Things to Remember About Paintball

1. SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE THING TO PRACTICE.

2. Having a good time is the second most important thing. This includes working with whoever is on your team for the game. The paintball field is NOT the place for arguments or fights. Where arguments will be occasionally tolerated, fights will remove you from the field.

The following is simply a jumble of thoughts about actions that occur on the field and should be considered by all players:

Always remember there is a potential for an accident or injury when playing the competition sport of paintball. Even though the game is challenging and fun, the potential is always there. People tend to get so focused on the competition that sometimes levelheadedness goes out the window, as there is a good deal of adrenaline and excitement going on during the course of the game. Each player should always be aware of what they are doing and how their own equipment is working. Each can lead to problems or injuries if they get to "out of control."

The referee on the field has the responsibility of watching all the players and the field for any potential problems. Sometimes it may seem the referee is just there to be a pain and get in the way. This is not the case. If a referee does see a problem, either from a player, equipment, or the field itself, their job is to address that problem. This may include directing the player to stop a current action, have the player address an equipment problem after the current game, or even have the player leave the field during the current game.

If, in the middle of a game, the referee does not usually have time to explain why they are taking an action you should just follow the directions given and address any questions after the game is ended. All referees have different styles of observations and voice volume on how the calls are made. Also, when wearing a protective mask, they must talk much louder than normal just to be understood. Remember you are not being singled out or picked on for a violation or malfunction by the referee. Also the referee does not have a bad attitude toward you. Just comply with the instructions, as they were given for a reason.

Also remember that some of the players on the field are tournament level players and some are there just for the complete fun of the event. Each level of the player's ability will vary depending on experience and training in the sport. Some of the higher competition players will talk to each other in a different way than they would some of the novice players. Sometimes this style will be more commanding or more technical. Remember the tournament players train together and are sometimes harder on each other than they would be on others. If you have any questions as to why someone was directed to take or stop a tactical action, just ask.

You will learn more this way than just figuring that they are rude or abusive towards each other or towards you. Again, remember that the time for discussion will be after the end of the game.

Goggles are another pet peeve of the referees. The referee will not address you very politely if your goggles are not on in the area of play. This is probably the event that has the potential for the worst injury. The paintballs are traveling about 300 fps and are 0.68 calibers in size. The size and speed has the potential to explode your eye if hit. The referee will remind everyone of the goggle rule during the safety briefing.

This is an area where no violations can be allowed. First violation for the day takes you immediately out of the game. Second violation for the day will remove you from the field for the remainder of the day. Remember that wherever you are playing, you do not want to lose the field privileges.

Also remember that during the course of the game, if you feel you hit someone and they have not realized it yet, DO NOT SAY THE WORD "OUT OR HIT". Using these words will immediately put you out of the game and not the person you felt you hit. Tell them to check themselves or words to that effect. Remember that when you are

checking yourself you are still in play and can be eliminated. Don't stand up in an open area and look for the paint. Only a very courteous player will not eliminate you when you are doing that. Most people will not pass up the easy elimination when offered to them.