Speedball has made paintball a more formal sport. Professional leagues have evolved, and it is finding much more support. Unlike its woodsball counterpart, speedball can be more structured and refereed. It is still fun, and can be even more so with the fast pace and high energy. Speedball is set up with bunkers on both sides of the playing field. These bunkers are mirrored on both sides of the play area. With this structure, viewing and participating have become greater. The arena style playing field gives spectators a greater visibility of the activities.

Each league maintains its own individual format and structure. The competitive edge remains strong in all such leagues. Since the dawning of paintball, it was merely an activity for groups of individuals on weekends. With speedball, paintball has been revolutionized into a real sport. The defining characteristics of speedball teams are things like athletic ability, coaches, team practice and ethic, endorsements and sponsorships, a high volume of media coverage, and an intense and large fan base. The team players in speedball tend to have a smaller marker or gun. This keeps less of their person being exposed during a match.

During the 1980s and 90s, paintball was exclusively played in the woods. Each park or tournament area had its own layout, making all of them a different experience for marksman. There was, however a playing field in Southern California called SC Village. This playing field included a treeless area, called Beirut, which had several plywood buildings. This would become the favorite field of many who would even travel large distances to play. This field offered a faster pace. This was the birth of speedball as it is known today. Dennis Bukowski and Giovanni D Egidio owned SC village and provided the foresight for the growth of paintball.

In 1996 Brass Eagle introduced the first inflatable bunker playing field. The field was introduced at the 1996 Paintball World Cup. It was released as the Ultraball field. It was more commonly known at the time by its trademark as Hyperball. During this NPPL World Cup, in Orlando Florida, Paintball as a sport began to change dramatically. Paintball began to leave the woods and enter the speedball field. The following year a Moroccan company introduced the Sup’Air Ball inflatable bunkers. These new layouts brought about a lot of press for paintball.

The new press still had not given the infant speedball that push that it needed to become what it is today. The amount of press was incredible, in fact. The NPP: series, International Amateur Open, and Great Western Series did finally begin to incorporate some of the speedball concept fields. They all continued to primarily use wooded playing fields. In the year 2000, the Paintball World Cup was played using only the speedball concept fields. The following year, the first season of speedball concept play, without wooded fields, had arrived. The move to speedball had come from teams pushing to gain more photo coverage.

This new found media coverage opened an entirely new avenue of opportunities for teams and players. With this kind of coverage teams and players could recruit corporate sponsorships and endorsements. The coverage allowed for the development of a much larger fan base. The sport had truly become a national sensation. With that many smaller tournament fields began to open, giving the public an ease of access to the sport that had never existed before.

As the sport is now it is typically played by teams comprised of 3, 5, 7, or 10 players. It can be played with more players for a more intense experience as a recreational event. Speedball is normally defined by its smaller playing field, inflatable bunkers, and a shorter game time. For a team to be successful in this type of environment they must maintain constant communication. Some other qualities that make a team successful are aggressive forward movement, and a lack of fear. With the playing field being so small, and with small bunkers, the teams can usually see one another during game play.

The teams’ communication, teamwork, aggressive drive and combat skill make a team successful. If any of these areas are lacking for any one team, they will not be successful in the sport. There is also no longer a need for camouflage uniforms by teams. Most teams have decided to go to bright colorful jerseys and pants. The new uniforms tend to have sponsors and team names printed on them.

Tournament speedball is typically based on a point system. This point system is different based on the respective leagues. The NPPL is the largest league. The NPPL uses a ‘capture the flag’ format. In this format a team is awarded for capturing a flag, or hanging a flag. Points also come from shooting an opposing player or not being shot out in the rounds. PSP is a format in which a flag is hung in the center of the field and points are awarded each time a team hangs a flag in the opposing teams start box. When a player is shot out they are usually sent to a dead box until a game has been completed. There is no standard for a marker, or paintball gun, in these leagues. The most common markers used have electronically assisted firing mechanisms that can be capable of firing up to 30 rounds per second.

Speedball is also available in many localities as a recreational activity. They are often found in cities with populations that are above 10,000. This has opened the door to people of all ages and backgrounds to the fast paced world of speedball. With speedball’s popularity, the availability of markers has increased. This new accessibility has led to a new generation of athletes.

What is speedball paintball? is a post from: Paintball Guns and Equipment

Always remember to maintain your gun and it will extend your gun’s life, and make play time last longer. It can help to reduce expenses associated with paintballing, and having to replace parts or guns.  No one wants to be constantly replacing guns and components because you didn't take the time to care for your gun, but if you follow the included steps, along with any manufacturer guidelines or examples, your paintballing experience will be better.

