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Introduction

The first time you hear about the paintball field, you have no idea what to expect. It seems like a bunch of grown-ups acting like warriors, but this couldn't be far from the truth. It is a hide, seek, and tag game mixed, where you propel balls with a water-soluble fill that bursts on impact. 

While it has some military-associated playing style, its purpose isn't to create soldiers but to be a very entertaining outdoor activity to help you and your friends achieve victory in a team. If you have not played before, you might find it challenging from what to wear, how to aim, how to shoot and move. We have taken time to break down everything you need to know about paintball to help you enjoy the experience.

The History of Paintball

It began in the 1960s when the first paintball gun was invented by Nelson paint Company. The company developed gelatin-shelled spheres with oil-based paint then a CO2 based gun to hit them. The weapon and marker weren't intended for use by people; instead, it was designed for use by loggers to denote trees and by ranchers to identify their cattle. The first paintball gun was a Nel-spot paint pistol, a bigger version of the modern pellet pistol.

The game developed from a discussion among good friends, Hayes Noel (stockbroker), Bob Gurnsey (sports equipment retailer), and Charles Gaines (an author). They enjoyed talking about all sorts of topics, especially the survivability in the woods. Specifically, they questioned whether a city dweller with street smarts would be as smart as a countryside person with survival skills. The debate continued until 1981 when a friend came across Nel-spot painting gun in an agricultural catalog.

Eventually, the first paintball game took place on 7nth June 1981 in the New Hampshire's woodland. It involved 12 players who are Gaines, Noel, Gurnsey, Ritchie, Carlson, Barrett, Ronnie, Drinnon, Carl, Lionel, Jones, and Jerome. The participants had oil-based paintballs, shop goggles, and a Nel-spot pistol, and they searched throughout an 80-acre piece of land for 12 non-identical colored flags at each station. The first to gather all the 12 flags or the last standing player was to be the winner. Carlson opted to hunt others and remove them, and the winner was Ritchie, nobody spotted him, he didn't fire a shot but creped through the stations stealthily collecting the flags.

After the first game, Bob Jones compiled a write-up concerning paintball, and published it in October 1981 and was later published by Sports Afield and Time magazine. The game was first known as" Survival Game," and in 1982, Bob opened a mercantile paintball field, got into an agreement with Nelson Paint to be the leading supplier of paintball items.

Later, the National survival game got franchised, and areas began opening all over the United States, and by 1986, it spread even further around the globe. With time, the industry got more significant, more streamlined to play, cheaper, with more specialized equipment. Tons of new brands, products, themed games, and special events popped up; it has become a significant phenomenon and the safest game within the last few decades.

Types of Paintball play

Before embarking on your first paintball game, you should have an understanding of the various options available. 

Woodsball play

 It is also known as the bush ball and is the oldest type played in the natural outdoor areas, in the woods, hence the name. It can have as many players as space requires. Within the field, various natural covers give the players freedom to engage in several scenarios like ambushes, protecting relevant persons, or assaults on fortified positions to enhance the game. 

The playing length ranges from 15 to 30 minutes, and different games have varying rules, including the ability to be "healed" by team members considered as medics, which allows you to continue even after a hit. Different game variants in woodsball play include;

• Elimination is a simple one, where two teams of players begin from opposite-field ends eliminating all their opponents by marking them with a paintball or forcing them to surrender. The team with the last member standing wins.
• Attack and defend; it involves two teams, and the distribution of players must not be equal, attackers may outnumber the defenders. One side guards the flag at their base while the other group attacks the opponent to capture the flag and return it to their station. There is a set time limit, and the defender can win the game if time runs out.
• One flag captures the flag; two teams compete over a banner located at the center of the paintball field, the objective is to catch it and take it to the other side of the area, in the attacker's territory.
• Two teams capture the flag; each team has a flag at their station, and the objective is to fight your way to your opponent's station and catch it and bring it back to your base without getting hit. If the player carrying the flag gets hit, then the opposing team takes back their flag.

