Thrill seekers, gamers, athletes, and your little niece all are perfectly suited for paintball. For as hardcore as it sounds when you initially learn about what is paintball, the sport is fit for anyone with a fire in their eyes.

Paintball's a team sport with predetermined objectives. Players tag each other with gelatin capsules shot from markers. Once tagged, a player is out.

Unlike traditional sports, paintball focuses on an entirely unique set of skills. Whereas most sports require mastery over your body, paintball incorporates aim, tactics, and situational awareness into the mix. However, another loveable aspect of paintball is its fun factor, as many enthusiasts simply enjoy playing rather than winning.

What Is Paintball?

In essence, paintball is like the adult form of water tag. You run around with markers, which are like your water guns, and shoot other people with paintballs. When you hit someone with a paintball it leaves a splatter of water-soluble paint on them indicating they're out.

The difference is that markers shoot paintballs up to 300 feet per second, and can leave fat bruises all over you.

But don't let that scare you off! When learning about what is paintball, you'll find safety is the number one priority at every field. There is also clothing you can wear to make paintballs sting less.

On the other hand, fellow thrill seekers will agree the sting is part of what makes paintball so exhilarating. Charging a group of enemies gets your blood flowing, unlike any other sport.

Unlike Airsoft or laser tag, you fear getting hit not only because it takes you out of the game, but also because you simply don't want a flurry of paintballs to pelt you.

Entering the arena

So what is paintball like in person? Before even walking into a paintball arena you'll be able to hear the action. You'll first notice the symphony of markers popping off in the distant battlefield.

As you get closer you'll hear the shouts the fallen. Various voices from every direction shouting "Aghhh, HIT!"

Once you get close enough to see the action you'd think you're in a war zone. You'll see masked forms armed with markers hiding behind trees, peeking out windows, and coordinating attacks on the other team. You'll hear them calling out enemy locations while others sprint across the field, diving from cover to cover.

A sport of honor and comradery

After you watch both sides engage in high-paced combat, you might find yourself shocked by what happens when the round ends. After everyone exits the field they're all laughing. Opponents shake hands and joke about their various encounters.

Everyone shares their own stories of the battle. Also, they joke about how they got caught by complete surprise and commend other players on their heroic moves.

At the end of the day, everyone's on the field for a good time. Also, because paintball requires you to call your own hits, there's an underlying respect for each other in the sport. When you learn about what is paintball in person, you'll notice players respect one another both on and off the field.

Even if throughout your day you were getting hit more than you were tagging other players, you'll still walk away with a smile on your face. There's something special about the bonds you make with your teammates and your opponents during paintball.

So many times you'll find yourself in a pinch with one of your teammates. You'll both huddle behind a small plywood sheet as the other team bombards it. You both laugh about the situation but know you need to find a way to get out of it.

When all seems lost, your teammate yells at you to you retreat back to your team while he covers you. You sprint back to cover, and eventually your buddy dashes back to you through a hailstorm of paintballs. From then on, you know you've got a friend you can trust through thick and thin.

Finding Your Stride

After learning about what is paintball, you might decide it's right up your alley. However, now you have to figure out how to get into it.

Joining a passionate community

Lucky for you, you'll find paintball an easy sport to dive into. Plenty of paintball fields have rental equipment and paintballs for you to use. You'll have to pay to use the equipment of course, but it's a very easy way to try out the sport and see if you like it.

All you have to do is Google search for paintball fields near you and check their site. Their website or Facebook page will usually tell you if they have rental gear.

While you're on their webpage, you can find out when they have open play days. These are the days where you're free to just show up at the scheduled time and play paintball. They'll usually split everyone that arrives up into teams, and then choose various game types to play.

If you have any friends who are interested, make sure to bring them along! Paintball's loads of fun when playing with your friends.

But don't worry if you can't get anyone to come. It's easy to make friends while you're at the field because everyone there is passionate about the sport.

Suiting up for battle

Once you have a paintball day scheduled, you'll need to gear up. Paintball's an athletic sport so you need to dress accordingly. What you should wear depends on what the field is like.

If the field is in the woods, you'll want long sleeves, pants, and boots with ankle support. Covering your skin will keep you from getting scratched by thorns. Having traction and proper ankle support will keep you from spraining your ankles.

If you'll just be in a speedball field with a flat surface and the only cover is soft barriers, you won't have to worry about protective clothing as much.

If you're worried about paintballs hurting, you have a few options. Our first suggestion if you'll be in the woods is a BDU jacket. The camouflage comes in handy, but what's really special is that these jackets are thick yet breathable.

Wearing layers also really helps. Bringing a hoodie to wear over a thick cotton shirt can do wonders. You can even wear one or two long-sleeve shirts under the hoodie for further protection.

Also, covering any exposed skin and wearing a beanie to protect the top of your head is helpful. Gloves are nice too, as well as a bandana to wrap around your neck. To find out our favorite articles of clothing for paintball, visit our guide on what to wear paintballing.

