Paintball 101» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
What is Paintball?
In 15 short years, the sport of paintball has become recognized as one of the world's most exciting outdoor participation sports. Paintball is played in over 40 countries by millions of men and women of all ages and lifestyles. Whether homemakers or high-school students, professionals or retirees, all paintball players share in common a love for adventure and a strong competitive spirit.
Capture the Flag
Paintball is a combination of the childhood games "tag" and "hide & seek," but is much more challenging and sophisticated. Although there are many different game formats, typically a group of players will divide into two teams to play "capture the flag." The number of players on each team can vary from one or two, five or seven or ten, to over 1,000 on a side, limited only by the size of the playing field.
The object of the game is to go out and capture the other team's flag while protecting your own. While you are trying to capture a flag, you also try to eliminate opposing players by tagging them with a paintball expelled from a special airgun called a "paintgun." Games run from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the field and the number of players.
Between games, players take a break to check their equipment, get more paintballs and have a snack or soda while they share stories about the thrills of victory and the usually funny agonies of defeat. Win or lose, everyone has a good time and there's usually the next game waiting for you.
Paintballs
A paintball is a round, thin-skinned gelatin capsule with colored liquid inside it. Paintballs are similar to large round vitamin capsules or bath oil beads. The fill inside paintballs is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluable and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water.
Paintballs come in a rainbow of bright colors: blue, pink, white, orange, yellow and more. When a paintball tags a player, the thin gelatin skin splits open, and the liquid inside leaves a bright "paint" mark. A player who is marked is eliminated from the game.
Paintguns
Paintguns, also called "markers," come in a variety of shapes and styles as you see in this special "paintgun roundup" issue [ed. APG 12/96 issue]. They may be powered by carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2) or compressed air. Many have power systems that use large refillable cylinders called "tanks" or "bottles" that give hundreds of shots before needing to be refilled. Some use small 12 gram CO2 powerlets as their power source, each powerlet being good for 15 to 30 shots.
With pump-action paintguns (pumpguns), each time you want to shoot a paintball you first cock the paintgun by using a pump, then you squeeze the trigger to shoot the paintball; you must recock the paintgun before you can shoot again. Stockguns, using 12-grams, have the most basic pumpgun configuration (though they are becoming ever-more high-tech within the constraints of the configuration) and stock gun play is in a class of its own.
With semi-automatic paintguns, the first time you want to shoot you must cock the paintgun (usually by pulling back a cocking knob or handle), but after you shoot the first paintball the paintgun's action will recock the paintgun for you; you simply squeeze the trigger each time you want to shoot a paintball.
With a full-auto paintgun, when you squeeze the trigger for the first time, the 'gun will begin to shoot paintballs and will keep on shooting paintballs as long as you keep squeezing the trigger; when you release the trigger, the 'gun will stop shooting.
Paintguns range from simple to sophisticated, but what they all share in common is a limitation on their power and range. The international safety limit on the speed (measured in feet per second, "FPS" at which a paintgun shoots a paintball is 300 fps. A chronograph is used to test for speed limits, and all paintguns can be adjusted to shoot under the speed limit. A paintgun's range is limited, too; even shooting 300 fps, at maximum elevation with barrel pointed up into the air, a paintgun can lob a paintball only about 50 yards.
Safety
For safety, paintball players always must wear goggles specifically designed for paintball to protect their eyes. Goggles must be worn during a game and at all times when a person is in an area where shooting is permitted, such as the target range or chronograph area. A protective facemask is mandatory nearly everywhere, and should be worn regardless. Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Insurance statistics have shown that paintball is safer than golf, jogging, tennis, swimming and many other sports.
Referees on the field enforce safety and game rules. No physical contact is permitted in the game, and players are ejected from games or the playsite for breaking safety or playing rules. Fields have boundaries, and a player who steps outside a field's boundary is eliminated from that game.
The Game
Paintball is a sport played by people from all professions and lifestyles. It is a sport where women and men compete equally, and where age is not dominated by youth. Like a game of chess, being able to think quickly and decisively is what makes you a star in paintball. Intelligence and determination, not merely strength, speed or agility, are key to success in the sport.
