Played on various mediums such terrain as dense woodland and snow, paintball is a rapidly growing sport largely because of its accessibility and versatility year round, as well as its ability to accommodate players of various interests, skill, and motives. Paintball develops such key components such as teammanship qualities, physical activity, and promotes quick thinking and good strategy too.

Originally started as a method by which loggers marked trees and livestock, the first game was played in June 1981 in Henniker, New Hampshire. Using a livestock marker Nel Spot model 007 (later lending to the first PMI/Sheridan based paintball guns), the object of the game was and remains basically simple: elimination of opponents through a method of tagging with paint. Much like the squirt gun wars that interrupted our He-Man and Barbie battle figure routines however, variations in the game enhance overall play, making each play particular in its complexities and giving each game an endless arrangement of challenge.

Illustrating paintball's attraction is the typical scenario game "capture the flag". In this game, it would seem that the primary goal would be to capture the flag, hence the name. However, several intricacies are introduced as the game works on differing levels. One on hand, with consideration to the skill of fellow teammates, it may be a good idea to simply win by attrition - that is, by simply suppressing the opponent with massive amounts of paint. Statistically, one would assume that eventually, though however inefficiently, hits would be scored and in the end, at least a draw can be had. With developed skill and communications however, it may be more wise to multitask your teammates, playing both fronts, as eliminators and flag runners. Though this requires much field strategy and cooperation, a game played well in this manner can nevertheless be a reward in itself.

Thus, the play of paintball also encourages many aspects of character and physical development in addition to strategy planning as well as quick thinking for the individual. As with many team activities, certain inherent aspects of the game such as personal integrity, teamwork, fellowship, and sportsmanship are exercised. Especially on the collegiate level, it is an experience unlike many others. The intense camaraderie of players out on the playing field gives each other a real brotherhood both during and after the game in the stories and experiences to be told. With the varying levels of play, the emphasis is not necessarily on winning, but on the development of the skills needed to work together.

Okay, so there is the recreational player too - you know, the one who decides to try out paintball as part of an outing with friends or as part of a dormitory trip. Paintball does not discern itself in the manners as other activities may to the occasional player, as it is such a sport that is easily enjoyed on many platforms by many people. In the game of paintball, the key is not the individual as much as the team, and a team with a positive attitude about which they conduct themselves will generally redistribute this into their play. Ultimately, winning is not half as meaningful to the team which cannot enjoy the achievement as a conglomerate effort.

"So what exactly is a paintball, Mister"? Well, a paintball is essentially nothing more than a water-soluble dye encased in a gelatinous shell. The paint is biodegradable, non-toxic (completely edible but tastes like something of Palmolive Anti-bacterial dishwashing detergent), and water soluble (due to the ionic groups of its molecules which dissolve in solutions in concentrations of more than 10grams/L). Propelled most commonly by CO₂ or Nitrogen, there is enough resilience in the ball itself to travel at a velocity of 290 feet per second for a distance of about 150 feet accurately, after which the ball tends to become distorted by windage and ball drop (gravity). Upon impact however, the ball does usually break, and depending on the circumstances, the break may not always an enjoyable sensation.

Since paintball is a sport where the players on the field at any given time is of varying skill and playing mode, the industry is committed to providing the safest possible play of the game. On the field, certified referees are always available, knowledgeable in the areas of proper velocity adjustment, safe firing guidelines and practices, and the use of safety equipment such as goggles. Off the field, safety gear such as facemasks and safety goggles designed specifically for the sport are nearly mandatory requirements for all players, as well as body armor and well kept rental guns. It has actually been stated that, "paintball is actually safer than bowling, tennis, golf, and swimming . . that in the 10 years paintball [has been played] in America, there [have] been no serious accidents" (Jthede@iastate.edu).

Paintball is undoubtedly a quickly growing sport. From its inception as a game of tag and capture the flag, the game has been played in many versions, lending to an endless degree of diversity and fun. The game involves the intrinsic qualities of team play with stress to the individual as well. The game is, by nature, designed for all players, and has a level of emphasis on safety and proper conduct unparalleled in the athletic industry.

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