Paintball a Combat Sport?

[AngrySloth]

The field owner at the woods field I used to play at always referred to paintball as a "Combat Sport", like Karate or Judo. I don't really agree with him on that.
What do you guys think, is paintball a Combat sport?

[elTwitcho]

Not a combat sport

[Deep Sixx]

No, I don't think so. First, there is no physical contact whatsoever between players in paintball. Second, there is no sense of combat for me in paintball, it's like playing tag or capture the flag when you were a kid.. that's not combat.

BTW, your analogy isn't very good. By definition Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, etc aren't sports, they're martial arts.

D6

[HondaRacer2120]

no way is paintball a combat sport

[AngrySloth]

It's not my analogy. Like I said it was the field owner at my old field who said it was a combat sport like Karate.

[Sub_Zero]

When you say Paintball a combat sport, are you saying it in a good way or bad.

[DasBaldDog]

Well, I think of it generally the method in which something is done. I don't consider paintball markers as implements of vandalizsm until someone uses it as such.

You could consider it as a combat sport if you use it to train for such a situation.

[AngrySloth]

Originally posted by Sub_Zero
When you say Paintball a combat sport, are you saying it in a good way or bad.
I'm not saying it. The field owner was.
And I agree with you guys about it not being a combat sport. I just thought I would see other people's opinions.

[UTLadiesMan]

Nope, and shouldn't be described as such. Besides, I don't know any team combat sports...

[HaZrD Boy 00]

paintball is an adventure sport... not combat .

[Cerberust]

technically yes.


com·bat (km-bt, kmbt)
v. com·bat·ed, or com·bat·ted com·bat·ing, or com·bat·ting com·bats or com·bats
v. tr.
To oppose in battle; fight against.
To oppose vigorously; struggle against. See Synonyms at oppose.

v. intr.
To engage in fighting; contend or struggle.

n. (kmbt)
Fighting, especially armed battle; strife. See Synonyms at conflict.

adj. (kmbt)
Of or relating to combat: flew 50 combat missions.
Intended for use or deployment in combat: combat boots; combat troops.

so you see, were armed with paintball guns and engaging in a combat sport, if you say because we have no contact, i guess your saying that our world war II veterans in the airforce werent engaging in combat huh?

[UTLadiesMan]

Originally posted by Cerberust
To oppose in battle; fight against.
To oppose vigorously; struggle against. See Synonyms at oppose.

So, is chess a combat sport? How about checkers?

[Deep Sixx]

Originally posted by Cerberust
technically yes.


com·bat (km-bt, kmbt)
v. com·bat·ed, or com·bat·ted com·bat·ing, or com·bat·ting com·bats or com·bats
v. tr.
To oppose in battle; fight against.
To oppose vigorously; struggle against. See Synonyms at oppose.

v. intr.
To engage in fighting; contend or struggle.

n. (kmbt)
Fighting, especially armed battle; strife. See Synonyms at conflict.

adj. (kmbt)
Of or relating to combat: flew 50 combat missions.
Intended for use or deployment in combat: combat boots; combat troops.

so you see, were armed with paintball guns and engaging in a combat sport, if you say because we have no contact, i guess your saying that our world war II veterans in the airforce werent engaging in combat huh?

I've been playing paintball on and off for 10 years and I've never been armed. I use a paintball marker, not a firearm. I would only be considered "armed" if you consider a hockey player armed with a stick, a baseball player armed with a bat, a tennis player armed with a racket. None of those things are considered armaments when used in their context... just like paintball markers. They are the equipment we use to participate in the sport we love.

We are not "opposing one another in battle", we're playing games... like little kids play tag.

We are not "engaging in fighting"... hockey players fight.

This is not combat... I have friends that have seen real armed combat... a close friend served in the Airborne stationed in Yugoslavia, twice... another who was a medic in the army... a friends father was a SWAT weapons instructor... THAT is combat... this is a game.

D6

[JDS]

You're either running around the woods or a field trying to takeout/eliminate your opponents by hitting them with a high velocity round; how can that not be combat?

But war or combat is the ultimate test of man, it takes physical strength, stragtegy/mind power, team work, use of terrain, comunication skills, understanding of your equipment & it's limitations, etc... .

But it's not real combat because no one really gets hurt or killed!

It's a game! It's Oldmans/Adult tag!

