1. General Rules
1. A minimum of one person is designated as the Referee for each Paintball game. The Referee will be the one who starts the game, stops the game for paint checks, decides the issues that may arise and who ends the game. The Referee should have a whistle for signaling the start, stopping and ending of the game. As with all games, it does not pay to contradict the decisions of the referee, decisions by referees and judges are final and unarguable.
2. A player is out of the game if he is hit by a marking pellet (paintball) and it breaks on him, this includes his clothing, gun or equipment. It doesnt matter whether the player is shot by a opposing player or a teammate (friendly fire). When a player is marked she he is to immediately call themselves OUT or DEADMAN . She he must then hold their gun over their head, continue to call out OUT or DEADMAN and leave the playing field by the shortest and safest route.
3. A player is not considered out of the game if she he is struck by a marking pellet (paintball) and it does not break. A player is not considered out of the game if she he is struck by a splatter from a marking pellet (paintball). Splatter is considered to be the spray or fragments from a marking pellet that has broken on an object such as a tree, bush or rock etc., close to the player. If a player calls herself himself OUT or DEADMAN , because they think that they have been hit by a marking pellet (paintball), she he is immediately out of the game and must leave the playing field by the shortest and safest route. Even if the player discovers that they were not hit, after they make the call their out, and must leave the playing field at once.
4. If two or more players mark each other simultaneously, all must be eliminated. A referee will decide who is to be eliminated when two or more players are marked.
5. If there is question as to whether a player has been marked, call for a Paint Check , thats what the referee is for. When a Paint Check is called the game comes to a stop, all players remain where they are at until the referee clears the problem and restarts the game. Note also that during a Paint Check all players remain where they are when the Paint Check was called and by leaving that position during a Paint Check they can be called out by the referee or by a player reporting their movement to the referee.
6. Predetermine the length of the game. Most games run 30 to 60 minutes, with 45 minutes being the average. The Referee will be the one who keeps track of the time. By setting time limits you make for a more aggressive game. If no one wins, who cares, go on to the next game and try some new strategy. Have Rest periods between games. Predetermine their length and have the referee keep track of the time. The Rest Periods allow the players to refresh themselves, to talk over the game that they have just played, to reload ammunition and Co2 gas, and to clean or repair equipment.
7. If the game is a flag game, only one player is permitted to guard the flag at the station. If the guardian gets eliminated from the game, s he leaves the flag at the point where s he got shot.
8. A player is not allowed to move together with the barricades.
9. Whether Dead Man Walking – DMW is allowed or not needs to be predetermined by the teams. DMW is when a player, although not hit, walks alongside players who got shot and are walking out of the game field. This deception gives him her the advantage to change his her shelter or to get nearer to the rivals.
10. Dead Man Silent is when a player gots hit and walks out of the field. During this walk s he is not allowed to speak to any of the players. A marked player is to walk out of the field and to report immediately to the referee for a paint check.
11. All paintballs used at the tournament must be purchased from the referee. No carry-on paintballs allowed. The game does not stop during this interaction. The referee leaves the paintballs to the player and walks away. The player runs the risk of getting hit while purchasing the paintballs.
12. Paintballs purchased cannot be reimbursed.
13. Every team has a captain. At the meeting, captains will receive any final instructions and written notice of rules. After the game, captains of both teams attend the calculation of the points done by the referee.
14. Team captains have to waive to the referee, in order for the game to begin. The referee blows the whistle and the game commences officially.
15. Set up the Boundaries of the playing field. Be sure that all players and the referees) understand where theyre located. The rules are During the playing of a game, any players) caught outside of the boundaries is are out of the current game and are to leave the play field area at once. Any and all shots fired from outside the Boundaries do not count. No leaving and returning to the playing field during a game. Once your outside the Boundaries your out of the game. Only the game players and the Referee(s) are allowed on the playing field during the playing of a game. If an unauthorized person enters the playing field the game is to come to an immediate stop until that person leaves the playing field. Set up the field Boundaries so that any stray flying marking pellets (paintballs) do not strike any other persons personal property, such as houses, cars, etc..
16. A team will be disqualified if any player enters or attempts to enter a playing field for a game without having signed a waiver.
2. Marshals Decision is Final
Marshals prepare, organise and run the Paintball day. They will take teams out to the playing areas and brief them on the objectives and rules of each game. They also act as referees during each game. As with any sport, the referees decision is final and they should not be argued with.