Speedball

Its characteristic feature is small fields with obstacles to challenge, located on a leveled treeless terrain. The area contains no natural barriers; the bunkers are humanmade and also have some inflatable obstacles to make the game safer. Two teams start the game from the opposite ends and aim at eliminating the opponent team's members. Because of the small-sized field with no natural obstacles, players can see one another; the game, therefore, begins with range and action between the groups; thus is much shorter than those played in the woods.

Scenario paintball

It is a type of paintball game that adds a story or specific theme to the game. The ideas can include popular movie themes, historical battles, or holiday stories, among many. The game holds numerous players for an extended period from 6 to 48 hours, and a paintball hit eliminates players, however, you return to the game after a preset period, offering you a chance to get involved throughout the game.

Paintball Playstyles

Paintball is a fun, highly tactical, and skilled game, and not every player has the same style and tactics. There are various playing styles that you can apply to achieve victory, and none of the techniques is necessarily better than the other, but they work differently for multiple players. 

Here are several techniques that you may consider;

Fast and frantic; is all about trying to hit an opponent as hard and as quickly as possible. The technique requires a good knowledge of the game; you know what is needed, and you can make the impossible shot. While using this tactic, it is essential to stick around your team and avoid jeopardizing the plan. It involves assessing risks, know when to attack sometimes firing fast may involve drawing attention, or getting a better position to make a better shot. It suits fast game styles like speedball.

Precise and deadly; the style involves making minimal shots while ensuring that each member has a significant positive effect. The members may not have the experience but have confidence, tactics, and strategies to dominate the enemy, go beyond them to achieve victory. Principles behind this style are deceptive and straightforward; you only need to keep yourself safe, only shoot when you have a clear shot and time to aim carefully. It, however, requires some skills, elements of sneakiness, and a good cover against your enemies.

The tactical team style requires you to work closely with your team, have clear goals and ideas on how to achieve victory. The group operates under the guidance of a pro player with expert knowledge from multiple battles and takes this idea to a whole new level. Winning through this style requires the effort of everyone; each person has a defined role and a clear plan to complete specific tasks by working together towards victory.

Paintball game Basics

Age requirements

If your child has asked you whether they can play paintball, maybe you asked yourself what the age requirement is. Well, different countries have different age restrictions, and most paintball venues do have age restrictions as well. Most of them will have the age set as ten years, being the youngest with the parent's consent. Most venues cease to seek parental consent for individuals above 16 years, and the younger player should be capable of following rules and directions while operating the paintball marker before being allowed to play. 

What to wear

You should always make sure you cover every part of your body to avoid being hurt by the paintballs, which propels mostly at a maximum of 300 feet per second. For extra padding, wear a long-sleeved shirt and a hoodie to act as a layer for the upper body protection. Cover the lower body with at least two loose pants or cargo pants with a jumpsuit on top. Try having them thick and free to aid in a movement when crawling, diving, or kneeling. Also, wear a mask to cover the whole head and goggles for your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Scenario players and different teams can put on paintball jerseys to stand out.

Equipment

Depending on the paintball variation, we can determine the accessories and equipment required. The standard gears used by all players are as follows;

Paintball gun or marker – It is the first accessory used to mark opposition players with paint by firing the paintballs. Some of the internal elements in the gun are bolt, air regulator, gas line, grip, hammer, and Air Sauce Adapter. 

• Paintballs– They are the ammunition for the markers comprised of non-toxic substances and spherical gelatinous capsules with water soluble dye. 
• Paintball hopper – This is the loading area of your paintball that aids in feeding the balls into the marker so that the player can fire. They are two types; gravity-fed hopper that relies on gravity to feed and the electric hopper that uses a motor and batteries to force the paint into the marker thus, making it quicker.
• Air tank – It determines how fast the slug gets propelled in the paintball gun, and it comes filled with different kinds of liquids like CO2, Nitro, HPA, or compressed air.

