Paintball Bastion

Although the structure of the game and rules may vary from paintball game to paintball game or from person to person, below we outline a general set of rules that can apply to almost any game (with the exception of scenario and alternative paintball.

Referee:

A minimum of one person should be designated as “Referee” for each game or match. The Referee will be the one who starts the game, stops the game for paint checks, and decides the issues that may arise during and at the end of every game. The Referee decides when a player is out of the game, disqualifies cheaters, and is the final authority (with other referees or judges) for decision making for any matter on or off the field.

The minimum equipment for the Referee is a protective paintball mask, stopwatch, and a whistle to start and stop the game or match. Other equipment for the referee can be a riot shield, bullhorn as well as a glow stick and flashlight for night games.

In tournament matches NEVER try to contradict the Referee. Trust us, it NEVER pays!!! Decisions by the referees and judges are final and non-negotiable.

Marking:

If a player is hit by a marking pellet (paintball) and it breaks on him, he is out of the game.  It does not matter where he is hit.  If a player is hit anywhere (including their gun, clothing, shoes, or any other equipment), they are out.

To be considered “hit”, the “paint mark” must be about the size of a quarter.  Small splatters that could be the result of ricochet do not count as a “marking”.  Ultimately, of course, the Referee is the final authority on any controversy over markings.

Also, if a player is a casualty of friendly fire”, they are out.  It doesn’t matter whether the player was marked or “shot” by an opposing team player or his or her own teammate; shot is shot. 

When a player is marked or shot, they must immediately call themselves “OUT” or “DEADMAN”.  Then, they should hold their gun over their head, continue to call out “OUT” or “DEADMAN” and leave the playing field by the shortest and safest route.  Players still in the game are not for any reason to fire on eliminated players intentionally.

Splatter:

If a player is hit by a marking pellet (paintball) and it does not break that player is not out. Also if a player is hit with a splatter from a marking pellet “if it is not bigger around than a quarter give or take” he or she is not out. A splatter is the spray or fragments from a marking pellet that has broken on an object such as a tree, bush, rock, bunker, etc., “I have even seen splatter from another players helmet” close to the player.

Paint Checks:

If there is ANY question as to whether or not a player has been marked, call a Referee for a “PAINT CHECK” that’s what they are there for. When a Paint Check is called the Referee will stop the game. During a paint check all players must remain where they are at during the Paint Check until the Referee has cleared up the problem and has restarted the game. Note that during tournament play when a Paint Check is called DO NOT MOVE. When a Paint Check is called players remain where they were at when the Paint Check was called and by leaving that position during a Paint Check they can be disqualified or called out by either the Referee or by a player reporting the movement to the referee. However the Referee does have the final say.

Starting the Game:

The team captains from both teams must signal the Referee in order for the game to begin. When both team captains have signaled the Referee, usually by waiving or giving a thumbs up, the Referee blows the whistle and the game starts officially.

Deadman:

If a player, for any reason, declares “OUT” or “DEADMAN” because they think they have been hit, they are immediately out of the game and must leave the field by the shortest and safest route.

Quick tip: Do not declare “OUT” unless you are sure you are out.  You can always ask for a paint check by the Referee.  If a player declares out or deadman, there is no turning back.  Even if the player discovers they were not hit or the paintball did not break, once they made the call that they are hit, there is no reversal and must still leave the playing area at once.

Simultaneous Marked Players:

If two or more players are hit at the same time, all marked players must be removed from the battlefield. If the two hit players are the last two players on the field, it is in the responsibility of the Referee or a judge to declare a winner.

Game Time:

Game time should be predetermined. The Referees will keep track of the time on the stopwatch. Most games are set to last thirty to sixty minutes with forty-five as an average. Although most games do not last more than thirty minutes, they cannot last more than the predetermined time. If the time should run out, the game ends and the team with the most players standing is declared the winner.  If both teams have the same number of players, the game is considered a draw and there is usually a rematch.  If a winner is not declared, the next match is usually allotted less time and will be even more aggressive.

There are designated “rest periods” in tournament play meaning that the team in a designated rest period cannot be called to play during that time.  This time is the time between matches for the players to talk over the match they just played, adjust strategies, reload ammunition, CO2 gas, check, clean, and repair all equipment as well as discuss the upcoming match. This time is also for the Referees to distribute any instructions or rule changes to the team captains (which can happen when advancing rounds and rematches). Rest period time should also be predetermined and the referees should monitor this time as well.

