Paintball

History

The first launchers were used by the stockbreeders Australia NS to mark the cattle in the Années 1970. Indeed the size of the ranches and the method of breeding of the herds which feed in nature, oblige the stockbreeders then to work like cowboys of modern times. In motor bike, quad and the helicopter, they gather the herds and as the case often arises the animals can gather with animals of other ranches. It was thus necessary to be able, before embarking the animals, simple means to mark the property, which was visible at the time thanks to markings with red iron. Actually the paintball was born from the insulation of these ranches, which can cover hundreds of km ² and where the only means of reaching is either the 4×4 or the plane. The population is mainly male and the use of the hypodermic launchers in order to launch the capsules of painting was then used to have fun between cowboys… In fact things arrive and parallel to this the managers of the exploitations could notice a fall of the brawls within the their men. At the end of the Seventies, tournaments opposed nearby ranches then in order to make decompress the men then New Zealand “was touched”, before arriving at the United States, where the launchers to mark the cattle were exported in 1979. In the form of play strictly speaking as it today is known, it first of all developed in the United States. The first tournament was organized the June 27th 1981. It is then known under the name of National Survival Game with the the United States of America, and Skirmish Games in Australia, but since 1984 is indicated there under the name of paintball by the manufacturers in the shops of plays and sport, and sometimes even in the supermarkets.

This activity arrived in Great Britain at the end of the Années 1980 then to France and in the rest of Europe at the beginning of the Années 1990, under the influence inter alia Séminaire S of motivation of company or Roleplay life size.

The play appears Tactique extraordinarily and is excellent a Sport of team very rich in interactions and feelings. It in addition has the advantage of being very complete by asking for a broad panel of competences.

The French clubs organized of “federation” in 1996 to promote a more sporting vision of the paintball. In 2006, it included/understood 24 000 bachelors and gathered 212 clubs affiliated in 22 leagues. Regional, national and international tournaments are organized. Today the paintball is officially represented in nearly forty countries on all the continents. International championships take place every year for matches by teams of 5 and 7 players. They gather between 50 and 200 teams each time and during season 2006/2007, two handles take place in France: World Cup with Toulouse and Disney French Open with Disneyland Paris.

Equipment

Mask : obligatory element, it protects the face from the player of the impacts caused by the balls. In the year 2000, 1200 ocular lesions due to accidents of paintball were indexed with the the United States, none the victims did not carry of mask. The paintball remains nevertheless one of the least risky sports when it is correctly framed
Lanceur (or marker): machine element or electronics being used to propel the balls thanks to the gas (CO₂ or compressed air according to the system used) contents in a bottle. The American legal limit for their power is of 300 fps (300 feet a second or approximately 90 m/s) at exit of gun. In France the launchers are Arme S of 7th SUBJECTED category has declaration like the firearms.

Stock Class : these markers have a reserve very limited in balls and gas. They embark ten balls in general and use sparklets of gas (Capsules of). Launcher of fist (with a hand), they resemble the handguns that everyone knows.
the Launchers Pumps : rearmament is manual and is done thanks to two parts which slide one on the other making it possible to engage the ball in the gun and to arm the hammer intended to slacken the air. They resemble pump rifles.
semi-automatic launchers : rearmament is automatic but the ejection of the ball is not continuous if the supported relaxation is kept. The launchers semi-automatic today are used in the world of the paintball. One however distinguishes two big families from semi-automatic markers:
# the Semi-car Mechanics: called " Méca". On these launchers, the action to support on the relaxation slackens a hammer which releases with the impact and during a short moment the compressed gas of the bottle making it possible to eject the ball.
# the Semi-car Electronic: generally dedicated to the sporting paintball, they embark a programmable electronic chart and a whole of sensors (more the current being a laser eye to certify the presence of a ball) making it possible to increase the flow of the shootings considerably and to reduce the breakage of ball. The action to support on the relaxation comes to activate a sensor connected to the electronic chart placed in the handle of the launcher. The chart activates then an electromagnetic sluice gate which releases the air to expel the ball. The charts propose in general certain modes of shooting " assistés" (PSP, Millenium, etc). Thanks to these modes, the number of launched balls is higher than the number of pressures on the relaxation. According to the tournaments, some " modes" could be authorized or not. They are in general regulated by the number of balls a second (limited to 15 for the majority of the tournaments) and by time separating two balls. These launchers require a meticulous adjustment and maintenance for an optimal operation.
automatic launchers : They are regarded as weapons of 4th category in France and are thus prohibited. They are unslung semi-automatic electronic launchers (or imported the USA for example).

