How to ensure that Paintball will not be bad for the Players

Many people think that playing paintball games is so risky and dangerous that a person might be hurt or injured. There are standard rules that are applied to the sport at this time. They ensure the safety and convenience of a person that will try to experience the game. Before, the sport was categorized as a war game where many people that played were injured from paintball pistols and air guns.

In the early version of the game non-powder guns were used for this type of war game. It was in the 1970s that these powerful paintball pistols and air guns were the weapons used to activate and launch paintballs. It was reported that 21,000 Americans were injured playing this sport when it was new to the curious public.

The Skirmish, one of the first paintball fields in America, called war games “friendly games” in their slogan. Consider the War Game Products, which introduced the paintball capsules that were launched by pressured air or CO2. These are non-powder guns, which are safer and less dangerous for a person who is hit by a paintball.

In the statistics of the Associated Press, there were 21,000 injuries reported each year since it was introduced. A recent survey was conducted by American Sports Data Inc, which reported that 8,700,000 people played the sport in 2002 and there were fewer reported injuries during that time. The reason for this is that the safety rules governing the sport have been standardized and enforcement is a priority. Many say that it is safer than playing basketball or baseball where there are more reported injuries

 The number of people participating in paintball games has surpassed the number of people who try snowboarding according to the American Sports Data Inc. survey. It is now considered the fourth largest alternative sport in America and it is still growing because of the number of people that are interested and curious about the sport.

There are newly developed rules and guidelines which regulate the sport. It is now one of the safest sports played because it requires the use of new types of safety equipment. This sport is not so bad after all! It is a great loss for those who have not yet tried the sport so that can experience the thrill and fun of paintball games.
 

Read More

Where to Play Paintball?

There are various types of paintball fields that offer a challenge and excitement to players. Paintball fields add to the overall enjoyment of the sport.

Woods

“Woodsball” as it is referred to by a lot of paintball players is the “purest” type of setting where paintball is played.  On this type of field, players get the feel of the real war game.

Basically, the field is a secluded area in the woods which has an open area.  Players “hare”, learn stealth or how to advance the field in a very sneaky manner.

Concept Fields

The concept field is often created outdoors, with many objects that have been set up for players to take refuge in or seek protection from.  Usually concept fields have a theme, the most common of which is the urban city setting with cars, buildings and many other city elements.

There are some fields that are very creative with their themes, such as medieval themes with castles which have towers, wagons and cutouts of people.  Concept fields are interesting and fun: players are able to adjust the skill level of the group by removing or adding obstacles.

Speedball Fields

According to paintball fanatics the most exciting and challenging of all fields are the speedball fields. They are made up of equally spaced and equally sized barriers.

The challenge here is that a player can not see past the huge barriers and can bump into or encounter anyone at any time.  With the smaller barriers a player can be concealed one way, yet revealed to another player.

Indoor Fields

These fields offer a much different approach and encounter from an outdoor field. The first and major thing that new players encounter is that here paintball guns are very loud: some find that the sound hurts their ears so they wear earplugs; but this is not necessary most of the time.

Indoor fields are generally found in cities where there is a lack of open areas to play the game. Similar to outdoor fields, indoor arenas also offer a variety of themes and set ups. The range is considered to be the major difference.

A team with great team effort is the key to the game of paintball regardless of where you play - the basic paintball idea remains the same. The option is up to you:  select a field that fits your interests and your performance level the best.  Paintball fields are as diverse as one’s imagination.

Read More

Popular Paintball Games

As paintball improved and became popular, many individuals tried their abilities at it; giving rise to the assortment and diversity of paintball tournaments and games.

Recreational or Capture the Flag  

Played by two teams, where each team has a flag and the objective of both teams is to capture or seize the opponent’s flag and carry it to your team’s starting point. This is one way for your team to win and another way is by eliminating the opposing team entirely.

Each team has to defend their base and simultaneously dispatch team players to eliminate the opponent and capture their flag.