In scenario games, you can use other equipment like small off-road automobiles, go-karts, and pick-up trucks to protect players from being hit from inside and increase players' mobility. Others use marking tools like paint grenades and paint throwers.

Rules Applied

As a player, you must abide by both general and safety rules to be safe and productive in your team.

Safety rules

Different venues have varying standards, and every player must know what is expected before, during, and after the game for safety measures, as discussed below.

1. Keep your fingers off the trigger until it is time to shoot – keep in mind that paintball involves teams; thus, mishandling the trigger could injure you or your friends. Always take care of it and treat it like a real firearm.
2. The barrel blocking device should always be kept on until the game commences – this prevents you from accidentally shooting someone or going blind.
3. Always listen to the referees - every team will have a referee, and failure to listen to them can result in elimination.
4. Hit an opponent once – One shot is enough to hit and eliminate an opponent; more than one is too much. Also, if you are too close to your opponent, shoot at areas that are less painful like the back, pack, shoes, and mask.
5. Don't be closer than 10 feet when firing – Paintballs can be painful mainly if shot in closer proximity than 10 feet; thus, this rule protects players from a painful shot. If you get too close to your opponent, you should give them a chance to surrender.
6. Always wear your mask – Every player must wear their mask even on the safe zones to avoid being hit by an accidental discharge. Just in case your mask gets off, cover your face and head and alert the referee.

The general rules

1. Don't wipe off the hit – you will be eliminated from the game, meaning that you will not be able to even play for some extra minutes; you will also lose respect from fellow players.
2. Keep within the boundaries – for fair play purposes, always remain within the game's limits, or else you will get kicked out.
3. Raise your hand when hit – Paintball relies on the honor system; thus, always raise your marker or shout "HIT" to notify your opponents and walk out safely even if the player who hit you may be aware already. Also, make sure your barrel blocking device is on while walking out. 
4. Maintain the required velocity – Don't turn your speed too high as some guns can shoot upwards up to 500 feet per second, whereas most fields require you to keep to 300 feet per second.

Why People Enjoy Playing Paintball

People from varying backgrounds and interests can enjoy paintball. It is a social game that involves many participants; thus, you can interact with many new people and make new friends. You will also strengthen your bond with friends and colleagues during team plays. 

It entices you to play since it is rewarding, involves a lot of adventure in running, shooting, and anticipation of opponents' tactics. The variations in the types of games also give the best experience from the range of games available whether you want to play it while indoor, outdoor, tournaments, backyard games, or recreational engagements, you will love it.

Benefits Associated with Paintball

• Exercise-The intensity of the game can improve your metabolism; thus, lead to weight loss. There is a lot of running, jumping, and sprinting involved while playing, and a few moments of sitting, which is healthy also to prevent diseases like high blood pressure and heart diseases.
• Improves your strength and endurance – Through the vigorous running and squatting, you improve your overall body capacity and enhance the power of arms and legs. 
• Stability – with the equipment and gears that you have to put on, you still have to be fully productive in the game. It means that your body has to be sufficiently stable so that you can compete.
• Teamwork and strategy – You learn the art of cooperation by working together with a team as you devise strategies and work together towards victory.
• It relieves stress – It is a way for busy employees to alleviate work stress and take a break from tiring daily activities.

Conclusion

Paintball is not all about who gets the most hits but a way of having fun and bonding with friends and colleagues. As a beginner, you will make mistakes, but there will be another chance to fix them as you try out new things.

 

Where to get the hot stuff:

In this post, you get the facts about - 1-Point 2-Point 3-Point Gun Slings

If you are playing some military sport, shooting, or combat games, it is most likely that you are using a sports rifle or gun such as the airsoft gun. Conventional and sports rifles are usually large, and if you have to move in the field with ease, you would need to have to carry the gun in a way that it is easy to shoot fast and with much ease while preventing accident triggers and inconveniences with other tactical gear.