Paintball is a character-building sport. Players learn about teamwork, gain self-confidence and develop leadership abilities while having fun and getting stress-relief. Increasingly, corporations are finding the benefits of having their staff and management participate in paintball games.
Paintball is an exciting sport, and above all paintball is fun! It's a chance to shake off your day-to-day responsibilities and rekindle your spirit of adventure. When the adrenaline starts pumping, you can't help but love the thrill of the game!
Basic Paintball Terminology» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Agitator
An agitator is a device that has been incorporated into a paintball hopper which helps paintballs drop into the feed tube more steadily. This is accomplished by a small LED sensor, which will detect the absence of balls in the feed tube. This sensor then activates a small servo motor which agitates (moves and shakes) the balls in the hopper.
Airsmith:
A person trained in airsmithing . A certified airsmith has been trained to work with high-pressure gasses and everything relating to them (hoses, valves, etc.). They understand how markers work, and know how to work on them safely and keep them safe for the customer. Most
Markers and their warranties require work done by certified airsmiths, if not warranties may be voided.
ASA (Air System Adaptor)
The ASA is the threaded adaptor on a marker into which the constant air tank (bottle) is screwed into.
Auto Trigger
A device incorporated into many pump guns (and all new ones as far as I know) which allows the user to fire the gun with each pump of the gun. In a non-equipped gun, the user must pump the gun, then pull the trigger, but with the auto-trigger installed, the trigger is held in the firing position, and the action of the pumping fires the gun. This greatly increases the speed in which a pump gun may be fired.
Back Bottle
A CA setup in which the ASA is located at the back of the gun. The bottle is then screwed into the gun and (usually) a butt plate is placed on the bottom of the tank, providing a (somewhat crude) shoulder stock for the gun.
Barrel Plug
A device that fits into the barrel of a paintball gun that adds to the safety of the gun. Should be in place at all times when not in play.
Barrel break:
When a paintball breaks in the barrel causing the inside of the barrel to be coated with paint. Creates in-accurate shots and more broken paint.
Blowback
Blowback is the CO2 that is deflected off the paintball after the gun is fired.
Bolt
The part of the gun that pushes the paintball out of the gun. It may or may not be exposed to air. (see open or closed bolt)
Bottom Line
The part of the gun that is attached to the bottom of the grip of a paintgun. This method is similiar to the back bottle setup, but is usually superior when used in the same fashoned, because it makes sighting down the barrel easier (less neck streching).
Breech
A port in a paintball gun by which paintballs are loaded into the firing chamber of a paintball gun.
Bring your own paint (BYOP):
Means that at that field or game or tournament, you are allowed to bring and use your own paint, as opposed to FPO (see below).
Burn:
"Burn that bunker while I move." To lay large amounts of paint on a bunker in order to keep the player's head down so he can't see or shoot.
Bunker:
(noun) Any object used for cover. (verb) "Did you see me bunker that guy?" To make an aggressive move on an opposing player and eliminate him at close range while he is hiding behind his bunker.
Butt Pack
A device which holds paintball loaders and attaches to a belt. Usually positioned above ones backside during play.
Center-flag:
A type of game in which one flag is positioned in the middle of the field. Both teams try to get that flag and hang it on the other team's flag station. This is the standard format used in 5-man tournaments.
Closed-bolt design:
Refers to a type of markerin which the bolt lies closed (forward) between firing cycles. Pump guns, Autocockers and Shockers are this way.
Constant Air (CA)
Refillable CO2 cylinder that is attached to a paintball gun. These cylinders provide the power to propell the balls through the gun. These cylinders (or bottles) are made of aluminum or steel, and come in different sizes. (3.5, 7, 12, 16 and 20 oz for aluminum and 4,9,15 oz in steel). CA systems have all but replaced the older 12 gram cylendars that used to power paintball guns.
Chrony:
"Go chrony your gun." Short for Chronograph- a device used to measure the speed the paintball is traveling as it leaves the barrel. You can adjust this on most modern paintball guns. The industry "speed limit" is 300 feet per second (fps). Many tournaments and commercial fields use a limit of 285 for added safety.
Chrony station:
"Where is the chrony station?" At fields and tournaments, this it the place where players go to chronograph their guns.
CO2
Carbon Dioxide. The most common propellant used in the paintball industry.