[Richy_C]

Conflict game, i won't deny it, but it all depends on your point of view. I don't play because i'm out to hurt people, i play because no one can get hurt. It's only combat if football is.

[Chad51]

I consider Paintball simulated warfare! Therefore in a manner of speaking it is a combat sport. Not in the sence of inflicting pain or injury on your oppenent but it the sence you are launching projectiles at each other in an attempt to remove them from the game. I don't see that this could not be considered combat in at least some way. Unless your definition of combat has to do with killing or inflicting pain intentionally!

[Cerberust]

there are basicly the same laws for owning and carrying a paintball gun as there are a real gun, its not a toy. This is an argument that could go on forever, but i think its a combat sport, you are trying to win, your armed, simulated warfare, the whole bit.

chess and checkers, nah, your not chucking the peices at eachother are ye? yer not armed, or fighting vigorously, its a thinking game, yes paintball is too (most of the time..) but your armed as well.

[UTLadiesMan]

Originally posted by Cerberust
chess and checkers, nah, your not chucking the peices at eachother are ye? yer not armed, or fighting vigorously, its a thinking game, yes paintball is too (most of the time..) but your armed as well.

Your first definition was:

To oppose in battle; fight against.
To oppose vigorously; struggle against. See Synonyms at oppose.

In chess, you are battling your opponent. You are fighting against their knowledge of the game, and their cunning. Also, if you've never 'opposed vigorously' or 'struggled against' someone sitting across the board from you, you must have never been to a tournament before. (chess tournament) Those can get pretty brutal and grueling. It's hard to out think someone for 6 hours straight.

[Deep Sixx]

Originally posted by Cerberust
there are basicly the same laws for owning and carrying a paintball gun as there are a real gun...

How do ya figure that?!??

I don't have to have a license to own a marker.

I don't have to declare it when I cross the border as it's not a firearm.

I can take a marker on an airplane without causing an international incident (as long as I check it).

There's no waiting period to buy a marker.

I can shoot my marker in my backyard/basement without a SWAT team busting down my door.

I can shoot my friends without ending up behind bars.

I don't have to register my marker.

I don't have to have any documents/licenses to buy paintballs (except proof I'm over 18 if I'm at Wal-Mart)

I don't have to take a safety course to buy a marker (although sometimes I think this might be a good idea for some people)

I don't have to get a Police record/background check to buy a marker.

I don't have to keep my markers locked in a safe separate from the paintballs.

I don't have to have any permits or special cases to transport my marker, I just put it in my gear bag and throw it in the trunk.

D6

[elTwitcho]

I've never thought of playing anyone on a paintball field to be "fighting vigorously" against them. To be honest, I don't consider it fighting at all. Is a spirited game of baseball in the world series combat? Does it become combat anytime someone tries hard then? Should we all tune in next week for "World War Golf" then?

[Richy_C]

Originally posted by UTLadiesMan
You are fighting against their knowledge of the game, and their cunning.
As is true with paintball. Paintball is chess tag.

[UTLadiesMan]

Originally posted by Richy_C

As is true with paintball. Paintball is chess tag.

I like that. I like that alot, I'm putting it in my profile.

[Richy_C]

You're more than welcome to. When was the last time some one used inflatable nylon fields for combat? :laugh:

[Cerberust]

i DO have to be eighteen to own one

out of designated shooting areas at feilds i DO need tohave a safety on.

when driving i DO have to have the gun not loaded, and the co2 tank empty(latest initiated law)

if i shoot someone on the street i DO go to jail.

If i shoot a paintball down someones throat it WILL kill them.

I NEED a license to sell them.

I WILL get busted if i carry one onto a plane.

I WILL get arrested if i carry one on the street.

i dunno, seems pretty close.

[Richy_C]

I will make extreme and totally unapplicable example to prove my points. [/sarcasm]

Ohio doesn't have that law to my knowledge, and i don't need a liscence to own one. Outside of shooting areas you need safties for..........dun dun dun......... safty :idea: You don't shoot people on the streets with them because that's a)not what they're used for, or b)because it's completely stupid! Welli dunno alex, i'll choose a. Ding!

Sorry, but those are pretty foolish examples :|

[PoYsYn]

hmm, some of those tings cerebrust said sound a little exhaggerated


And i dont think its a combat sport

[Deep Sixx]

Originally posted by Cerberust
i DO have to be eighteen to own one


No you don't. You have to be 18 to buy one... not own one, and that's a store's policy, not a law.

out of designated shooting areas at feilds i DO need tohave a safety on.

