Paintballing is a fun way to stay in shape, meet people and simulate combat without the danger. An international sensation, paintball clubs and societies are available in most communities.

Paintball matches are held in a variety of areas, from open fields to wooded areas and even indoors. Various types of cover and obstacles are added to these areas to aid players defensively and frustrate them offensively. A paintball barrier can be anything from a shipping pallet to an old car to a plywood wall. Sometimes towers or tree stands are set up for sniping and surveillance positions. Often ditches or foxholes are dug to simulate actual combat zones.

Of the many different kinds of matches, capture the flag is the most common. In capture the flag, two teams face off to see which can take the other's flag first. A combatant must infiltrate the enemy's territory, take their flag, and return it safely to his or her team's base without being shot with a paintball. If the combatant is shot, he or she must drop the flag and leave the playing field. Some house rules specify that only shots to the torso are kill shots, outlawing head shots entirely. In another variant, shots to the arms and legs disable their respective limbs. In the strictest matches, even a shot to the gun is considered a kill shot. Several referees are usually on staff to judge hits and settle disputes.

It is important to enter a paintball match fully equipped with a professional level gun and a full set of safety gear. All serious paintballers use pneumatic guns, powered by compressed carbon dioxide. This gas is stored in modular canisters that can be changed quickly in the heat of battle. Carbon dioxide guns can fire paintballs at higher rates, faster speeds, and for longer distances than pump action guns.

Though paintballs burst on impact, they are shot at high velocities and can injure the eyes, nose and mouth. That's why the most essential pieces of paintball protective equipment are goggles and a face mask. A paintball vest is another important article. A good paintball vest will not only protect the wearer from impact welts and bruises, but will also have several compartments and pockets for everything a player needs on the battle field. It should be able to hold several tubes of paintballs and several carbon dioxide canisters.

With the right knowledge, equipment and weaponry, paintballing can be a fun way to get connected, stay in shape and simulate actual combat without the danger.