Finally, you might want to invest in a paintball mask. Even though you can rent a mask at most places that rent out equipment, their masks are usually scratched up and might not fit right.

Because your mask is one of your most important tools on the field, you'll want one that fits. If you think you'd like your own mask, check out our guide on finding the best paintball mask.

Getting a feel for the ropes

Because paintball's such a unique sport, you might feel a little awkward at the start of your first match. Don't fret, as you'll eventually fall into the groove of things. Your initial goal should just be to learn and have fun.

At the start, you'll likely find it helpful to follow a group of teammates around. They'll both act as a distraction for the other team and give you a helping hand. Your teammates will be able to tell you how you can best help them, but also you'll start picking up on what they do.

You'll first notice is how they avoid getting hit. You'll see they constantly move from cover and cover, rarely opening themselves up as targets. Avoiding getting tagged will be your first priority.

Once you get a hang of using cover, you'll be able to start focusing on tagging opponents. A tip for shooting at opponents is to limit the amount of time they can see you. So once you locate an opponent, peek out of your cover and shoot at them quickly, then hide again.

If you stay still for too long while shooting at an opponent, a second unseen opponent has the chance to aim and tag you with ease.

Wrapping It Up

Now you can see the answer to "What is paintball?" is as diverse as the people who play it. Paintball can be a competitive endeavor in which players aim to be the best there is. Also, paintball can be an exciting past time to bond with friends. And finally, paintball can simply give you an exciting way to get some exercise.

No matter why you come to the field, you'll find yourself welcomed by a close-knit and enthusiastic community. We hope you'll try paintball out and find out why so many people love this sport and what it has to offer.

Be sure to share your thoughts, tips, and tricks about the game in the comment section below.

In the sport of paintball, when confronted with a question of what is best, there is often no “right” answer; players will usually defend their favorite brand or manufacturer. This holds for paintball guns, clothing, paint, and especially masks.

So how do you choose the right mask for you? All masks must be put through rigorous testing, and are all universally safe for the sport, but there are other factors that go into choosing the right mask. We’ve provided insight into a wide range of paintball masks, and several qualities that further define what each mask is like.

What Makes a Mask a Mask?

There are four parts to each and every paintball mask. Their shapes and colors change, but their functions remain the same. They are:

Lens/Frames

The lens is the most important part that you'll never see until it saves you from taking a paintball in the eye. The lens obviously stops paint, but also keeps dirt and smoke out of your eyes. There are several types of lenses, including single-pane and thermal. Lenses can have special tints like mirrored and smoke, and recently have started being increasingly UV resistant. The frames are simply what holds the lens onto the rest of the mask. Some masks have integrated frames, such as the Profit, while others have removable and swappable frames, like the Proflex.

Bottoms

As the name implies, the bottoms of the mask are everything below the lens. Bottoms wrap around to the sides to cover your entire chin and parts of your neck. The bottoms also include any protection against your nose and cheeks. The bottoms house almost all of the ventilation, as that's where your mouth and nose will breath out, so they have meshed areas or slots, angled away to prevent direct contact with the paint, to allow the mask to breathe with you.

Ears

Also called ear-pieces, the ears of a mask may be soft or hard, tall or short, but are designed solely to keep paintballs from hitting either in or on your ear. They must be open enough to allow you to hear calls and shots, while still keeping your ears safe. These can usually be swapped out, except in rare cases, such as the Profit and Flex 8.

Strap

The strap is one of the more flavorful parts of the mask. Practically, it holds the mask to your head, and should first and foremost be able to do just that. However, past its practical use, straps are often used to personalize the mask. Rare or collectible straps are often traded for upwards of $100, but there are hundreds of other options out there for any price range or color combination you need.

So, with all that technical information out of the way, let’s look at how to proceed in your search for the best paintball mask.

Choosing the Perfect Mask

Now that you have both a selection of popular mask systems and the information behind them, it’s time to pick a mask based on the below important factors. 

Budget

First, obviously, is your budget. Paintball is an expensive sport; no other sport has you buying new balls every time you play, let alone entire boxes of them. So pick a price range that you want to stick to, and go from there. The more recognized the brand and the more features the mask offers, the more expensive the product will be.

Style of Paintball

Next, it’s important that you decide which style of paintball you wish to play. Not all masks are suited for all types of play, and it’s important to be comfortable in order to enjoy the sport. For example, in a day-long scenario game, where you’re crawling through the woods for hours without water or rest, you want comfort and space to breath inside your mask. You really won’t need to worry about having a minimal profile as the enemy is going to have multiple acres to flank you, and at that point, a low profile isn’t going to help as much as a calm operator, so finding a mask with good foam and ventilation is key.

Comfort and Appearance

This leads to the final point. Pick the mask that you like and the mask that feels good on your face. If, for example, you try on a mask and notice that foam itches, don’t use it. Comfort should always surpass style when buying any paintball gear. Do you know what looks cooler than an itchy mask with a skull painted on it? Your team winning because you weren't jamming your fingers up there to scratch your face. All kidding aside, it's a serious point; the mask has to work for you. That means no fog, good peripheral vision, good acoustics, and a comfortable fit. This is why we recommend trying on your mask and wearing it prior to your game so that you have time to adjust to how it feels.