These games are usually played in the forest; bunkers and structures can be put up throughout the area.

Scenario Paintball

This is a paintball game with a theme set up behind it: there are an endless number of themes that can be created making the game feel and look very realistic.  There are a number of players; in many cases as many as a hundred are involved in each team.

Each team gets the theme (storyline) a day before the start of the game. There are usually two teams participating, having the “general” as a team’s leader.

Each player is given a role and they should work together as a team in order to carry out and win an assigned mission. Props in accordance with the theme are introduced and distributed throughout the field. There are questions asked in connection with the theme and points are awarded for correct answers.

These points are totaled at the conclusion of the game and the team having the most number of points wins.

Backyard

This can be played right at your own backyard, a friend’s empty property or at times any property but you must as you get permission first.  You gather your friends to form a group and then conceptualize your own game which typically is “capture the flag”.

Speedball

Also called “Center Flag”, the speedball field is designed with many huge bunkers; usually “inflatables” filled with air that are shaped similar to big snakes, soda cans, water tanks etc.

Here, a team can be composed of between three to ten players in a game. There is only one flag that is involved and it is located at the center of a field.  The two teams start at each end of the field and attempt to gain possession of the flag at the center and carry it to their bunker. The team that does this successfully wins.

Paintball can surely challenge the “soldier” in you.  Give it a shot!

Read More

What are PaintBall

Mark!  You are it!

Paintball is a game where markers or guns are filled with non-lethal paint put in gel-like capsules which basically are used to shoot opponents. These markers are propelled by compressed gas.

Markers used in paintball evolved through the years - their use now is not the reason they were created years ago.

Markers for trails, trees and cows:

Believe it or not, the use of these markers started in the 70’s when farmers and members of forest groups used them to mark trees as well as trails, and cattle.  The guns used then were powered by gas.  Then - whether by inspiration or boredom – the users of these guns began playing around and instead of aiming them at other objects, decided to use the guns on each other.

And then there was paintball:

It was in 1981 that a group of friends decided to play their own unique version of paintball.  They were using same guns they were using to mark trees when they talked among themselves and decided to buy into a tree-gun manufacturing business.  The guns were then modified to control the speed as well as the power of the marker.

They promoted the guns and markers to the public and “viola”,  the game of paintball officially began at a field near Rochester, New York, in 1982.

The first paintball marker:

Ironically, the first ever paintball marker was not called a paintball marker and was not even used for paintball.  It was called a paint-pellet and was created by the Nelson Paint Company originally for the forest industry.  It was invented by James Hale and the patent was approved on  January 29,1974.

The first paintball gun:

The first and only gun designed especially for paintball was called Splatmaster   was invented by a man named Robert Shepherd who was issued a patent on July 3,1985.  Later on, markers know as electro-pneumatic guns were  developed.

The first paintball marker that is washable:

A specially designed marker with a washable fluid placed inside of soft gelatin capsules was invented by a man named George Skogg: the patent was officially granted on January 6,1987.  This special marker fluid is more precise when shot:  when it hits something, it is brighter and more visible. It is easily washable with regular soap and water or detergent.

Paintball markers have become user and player friendly through the years.  Who could imagine that what was used originally for cattle and trees could be enjoyed by many people as a game?  Hooray for paintball!

Read More

Paintball Basics

Paintball is a safe, simple yet challenging and strategic sport that is played usually by two teams, each with at least two players. Adults and kids alike enjoy this sport as they often refer to it as an advanced or improvised game of tag.

Tournaments attract many spectators of all ages, as it is a very exciting game to watch.

Paintball games are of various types, however, the most popular game often played is called "capture the flag". The object or the goal of this game is for teams to advance to the opponent’s base, move the other team’s flag to its destined location, at the same time guarding your own flag.

The paintball field has many obstacles such as tires, forts, old cars, hay and the newest are “inflatables” that are constructed as refuge for team players; making the game all the more exciting, as if participating in an actual game of war in videos.