So I have broken everything down in an easy to follow step-by-step format. This is only a general list of things to do. Always remember that there are a large variety of gun models. Always follow any manufacturer directions or suggestions. The next thing you need to remember is that you need to have a cleaning kit before starting the actual task. A cleaning kit will include everything that you need to complete the cleaning of your gun.

The next thing to do is to prepare your work area. You will want an area that will be easy to clean. I recommend covering your work surface with a newspaper or some plastic. This will simply make clean-up a breeze. Now you are ready to begin.

You will need to begin by disconnecting your air supply. This action is absolutely the most important thing I have included. You should never clean your gun with the supply still connected. This is not only dangerous, but it is not smart either. Put your safety, and the safety of others first.
Now you will want your gun’s schematic out and in front of you. This will either be a part of the owner’s manual or will be its own paper that would be included with your gun. If you happen to misplace it, you can always find it on the manufacturer’s website. You want to do this before you even think about taking your gun apart. You don’t want to guess at part placement or wonder if you are missing parts.

Remove the following parts; the hopper, barrel, bolt, hammer (or striker), and grip. You need to make sure that everything is neatly set aside. You don’t want to lose anything.
The first item up for cleaning would be the barrel. We will be cleaning the inside of the barrel. This is key in preventing barrel breaks. You will want to use the pull-through squeegee in your kit. You simply pull it through the inside of the barrel. You will then want to wipe the barrel with a paper towel and warm water. You will want to do this inside and out on the barrel. You will want to run your squeegee through the barrel again to make sure that it is dry. Then use a paper towel to make sure it is dry.
You will want to be sure to clean the inner components of your gun since you have it taken apart. You will want to use cotton swabs, tooth brushes, and paper towels to clean it out. This will allow you to get into those places that seem impossible to reach otherwise.
Now you will want to take you grip frame and use an old tooth brush or something of the like to clean out any paint or broken ball residue that has built up. When you do this, be absolutely certain that you do not take apart the trigger assembly. You will regret it if you do. It is extremely complicated to put back together.
Now it is time to clean your hammer, or striker, and the bolt. You will want to do this with warm water and a paper towel. You will need to make sure that it is absolutely dry. Inspect all of the o-rings on these parts. Make sure they are not dry or cracked. Use some of the paintball oil on these rings. Do not use anything but paintball gun oil on your gun. If you use any other oil it could seriously damage your gun.
If any of the o-rings are damaged or dry, you need to replace them. You can also put some spare rings with your equipment in case one needs to be replaced out in the game. Do a thorough inspection of all internal components to make sure they are in good repair.
Now that you know your gun and its components are in good repair, you need to lubricate the internal parts with your paintball gun oil. Remember: Be sure to only use paintball gun oil, otherwise you could damage your marker. You will want to place a small amount of oil on your finger and then lightly apply it to the o-rings. Remember to keep it light.
Now use your schematic to put the gun back together. Follow it very closely. If you have parts left over, then you did it wrong. You will also want to make sure that you chronograph your gun before you use it.
Lastly, get your goggles on and go play. Have fun. Remember to always play safe.

When you apply this technique regularly, you will have a much better time. You won’t have to deal with jams and barrel breaks. It will also extend the life of your marker and its components.

How to clean a paintball gun is a post from: Paintball Guns and Equipment

Paintball Gun Propellers
There are carbon dioxide propellers and high pressure air for paintball guns. Carbon dioxide is very popular and makes the guns more affordable. It generally comes as a 12 gram powerlet. When carbon dioxide is in liquid form, it must become a gas in order for the gun to be used and have optimal velocity. The colder it is outside, the worse it is for your gun because the carbon partially remains in liquid form.
High pressure air, also known as compressed air comes in very high pressures and is for more advanced guns. These guns are made of more expensive materials causing the guns to be priced higher than carbon dioxide guns. Guns also come in different sizes in order to meet the individual needs of the player.
The term marker has been used to refer to paintball guns in order to diminish the dangerous conception of the game. Guns are thought of as weapons and while they are used like one to a certain extent, the game of paintball is actually a friendly combat. When paintball players use their guns, they make it look simple and easy. There is a more complicated process that takes place in a gun in order to let the paintballs fly out properly. The type of gas used is an important factor along with every other part of the gun. While these guns use paintballs, they can still cause harm on a player’s body. It is very important to take precautionary measures to avoid injuring someone in the eye, neck or leg. Safety equipment and a bit of attentiveness can really prevent serious harm.