In the end, the most important piece of advice is to try different masks on, and, if you can, actually use them in a game. It’s by far the best way to find which mask is best for you.

Durability and Protection

When choosing the best paintball mask, you should definitely consider durability and protection. Paintball masks come in an array of materials and designs that can make your search even longer. Some masks are sturdy and made from plastic, while others are designed with soft rubber for optimum flexibility.

If you’re purchasing your first paintball mask, you’ll want to choose one that will protect your face from any direct hits you might receive. No matter how good you might anticipate you’ll be, you should be prepared for your opponents hitting you, and protect yourself accordingly. A harder shell provides a better job from any direct hits, although some brands feature foam on the interior so the hard plastic isn’t uncomfortable on your head.

Look For Excellent Ventilation

It’s easy to completely disregard ventilation when you’re looking at the best paintball masks available. More than likely, you’ll be more focused on protection and comfort. But, if your product doesn’t enable you to see and breathe like normal, how are you supposed to perform to your best standard and enjoy the sport?

Don’t just observe the designs that have ventilation around the front of the mouth, as you’ll also need proper ventilation in the side and back to prevent any fogging and help with your hearing. If you’re concerned about any paint coming through the ventilation, opt for a mask that has smaller holes throughout to keep out any paint while ensuring that no paint can mark your face.  

Single Pane or Dual Pane?

Another important factor to consider is if you opt for a single or dual pane lens. These types of lenses offer a different vision, durability, and maintenance. Single pane lenses have an anti-fogging feature on them, but this completely depends on the environment that you wear the mask. This type of lens is easy to maintain and clean, and will also offer great durability. Many of these also come at a reasonable price.

The other option also prevents fog from building up in your mask, but they require more care and maintenance. For example, the inside of a dual pane lens can easily get damaged with scratches and you have to clean them with water and wipe them down to ensure they remain in good condition. Although this might sound like more work, dual pane lenses generally last longer because they’re more durable. 

Ultimate Paintball Mask Comparison Table

Mask Profiles

In the above table, you'll notice a column labeled "profile." There are other ways to describe a mask's profile (thin, wide, short, etc.), but "small-large" is the best range to describe the general profile.

Now, what is profile, exactly? It’s the total area that a mask occupies in your vision from different angles. This comes in handy when you’re playing an aggressive type of paintball, such as speedball, where your mask and gun are (or, at least, should be), and the only things visible outside your bunker. In this case, a small front profile would be most useful; you're mostly going to get shot in your front. A small profile mask allows you to see from behind cover without exposing unnecessary amounts of mask that can get shot. Remember, on most fields, a hit on any of your gear is an elimination.

So, what profile do you want? What profile do you need? Smaller profile masks are generally used for speedball, although that’s not a rule. If you plan on playing in the woods (woodsball or mil-sim/scenario), then the profile isn’t as important. In that case, comfort should take precedence, but we’ll discuss how to choose the right mask later.

So there you have it! A complete guide to selecting your next mask system! Finding the best paintball mask for you doesn’t have to cost the earth, and you don’t need to purchase the most recognized brand either. Finding a durable and comfortable mask that you trust within your price range is totally possible if you prioritize what features are most important to you. It might take some time and research, but it’s definitely worth it.

Remember, there are dozens of other masks out there that aren't listed here, but these above are some of the newest and most popular selections on the market. So get out there, try some on, and get on the field!

So you want to play paintball? Of course, you do!

What better way is there than to spend the afternoon firing high-speed capsules of stinging paint at your friends?

We can’t think of anything else!

The game of paintball is an intense and exciting experience.

It has the ability to turn your best friends into your sworn enemies while giving you the opportunity to show off your glory and courage in the face of unspeakable odds.

It will challenge you and force you to make “life or death” tactics and decisions on the spot all while getting down and dirty in the fresh air.

The Game Of Paintball

Paintball focuses on three main things:

1. Safety
2. Fair play
3. Fun

Although the sport of paintball appears to be a dangerous, extreme sport, it's a safe and fun activity that you share with family and friends.

The game is open to all ages ranging from 10 years to 60 years and older.

Paintball does not promote any form of warfare or acts of violence such as killing.

In reality, the sport is basically just a simple game of hide and seek with a little bit of tag thrown into the mix.

It is also often compared to a first-person shooter video game, but instead of sitting at home in a computer chair, you are actively on a real field playing with real people.

So you actually get to experience what it is like to run and dodge, hide and stealth your way through the battlefield.

And there are some extremely cool battlegrounds!

To sum it up:

Paintball is a sport that involves nothing but having fun.

It is a team sport with a simple goal that the players must reach in order to win the game.

A typical game of paintball splits a large group of players into individual or two separate opposing teams.

Next, the players take a particular position out on a field full of artificial barriers, bunkers, and other obstacles to hide or take cover behind.