When one is hit, it can hurt briefly and at times give players bruises.  Players are typically required to be in long sleeves shirt and pants, making sure that the color is not be identical as that of the judge and complete paintball gear such as mask, helmet and goggles for safety.

The sport of paintball has a distinct and accurate set of rules that are strictly followed. 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.

A military approach to paintball is useless, as that knowledge is recognized and understood by the teams. A team’s tactic should be carefully planned; your team’s line of attack will not be known by the opposing team, and there should be a quick switch of plans in case something goes wrong.

There must be a lot of team work involved, as everyone moves through the field. As a team member moves, there should be others to guard and keep watch and give off covering shots when necessary.  A team that moves together with a common objective will have a great chance of succeeding in this game.

Communication in the field is also very important.  A team-mate can shout the position of the opponent. The moment that a player is seen, the game for that player is up; so there is no reason for you to keep quite; instead, inform the others the location of the enemy.

The excitement of this game concludes when you are seen and eliminated - a situation that all team players struggle to avoid.

Read More

Home schooling and college

As children grow out of their little pants and are ready to begin

their teens, many parents wonder if they should continue with the 

homeschooling program. They fear that colleges may not give equal 

opportunities to a child educated at home. 

Many fears of this kind were put to rest when 2 homeschooled boys 

got admission into Harvard. Harvard does not require a high school 

diploma for gaining admission to their degree program. Many 

colleges are more interested in the knowledge and behavior of the 

homeschooled children rather than their high school diplomas. In 

fact, other things being similar many colleges prefer 

homeschoolers because of the diversity and richness they bring to 

their college life.

Admission requirements may vary. While some colleges require the 

child to appear for the SAT, others may need a general equivalency 

diploma. And some may not care for any tests at all. The criterion 

may vary depending on the college that you wish to apply to. But, 

college courses really do not require any high school background 

or special training. 

It is common to come across parents who frantically try to shift 

out their homeschool children to high schools because they fear 

unavailability of college admissions. But college admissions are 

open to all educated individuals, regardless of whether they are 

educated at home or at a public school.

Read More

Homeschooling and the family

According to the National Center For Education Statistics, almost 

1.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That's 

a lot of children. Once upon a time, homeschooling used to be a 

radical statement - something like a declaration of independence. 

It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in 

the '80s and legalized it in every State. But the typical 

homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.

Recent surveys indicate that parents are actually quite fed up of 

the public school systems where much of the learning is 

superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about negative 

school environment ranging from drugs and abuse to negative peer 

pressure. As a result, we have a surprising mix of people who form 

the homeschooling world of today. They cut across all religious 

and regional borders. Their main aim is providing meaningful and 

productive learning through a method that strengthens the bond 

between the various members of the family.

All these families have one thing in common - a long enduring 

commitment to the sanctity of childhood. The children in these 

families are accorded a primary position. Many believe, and 

rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring up children 

in a more natural and nurturing environment. Public schools can 

make one nervous, diffident and downright mean. Children who get 

schooled at home are protected from these damaging negative 

influences till they reach an age where they can handle it.

Homeschooling draws the whole family into the almost religious 

task of schooling. Everyone is put to work. The parents together 

form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned into 

an educational experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly 

what is going into their child's head. Parents also have greater 

control on the kind of religious and moral values that the child 

imbibes. Even watching a movie together can become a learning 

experience. Trips to the libraries and other places become 

educational as well as recreational. 

A homeschooling family is primarily dependent on the income of one 

earning member. That means that often spending has to be curtailed 

and proper planning of expenditure is a must. This helps to bring 

the family members together and everybody gets involved in the 

process of saving money. 

Having a parent at home to supervise, to nurture and care for the 

children brings with it a lot of love and caring. Even your 

husband chips in and there just is no room for boredom. Yes, 

problems do crop up, and there are a lot of misgivings in your 

mind. But when you know that your kids can always count on you, 

and your kids know it too, then homeschooling becomes a richly 

rewarding experience. 

Read More