When you arrive at a paintball center or field, you will be given a set of overalls, possibly body armour, a face mask, and a hopper. This is the container that holds the paintballs and feeds them into the paintball gun. When you go out into the live-fire zone to play your matches, you will be issued a paintball gun. The hopper will usually fit into the top of the gun, and there is a safety switch and a trigger on the gun. Then you’re ready to play.
The Tippmann A5 is recommended for beginners and newbies alike. If you don’t like the styling on the Tippmann A5, look for a Kingman Spyder gun, such as the Spyder Pilot or Spyder Sonix. These guns are suggested to newer players for the fact that they are quality, and aren’t in the really pricey range. Spend time with your gun, if you buy one. Learn to clean it and maintain it, to ensure that you’ll get the most accurate shots when you’re out on the field.
Mostly, paint will be purchased directly from the arena where you play. If you want to play at other locations, you can buy bulk paintballs at most sporting goods stores.
Make sure you take off your safety. It might sound stupid but even the best players sometimes forget. So make sure it’s off the moment you hit the battlefield. If your gun jams, make sure you yell out JAM! as loud as you can because if you don’t yell and you try to fix it on the field, you’re gonna get shot. Don’t flip your gun upside down! This is the cause of jamming and you losing all your paintballs. Use two hands on your gun. One hand should be beside but not on the trigger. The other hand should be on the stock grip, ahead of the trigger but not too close to where the paintballs are coming out.
Lots of paintball masks tend to fog up, making it difficult to see. Some players who play a lot like to buy “no fog” masks, which help you breathe easier and reduce the fogging that can happen in your mask.
Try to wear thick gloves when you play. It really hurts when you get hit in the knuckle or palm. The rest such as vests and pants are extras. [4] X Research source Wear thick clothing, long-sleeved shirts and pants every time you play paintball. Many outdoor paintball fields can be muddy, or full of brambles, so it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing. Men may wish to invest in an athletic cup, as well, although in some paintball pants there is a thick pad in the crotch to avoid having to buy one.
It’s also possible to play on private property, or to set up your own paintball field if you’ve got some land to work with, but it’s usually a good idea to find a paintball facility in your area when you’re first starting out.
Keep your mask on at all times. There will be a safety zone where you are able to talk and remove your mask, and then the live-fire zone, beyond which you must wear your goggles at all times. Once you are out in the game zone, you may disengage the safety. After that’s done, and the game begins, you’re free to begin advancing and attacking the other team’s players.
It’s partially up to the player to self-report hits. It’s a lot more fun if everyone plays by the rules. If you get shot, you’re out.
A good place to aim is at around neck height, as you can ensure a fair kill and the drop of the paintball shouldn’t be too far. If a player is moving, make sure to aim ahead of them at where they are going to be, so that they run into the paintball. Also, imagine their neck to be a lot wider, as wide as their chest, as this is where the paintball will actually hit. Don’t aim at someone’s head or face. Aside from being dangerous and unsportsmanlike, these hits typically do not count. Some players like to shoot a lot, but paintballs run out faster than you think. And they’re not free. Try to take smart shots, rather than spraying paint all over the field.
At the same time, it’s good to know when to take cover and bunker up and wait. Don’t run around like a chicken with its head cut off. Wait for your opponents to reveal themselves and make mistakes.
Get together with your team before you head onto the field and decide who will coordinate and what your hand signals, or call signs will be. If the team leader yells out, “Duck duck goose in effect!” you’ll all know what that means. Yelling out to move up or duck can and will easily reveal your position. Using hand signals and gestures are the best way to operate.
Be cautious, but have fun. Paintball should be more than running around, ducking from cover to cover, and freaking out. Stay calm!
Try to move quickly between cover, running with your knees bent and your head down. You want to be as small as possible to avoid getting hit. When you find cover, stay small. Keep your head down and pop up quickly to find a target. Pop back down, get ready, then pop back up to fire a few rounds. Aim carefully and be smart.
Don’t just blast off shots every time you hear something. Wait until you see someone and have a clear shot, close enough to actually hit something. Occasionally, you’ll have to engage in a little running and gunning. If you know how to handle yourself, you’ll be in a lot better shape on the paintball field. Practice moving side to side, and keeping your gun at a steady level.
Often, this game will be played with a time limit decided by both teams. Even if you eliminate everyone, you still have to navigate to the other side and find the flag and get it back to your side. This game requires teamwork and tactical speed.
Some paintballing places give bonus points based on good tactical skill or plays. There are countless variations and local games, but the basics are usually the same.