Stopper of gun : Essential component of safety in the paintball, the stopper of gun is a part being used to block the exit of gun in a sufficiently resistant way that an accidental shooting of ball is stopped. The plastic stoppers ( barrel plug ) with joints tend to disappear with the profit from bags with gun or barrel sock which is resistant fabric pockets maintained on the gun by powerful rubber bands connected to the back of the marker. This element is obligatory on all the grounds of paintball and all the launchers are sold with.
Balls : The balls are for a regular player the most expensive equipment. They are two gelatin hulls (often of the starch) solid, filled of food Colorant and welded one with the other. The internal mix design is polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerin and water in the majority of the cases, mixes with strong osmotic capacity, which can involve in the event of ingestion a diarrhea. They must be biodegradable and not-poisons. One finds some more or less staining and with variable brittleness to play in various seasons. The Couleur of the Pigment is never red, for safety reasons. Their degradability is variable, of a few days in several months. The quality of a ball is defined by the regularity of its shell, of the welding, its staining capacity, its resistance (preventing that it breaks in the launcher) and its brittleness (supporting breakage with the impact). The best balls are still manufactured on the American continent.
Loader : Charger, tank of balls. In order to be able to follow the rate of shooting of the electronic launchers, some loaders are equipped with a propeller, left turbine which increases the flow of balls. These loaders is also electronic, since a chart makes it possible to regulate their speed. Some loaders have a " œil" laser (detecting of ball) or sound sensor in order not to function continuously.
Gas : The gas of propulsion of the ball is either of or of the compressed air (usually called " nitro" , since the air is composed in major part of nitrogen). Is a gas which is little expensive the purchase, but tends to freeze when it too quickly is slackened (fast shootings). Moreover these is a gas which reacts enormously to the differences in temperature what causes important variations of pressure, and consequently, a speed of approximate ball. Is more aggressive than the air on the joints and the internal mechanics of the launcher; one thus holds it only for the launchers of leisure or semi-car mechanics. The compressed air is much more stable with the temperature variations, it does not freeze, has constant flows and is thus essential to supply the electronic launchers.
Bottles : The bottles are tanks of gas out of aluminum or carbon fiber making it possible to reconcile lightness and pressure resistance. Their pressure is given in Psi ( pounds per public garden inch , book-force by poucecarré: 1 Psi ≈ 0,068 94 bar). The pressures in the bottles of air can reach 5000 psi (almost 350 bars) for a capacity from approximately 1 L. They are reloaded on bottles of air of diving (called bottles plugs) equipped with special connections or on compressors in the shops of Paintball.
the regulators : They are strongly screwed on the bottle of air and are screwed with the launcher. They make it possible to reduce the pressure at exit of bottle. One distinguishes the regulators low pressure (B.P. 425 psi) and high pressure (H.P. 850 psi). A regulator low pressure makes it possible to reduce the shock during the filling of the internal regulator of the launcher. According to some, it would also make it possible to longer push the ball in the gun, improving the trajectory of this one.

Without forgetting, of course, various protections, such as stuffed knuckles, coudières, shorts, gloves, clothing protective or military style Camouflage; on this subject a controversy exists in the medium of the paintball, because the behaviors of military camouflage would give according to some an image Militariste to this leisure of relaxation. Nevertheless, despite everything the considerations prone to polemics, the camouflaging behaviors are, on certain grounds equipped with a dense vegetation, very effective to be dissimulated sight of the adversaries.

Grounds

The natural Forest or sites, was historically the first categories of grounds used, the trees and the vegetation acting as natural obstacles. In the second time, the play developed on grounds in plain furnished with artificial obstacles allowing to the spectators a vision of the whole of the play. Courses in room on the same principle also exist. Finally developed lately inflatable obstacles being able to be installed on any type of sporting ground and offering a very good visibility to the spectators, they quickly became the standard for the competitions.

