Paintball Anyone? Paintball: sports or not?
Paintball Anyone?
People who love to play war games will surely enjoy the game of Paintball. This game which has been around for more than 20 years involves a lot of running, crawling and shooting that makes a person feel as though it is the real thing.
The only thing difference is that instead of using live ammunition to kill the opponent, paint in the form of balls exits the weapon and hits the opponent. The bullet used for each shot is a .68 caliber gelatin capsule. It comes in various colors so both teams can distinguish the shots fired from the other.
Anyone who is hit in any part of the body is automatically out of the game. There are other ways that the team can win. Both teams are given one flag and the team who captures the enemy flag wins.
In another game, a single flag is positioned in the center of the field. Whoever is able to capture it wins the match. The other way of winning would be to eliminate all the players of the opposing team.
The game can be played either on a small scale or large scale. Small scale can be the size of a basketball court with barrels and other obstructions to give cover for the player. This is usually called recreational. Each team should have five to ten players in order to play.
When there is game that could involve more than a hundred participants, this is called a scenario. The largest ever recorded scenario was in 2005 on 700 acres of land and with 3000 participants.
This growing sport has a regulating body that sanctions such events. Competitions that are held by various leagues are called tournaments. Teams can comprise from 3 to 10 players each. Rules during such events vary so people should check before joining the match.
Since safety is the primary concern of this game, players are required to wear protective gear at all times. These consist of a helmet, chest pad, gloves, and knee and elbow pads. The guns maximum firing speed is 300 feet per second.
Paintball is ranked as the third most popular extreme game in the world. It is also considered a safe sport with only a few reported minor injuries. This will continue as long as the players abide by the rules. Those who are interested can sign up at their local club and join in the fun.
Paintball: sports or not?
The rising popularity of paintball games also gave rise to two opposing groups; one considering paintball as a sport while the other one dismissing it as just a pastime and a non-sporting activity. But is paintball really a sport or just a plain hobby?
Paintball is considered by enthusiasts as one of the most exciting sports in Europe and in at least 40 countries worldwide and is played by both men and women of all ages.
The reason it has been dismissed by many as a non-sport and considered a mere hobby is because of the reality that paintball started as an activity usually played during corporate gatherings. As a side activity of most company gatherings, paintball served as a pastime for corporate officials who needed to relax after tough corporate duels. However, those who have tried playing paintball have been stuck by and hooked on the game.
The reasons some people see paintball as a mere hobby or pastime is because of ignorance or lack of knowledge about paintball.
Most dictionaries define a sport as an activity for individuals or a group which involves physical skill and is governed by a set of rules and is engaged in professionally. On the other hand, a pastime is seen as something participated in for exercise or for pleasure. Paintball is both.
While a glimpse of the game gives one the idea that paintball is a macho game and something which gives rise to the “Rambo” image of the male species, it is important to note that paintball is an organized sport. No one can play the game without training or without the necessary tools and accessories. Sorry to disappoint you, but paintball is not just for macho males, but also for females who want some “spice” in their lives.
Paintball is a rough game so safety is a prime concern. Paintball players are required to wear protective clothing like overalls and jackets. However, like all other sports you must follow all of the safety rules since close range shots can cause bruises and/or hurt the victim. Some game sites minimize the chances of close range shots to avoid injuries.
If you want to get into a sport which can really get your adrenaline flowing, then try paintball. It is a sport which you can play with friends or with your family.
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