Deadbox:
"You are eliminated, go to the deadbox." At a tournament, eliminated players go immediately to a sectioned-off area next to the field called the deadbox where they remain until the game is over.
Drilled Barrel
A barrel (usually aftermarket), that has relief ports drilled into it to help the barrel to shooot farther and more accurately.
Drop-forward/cradle:
A device used to attach your tank to your gun which positions the tank more down and forward to give the 'gun a better balance and feel, and to make the setup more compact.
Dual-flag:
A type of game in which there are two flags- one hung at each team's starting point. The object is then to capture the opponent's flag and return it to your starting flag station. Most 7 and 10 man tournaments use this format, as well as most rec. games.
Electropneumatic:
Refers to a type of marker designed with electronic trigger operation and electronically controlled valve operation. Angels, Shockers, bushmasters, Rainmakers and the Spyder EM1 are this way.
Expansion chamber:
Part of a paintgun. CO2 works much better if the gas is allowed to expand before the gun is fired. On a cold day or during rapid fire, the gun may "go liquid." An expansion chamber allows the gas to expand before entering the paintgun's valve. Expansion chambers serve no purpose on a gun running HP air.
Elbow
A plastic or metal accessory that allows a hopper to be attached to a paintball gun.
Field Paint Only (FPO):
Means that at that field, game, tournament you may only use paint bought at the game site the day of the tournament.
Fill Station
Equipment used to fill CA tanks, usually consitisting of a digital scale, valving and hoses to attach the CA tank to the bulk tank.
Flag station:
In a capture-the-flag game, the flag station is the spot where the flag was originally placed by the referee at the beginning of the game. In a center-flag game, it may also refer to the starting point of each team- the spot where the flag must be hung to win the game.
Full Auto
Machine style paintball marker. Usually not allowed during open session games. Not a very
Sportsman like way to play. Spray and pray tactics. They usually run out of paint before the End of the game.
Going liquid:
Means the CO2 entered your valve in a liquid state affecting performance. You may see ice chunks flying out of your barrel, your gun may freeze (literally), your gun may ramfire. Usually happens on colder days.
FPS
Feet per second.
How fast the paintball is traveling. ASTM regulations require less than 300 FPS and the safety equipment must be tested to this limit.
Goggles
Eye protection. Consists of a heavy duty frame with polycarbonate or lexan lenses. Required for paintball. Must be ASTM approved.
Grenades
A paint filled balloon type device used to lob at opponents or obstacles and take out multiple players in a single use. Effectiveness can vary.
Harness
A harness is used to carry extra paintballs and/or CO2 tanks onto the playing field. Usually used in conjunction with a Remote setup.
HPA:
High pressure Air could be breathable air or Nitrogen gas 3000-6000psi.
Hot:
"That bunker is hot." Means an opposing player is in that bunker.
"You gun is shooting hot." Means the paint coming out of your gun exceeds the velocity limit of that particular field or event.
ID:
"My barrel has a .689 ID." Means Inner Diameter- referring to the inside of the barrel. Paint comes in slightly different sizes. For best accuracy, your paint and barrel should have a good fit. Generally speaking, .687 and below are smallbore barrels, .691 and larger are bigbore barrels and anything in between is midbore.
Basic Paintball Terminology part 2» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Liquid
CO2 in a liquid form (as opposed to gas). Almost always a bad think. ("going liquid" usually means that liquid CO2 has entered the paintball gun and the gun is performing erratically.)
Loader
A plastic or cardboard tube used to hold extra paintballs. Loaders are usually carried in a harness or buttback during play.
low pressure:
A term used to describe guns that are engineered to propel the paintball with a lower pressure, higher volume burst of air. Though the statement is controversial, is is often claimed that this increases the effective range of a paintball gun.
Marker:
"Make sure your marker is on safety." A euphemistic term for a paintgun. The first paintguns were manufactured to mark trees and cattle- now they're used to mark people. People feel the term "marker" is less offensive, and maybe more accurate, than "gun."
Mines:
A device designed to spray an opponent with paint when they trip or step on a trigger.
Muzzle Break
Relief Port at the end of a marker barrel which increases accuracy. Can be added on with an aftermarket part or purchased as in integral part of a barrel.
