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paintballimpact.com / Beginner Basics / Misconceptions
Misconceptions about the Sport of Paintball
There are a number of misconceptions about the sport of paintball, for a number of reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is that it is a sport that people are unfamiliar with. Sports like track and field, football, baseball, and soccer have been around hundreds of years, and they are games that parents understand and are uncomfortable with their children playing. Paintball, on the other hand, has only been around for about the last 25 years, and it is a game started in the woods and open fields. As this sport is so new, people are uncomfortable about it, perhaps because they don't understand it.
Two common misconceptions about the sport is that it is dangerous, and that it is unregulated/unsupervised. With a little research and education into the game, people will discover that the rate of injury in the sport is very low, perhaps lower than the incidence of injury in bowling or golf. And most paintball fields and all tournament games, the proper safety gear is always required and the games are refereed. While paintballs do not travel fast enough to cause major injury, some of them do travel at a speed close to 300 miles an hour. Because of this, all players are required to wear goggles and a full head protection system. Also, referees are present in games to make sure that all the rules are followed and that player safety always comes first.
Among many other misconceptions about the sport of paintball, paintball is thought of as a dangerous game. Some of these misconceptions go all the way back to the titles people originally gave to describe the sport. Originally, the sport of paintball was originally called "War Games". Obviously the title War Games makes you conjure up images of people hurting each other, and running around blasting each other in a chaotic game of reckless survival and shooting. In fact, all paintball games played on fields and tournaments have a number of rules and regulations to abide by. Below is a list of some of the most important safety rules on the field.
- All participating players must wear an ASTM certified paintball
goggle mask at all times whether the game is being played or not.
- All paintball guns must also have a barrel cozy or a barrel plug attached. The barrel cozy must be placed over the barrel after games and whenever the player holding the gun is not involved in the game.
- Generally, shooting at another player from less than 25 feet is discouraged. If a player is in a direct line of sight from an opponent, the shooter should extend an offer to surrender. The opponent can then surrender, or offer to refuse. If the opponent is within 10 feet of someone who has a clear shot, they must accept the offer to surrender.
- Any person that shoots at another form less than 5 yards away is disqualified from the game.
- If two players are on opposite sides of the bunker, the first player to hit the bunker eliminates his opponent. IF players from two bunkers hit each other at the same time, a tie always goes to the attacker.
Once the public at large recognizes the safety precautions and safety rules associated with the sport, they are more likely to let their sons and daughters participate, and maybe take up arms themselves. Paintball is for both sexes and women play just as freely as men, often making intimidating opponents.
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