They have to locate and eliminate opponents from play by shooting them with round, gelatin capsules that have dye inside, known as paintballs.

You are "eliminated" and out of the game when a paintball hits you.

The Health Benefits Of Playing Paintball

Needless to say, paintball is more than just an entertaining game where adults can be children all over again.

There are also many health benefits when it comes to playing as well.

Paintball is an intense sport and demands a lot of physical activity.

A game of paintball often brings out the best in many players and boosts their self-confidence.

Before You Start The Game

It is always important to research the field where you are planning to play because specific locations may have slightly different requirements that they expect of their players.

Finding a local paintball field is easy:

All you have to do is search online using Google. Most fields have websites that list their rules and regulations along with their contact information.

Specific rules might apply per paintball field, but typically every field will stick to the same dress code.

What To Wear To Paintball

As stated, your attire may change depending on the field where you decide to play.

Some fields are strict with their dress code and won’t allow any bare skin to show. Others won’t even require the men to wear shirts.

But:

It is never a good idea to go shirtless into an active paintball field for obvious reasons.

Most first time players of the game will feel more secure while wearing jeans and a thick sweatshirt.

Thicker clothing will help to absorb the impact of the paintballs, but there are many options of clothing that you might want to consider wearing.

Tops and sweatshirts

Baggy sweatshirts with hoodies are also an excellent choice for paintball.

Pants

Never wear shorts to a game of paintball.

Gloves

Some of the ideal choices of gloves you can use are typical golfers and gardening gloves. You may also use leather bikers gloves and paintball-specific gloves

Avoid using gloves that are too thick or are made out of latex because they can impair the sensitivity of your trigger finger.

Other things to consider

Choose comfortable and basic clothing that you won’t mind getting dirty.

Although most paintballs will not stain, it can still happen. So it is best to wear something that you wouldn’t mind having a permanent paint mark on.

It is also highly recommended to bring a change of clothes just in case your clothes get too dirty to wear home.

What Other Equipment Do You Need?

All personal supplies are optional, and it is up to you on what you want to do. However, if you are playing the game for the first time, buying your own equipment is not recommended.

You will do much better using the rental gear offered to you by the field.

Using the rental equipment will give you time to get a feel for the game before you decide that you want to invest money into getting your own supplies.

• CO2 or compressed-air tank to power the gun
• Paintball gun or marker

Paintball fields will also have paintball pellets that you must purchase to load up your gun for play.

Know your different types of guns

Pump paintball markers

Mechanical paintball markers

Electronic paintball markers

Popular and fast to operate, a circuit board controls the electronic paintball gun. And they are powered by a 9-volt battery instead of a long and heavy trigger.

Pulling the trigger of this type of marker is as simple as clicking a button on a computer mouse, resulting in very high rates of fire.

Safety Rules On The Field

As a whole, playing paintball is a relatively safe sport, but as it goes with all sports, accidents can happen. So it is crucial for all players to know the rules and use common sense.

You can avoid most paintball accidents when you follow the rules.

Wear your headgear

Remember:

Players may not remove their headgear while an active game is in play under any circumstances.

Use barrel plugs

Do not blind fire

​Blind firing can lead to the accidental shooting of bystanders, referees, or other players who are leaving the field.

Never play when impaired

Additionally:

If caught under the influence, the referee will immediately remove you from the premises without a refund.

Keep in mind:

They may randomly check players throughout the day to ensure full compliance of this rule.

The surrender rule

And one more thing to remember:

You may not aim for the head or shoot a player multiple times when in close range.

If the player chooses to surrender they may call back out to you that they are, “out,” they have been “hit,” or they could just say that they surrender to you in order to convey a positive response.

If you are caught in a hopeless situation and are asked to surrender but refuse to respond or attempt to bluff your way out of it, you will most likely end up getting hit.

Just keep in mind that close range paintball hits feel much worse than shots taken from a long distance away.

Don't say that we didn't warn you!

But Do Paintballs Really Hurt?

On the other hand:

If you disregard the rules and refuse to wear the proper clothing and protective gear, it’s going to hurt far worse.

You do not want to experience getting shot by a paintball on your bare skin.

But you don’t need to worry about that, right?

Of course, you don’t!

What are the risks of playing paintball?

Anything can happen, and minor injuries are just a part of playing the game.

Fortunately, severe injuries are extremely rare in paintball, but they do happen.

And the majority of these come from players removing their masks or other safety gear, which leaves their body open to exposure.

But:

As long as players follow the rules and play safe, they won't need to worry any more than say, crossing a busy street or going running, about getting severely injured when they play paintball.

Let The Game Begin!

Some fields also offer privacy games for specific events such as bachelor and birthday parties, team building, or corporate outings.

Elimination

Capture the flag

Speedball

Scenario game

This category of gameplay covers a wide variety of games.

Scenario games involve setting up a specific situation, with certain rules to complete different goals such as a team having to escort and protect a given player across the field.

The scenarios are often recreations of real world or video game situations.

Just have a look at this fun paintball level scenario of “Nuketown” from the popular game of Call of Duty.

