All one has to do is perform a quick search online to see how popular the sport of paintball has become. From numerous articles boasting the latest information on the best paintball guns and equipment to websites with lists of paintball arenas located across the country, there is no end to the resources that can be found on the sport of paintball.

But if you are only just beginning to explore the world of paintball, a great deal of the information that you find will likely be geared toward more advanced paintballers and of little use to a novice. So, if you know nothing at all about the sport of paintball, this article could be a great place to start.

Paintball is a sport that can be played by anyone in any physical condition. Using guns which propel paint-filled capsules, paintballers are divided up into two teams, on either side of a playing field, with each team given a flag. The object of paintball is to capture the other team"s flag and bring it back to your base without getting eliminated. You are eliminated when a person from the opposite team hits you with a paintball capsule and it bursts leaving a splotch of paint.

The paintball capsule is about the size of a marble, has a hard exterior shell, and is filled with paint. The hard shell allows the paintball to be shot long distances and to remain intact until it hits its intended target. While some say that getting hit with a paintball capsule at close range can sting, many say that they do not feel anything at all and only experience a little redness where the paintball made contact.

If you are serious about breaking into the sport of paintball, you will first need to invest in some good eye protection. Eye protection is the most essential piece of paintball equipment that you can invest in and should be your first purchase. You should never play paintball or fire a paintball marker/gun without the proper eye and face protection.

The second piece of equipment that you will need is the paintball gun or, as some call it, the maker. You can either purchase one of these outright or rent one once you get to the paintball arena. The gun or marker consists of a main body, a bolt, barrel, hopper and air tank and is usually not very accurate no matter how much money you invest. While some praise one gun over another, your first paintball gun purchase will probably be made with mostly your budget in mind.

So, now that you know the basics, you are ready to get out in the arena and show off what you"ve got. Good Luck!