| Paintball is a game that originated in the early 1980's | | | | clothing is light. The game is usually held outside. |
| and subsequently exploded in popularity. Many fields | | | | Camouflage can be worn in wooded areas to help |
| and playing grounds are spread throughout the country, | | | | blend in with the surroundings. Additionally, some |
| and it is rare to find a young average male who hasn't | | | | choose to wear protective joint pads, to protect knees |
| played a game. | | | | and elbows. Some choose to wear packs on their |
| The sport can be dangerous, however, so proper | | | | belts or pants with cargo pockets, in order to carry |
| paintball equipment is a must. Players cannot compete | | | | extra paintballs to have while on the field. Shoes with |
| without a paintball gun. The gun is operated by a CO2 | | | | some sort of grip are recommended, as there is a lot |
| tank, and it usually has a compartment to hold the balls. | | | | of running with quick stops and starts during play. |
| This gun is what players use to shoot the other | | | | Ideally, boots are the best footwear choice. |
| players, and it is also known as a "marker." | | | | There are optional pieces of equipment to use in |
| Cleaners for the marker can be used to wipe it out | | | | certain settings. Grenades, thunderflashes, slingshots, |
| when a ball misfires, such as a tool that resembles a | | | | mines (which do not actually explode for safety |
| bottle cleaner or a squeegee. | | | | purposes), and grenade launchers are sometimes |
| In addition to the marker, paintballs are required. The | | | | used, although they are not used in official |
| balls are made of gelatin with a thin outer coating, and | | | | tournaments. Most of these cause immediate |
| they typically come in bright colors. In most paintball | | | | elimination from the game. Tanks exist on some fields, |
| guns, the balls drop into the gun from the container on | | | | but most competitors prefer to not use them, as they |
| the top; however, they can also be fed in electronically. | | | | can be expensive to maintain and cumbersome to use. |
| Finally, a paintball mask is a must. The mask covers | | | | Proper cleaning of equipment and preparation is |
| the entire face, and like a hockey goalie mask, | | | | essential to maintaining good order and usability. Injuries |
| sometimes comes with a throat piece. Sometimes | | | | can occur at any time, so caution is urged before |
| thicker clothes are optimal. Players wear them to | | | | stepping on the field. |
| lessen the impact of the paintballs, as long as the | | | | |