After the game

But no matter how long a round takes, following each game, the referees expect all players to stop what they are doing and place their barrel cover on or the plug back over and onto their gun.

Plugging it back up prevents the paintball gun or marker from accidentally triggering when the game is not in session.

Although you are probably going to be sweaty and you may feel like getting out of all that hot gear, you can't remove any of your equipment, especially your headgear, until after you entirely leave the field.

The removal of your face mask while still on the field of play is the most dangerous and risky thing a player could ever do.

Typically, players can continue playing as many games as they want until they run out of paintballs or until the field decides it's time to close down for the day.

So What Are You Waiting For? Get Out There And See It For Yourself!

Paintball is the true immersion, a survival game brought to life.

Whether you are young or old, trying to take it to the next level or just starting out in the sport, paintball is an entertaining experience for nearly anyone to enjoy.

Although every person on the field will have their own moments, their own goals, and their own wins and losses, in the end, a game of paintball is all about fun and laughter.

At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is for everyone to have a fun, safe, and exciting experience.

What is your favorite piece of paintball gear? Let us know down in the comments! 

Featured image CC0, via Pixhere

Planet Eclipse manufactured their own ultra-low power solenoid for the Planet Eclipse, a single spool assembly that serves the dual purpose of controlling the position of the bolt and the air supply into the firing chamber during the firing cycle. And because the solenoid is driven by a custom SMC pilot valve that is over-rated for this application, the solenoid is robust and durable enough to handle the worst conditions a paintball marker could go through.

Apart from the new ISCIS3 solenoid technology, the Planet Eclipse CS1 and CS1.5 feature the next generation IVCore drivetrain assembly. The Planet Eclipse’s IVCore is legendary in being the first commercial system to introduce true decoupled breech-sensing valve technology to a paintball marker system tuned for reliability and efficiency whilst also being completely dwell insensitive. And this latest generation drivetrain system sports increased volume for the firing chamber, a modified bolt port geometry, and a larger adjustment range for the SFR. These changes combined with the significant new changes to the marker layout mean that all aspects of the shooting experience have been dramatically improved. The results are a smoother and quieter experience.

These technological improvements ultimately mean the Planet Eclipse CS1 is more efficient, powerful, durable, and lightweight – giving you a marker that will tremendously improve your game.

When Planet Eclipse released the CS1, it seemed as if they had reached the pinnacle of development on this line of markers – after all, perfection can’t be perfected can it. But it seems it can. Planet Eclipse decided to bring improvements to the already improved CS1, resulting in the CS1.5. I guess this is a true example of evolution, taking perfection and improving on it.

The Planet Eclipse CS1.5 came with a few slight improvements to the CS1. Slight in terms of sight, but drastic in terms of feel and efficiency.

One such improvement is the addition of the hugely popular Shaft FL carbon fiber barrel system for purposes of saving weight and enhancing the marker’s performance. The Shaft FL barrel resulted in the CS1 shedding over 10% of its weight – from 2.16lbs to 1.97lbs – a significant drop that really shows in long games.

On the cosmetic side, the Planet Eclipse CS1.5 has a new low-profile feed neck with self-locking sprocket thumbwheel that helps in streamlining the CS1.5’s profile. More notable design changes include the CSR Blade trigger, a CSR inspired frame, and a bespoke CS1.5 custom milled body among others.

The Planet Eclipse CS1 and CS1.5 – Revolutionary Marker for the Paintball Enthusiast

Paintball is an intense and competitive sport that offers a wide variety of playing fields. It consists of fast-paced strategies and tactics that can temporarily turn your closest friends into your focused enemy. But when was paintball invented?

It has become a popular game played on outdoor and indoor fields around the world. The sport reflects the unbelievable adrenaline rush that accompanies the hunt of each game.

So how did it all come to be?

The concept of the paintball marker was invented back during the mid-60s by a man named Charles Nelson. However, the sport of paintball is still relatively young, with the first paintball game played in May of 1981.

So now you know: When was paintball invented? But what happened between those years that transformed paintball into the popular game we love today?

To answer this, we have to dive deeper into some exciting paintball history.

History of the marker

When asking when was paintball invented, we must take a look back to the mid-60s.

During this time, Charles Nelson of the Nelson Paint Company was asked to create a device to assist foresters.

What he invented was the paintball marker.

The notion was to shoot a projectile of paint from the marker to mark trees or livestock. The device would save foresters and ranchers time by giving them the ability to mark from a distance.

Nelson approached the Crosman company to produce a marker gun that would shoot the paintballs. So the company developed the Crosman 707. However, after a few years of poor sales, Crosman halted production as a financial loss.

If only they knew how mistaken they were.

The Nel-Spot 007

Years later, Nelson decided that he might have more success if he sold his paintball marker as a toy. With BB guns so popular, he contacted an airsoft company, known as Daisy, to construct the first paintball marker.

In 1972, the Daisy Manufacturing Company patented and manufactured the "Splotchmarker," which Nelson marketed as the famous Nel-Spot 007. This marker became a milestone in paintball history for use in the first ever game of the sport.