Neck Protector
Device designed to reduce the impact on a paintball hit in the neck area.
Newbie
A new paintball player. Everybody is a newbie at least once.
Night Paintball
Paintball games, supplies and equipment specially designed to play at night.
Nitro/compressed air/HP:
When the paintball industry started looking for a propellant other than CO2, Nitrogen was first used because it was more readily available than high-pressure(HP) air in many areas. Since then, HP has become much more affordable and Nitrogen is rarely used. Still, Nitro is a common (though inaccurate) term to describe a high-pressure air system on a marker.
One for one:
The ref pulled a one for one." A type of penalty used in tournament paintball. Means a player was pulled for cheating and so was his closest teammate. Usually happens when a player plays on or talks after he is eliminated.
Open-bolt design:
Refers to a type of marker in which the bolt lies open (back) between firing cycles. Spyders, Automags, Angels and most other 'guns are this way.
Open Session
A scheduled paintball field event in which the public is to play.
Outlaw paintball:
Refers to just getting together with friends and playing on public or private land somewhere (like the woods behind your house), as opposed to playing at a commercial field or in a tournament.
A non-supervised form of paintball. Sometimes referred to as renegade paintball.
Paintballs:
.68 caliber gelatin capsules filled with a colored glycol based fluid designed to break and mark an Object. Qualities, sizes, colors and uses, vary greatly.
Paintcheck:
"Ref, can I get a paintcheck!?" Means a player needs a ref or another player to check him to see if he's marked or not. Usually used when the hit took place on a part of the body the player can't see at that moment.
Playing on:
A form of cheating. Means a player took an obvious hit, the hit broke and the player continues to play. Usually in tournaments there are stiff penalties for playing on.
Playing "tight":
"OK everybody, play tight." Refers to playing in such a way as to not give your opponents much to shoot at. Not making careless errors, sticking out too far or too long when shooting, etc. Requires good technique.
Pods:
Small plastic containers used to store paint and/or carry paint onto the field. Pods are usually carried in a pack or harness. They normally hold 100-150 rounds and are designed to be sturdy enough to keep the paint inside from being broken by an outside force.
Point Sight
A sight (non-magnifing) which ususally uses a reflective LED to aid in aiming a paintball gun.
Power Feed
A device that uses CO2 blowback to increase the rate which paint- balls are loaded into the gun. This device can also be purchased as an aftermarket part.
Private game
Exclusive field rights to customers for paintball games of their choice.
PSI
Pounds per Square Inch.
Pump
A paintball gun that requires cocking to load each paintball into the gun. Similar to appearance and action to a pump shotgun.
Quick Change
A quick change is used to remove and/or replace a 12 gram CO2 cartridge into the paintgun.
Quick Disconnect
A brass fitting that allows remote users to quickly disconnect the airsource from the paintgun.
Ramfire:
"Why is my 'gun ramfiring?"
On a blowback semi, for whatever reason the hammer is not being "blown" back far enough to catch the trigger sear. This results in a very rapid "full auto" type effect. No, this does not make your Spyder full-auto, it just results in chopping paintballs, a big mess and a useless 'gun. Usually the result of low pressure in the CO2 tank.
Rattle:
"That guy can really rattle that Angel." Means to fire very rapidly.
Rec ball:
"Let's go play some recball this weekend." Short for recreational paintball. Anything non-tournament is usually referred to as recball, from scenario games, to commercial field play, to playing in the woods behind your house.
Registration:
Usually a designated safe zone area setup to go through the administration functions of Signing waivers, issuing rentals, and other Paintball related activities done prior to playing.
Regulator
A device which controls the pressure of CO2 before it enters into the paintball gun. Usually allows the paintball gun to operate at a lower pressure, which reduces ball breakage increases the number of shots available from a CO2 source, and reduces variation in CO2 pressure to paintball gun.
Remote
A remote setup is a CA tank that is connected to the paintball gun via a high pressure air line. The CA tank is usually carried in a harness on your back.
Rentals
Term used to describe equipment available for rent at a paintball facility. Markers, goggles, tanks, Safety equipment, coveralls are common rental equipment. Quality, prices and packages vary.
Rifled Barrel:
A barrel that has internal groves or holes, either in a straight or spiraled pattern, that help a paintball gun shoot more accurately.
