most of our standard paintball sessions fall into this category).
Safety & Fair Play Terms
The following terms occasionally appear in wider paintball culture but are not permitted at Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park. They are included only so new players understand why they’re not allowed:
Blind Firing – Shooting without looking. Never allowed for safety reasons.
Playing On – Continuing after being hit. Against site rules.
Wiping – Illegally removing a hit. Instant removal from the game.
Dead Man’s Walk – Pretending to be out to fool opponents. Not allowed; unsafe and confusing for kids.
Overshooting – Firing repeatedly at an already-eliminated player. Strictly prohibited.
We enforce fair play so everyone—especially families and kids—has a fun, safe and positive experience.
Conclusion
This glossary is designed to help new players, parents, and groups feel confident before they play. Paintball is safe, supervised, and incredibly fun when everyone understands the simple terms and follows marshal guidance.