3. Getting Shot
A pellet has to hit you, break open and mark you to count as a kill. The following dont count A pellet hits an object first and paint sprays onto you. A pellets hits you and bounces off (always check yourself before you say you are out.)The following do count A direct shot that hits you anywhere on your body, gun or goggles and leaves a splat of paint counts.Being shot by your own team is very common and counts.If you do get shot (virtually everyone will get shot at some stage) you simply hold your gun up in the air and walk out to dead zone (an area outside of the playing area where you wait until the end of the game and watch how the game progresses).Dont walk through the playing area, with your arms by your side, mumbling about being shot you will get shot again.
4. Keep Those Goggles on
The first and most important rule in Paintball is to keep your goggles on. If a Paintball hits your eyeball it wont leave much behind. After each game all players and marshals return to the Neutral Zone (a safe area where no guns are allowed) for a short break and to prepare for the next game. The Neutral Zone is the only place where goggles can be removed.
5. Safety Precautions
1. Paint guns must have a barrel blocking device (plug) inserted in barrel at all times, except while on the playing field. In case your gun has CO2 leakage, avoid coming into contact with the gas. CO2 has a freezing temperature -76 C.
6. Safety Rules
Shooting someone in the back from point blank range will cause a lot of pain and make you very unpopular. The sporting thing to do is to ask them to surrender if they dont then shoot them.Surrendering only works when you sneak up behind a lone opponent u
7. Teams
Divide up into fair teams. If some people are new to the sport and others are more experienced, divide them up between the teams. In general, try to keep the number of people on each team about equal. If there are just a few people playing its not too hard to remember whos on your team, but if there are larger groups of people, tie some colored tape or cloth around your arms or guns to identify different teams.
8. Surrendering
Shooting someone in the back from point blank range will cause a lot of pain and make you very unpopular. The sporting thing to do is to ask them to surrender if they dont then shoot them.Surrendering only works when you sneak up behind a lone opponent unnoticed. If you are in a face to face fire fight they are not going to surrender and nor are you. Jumping into a wooden hut containing three opponents shouting surrender doesnt work. You will get shot at close range.
9. Establish Boundaries
Before any game begins, be sure to talk a walk around the field and clearly indicate the boundaries to everyone who will play. Make sure that your field is not too big or too small. A field a hundred yards long and fifty yards wide is great for 3 on 3, but if you have sixteen people, you need more room. Establish starting bases on opposite sides of the field and, if possible, make it so they are not in view of each other. Note that if you are playing on a speedball course with no trees or brush, this wont be possible.
10. Minimum Age
Eleven year olds and over can play paintball, however we generally advise 13 years and over because of the following A group of paintball players ready to start Most games are open sessions meaning several groups are mixed together. Groups tend to come from a variety of backgrounds such as stag groups, sports clubs, hen dos, birthday parties and groups of friends. If your group of 11 year olds is mixed with a group of 30 year old rugby players they may feel a bit intimidated. If you think your young ones will cope, then great they will be welcome to come along. If they are on the delicate side or may be offended by a bit of colourful language it may be better to wait a few years or come along on a Young Guns Day.
The gun is a heavy bit of kit (gun, gas bottle and hopper filled with paint pellets). Smaller children can find it difficult to carry, aim and shoot, let alone run. The pellets are fired at around 200 miles per hour. When you are hit by a pellet it can be painful, especially when shot at close range. Older children tend to be able to cope with being shot, younger slighter children can find it unpleasantly painful. The pellets may also leave a bruise that can last for a couple of weeks.Any player who is over 11 years and less than 16 years will need to bring along a letter of consent (download) from their parents to say that they have permission to play Paintball.. Alternatively if a parent drops their child off they can counter-sign the player sign-in sheet to acknowledge they have given permission.
11. Walking Off the Field
When a player is hit, they must then raise their gun over their head, shout that they are hit, and then quickly leave the field to the dead area. Be sure to keep your gun over your head and to shout that you are hit whenever you come across new players.
12. Paint Checks
If you think you might have been hit but cant tell for sure (such as if your back was hit, but you cant tell if the ball broke), you can call a paint check. Shout Paint Check and the closest player to you (on your team or the other team) will come and check you. If you are hit, you will then exit the field, otherwise everyone returns to their previous position and the game is resumed when the player who initiated the paint check shouts Game On!