Flag Game:

If the game is a flag game, only one player is permitted to guard the flag at any given time.  If it is not a tournament, these rules can be altered to add interest to the game.

Quick tip:

In a flag game, it is a good idea to have only one person guard the flag anyway to keep a more mobile and dynamic team formation. Concentration of forces is a good way to get everyone eliminated quickly.  However, one person should always be within eyeshot of the flag guardian in case they are taken out of the game. The guardian is allowed to move the flag but they are eliminated they must leave the flag at the exact spot where they were eliminated.

Paint Purchase:

In tournament play, ALL paint must be purchased from the Referee. No carry on paint is allowed. The player must call the Referee for reloads of paint. The Referee leaves the paint to the player and walks away. The game does not stop during this interaction. The player still runs the risk of being hit during the purchase of paint.

Quick tip:

When players call for paint, the other players on the field assume that player is out of paint and immediately want to close on their position. There is no rule saying you have to be out of paint to purchase paint.  It’s always a good idea to call for paint BEFORE you are out of it.  Also, if you still have paint, you can easily pick off those players who “think” you don’t have any ammunition.

Captains:

Every team must have a Captain in tournament play. At meetings or rest periods, the Captain’s job is to oversee the repair, cleaning, and maintenance of his teams’ equipment. The Captain will also receive any change in rules or instructions from the Referee. It is the Captain’s job to brief the team on all of the rules for the upcoming game and make sure they follow those instructions.

The Captain is the leader of the team.  Teams without leaders do not perform very well.  Being organized as a team is necessary to being competitive.  The Captain should take input from his team and then make decisions about team strategy, tactics, guardians and any counter intelligence.  The best teams have Captain’s that plan well, adapt that plan on the field and lead teams that communicate their ideas, support the decisions made by the Captain and execute the plan. 

Lastly, the Captains of both teams are to attend the calculation of the points done by either the Judges or Referees.

Boundaries:

Boundaries are the ends of the field. This is where eliminated players must immediately go to when hit. Boundaries must be predetermined and marked (make sure that all players and Referees know where the boundaries are). It is probably a good idea to give a tour of the boundaries and show the markers to all players, judges, and referees. This is very important because during the playing of a game any players caught outside of the boundaries are out of the game or match in progress and must leave the field or playing area at once. Any and all shots fired from a player outside of the boundaries do not count. No leaving and returning to the playing field during a game. Once a player is outside of the boundaries for any reason he or she is also out of the game.  Only spectators are allowed outside of the boundaries. Only players and the referee(s) are allowed inside the boundaries during play. All spectators within range must wear a protective face mask at all times. Also set up the boundaries so that stray pellets cannot strike any person or any persons personal property, such as houses, cars, etc..

Protective Equipment:

ANYONE that sets foot on a playing field MUST at all times have a protective mask on, even if the game is not in play. NO ONE is allowed on the field without the minimum protective gear.  Also any spectator within range must have on the minimum safety gear as well NO EXCEPTIONS.

A team will be disqualified if any player enters or attempts to enter a field without the minimum safety gear “protective face mask” or any player exits or attempts to exit the field without the minimum safety gear “barrel plug or condom”.      

Barrel Plugs:

Every player with a paint gun off the field must ALWAYS have a barrel protection “barrel plug or barrel condom” for the safety of other players and spectators NO EXCEPTIONS.

Cheating:

Cheating will result in immediate disqualification by the Referee.  Some of the ways people cheat that can result in disqualification. 

• Sandbagging – players are rated by their experience levels.  Tournaments are held for all levels of experience. Players are not allowed to play in tournaments below their experience level.  This is known as sandbagging and will result in disqualification.
• High velocity settings – if the velocity settings on your gun are cranked up too high, especially for the purpose of causing pain versus ensuring the marker breaks, you can be disqualified.
• Unauthorized Paint – All paint should be purchased from the referee any other paint on a players person can result in disqualification.
• Honor System – There are many ways of cheating and new ways evolving all the time. The game is a lot more fun when everyone is playing by the rules.  Part of the rules is for a player to speak up when they are it.  If a player is caught playing after being hit, they will be disqualified and in some cases may cause the team to forfeit the game.

Shields/Barricades: