Here are a few basic games that most paintball players find themselves engaged in.

- Capture the Flag
This scenario involves each team trying to capture the other's flag, while protecting their own. Variations on this include: having
to search for a single flag, or having to move your team's flag to the enemy base.
- Snipers
This involves a small group of "snipers" taking positions in the bush with the remaining players trying to find and eliminate them.
- Generals
One player on each team is appointed a "general" and each team's job is to protect their general while eliminating the
opposition's.

    -Elimination
     Another popular paintball format is "Elimination".  Basically in elimination there are no
     flags and the last team with "live" players is the winner.  very easy and very fun.
 
     -Center Flag
     With center flag paintball, there are still two flag stations, but there is also a third flag
     station - the CENTER flag station.  There is only ONE flag in this format and it starts in
     the center of the field.  The goal of center flag paintball is to capture the center flag
     and hang it at your OPPONENTS base.  This means that you basically have to go
     through each other to win   Basically this is a "tournament style" format that is used for
     5man competition and speedball.   It lends itself to small fields and when a smaller
     group is playing on a large field because you only have to cross the field once.
     Games can go VERY quick in this format.  Most field owners don't use this format for
     beginners, especially when there is little foliage because the games can go too quickly.

    -Fox and Hounds
     This is a fun variation in which one player is first designated to be the "fox".   The fox
     gets to enter the field and hide a minute or two before the rest of the players are allowed
     to enter.   The remaining players then begin a countdown out loud: "five, four, three,
     two, one", then they are allowed to enter the field.  The fox must be hit three times
     before being eliminated from the game.   Each time he is hit, there is another
     countdown on the field and no one is allowed to shoot or move during the countdown
     except for the fox.     Each person that is eliminated by the fox also becomes a fox, and
     joins the fox.   This means that two hounds can be next to each other and play on the
     same side one minute, then one of them is a fox the next.   This gets pretty tense as
     you can imagine.      Don't play this game with anyone that has a bad temper.   :)

Instant Activities for a P.E. class!

    1. Dodgeball - (Number of players - 10 and up) This exercise can be used for a warmup to the basic paintball techniques of dodging and manuervering projectiles.  Two teams stand opposing each other with a line dividing the field of play.  There are soft balls placed on the line while the two teams stand back at an even distance from the center line.  A signal is given and both teams rush to grab a ball.  Once a ball is grabbed, players try to hit the other team with the balls, essentially taking them out of the game.  The first team to take the other team out is the winner.  In order for a player to get back in the game, his teammates must catch a ball thrown from the opposite team without dropping it, and before it touches the floor.

    2. Steal the Bacon - (Number of players - 10 and up) This game incorporates skill and speed to steal a flag from the center of the playing field.  This activity is set up similarly to that of Dodgeball, but this time there are only two balls, and a flag.  A square is displayed using tape in the middle of the playing field, and a flag is placed within.  Each participant in then given a number, knowing that someone on the opposing team will have the same number as well.  Next to the flag are two soft balls used for preventing the opposing team from scoring.  After all of the players have been assigned a number, the two teams stand an equal distance away from the center.  A number is called and the two players who were assigned that number rush to the center in order to grab the flag and take it back to their side.  Once the two players reach the middle, they can grab the flag immediately or wait it out by trying to trick their opponant.  Once a player grabs the flag the other player can pick up a ball and try to tag the player with the flag before he reaches his team.  If he or she is hit, the flag goes back to the center and both players return awaiting a new number to be called.  The team to accumulate the most flag returns within a certain time limit wins.

    3. The Gaunlet - (Number of players - 10 and up) In this activity two teams try to run through a a designated track carrying a tray with an unstable stack of items, (cups, blocks, cones, etc..).  The trick is, that the opposing team is placed on either side of this track each armed with a small bean bag, and their goal is to knock the tray down off the runners hands.  If the runner can make it through the gaunlet, their team scores a point.  If the opposing team knock the tray down, then they receive the point.  Each team alternates in turn in order to accumulate the most points.

    These activities can be used as warmups, and introductions to the fast-paced game of Paintball.  These activities are all very similar to the sport, and are an excellent and fun way to perpare your students for the exciting sport in which they are about to participate in.
 

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