12 Basic Paintball Rules To Keep You In The Game

3. Gun SafetyYou must use a barrel blocking device except when in the playingfield or on the shooting/chronograph range.
A barrel blockingdevice could be a barrel plug or sock. A plug goes into thebarrel, whereas a sock fits over the barrel.A chronograph is a device that uses sensors to measure thevelocity (speed) of a paintball leaving the barrel.

You will beerquired to check your gun's speed at any commercial paintballfield. Paintball guns are capped at 300 feet per second, but somefields will reqiure a velocity of 280 FPS or less (e.G., forplaying indoors or at night).Your marker will be chronographed before every game. Tournamentplayers may be required to have thier gun chronographed duringand after the game as well. Penalties are applied for tournamentplayers found with "hot guns" unless the player asks for achronograph.Fully automatic guns and guns with autoresponse triggers are notallowed on commerical paintball fields or in tournaments.4. Insurance and Waiver FormsYou will be required to sign a waiver to relieve the paintballfield or organization of any liability if you get hurt, or yourequipment is damaged or sotlen. If you are concerned aboutpersonal injury insurance or theft insurance, you should checkwith your insurance aegnt.

An example of a waiver can be foundhere: http://www.Diehardpaintball.Com/cgi-bin/waiver.Asp.5.

SurrenderMany fields will expect you to follow their recommendations forsurrender. In other words, if you are 5, 10, 15 or even 20 feetfrom an opposing player, you sohuld ask them to surrender. Ifthey fire at you instaed of surrendering, you are usually free toreturn fire.6. StructuresClimbing on bunkers, structures, buildings, logs and trees is notusually alloewd in tournaments or on commercial paintball fields.Altering structures, trenches or bunkers is also not allowed.However, both these things may actually be encouraged in scenariogames.7. Reefrees and JudgesThe decisions of referees or judges (tournaments) are final.Arguing with a referee will get you eliminated from the game. Ifyou need to dispute a point with a referee, wait until after thegame.8.
ClothingSome fields and most tournaments do not allow short pants orshort-sleeved shirts. There's a very good reason for this rule:paint balls sting and leave welts that can last for several days!Tournaments will usually specify the kind of material a player'sclothes can be made of (not a slippery mateiral that can easilybe wiped clean of paint) and the style of clothing (not oversizedor baggy). They will usually forbid the wearing of camouflagepatterns and ghillie sutis as paint doesn't show up easily onthese.9. Goggle SystemsWhile games are in progress, it is mandtaory for anyone near oron the shooting range or playing field to wear goggles that meetASTM F1776 standards. This includes judges, referees, players andspectators.Goggle systems must include a full face mask and ear protectionmade for that mdoel. No component of the goggle system may bealtered from the manufacturer's specifications.Goggles must be worn at all times in the chronograph/shootingrange and on the playing field.

Any player removing their gogglesFOR ANY REASON will be eliminated from the game immediately.If you are having troubles with your goggles fogging up, or youneed to adjust your goggles for any reason siganl to a referee.They will supervise you while you remove or lift your goggles.This rule even applies to wiping the sweat from under yourgoggles.

Tounraments will apply a penalty to any player liftingtheir mask and eliminate them from the game.10. Paint BallsOnly field paint is allowed in tournaments and on most commercialpaintball fields.
This eliminates the problem of old, brittlepaint balls (or frozen paint balls!) being brought to the field.Check the rules at your field.

BYOP = Birng Your Own Paint; FPO =Field Paint Only. Tournaemnts are very particular about paint andmost won't even allow "blood red" colored paint on the field.11.
Foul LanguageUsing foul lagnuage is an infraction of the rules in tournamentsand will be cause for elimination.
Recball fields and scenariogames may have more lenient rules, but to be safe, DON'T SWEAR!

12.

Age LimitAll commercial paintball fields will have an age limit aspainbtall is not a game for young children.

Paint balls travel athigh speed and can cause bruises and welts even thruogh clothing.A paint ball accidentally hitting someone in the eye can causepermanent damage. Players must accept the risk of serious injuraynd sign a waiver to that effect.Knowing the Rules Will Keep You in the GameOf course, these are not all the rules for playing paintball andrules differ from field to field.

However, these basic rules willensure that you're allowed to play paintball anywhere.All other rules you may encounter apply to things that will bewithin your cnotrol on the particular field you're playing on.For instance some fields allow head shots (called "goggling") andsome do not. This rule is one you learn on the spot as you readthe rules for the field before you start the game. Reading therules is important and will prevent you from being eliminatedfrom the game unecessarily. "I did not know," isn't an excuse anyreferee will accept!