In paintball we have to make a distinction between two sets of rules, namely the rules of tournaments and those of recreational paintball.

BASIC RULES OF THE GAME

Elimination and number of players on a team

When a paintball ends up bursting on your body, and it surely will, you're out of that particular game. But it won't be for long, as a turn typically lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes, and you can use the time to recover and replenish your stocks before the next game.

In tournaments there's a typical limit of 3-10 players on a team. There's only total elimination, if any part of the player's body is hit (including the limbs as well as the marker itself) the player is out and must leave the field immediately.

In recreational paintball games there's no limit as to the maximum number of players allowed on a team. There's a difference with regards the rules of elimination too: the player is out if they're hit on their body or head, which means the limbs and equipment don't count.

Marshals - professional supervision of the game

The rules below apply to both tournament and recreational paintball games. Marshals are responsible for supervising the game, assisting the players, preventing and judging unsportsmanlike conduct. They signal the beginnig and the end of the game, officially confirm and announce the results, as well as make sure the players observe the rules throughout the game. Marshals are entitled to disqualify players or suspend the game as needed. They are also in charge of carrying out smaller repairs, such as cleaning markers and supplying the players with paint.

Decisions of marshals on the field are final and unarguable.

On field and safety rule violations
Players will be fully briefed on all safety aspects of paintball at the beginning of the game, but, as a rule of overriding importance, it is essential to always bear in mind that "paintball is a very safe game as long as the rules of safety are followed".Never forget the basic rules below.

• You must keep you mask on at all times when a game is in progress, until you are back in the safe area.
• Do not put your marker on the ground - dirt may get inside and seriously damage the structure.
• You mustn't leave the field during a game unless you have been eliminated.
• Do not cheat your partners, never remove a splat mark and always stop playing after taking a hit.
• Don't alter the terrain or structures on the fields.

Game types

A few of the numerous paintball games made up in the course of paintball history are the following:

"Capture the flag I.":
The objective of the game is to find and capture the flag hidden in the field and take it to the opposing team's base.

"Capture the flag II.":
The objective of the game is to capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base while defending your own flag hung at your own base.

"Freeing the hostage":
The name of the game speaks for itself - a team of defenders and a team of attackers fight one another to free a hostage.

"Black Jack":
This is a standard game of Capture the Flag, but players are only given 21 paintballs for the whole game.

"Annihilator":
This variation of the game is usually played without a time limit and is aimed at the complete elimination of the opposing team.