RT:
Response trigger. A cheap way to get a full auto capability. Basically a powered trigger.
Scenario game:
An organized game with a theme- such as WWII or Star Wars or some fantasy world. Scenario games usually last all day (some are 24 hours) and have special rules, story lines, etc.
Scuba Fills:
Refers to HPA source for filling HPA tanks remotely using a scuba tank.
Season Pass or memberships:
A plan in which the paintball field gives special pricing to customers for playing more paintball.
Semi-auto:
Refers to the action of the paintball marker. One pull of the trigger fires the paintball and as Part of the action loads the next paintball to be shot.
Speedball:
Refers to the size of the playing field. In the "old days" paintball was always played on huge fields with natural cover (trees, rocks, logs, etc.). In the late 80s, the idea came up to play on smaller "arena" type fields with manmade bunkers. The game was much quicker and was therefore dubbed speedball. Nowadays, speedball refers to a small field filled mostly with manmade bunkers. There's much more emphasis on good technique, fast shooting and aggressive play. It's also more spectator friendly than large forested fields.
Squeegee
A device used to quick clean a barrel of a paintball gun. Usually constructed of either a flexible fleece head or of rigid rubber washers, or both. Any object used to clean the barrel after a barrel break.
Staging area:
"Head back to the staging area." The base of operations for a paintball game. It's where everything starts. Usually paint is sold there, fills are made, cars are parked, etc.
Stock-gun:
A type of paintball gun that is powered by 12gram CO2 containers, is pump action and has a horizontal feed holding no more that 15 rounds.
Straight-shot:
A type of squeegee with a long, straight handle designed to be used without having to take the barrel off.
Stock
A device that attaches to a paintball gun that allows shouldering of the gun and helps steady the gun for a more accurate shot.
"Stock Class"
A game of paintball consisting of pump type paintball guns powered by 12 gram cartriges which must pass through a threaded opening (no cut outs). Auto-triggers and bulk loaders/hoppers are not allowed, the paintball magizine must be parallel to the barrel, and are limited to 20 shots.
Sweetspotting:
"I'm going to sweetspot the back left bunker." To fill a running lane with paint assuming somebody will try to move through it and hopefully through your paint stream. Usually used off the break to keep someone from getting to a key bunker and to get a quick elimination. Usually used on smaller speedball type fields.
Tapeline:
Got a guy on the left tape!!" The field boundary is known as the tapeline. Sometimes a side boundary is called "the wire."
Tapping:
"That guy was tapping on me all game." When a player continually hits another players bunker with paint in order to keep that player down and out of the game for an extended period of time.
Tying up the guns:
"I'm gonna move to there and tie up the guns while you go for the flag." To make a move designed to attract attention from other teammates and cause them to shoot at you. This is a diversionary tactic to get the opposing p team's guns pointed away from one of your teammates so he can make a key move.
The break:
"I'm running to that bunker off the break." The first few moments after the game starts when players are running to their initial bunkers.
The Fifty:
"We got a guy at the fifty!" Means halfway between the two flag stations. As in the fifty yard line on a football field.
The lull:
"Move to that second bunker in the lull." A point in the game just after the break when players are settling into their bunkers. It's a brief period of low activity, and a good time to make a move.
The monkey:
"Find the monkey!!" When the opposing team is down to one player left and you don't know where he is, he is the monkey.
Thermal Lens:
Goggle lens that has two panes with a thin gasket between them which allows air to flow between the lenses and decreases 'Fogging' of the lenses. Never touch Or spray anything on the inside of the thermal lens with anything other than approved lens cloth. Ask You paintball dealer for more info.
Tool:
Usually an allen or hex wrench used to adjust the velocity of a paintball gun.
Twelve Gram:
A small disposable CO2 cartridge (12gm) used to power a marker.
Unified Rupture Disk:
A safety device installed on a CO2 tank as a small disk used to vent over pressure CO2 bottles.
Vertical:
A setup which positions the bottle vertically (perpendicular to the barrel) on the paintball gun. Helps in avoiding liquid CO2 from entering the gun.
Waivers:
Legal documents protecting both the land owners, field operators and players from unnecessary litigation.
Woodsball:
A generic term used to describe playing paintball in the woods, field or remote locations.