A sling is an accessory you need for this. It helps you retain your gun as you do other things such as climb, hide, scale your surroundings, or use different weapons. There are three types of slings in the market today, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Your choice of a sling depends on the characteristics of the loop and the way it helps you gain the upper hand over your opponents. Here is a quick overview of each of these slings to assist you in making a selection.

1-point Slings / Single-Point

Single-point slings are used to create a loop, which goes over the head so that the strap goes on the strong side shoulder and then runs diagonally across your torso. They then attach to your weapon at the carbine and have a quick-release device on the receiver side of the attachment. A proper mount is required at the carbine so that the Sling attaches correctly. It is the traditional Sling and a popular rifle and submachine gun sling in combat sports.

With this type of gun sling, the carbine is always front-oriented and the center of the body. That makes it easy for the shooter to grip the gun straight from its resting position and engage the opponents. That ensures that the player is combat-ready at any time. It is ideal for use in combat sports where opponents a tightly packed as the gun is usually always battle-ready.

Apart from making the gun easy to carry and remove the weapon, it also allows one to switch the carbine or SMG from one shoulder to the other and reduce fatigue. That is awesome for players who are not used to carrying some weight on their shoulders. Most of the slings do not come with an adjustable height feature. Therefore, you have to pick a gun sling that fits your body stature and height.

Pros for Gun Sling

The Sling allows players to keep the gun in a combat-ready position at all times as it is always looking forward and across the center of the body. In fact, in the military field, most urban warfare soldiers prefer this kind of a sling as it allows them to be always on alert.

It is also easy to change your shoulders (transition), remove the Sling, and put it back on your weapon. It has a simple but effective design that warriors will find practical when carrying the gun across the combat field. Given that they will be wearing other tactical gear such as helmets, the Sling will not get in their way when moving about.

Cons for Gun Sling

On the flip side, you have to hold your gun in place as it dangles freely in the front. That may not be a comfortable position to carry the gun for some time, especially when moving fast.

The dangling gun can interfere with movement, knock your thighs and knees as you move about. It can be quite painful and cause you to lose in a sport where fast movement offers considerable advantage over opponents.

The Sling does not allow for weight distribution across the body. If you are playing for a significant amount of time, you may tend to feel fatigued in one part of the body.
At the bottom line, Single Point Slings are mostly recommended for Submachine Guns and short rifles like the M4 or HK G36C.

2-point Slings / Two-Point Slings

Two-point slings are also popular sling-style used with sports and combat weapons these days. They differ from the traditional two-point slings in that they come with adjustment loops or some other hardware to allow combatants to adjust the gun length quickly. There are two attachments points to the gun one at the front and the other at the stock. One of the attachments can come with a quick detach buckle should the user need to remove the Sling. However, just like the traditional two-point slings, some loop may be required for mounting.

These types of slings can be worn in two ways. You can wear them on one shoulder or across the body on two shoulders so that your gun rests diagonally across your body. The first instance is good for fast-paced games while the second is suitable for places where there is lots of movement.

Most players use two-point slings as useful shooting aids. Given that they allow for quick adjustment, it is easy for the user to effortless and rapidly snug the gun tight against the body and brace the rifle such a way that he or she can shoot in a stable position. That can help to create a more accurate shot. Yet other users wrap their support arms around the sling forward connection point, thereby pulling the weapon against the shoulder. This style is excellent for engaging far away targets.

Pros for 2-point Slings

The two-point Sling allows you to access the weapon with ease when you have to use it in a moment notice. Given that it is either facing the ground or across the body, engaging your opponent is a lot easier when he or she appears out of the blues.

The Sling offers a stable shooting platform in that one can adjust the length of the Sling so and support the stock of the weapon. It provides excellent support for particularly long rifles or when you need to take out opponents that area distance away.

It is easy to move about fast, when not using the gun as it does not keep hitting the lower parts of the body. 

Cons for 2-point Slings

Despite not hitting the lower part of the body, it still does not offer great freedom of movement as it gets on the way on the front, especially when you are moving fast.