The Nel-Spot 007 was a bolt action or pump action marker in the shape of a pistol. Its robust design, reliability, and simplicity still place it in the gear bags of many players today.

The first paintball game occurred on June 7, 1981, in the New Hampshire woods. However, the game didn't happen overnight. In fact, the discussion took place for the first time in 1977, between two friends, over drinks.

Years later, after seeing the Nel-Spot 007 in a catalog, the two friends set out to settle an ongoing argument — could a novice survive in combat against a trained hunter?

When looking into history to see when was paintball invented, you'll see it was nothing but a simple concept.

Testing their theory, Hayes Noel and Charles Gaines invited 12 friends to compete in a game of capture the flag. There were 4 flag stations, each with 12 flags matching each of the 12 people playing. The rules were simple: The first to capture all the flags without getting shot wins.

Half of the players comprised experienced avid hunters and the other half consisted of untrained city men.

Game-day took place on June 27, 1981. They armed 12 players with the Nel-Spot 007 paintball markers and set out into an 80-acre cross-country playing field.

Incidentally, the winner, Ritchie White, didn’t fire a single shot. Instead, he used strategic stealth tactics to collect all the flags, outsmarting his friends to win.

As the first 12 players stalked each other for eliminations and flags, they were not aware of the impact this simple experiment would have on extreme sports in the years to come.

Rise of the paintball industry

Shortly after the first game, one of the participants, Bob Jones, decided to write an article about the experience for Sports Illustrated Magazine. This instantly made the game of paintball famous and brought the sport to a whole new generation of players.

His article resulted in the unexpected flow of letters from people with requests asking how they could play the game.

The sudden popularity in the game proved to be a great business opportunity for the principal creators. Gurnsey, Gaines, and Noel started selling starter kits for what they called the National Survival Game (NSG).

The kit included a Nel-Spot marker, along with some paintballs and safety goggles. They also added an official rulebook for the game and a bonus compass as used by the first players.

Bob Gurnsey opened the world's first commercial paintball field in New Hampshire in March 1982. And as we learn more about when was paintball invented, this was only the beginning.

Gurnsey began licensing out the NSG franchise to others who wanted to start their own fields. The sport transitioned from NSG to the name of paintball and began to make its way overseas in 1994.

With all these new burgeoning industries, paintball was standardized and more streamlined for consumer play.

Speedball and the rise of the semi-automatic marker

While learning when was paintball invented, it's also good to know how it advanced over the years.

In 1988, a new variation to the game called "arena ball" made its debut at a paintball field in California. Also known as speedball, it was a revolutionary addition to the world of paintball and an instant success.

This type of game was extremely fast-paced and usually lasted only three to four minutes at a time. The game required higher speed, and because of this, the 1990s soon saw a rise in demand for semi-automatic markers.

It was Tippman Pneumatics to release the first fully-automatic paintball gun: the Tippman SMG-60. Tippman remains among the most respected and well-distributed companies in the world today.

Accurate and fast to operate, these semi-automatic markers could generate very high rates of fire. However, semi-automatic electronic markers were heavy to carry. They were also considerably more expensive, making them not readily available to most players at the time.

Originally part of Kingman, Spyder Paintball made a name for itself by introducing a more affordable semi-automatic to the public. Known as the Kingman Spyder marker, an aluminum body made it much lighter than other semi-auto markers on the market.

Famous for their reliability, simple design, and ease of maintenance, these mechanical markers had high performance at a low cost. By doing this, Spyder significantly evened the playing field for those players on a tight budget.

Over time, the markers became more affordable and available on the market. Other brands started to manufacture them, and today there are several great speedball markers from which to choose.

As the passion for paintball began the spread, it started to gain a more positive and safe reputation. More companies began to appear and take the opportunity in the sport, offering cheaper markers or specialized parts and gear.

While looking into the question of when was paintball invented, another milestone hit with the entry of electro-pneumatically operated markers.

Unlike pump markers, a circuit board controls power to electronic or electro-pneumatic markers with a 9-volt battery. The consistency is more accurate with a faster firing ratio due to the electric components.

In 2003, a company known as Smart Parts got a patent for paintball markers using an electro-pneumatic valve. Unfortunately, this also initiated a series of lawsuits regarding markers built during the pending patent period.

It also created a massive backlash against Smart Parts by many players of the game.

The event sent a shockwave through the industry, and several smaller manufacturers immediately ceased production of electronic markers.

Most high-end companies were less affected

However, for those companies that continued to make the electronic markers, the competition would only rise. Some of the remaining top-quality companies included Luxe Paintball, Planet Express, DYE, and many others.

Founded in 1994, DYE is one of the oldest companies in the sport. It manufactures a wide range of paintball equipment, as well as the popular Dye Rize line of markers. The goal of the company was to deliver reliable and dependable paintball guns and gear to all players.

A small England-originated company known as Planet Express became popular after creating what they called the Eblade board. This was a complete chip kit with the ability to convert any typical auto-cocker marker into an electronic one.