The paintball is possible in the majority of the countries, but, for example, the Italy, the German Luxembourg and some Länder prohibit the practice of it. In France, it is not possible to play on a ground of the Public domain, but there exist many clubs or privately held companies renting of the grounds adapted to this activity and answering the legislation in force. There does not exist prohibition a priori to organize a part on a private ground, but, as for any activity of this type, the responsibility for the organizer can be committed in the event of problems. In addition, of the balls although perfectly biodegradable spends several weeks to disappear and certain permeable surfaces, like the rough coat of the houses, can be stained durably.

The sporting paintball

The paintball says sporting represents the version old and adapted to the competition of leisure of the same name. It can be with the choice classified in the category of the extreme sports (by the feelings that it gets) or in the mechanical sports (because of the launchers used by the players to send the balls).

An important work was made to remove the sporting paintball from its military connotation, the behaviors of camouflage and the balls of red color are for example prohibited in competition in France. The sporting paintball is also characterized by the use of a symmetrical standardized ground making it possible to the spectators in full safety to follow the parts.

In competition, the grounds consist of artificial obstacles (inflatable generally) organized in a symmetrical way and which must be completely surrounded by 6 height meters nets in order to avoid projections of balls on the spectators.

Let us note that in spite of name paintball sporting, this activity is regarded in France as a “physical-activity of leisure” and not a sport, by the ministry in charge of the Sports. The European federations of paintball sporting are gathered under the entity EPBF (European PaintBall Federation) which manages a system of license common to the private and associative circuits. This same EPBF is under the aegis of the UPBF (United Paintball Federation) gathering the American and Asian federations. There is not nevertheless yet a true organized world circuit.

The competition in France

The Federation of paintball sporting deals with management of the federal competitions via regional leagues. Each league is autonomous on the level of the management of its regional championship, and the seasons are established on a school calendar (September at June). At the end of each season is organized a national championship (also called championship of the Federation) gathering the best teams of each format with Vichy on a site dedicated since 2001. In France only five formats of play are recognized by the FPS:

the Fun Cup : This format is exclusively French and only practiced within the framework of the FPS, there are no private tournaments or of circuit other than the regional leagues in Fun Cup. Left on a principle “economic format”, because limited of many balls per player (140), he opposes 5 players plus one 6th if he is equipped with a launcher stock class. Although envisaged to launch the initial players in the competition, the format attracts only aficionados and remains marginal, although relatively more popular than the Pompe format;

the pump : each team is made up of 5 players with pump markers without limitation of the number of balls. The Pompe category is the only one to profit from a national circuit in addition to the traditional regional circuit, it acts of the National Cut Pumps. Since the season 2006-2007, it is also the only category to have a national championship separated from the others, with Molières. This category which was historically " the school of the paintball" has been on the decline for a few seasons and survives only thanks to the CNP, with an aim of redynamiser the play format long standard CPL Millennium (see low) should be adopted in the future;

the semi 3 : each team is made up of 3 players (+1 substitute max) with semi-automatic markers without limitation of the number of balls, the play is based on a capture of flag in the unfavourable base which one must bring back in his own base without to be touched, the duration of play is 3 minutes;
the semi 5 : each team is made up of 5 players (+2 substitutes max) with semi-automatic markers without limitation of the number of balls, even rules of flag, duration of set of 5 minutes;
the semi 5 Long Format : Inspired of the format SPL of Millennium, set up for the season 2007-2008 (see format SPL for the system of play)
the semi 7 : each team is made up of 7 players (+3 substitutes max) with semi-automatic markers without limitation of the number of balls, even rules of flag, duration of set of 7 minutes;

The competition in Europe

Organized around a private organization, Millennium Series, the European circuit is active since 2000, although its format still evolves/moves each year. The management of the championship is done according to a calendar " with the américaine" , from April at October, with five stages located in countries such as France, Germany and Great Britain mainly, but also Belgium or Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands in the past.

