We all know that in life, for almost everything, we must follow certain rules that allow us to engage more fully in society. Paintball is no exception, as we must remember it's not an individual sport - we're surrounded by teammates who, even if they're our enemies for a few hours, deserve our respect.
Since it's an activity where the main tool is a marker that shoots paintballs, we must be careful with its use. We can't shoot whenever or wherever we want - there are rules to ensure safe practice:
- You must respect the minimum age set by different companies. In most cases, the minimum age is 14 years old, though they may have junior markers so younger children can enjoy the game.
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- You must always use the safety equipment provided by the company for the experience. The mask is a vital element of paintball gear and must never be removed during gameplay under any circumstances. They may also provide you with a vest, gloves, overalls...
- Even though the head is covered by a mask, shooting at an opponent's face is prohibited. Although paintball is practically painless, you could cause serious problems for your teammate.
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- You must always respect the minimum distance of 6-8 metres.
- Respect neutral zones - you cannot shoot in or through them. These areas are exclusively for reloading your marker, so you should point it downwards and keep the safety catch on in these zones.
- When you're eliminated, it's crucial to respect this and leave the playing area. In this case, it's recommended to also put the barrel cover on your marker (known as a "barrel sock") to avoid risks.
If you follow these rules, you'll have a brilliant time, release adrenaline and combat stress in the best possible way. You and your friends will enjoy hours of absolute recreation and return home safe and sound.
