Paintball

The birth year for paintball is considered to be 1981, when competitions were held with the goal of “capturing the flag”. Paintball is played in about 40 countries around the world, and professional and amateur competitions are held throughout the US and Europe. Paintball arrived to Estonia in 1995.

Special air rifles equipped with paint bullets are used to play paintball. Paintball or Survival Game is an active game that consists of players who try to hit other players with paint bullets and thereby eliminate them from the game. You can play paintball on a special ground or in a place players choose to play by using different strategies. Paintball can be played in a nature or for example in abandoned buildings where allowed to do so.

The players are divided into teams. There is not limit on the number of players, so anywhere from two to a hundred can play. Individual games can also be played, where everything that moves is the enemy. Aim and fire! The strongest survive. In case of team play, the members of each team are given armbands in different colors and the teams gather under their flag, where the game begins.

If needed, a referee can supervise the game to make sure that players abide by safety standards and remove the players who have been hit. There are no strict rules, however, safety rules are the most important. The goal of the game may be the capture of the opposing team’s flag or of their “castle.” The game may be based on the principle of attack/defense or playing “to the last man.” Players who have been hit raise their hands, to give notice to the other players that they are leaving the field. The surrender of one’s weapon can also be required.

The game ends when the goal has been achieved or when no one is left on the opposing team. The game may be limited to 25–40 minutes or it may be unlimited.

Paintball should not be considered a war game, but rather an interesting sport which helps the players to ‘shake off’ everyday life.