It can be tricky to transition your weapon from one shoulder to the other without having to stop for some time to adjust the Sling. This may give opponents a chance to strike you when you are not ready.

The slings with quick-adjust buckle, which, although effective, can be complicated sometimes, making it hard for you to adjust the Sling when you want to stabilize the weapon and shoot at your targets.
Two-Point-Slings are recommended for long rifles like the M16 or HK G36 (standard version).

3-point Sling

A three-point sling is a hybrid of single and two-point slings. It comes with a loop, which you put over your head and across the dominant arm, just like a single-point sling. The tail of the loop connects near the stock of your weapon while the third point connects to the front of the weapon like the 2-point Sling. It looks a little complicated but has significant advantages over the two other types of slings.

Some of the things that three-point slings do well include securing rifle to your body and keeping the weapon in position as you move about the playing field. Then, it allows you to transition to several carry positions with relative ease than the other two types of slings.

However, many inexperienced weapon carriers may have a hard time operating the Sling. They may end up getting tangled in the slings when trying to wear or change shoulders. In the worst-case scenario, they may immobilize the weapon when they need it most. Most of the slings come with quick-release buckles. However, there are cases when the buckle hangs and fails to release from the weapon when the ejection button is pressed.

Pros for 3-point Slings

The three-point Sling allows you to access the rifle with ease even when moving at high speed in the combat field.
You can transition from one shoulder to the other or various carry positions with ease.
The Sling allows for easy weapon retention on the body at whatever position is.

Cons for 3-point Slings

It is the most complicated type of Sling. Attaching it to the weapon or releasing it is usually a big issue for most of the inexperienced users. That may present a significant disadvantage when one is in a combat sport. Given that most users will also be using combat gear, it becomes even harder to untangle from the mess should the loops be entangled.

Improper usage of the Sling may restrict movement, immobilize the weapon or cause tangling.
There is the potential to snag on some parts of the rifle. That makes it a less comfortable rifle sling.
We recommend 3-Point-Slings for experienced rifleman with long rifles like the M16 or G36, RPK-75 AND also for light machine guns like the SAW 249.

Where can you obtain some of these finest tactical accessories?

Airsoft is a shooting game that has grown wildly popular over the years. It began as a viable alternative to teaching target practice. The game allows you to use a gun that resembles the real thing without some of its risks. It is an effective way to learn and improve shooting skills. Gamers use it to simulate real-life action of particular video games. For the military, the game helps craft simulation exercises. The shooting game has also become a competitive sport with some people training to play professionally. Whatever your goal is to get into the game, make certain to understand the safety requirements involved. The gun used in this activity shoots pellets called BBs, which can cause injuries to various body parts, especially the eyes. It is why tactical eye protection is necessary.

The Need for Protection 

The BBs shot during this sport are not lethal. However, they have the potential to inflict physical injury. The firearms used shoot at velocities of between 100 to 400 FPS. At this speed, a rubber pellet can break the skin, hurt an eye, or chip a tooth. Eye injuries are some of the most prevalent in this sport. You are at risk even if you are only taking target shots. Direct shots and ricocheting BBs are responsible for injuries also. Whether the gaming is recreational or for mil-sim purposes, you cannot be sure that a projectile won't end up in your face. 

Depending on the speed, a BB in your eye can cause severe problems such as temporary or permanent blindness. If you are lucky, you only get a painful welt. Imagine the repercussions that a permanent injury would have. Besides the costs of treatments, factors in how it might affect your quality of life. Eye protection is a small price to have the proper protection. Never get on the battlefield without the right safety gear. In fact, shooting centers make it mandatory. Regardless of how careful you are at shooting or whether you are practicing alone, wearing protective equipment reduces the risk of injury. Face masks, goggles, and helmets are some of the standard eye protection solutions in place. 

