Guide Note

During Paintball games, players attempt to eliminate their opponents by "marking" them with paint-filled pellets shot from special compressed gas powered guns.

Fast Facts

1. Paint pellets were invented for marking trees
2. The first paintball marker (gun) was developed in 1970
3. The first paintball game was played in 1981
4. An estimated 10 million people play paintball each year
5. Relatively few injuries occur during paintball games
6. Over 40 countries support commercial paintball industries
7. Games can last from a few seconds to several days
8. Paintballs travel up to 300 feet per second

Paintball may be played on indoor or outdoor courses, which are often marked with various natural and man made obstacles such as trees, hay bales, fences and barrels. Although there are many variations, a game most often consists of two teams battling to eliminate all the members of an opposing team or trying to capture an object such as a flag from the opposing team's territory.

Although paintballs can travel in excess of 300 feet per second, they explode upon impact and rarely cause any injuries more severe than minor bruising. Paintballs will hurt more if they hit bare skin, so paintballers are advised to cover all exposed skin before beginning a game. Paintballs can cause more serious injury if they hit more vulnerable areas such as the eyes or ears, so most commercial paintball facilities insist that players wear safety goggles and helmets.