Zoning:
To determine in advance which part of the field a player is responsible for watching and covering. It's a way to make sure nothing happens on the field that your team doesn't see.
Type of recreational game» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
Paintball has tons variations and one can create many more. Some sites have little combat towns with little forts (tree houses on the ground) and bunkers. Some have a cemetary with large imitation tombstones all over a huge field. There are even night games played with few lights. Some fields have huge high weed fields where visibility is limited. I'll briefly describe some of my favorite games.
Capture the Flag
This is the most commonly played game. two team each starts at a fort at different ends of the playing field, be it woods, or combat town, or even a cemetary. the idea is to get the other flag and bring it to your fort.
Center Flag
One particularly interesting game is center flag. One flag in the center of the playing field and two teams starting on either side trying to get the flag and take it across the field to the other team's bunker (base). I really like this game.
President's Men
Another variation is President's men. One person is the President and does not have a gun. He has 4 or 5 men around him that have to protect him for a given length of time.
Paris Island
Another variation is called Paris Island in which a 5 people have to protect the flag that hangs in the center of a triangle of forts, bases, and towers. A small group hides in these and tries to protect the flag. The other larger group has to get the flag 'off the island' or out of the triangle to a safe outside location. This game was invented by Mike Gomez (11 year veteran)and can be played at his field, Michigan Battlefield
Predator Prey
This is an interesting game. Four predators are released into the forest to hide. Then the rest of the crew is sent in to find them. Once a predator is killed they are eliminated and have to leave. But if a Predator kills a prey, the prey player becomes a new Predator. Thus the object of the game for the Predator is to increase and proliferate, while the object for the prey is to kill all the predators. This can get to be pretty interesting, if the Prey don't have to check with a referee to become Predators. All a predator has to do is kill a few of the prey in the back of the pack and watch them open fire on their own teammates as they become predators. This can be abused, so it may be better to have the new predators check in with areferee first to be readmitted.
Bunny Hunt
One bunny goes into to hide in a large forest, and bunch of other player's (hunter's)have to kill him.
Freeze Tag
Another capture the flag variation. If you get killed a teammate can tag you back in. This gets silly after a while. You have to defend and protect the killed player's so their friends don't tap them in.
Hostage Rescue
One team must rescue a hostage from the other team and return him "home" unharmed. This game gets very interesting.
Kill the Leader
Each team must kill the other team's leader. Each team has to defend their leader. This can become interesting when a traitor is introduced to each side. One player is a traitor and can turn against his teammates, usually designated by the referee. However, adding traitors makes the game more confusing.
Run the Flag
This is another capture the flag variation. Two teams each starts with their own flag in their hands. They have to charge with their flags to the other teams base and hang it there. No need to go get the other teams flag, you (sorta) start with it. The challenge is getting there.
JailBreak
Two players are prisoners and are trapped inside a base. There are a few guards outside. The prisoners can only leave from a designated entrance. The guards guard that entrance. The prisoners' friends are on the perimeter waiting to recue their friends. The prisoner's have no weapons, the guards do. The prisoners' teammates can't fire at the guards until the guards fire at the prisoners. The object is to get the prisoners out without anyone getting killed. The guards succeed if they kill anyone.
Get the Bands
Every player for himself, and each player has an arm band. When you eliminate a player you take his armband away and he dies (leaves). When time runs out the player that has the most arm bands wins.
Old War
Two teams line up in straight lines facing each other, can't move. Fire at each other. If get shot must lay down. Winning team has last players standing.
Prison
A few players are in a building with small holes in it. Fifteen minute time limit. All other players must kill the two or three players in the prison. Either by shooting their guns, shooting high up and landing them, or from other towers far away. The two in the prison just have to stay alive.
Terminator
This is a nice game to end the day with. A few terminators (2-3) have a duct taped X on their chest. To eliminate them you must hit them on the center of the X. The Terminators run around and eliminate the other 20 players. You can also add the requirement of having to shoot the Terminators once in the center of the X and once on the back. We tried this once, and the Terminators wasted everyone! It is a nice way to end the day!
- credit goes to www.xtionpaintball.com/forum
Taken from the old threadThis post has been edited by zzub: Jan 23 2007, 10:17 PM