Settling on the Right Eye Protection

The popularity of the game has seen a surge in the manufacture of protective gear. When looking for eye equipment to protect yourself against airsoft BBs, the available options are virtually limitless. Not every face mask out there will provide you with the safety you need when shooting. It is why you must be keen on the gear you choose. It would be wasteful to spend money on a pair of goggles or mask only to find out it's the wrong fit, fogs too much, or cracks after a single-use. Take the time on the selection process. Here are the critical components to consider.

Half or Full Face Mask

One decision to make regarding your tactical eye protection is whether to get a mask covering only part of the face or all of it. The distinction between the two types of masks is the degree of protection they provide. A full-face mask covers your whole face while the half type protects the lower section. With a full face mask, the goggles are built-in complete with the visor. The exact features vary across products. A half-face mask requires you to get separate goggles. Due to their design, full-face protection masks cost more than the partial model. However, you don't get the same customization flexibility with full-face masks as you do with the half-face. The option of buying protective glasses separately means that you can personalize your mask according to need. 

The Fit

Comfort is of profound importance when it comes to choosing a paintball face mask. As much as you want the equipment to shield you from airsoft BBs, it must be comfortable. A good fit should not feel too tight, rub against the nose bridge, or chafe the ears. Imagine the frustration of having to stop mid-game to adjust your eye protection because it is too loose or tight. A perfect fit should close around the eyes in a tight seal for adequate protection.

Consider the straps of your helmet, face-mask, or goggles. People have different faces, and that determines the ideal strap size and length of your eye safety equipment. Factor in the material of the straps as well. It should be able to hold the gear in place for a prolonged period without coming loose.

If you have a half-face mask and need to buy goggles, ensure that they align well to avoid discomfort while playing. A person with prescription glasses should consider the extras space that a protective mask has to provide. A well-fitting mask should fit over your glasses without affecting visibility.

Anti-fog Capabilities

Fogging is a common issue with eyewear. It occurs when there is a big temperature shift between the outside and inside of the lenses. If your eye protection fogs up too much, it clouds the lenses thus, blurring your vision. One way that manufacturers prevent this is with double-pane thermal lenses. This is a design where the eyewear contains two layers of glasses with an air gap between them that lowers the temperature change. Manufacturers also have unique technologies for anti-fog properties, which you should consider. Various anti-fog products on the market allow you to coat your protective eyewear to decrease clouding.

Indoors or Outdoors

Whether you play airsoft indoors or outdoors will determine the type of lenses that are most suitable for your eye protection. If you are gaming outside, then you want lenses that increase visibility. A dark tint ensures that you can see clearly even with a bright sun out. Yellow tinted lenses improve the visibility of targets and other objects around the course. Indoor eyewear might not need special qualities unless you are shooting in unique surroundings.

Standards for Tactical Eye Protection

Whether you are buying goggles, face masks, or helmets, Ensure that the product adheres to industry safety regulations. Eye protection gear should achieve ANSI standards, specifically ANSI Z87. Proper safety gear should provide a full seam around the eyes. Ballistic lenses are also industry standard for eye safety gear. If the face mask is for mil-sim, then it must be appropriately certified. MIL-V-43511C is the standard for safety equipment for military applications. Although a shooting range will require clients to wear basic protection equipment, the rules of what is acceptable are not consistent. So take it on yourself to check the industry certification of a product. 

Price

Of course, you must find eye protection equipment that suits your budget. Face masks range on a broad spectrum in terms of price. Some of the elements that affect price are material type and grade, design, protection level, durability, and patent technology. If you intend to splurge, high-end helmets, face masks, and goggles are available. The same goes for budget alternatives. Expect to spend a considerable amount for branded protective gear. Although your budget matters, don't compromise the quality of your safety gear to save a few bucks. 

Where to get? Here:

Choosing the right paintball masks for a game of Gotcha is one of the best pre-match choices you can make. Don’t get in that match without the right Gotcha masks. Gotcha masks are essential in helping with your protection and enhancing your sporting experience.

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