How Does A Paintball Gun Work? is a post from: Paintball Guns and Equipment

The Correct Safety Equipment for Playing Paintball
You are playing a ruthless game of paintball with your fellow paintball enthusiasts and you get hit multiple times. Chances are you will be bruised the next day but no major threats are waiting. You may survive some serious injuries once, but it is always important to stay safe when playing paintball by having the right equipment for it.
You want to make sure that all the sensitive parts of your body are covered with the proper equipment. There is tons of safety equipment for paintballing out there so there are no excuses not to invest in some. Whether it’s a face mask or a pair of knee pads, protecting your body during a game of paintball is necessary. The follow are a few helpful suggestions regarding the correct safety equipment for playing paintball.

Face Masks: Your face is probably one of the most vulnerable parts of your body. The last thing you want is a severely injured eye as eye injuries are very common in paintball games. In fact, face masks are requirement during a game of paintball and they are made to protect both your eyes and your ears. The important factor is that the face mask should be comfortable for wearing. It must be so comfortable that it almost feel non-existent. There are a variety of different masks and sizes and paintballers must try them on first. There are soft and hard ones and those that fall in between. The harder the mask, the more protection you will have. Soft masks, on the other hand, have more flexibility. The perfect fit will prevent any blisters and prevent further problems.
Face masks also come with other optional features. These include visors, goggles and fans. Visors are important for keeping the glare off if you are wearing goggles. The better vision you have, the better you will aim and see potential threats. Goggles are another feature that are also beneficial for peripheral vision. Last but not least, many players add fans to their masks in order to keep them cool and reduce fog from the lens.

Knee and Elbow Pads: Knees are essential for being able to walk and you do not want to injure them during a game of paintball. You can wear knee pads to protect your knees upon impact, especially if you play on hard surfaces. Knee pads are also suitable for players who like to go low and shoot with their knees on the ground. With the knee protector, you will take proper care of your bones and prevent major bruising.
Elbow pads are very useful and beneficial to keep your elbow protected. Should you fall back and land on your elbows, you want to have some cushion in order to protect any damage to your bones.

Barrel Plugs and Safety Catches: Barrel Plugs are highly important paintball protection gear. This object covers the end of the barrel which keeps it from being shot by accident. Regardless of how careful you are, barrel plugs can prevent some of the worst injuries because you never know it’s coming. When you are not on the field anymore, you can risk getting hurt if your gun is not protected with a plug.

A safety catch is also necessary for your gun as it prevents it from firing when it is not in use. Safety catches can be electronic or can be added on physically. For those who opt for electronic version, they are generally used in electronic markers. Physical safety catches are used to prevent anyone from pulling the trigger. This is something that can be very useful when everyone has stopped playing.

Chest Protectors: While many people prefer not to wear chest protectors, they are part of the list of correct safety equipment for paintball players. Chest protects are not usually worn because players feel restricted when trying to move. They are, however, very beneficial for preventing bad bruises. Another type of safety equipment is the neck protector which seems uncomfortable but is important for preventing neck injuries.

Gloves: Another piece of safety equipment is a pair of gloves. Gloves are made of protective materials in order to prevent you from getting blisters and bruises on your hands. Your hands are holding the gun which can be heavy, you want to make sure they are cushioned for protection. Many gloves come with gels for the knuckles in order to avoid injuries at impact.

Paintball Markers and Chronographs: The standard paintball marker velocity is 300FPS and about 91 meters per second. You do not want your market to go beyond this velocity in order to add safety when players are in close proximity to each others. A chronograph is used to measure the velocity and is important for those who do not play on commercial fields. You must measure the velocity as it can change depending on the temperature. With the right amount of velocity, you will be sure to play a safe game.

Aside from your hopper, tank and paintball gun, it is crucial to have the correct safety equipment when playing paintball. These include face masks, knee pads, elbow pads, barrel plugs and chest protectors. Aside from actual safety gear, there are other basic safety rules for paintball.
Players must never be under the influence of alcohol when playing because they can injure themselves and their fellow players. In addition, players must avoid blind firing although it is very common. You can potentially hurt someone who is not in the right gear, someone who is not playing or other items. If you cannot see your target, do not shoot your gun.

Do not shoot someone when they are asking to surrender and twenty feet away from you. The closer you are, the more dangerous and painful a shot can be. Once you have your mask on, do not take it off till the game is actually over. Above all, the most important skill to have during a game of paintball is common sense as it can prevent many problems and injuries from occurring.

Paintball Safety Gear is a post from: Paintball Guns and Equipment