The short answer.
You don’t need to know any of this before your first game: the marshals explain everything in the safety briefing. But a few words go a long way, and this glossary covers the ones you’ll hear on the day.
The five to know: marker (the gun), hit (a paint mark that counts), surrender (used at close range), respawn (getting back in) and safe area (where masks can come off).
Everything else is below, from A to Z.
Paintball terms, A to Z.
- Blind firingShooting without being able to see what you’re aiming at. Not allowed here.
- BounceA paintball that hits you without breaking. If it doesn’t leave a clear paint mark, it isn’t a hit.
- BunkerAny cover you hide behind. The park also has a 20-room Bunker zone.
- BunkeringRunning up to an opponent’s position to eliminate them at close range. Here, the 20-foot rule and the surrender option apply instead.
- CoverallsThe camouflage overalls supplied to wear over your clothes.
- EliminationBeing hit and taken out of the game until you respawn or the next game starts.
- FPSFeet per second: how fast a marker fires. Walk-on days have a 280 fps maximum.
- FlankingMoving around the side of the other team to attack from an unexpected angle.
- Gun roomWhere markers are prepared and refilled, looked after by the gun-room marshal.
- HPAHigh-pressure air: the air that powers the markers. Walk-on players get free 3,000 psi air.
- HitA paintball that breaks on you and leaves a clear paint mark. Head hits don’t count here.
- HopperThe container on top of a marker that feeds paintballs into it.
- MagfedA marker that loads paintballs from a magazine, like a real rifle. Popular at walk-on days.
- MarkerThe correct name for a paintball gun.
- MarshalThe staff who run each game. Here, every game group has two field marshals and a gun-room marshal.
- MaskThe full-face protection that stays on whenever you’re outside the safe area.
- ObjectiveWhat a game is about: capturing a flag, holding a position or reaching a target.
- OvershootingCarrying on shooting someone who is already eliminated. Bad form.
- PodA tube carrying spare paintballs, usually worn on a harness.
- PumpA marker you cock by hand between shots. Slower, and a favourite at walk-on days.
- RespawnRe-entering a game after being eliminated, following the marshal’s instructions.
- Safe areaThe area away from live games, with group bays, toilets and the food counter. Masks can come off here.
- Scenario gameA longer game with a storyline and several objectives.
- SurrenderAt close range, instead of shooting, you call on an opponent to surrender.
- Walk-onA day you can join on your own or in a small group. Here, the 1989 Club runs own-kit walk-on days.
- WipingSecretly wiping off a paint mark to stay in the game. Cheating, and marshals watch for it.
- WoodsballPaintball played in natural woodland, like most of the zones here.
Your questions, answered.
What’s the difference between a marker and a gun?
Nothing: “marker” is just the correct paintball term for a paintball gun.
What does a marshal do?
Marshals run every game: they explain the rules, watch for hits and keep play safe.
What is the 20-foot rule?
Never fire at someone closer than 20 feet. At close range, use the surrender option instead.
In summary.
- MarkerThe gun.
- HitA clear paint mark.
- SurrenderAt close range.
- Safe areaMasks off here only.
