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Paintball Game Evolves from Cattle, Tree Tag Markers into a Popular Extreme Sport
from: Maxx Sports GuidesWar games have been used for many years to prepare an army for battle or the beginning of a surprise attack.
Paintball is also a form of war game, although participants aren't able to use real guns in this game.
In 1981, twelve individuals decided to play a war game using markers originally used to tag cattle and trees. The game we now know as Paintball was started by Bob Gurnsey, Hayes Noel, Charles Gaines and nine others.
The game later switched to markers using paintballs to shoot at other players.
The bullets used for each shot is a .68 calibre gelatine capsule that comes in various colors so that one team can distinguish the shots they fire from those of the opposition. When anyone is hit by a paintball, he or she is out of the game.
Different Versions
Through the years paintball has evolved and today can be played in different ways. In one version of the game, each team carries a flag, which the other team must capture to win.
Another game has the same objective, with the exception that only one flag is placed in the center of the field and each team tries to be the first to capture the flag. The other way to win (other than capturing the flag) is to eliminate all of the opposing team's players with paintball hits.
When played on a small scale, the game is called recreational paintball -- the original way it was played in a wooded area. Today, it can be played in an area the size of a basketball court.
When many people want to play and the field is a large area, the game is called a scenario. The largest scenario to date was held in 2005 with 3,000 participants on 700 acres of land.
Tournament Rules Vary
A competition sanctioned by a governing body is called a tournament. Teams can be comprised of three to ten players each. Rules during such events vary so people should check before entering the tournament.
For the safety of all participants, each player is required to wear protective gear, consisting of a helmet, chest pad, gloves, and knee and elbow pads. The guns used are only allowed to fire a maximum of 300 feet per second.
Paintball is a game that's gaining ground in the sports world. According to a 2005 study Paintball was ranked as the third most popular extreme game in the world. It's considered a safe sport as long as proper equipment is used and people comply with the rules.
Interested people can sign up at their local club and join in the fun.
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