Today the company is now a leading manufacturer in electronic paintball markers such as the CS2 and the Etha 2.

DLX Technologies, also known as Luxe Paintball, amazed the world with its exclusive Luxe ICE, one of the best high-end paintball markers on the market. DLX designed its marker to be as customizable as possible and continuously updates to meet the demands of the players.

So now that we've answered your question of "When was paintball invented," let's go over the facts one last time before you head out into the field!

The very first game of paintball occurred in 1981.

When the game was first played, it was merely 12 friends trying to test who had the best survival skills only to become a world-known official sport in a matter of 2 years later.

Paintball has grown over the years, from outdoor and indoor fields to elaborate obstacles including custom scenarios and tactical gameplay. It has evolved into a highly competitive sport that comes in many different forms, ranging from small groups of friends to professional tournaments.

The game is now getting the attention it deserves and is a favorite recreational past-time for many people.

Did you enjoy learning about the history of this exciting, adrenaline-driven sport? Please let us know what you think in the comments below!

Featured Image via Pixabay

You've heard all about how exciting paintball can be. It's great exercise, a way to have fun with your friends, and an excellent sport for anyone who has a competitive spirit. Before you get to enjoy it to the fullest, however, you should learn how to use a paintball gun.

Paintball guns aren't overly complicated, but they're not as simple as you might think, either. You can't just grab any random paintball gun and expect to be able to play -- not if you want to have a chance at winning, anyway. You should know the basics of how these guns operate.

It would definitely help to learn some tips when it comes to how to use a paintball gun. This will help you get into the game with the confidence that you know what you're doing. That way, you can enjoy it as much as possible!

How Does a Paintball Gun Work?

If you have an interest in learning how to use a paintball gun, the first thing you should do is learn how one of these works. Of course, paintball guns fire paintballs. But exactly how does this happen?

Depending on the type of gun you have, there is a canister full of some sort of gas. Usually, it's carbon dioxide, but it could be nitrogen or even run-of-the-mill air. A short and controlled burst of this gas causes a paintball to come barreling out.

The gun also contains a hopper, which puts the paintball at the head of the line into its appropriate spot in the firing assembly. There is a single paintball that is in place that is prepared to go out the next time you pull the trigger.

The hopper moves the paintball that is first in line directly in front of a piston, which will propel it out when you shoot the gun.

Types of Paintball Guns

When you're on your quest to learn how to use a paintball gun, you should also learn about the different types of paintball guns. That's right, not all paintball guns are created the same.

Different types operate using different mechanisms, which will affect the specific directions when it comes to how to use a paintball gun for you.

There are hybrids of these three types, as well as other types that are on the market. However, the three main types are pump, mechanical, and electronic paintball guns.

10 Rapid Tips on How to Use a Paintball Gun for the Very First Time

When you're learning how to play paintball, a big part of succeeding is learning how to use a paintball gun properly. It might seem very simple, but the truth is that there are a few things that you should do in order to ensure that your gun functions optimally.

There are also certain tactics that you should employ while you're actually playing; that is, if you're interested in winning.

1. HPA tanks beat out CO2

When you're playing paintball, it's no secret that accuracy is essential. One way that you can make your paintball gun more accurate when you fire is to change the type of air you use. Instead of carbon dioxide, you can upgrade to HPA or High-Pressure Air.

First of all, you should make sure that your gun can operate using HPA. It works for most of the newer paintball guns, but you shouldn't assume it'll work for yours. Don't start using it without making sure your gun can handle it.

Carbon dioxide gas is very sensitive to temperature. If you're a science buff, you know that temperature and pressure have a direct relationship with one another. So, if CO2 is sensitive to temperature, the pressure can go all over the place with changing temperatures.

And this will make it very hard for you. Think about it -- if the pressure in your gun isn't consistent, your accuracy likely won't be either. HPA is much less sensitive to temperature and will be much more consistent for you.

2. Wash your gun, not just your uniform!

You can't expect your gun to be clean at all times when you're playing paintball. It's inevitably going to get muddy. However, you should also keep in mind that playing paintball with a dirty gun is one of the leading causes of inaccurate shots.

You should, of course, run a squeegee through the barrel. And you should make sure that the squeegee is clean. However, you need to clean and inspect the entire gun, not just the barrel.

You should make it a habit to check your paintball gun pretty regularly, especially after really messy matches. Make sure to check the raceway inside your motor, the detents, the eyes, the body, and the bolt and hammer, along with the barrel. It's almost a given that the accuracy of your game will be better for it.

3. Lube: a Goldilocks situation

Lube is very useful, a fact you should know while learning how to use a paintball gun. You need to keep certain parts of the gun coated with lube for optimal performance and maintenance. However, if you use too much lube, it can travel into places that could interfere with the performance of your gun.

If you use too much lube, it'll usually end up in the barrel. That could mess up the accuracy of your shots.

In other words, you don't want to use too much lube or too little lube. You want the amount of lube you use to be just right. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to figure this out by trial-and-error because no set amount works for every gun.

