Its All in the Basics - Paintball-21st. Century Tag

Adrenaline, combat, team building, individuality all describe Paintball a 21st century game of tag as one of the world's most exciting sports. Are you ready to play paintball-21st. century tag and join the sport of the new generation?

Paintball is often referred to as an advanced or improvised game of tag or as I like to call it 21st. century tag. People of all ages can get active in the sport as it is a safe but also challenging and strategy filled sport. Two or more players form the team to compete in the game of paintball tag.

As it is a very exciting game to watch, tournaments attract many spectators. Not only is paintball is played as a recreational hobby but at a professional level too, internationally, with prizes as high as $1,000,000!

There are many types of paintball games, with the most popular one being "capture the flag." We should all know this one, even before paintball became popular, with the object of each team to advance to the opponent's base, move the other team's flag to its destined location, at the same time guarding their own flag.

Now in paintball field, there are many obstacles such as tires, forts, old cars, trees, bushes, hay and the newest are "inflatables" that are constructed as hideouts for team players. One of the fields I visited even had empty oil-drums and old hay wagons as protection from the paintballs.

When you are hit by a paintball, depending on which part of your anatomy of course, it can hurt briefly or leave a bruise. But paintball markers are calibrated so as not to injure any players with high speed hits. Especially as nowadays, the high speed marker guns can propel the paintballs at such a repetitive rate that you have to be very much aware of where your opponents are if you are not going to get hit in the worst possible place.

So now you know that the next paintball basic is to wear the proper protective paintball gear, from long sleeves shirt and pants - or battle uniform, mask, helmet and goggles for your added safety.

Paintball rules are strictly followed and the producer of the tournament is the absolute authority in regard to either an alteration or addition to the rules; marshals oversee the event, and their decision is always final. No dispute on the paintball field is accommodated or entertained. The same should apply when you are in a friendly game with your mates. You never know who else is watching, so don`t give the sport a bad name.

A team's tactic should be carefully planned just like any other team game with the line of attack not being made aware to the opposing team. Always have a plan B just in case the first line of attack fails.

There is a lot of team work involved as a team member darts around the field, while others guard and keep watch and give off covering shots when necessary. Any team that moves together with a common objective, will obviously have the greatest chance of succeeding in this game of 21st century tag - so planning is key!

Communication on the field is instrumental for a winning play. A team-mate can shout the position of the opponent. The moment that a player is hit, that player is finished; so there is no reason for you to keep quite; instead, inform the others the location of the enemy.

The game is over when all players on one team have been hit or surrender by shouting "Mercy !"

With these paintball basics, and your paintball gear, whether marker packages or just paintballs, you'll need to find a Paintball Gear Store to get equipped for your the first or next time you go to play paintball-21st. century tag. More on the subject of paintball gear in future articles.