Paintball FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. Is a paintball impact painful? Does it hurt?
   A. A direct hit from a paintball may sting or hurt a little. At worst you may go home with a few bruises from paintball hits. All registered paintball fields in the United States have a number of safety precautions to make sure that the only thing you go home with is a few bruises. First, players are required to test their paintballs with a chronograph so that it doesn't exceed a certain velocity. Second, all player are required to wear ASTM compliant goggle systems as protecting the eyes is of the utmost importance.
   
   
   
   
2. Q. If a player gets hit with a paintball that doesn't break, is he still out?
   A. In most paintball games and tournament play, a paintball impact but non-break is a non-elimination. It is good sportsmanship to call out "bounced" or "didn't break" if he/she is hit but does not receive paintball splatter.
3. Q. I have a bunkering question. If you catch the end of a paintball due where both players tagged each other, how do you make the right call?
   A. During a bunkering play, you may have only had a good vantage point to see one of the players get tagged. Both players may have been coming from opposite directions and firing at each other at almost the same time. If you are having trouble making the right call, appeal to the next closest judge that had a good vantage point on the play. Ion the future, try to stand back from the play as far as you need to, to see the two paintball players converging on each other.
   
   
4. Q. What should a referee do if he witnesses a likely bunkering maneuver?
   A. If a referee witnesses a bunkering maneuver, he or she is to call a penalty.
5. Q. If a paintball player makes a daring run on its enemy flag, how should the referee devote their attention to this move?
   A. Usually, the head field judge is responsible for watching the flag pull. One judge on the field should dedicate his energies exclusively to monitoring the flag pull. This is where a paintball player is likely to get the most intense fire, and it will take all a referees' concentration to make sure that he got to the flag cleanly.
6. Q. Is paintball an expensive sport to play?
   A. Paintball probably is a pricey sport when you take into account the clothing, its goggle systems, boots, and paintball gun. When you add to the re-occurring cost of paintballs, it can be expensive. For these newbies looking to break into the game, there are a number of great stores and websites for used paintguns. Many previously owned paintball markers sell for 50 - 60 percent of their cost new.
7. Q. What is the difference between nitrogen (N2) and CO2 tanks?
   A. CO2 tanks are composed of liquid carbon dioxide and are used for many scenario and recreation players. When the trigger is pulled, the liquid CO2 is converted to a gas, and this expansion of gas propels the paintball forward at 800-850 psi. CO2 tanks do not work as well in colder weather or for fully automatic paintball guns.