The circuit is organized in several categories of levels and is played in three types of format of play:

CPL : or Champions' Paintball League: each team is made up of 5 players, to which 2 substitutes maximum are added, 1 coach, with assisted semi-automatic markers limited to 15 balls a second. The format of play is of " type; long" , it acts within a limit of time (15 minutes) to play the maximum of parts, those finishing when that a player succeeded in touching the unfavourable base, the first team adding up 5 points or that at the head at the end of time gains. This format is limited to 16 teams whose 2 last at the end of the season are retrogressed in SPL;

SPL : or Semi Pro League: each team is made up of 5 players, 2 substitutes maximum, 1 coach, with assisted semi-automatic markers limited to 15 balls a second. The format is identical to the CPL, except the time limited to 10 minutes and the limit of points of 4 to gain the victory. 2007 are the first season of SPL, and it is limited to 32 teams whose 2 first will pass in CPL, and an indefinite number currently will be retrogressed in Division 1;

the Divisions 1 & 2 : each team is made up of 7 players, with assisted semi-automatic markers limited to 15 balls a second. These divisions with the difference of the SPL and the CPL are not subjected to a preliminary qualification, but it is on the other hand necessary to gain the season in Division 1 in order to reach in SPL. The format is a traditional play of flag limited to 7 minutes of play.

the M5 : each team is made up of 5 players with assisted semi-automatic markers limited to 15 balls a second. This division is not subjected to annual classification and is only used to make it possible to the young local teams to take a first impression of the European circuit before beginning over one whole season. The format is a traditional play of flag.

There exists another circuit deprived in Eastern Europe called Centurio, of which the best representatives take part in Millennium freely in various categories, the classifications are completely independent.

The competition in the world

The paintball is very popular with the the United States, it is the third extreme sport with more than 10 million practitioners, it exists two national major circuits:

the National Professional Paintball League: play with 7 players as semi-automatic markers
the National X-Ball League organized by PSP: play with 5 players as semi-automatic markers with shooting assisted in long format " X-Ball". The PSP functions like the traditional circuits of American professional collective sport with franknesses by city.

The first Asian circuit made its beginnings in 2006 but the development of the paintball in this zone of the sphere is slowed down by severe legislations on the equipment.

Other formats of plays

Other formats of nonsporting plays, but personnalisables, are practiced, generally within the framework of associations of players affiliated or not to the Federation of paintball sporting. Attention to in no case the Federation of Paintball Sportif does not have full powers and cannot designer how the paintball can be played.

Paintball Scenario or Simulation

Directly inherited the first times of the paintball in France, the parts of simulation are practiced by players carrying of the behaviors camouflage and the launchers to the aspect close to that of genuine weapons (counterparts).

the Big Range : organized on at several days, Big Game are scenarized parts with large scales, the number of participants which can reach several hundreds of players, divided into as many teams as the scenario requires it. Tasks can be allotted to each player, leaving a great liberty of action on the ground in the respect of the elementary safety of the paintball. This type of play can so approach the Roleplay life size of the rules of Roleplay are required, and in particular for the richness of the accessories that one find there (vehicles, smoke-producing, disguises…)

the Paintball Camo : disavowed by the Federation of Paintball Sporting, the equipment, clothes and held of camouflage which are at the base the equipment which was used at the beginning of the paintball before the arrival of the thought of the “politically correct” paintball, is what one can call the original paintball. It finds its roots and its popularity in the video games of simulation such as Counter-Strike or Rainbow Six and resembles in all points the airsoft the level of the use of the material which is intended for the armed forces. The manufacturers of material of French paintball since 2004 gave in their catalog of the launchers counterparts of weapons paintball and other equipment dedicated to the simulation of sets of engagements. Despite everything there remains difficult to quantify the number of practitioners of paintball camo on private and/or noncommercial grounds, which are sometimes structured in association or affiliated at an organization like the Federation of paintball sporting.

The practice of this type of paintball is interdict in official competition.

Reball

Reball (of the name of the mark) is a rubber ball or out of foam created initially for the drive of the teams of competition, this type of ball being reusable after a washing with water and not-dirtying, it is thus more economic than a traditional ball, even if expensive with the purchase. The use of Reball to a traditional swiftness of paintball is dangerous and it is necessary to lower the power of the launchers, on the other hand, it does not require of it a private individual and perhaps used with his usual material. Reball is ideal for a use in interior grounds on any surface, it is very popular in the countries where the weather conditions do not allow a regular play in outside, and also practical for a temporary installation in a gymnasium for example.

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