4. Paintballs should be subject to scrutiny

It can take a while to inspect your paintballs, which is why a lot of players don't do it. Especially since most reputable paintball distributors will produce high-quality paintballs. However, you need to keep in mind that you're never guaranteed perfect paintballs.

Even tiny imperfections on a paintball can significantly affect its trajectory in the air. Also, you should keep in mind that if one bad paintball ends up breaking inside your gun, it can mess up your entire game.

It would be a good idea for you to take a few minutes to inspect your paintballs before any game.

5. Don't get too attached to specific parts of your gun

Make sure that you check the parts of your gun on a regular basis. One example, which we have already mentioned, is the gas tanks and switching from CO2 to HPA. Also, you should make sure that your regulator is in top form.

It's possible that your regulator could have flaws from the very beginning. Or, after you've been using it for a long time, it could end up with wear and tear that could affect your game.

What you should do is test your regulator fairly regularly. If you see that it's not operating well, you should be prepared to either repair or replace it. You should make sure that it delivers consistent operating pressure.

6. Hoppers must be proper

Of course, it's essential to make sure your gun is clean on the outside. You should inspect several parts on the outside, as well as the barrel. However, it doesn't end here -- you need to check the hopper as well.

Keeping your hopper clean is just as important as keeping your barrel clean. Keep in mind that all of the paintballs that start out in the hopper will end up in the barrel anyway.

If you have oil, dirt, or the residue from a broken paintball in your hopper, it's eventually going to end up in your barrel and mess up your game.

7. It should fit like a glove

You need to make sure that your paintballs are the right size for the barrel of your gun. That is an important part of how to use a paintball gun.

If your paintballs are too small, they'll bounce around as they're leaving the barrel. That means they're not going to have a smooth flow, compromising your accuracy.

If the paintballs are too big, there will be friction between the barrel and paintball as they flow towards the exit location. As a result, the paintballs could break in the barrel. Alternatively, there will be so much drag that they'll go out at a slow velocity.

In order to make sure you're using the right-sized paintballs, there is a test that you can do. Unscrew the barrel from your gun and drop a paintball down the barrel.

If it drops straight through, it's too small, and if it gets stuck, you should blow on it with a small burst of air. If it's still stuck, it's too big, but if it exits the barrel with the short burst of air, it's the perfect size.

8. Reduce, reuse, recycle -- NOT!

In the second grade, they always told you that recycling is a good thing. And this might be true when it comes to paper, cans, and bottles. It is not, however, true when it comes to paintballs.

When you're in the middle of a game, it might be tempting to reuse paint pellets that have been dropped on the ground or have been fired already and still appear intact. After all, they're free pellets, right? They might seem free, but the truth is that your decision to use them will probably cost you by jamming your gun.

Paintball pellets have gelatine shells, which will absorb water very quickly. The pellets will become soft and swell up, to the point where they may not fit into the gun barrel or might not go through the hopper.

If you happen to drop a few pellets while you're loading your gun, you can use them, but only as long as they are still clean and dry. If you drop them in mud or a puddle of water, you're better off just leaving them.

9. Running on empty is never a good idea

The gas in a paintball gun isn't the same as the gas in your car. After all, cars operate using liquid gasoline, and paintball guns operate using literal gases. However, in both cases, you really shouldn't run on empty.

A part of learning how to use a paintball gun is learning that paintball guns have gas tanks that will generally give you a certain number of shots. Usually, you'll get several hundred shots before you have to replace the gas tank.

When you're starting to run low on gas, your pellets will start to lose velocity, which can definitely impact your game. If you think you might be running low, you should ask a marshal to check the gun and possibly fit it with a new gas tank.

Also keep in mind that the number of shots that deplete the gas tank applies to every time you pull the trigger, not just every pellet that you fire. Many people will dry fire their guns just for kicks, and this costs gas.

10. Aim before you fire!

This may seem like it goes without saying, but you'd be surprised how many paintball players fire first and aim afterward.

Basically, what they're trying to do is adjust their shot as they are firing it, so eventually, they end up hitting their opponent. However, it's often counterproductive.

Once you've fired your first shot, your opponent knows that he or she is a target and is much more likely to move and minimize your chances of making your shot.

Learning how to use a paintball gun isn't just about the maintenance of the gun itself, but also utilizing it in the proper way during a game. It's always best to be as covert as possible when you're playing paintball. Hide, aim, and then fire!

Ready, Aim, Fire That Paint!

Now that you're familiar with paintball guns and some tips on how to use a paintball gun, aren't you excited about trying out your new knowledge in a game?

Like any other game or sport, it'll take some getting used to. You're probably not going to be a champion paintball player your first time. But like anything else, practice makes perfect.

As long as you utilize all of the knowledge you have about how paintball guns work and how to use one properly within a game, you stand the best possible chance of becoming an excellent paintball player.

Just go out there and have fun, while also remembering that knowledge and strategy are your friends.

What do you think of everything we've just told you about how to use a paintball gun? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Featured Image by John Miller from Pixabay