OK, but that's kinda irrelevant to the current conversation.


when driving i DO have to have the gun not loaded, and the co2 tank empty(latest initiated law)

Unloaded, yeah. But that's not what I said now is it? You don't have to empty HPA or CO2 tanks to transport them... that's and absurd statement.

if i shoot someone on the street i DO go to jail.

Of course you do... and if you start playing baseball on the street you could be arrested too.

If i shoot a paintball down someones throat it WILL kill them.

I'm not even going to dignify this moronic statement with a response.

I NEED a license to sell them.

No you don't... they're not a firearm. Do you have facts to back this up?

I WILL get busted if i carry one onto a plane.

I said "check" them... as in "not carry-on". You can transport a marker on a plane if you want. Pay attention.

I WILL get arrested if i carry one on the street.

No you won't. You'll get plenty of strange looks... but the police can't arrest you... unless you're doing something illegal with it. If I carry a baseball bat down the street and start smashing stuff I'll get busted, but if I'm just carrying it that's not illegal. Same with a marker... IT'S NOT A GUN!!

i dunno, seems pretty close.

Exactly where did you get your "info"?

D6

[Cerberust]

No you don't. You have to be 18 to buy one... not own one, and that's a store's policy, not a law.

I dont know bout Canade, but if you live in Cincinnati at least, yeah you cannot own one if you arent eighteen, my neighborhood even mailed this new law to all the houses, since wed been having alot of trouble with kids in the streets with paintball guns.

quote:
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out of designated shooting areas at feilds i DO need tohave a safety on.
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OK, but that's kinda irrelevant to the current conversation.

No, i was comparing a paintball gun to a real one, you respectfully disagreed(i appreciate it, instead of just, yer stupid Cerberust), and im just showing reasons i think it is alot like a real gun mk?


quote:
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when driving i DO have to have the gun not loaded, and the co2 tank empty(latest initiated law)
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Unloaded, yeah. But that's not what I said now is it? You don't have to empty HPA or CO2 tanks to transport them... that's and absurd statement.

Last i read in the paper the new law said you do need to have the co2 empty, stupid as that sounds, how the hell am i suposed to empty it? ya i know, but thats what was in the paper.


quote:
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if i shoot someone on the street i DO go to jail.
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Of course you do... and if you start playing baseball on the street you could be arrested too.

Im comparing it to a gun, not baseball oh wise person

quote:
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If i shoot a paintball down someones throat it WILL kill them.
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I'm not even going to dignify this moronic statement with a response.

another comparison to a real gun, its a true statement, lets not get mean here.

quote:
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I NEED a license to sell them.
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No you don't... they're not a firearm. Do you have facts to back this up?

My local store owner said he needs a license, you dont just open a store selling a projectile weapon without one, i dont know the laws in canada.


quote:
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I WILL get busted if i carry one onto a plane.
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I said "check" them... as in "not carry-on". You can transport a marker on a plane if you want. Pay attention.

Most players whove done this strongly recomend mailing your equipment to the location, ill modify, its about as much hastle to get baggage with a paintball gun as it is baggage with a real gun, pick pick pick.


quote:
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I WILL get arrested if i carry one on the street.
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No you won't. You'll get plenty of strange looks... but the police can't arrest you... unless you're doing something illegal with it. If I carry a baseball bat down the street and start smashing stuff I'll get busted, but if I'm just carrying it that's not illegal. Same with a marker... IT'S NOT A GUN!!

Same thing said in the pamphlet the neighborhood sent to all the houses, no you cannot carry one in the street and not be stoped and possibly arrested, thats the law here, once again, canada might be different.

quote:
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i dunno, seems pretty close.
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I asked my local dealer and i received that letter in the mail from the local police department, thats my source of info.

[Richy_C]

That's not the law here in brecksville.....

[Deep Sixx]

I'm sure you or someone you know has a scanner. Please post a scanned copy of these papers, I'd be very interested to read them. If you don't have access to a scanner, I'm sure you won't mind posting the federal, state, county or city code reference numbers... you've piqued my interest...

BTW, your city/neighbourhood cannot legislate procedure for transportation on public roadways... that's up to the DOT. As far as I know, there is no DOT reg saying you must empty CO2 containers to transport them. Do you have the DOT regulation number for this?

There is no legislation against carrying paint markers in the baggage compartments of airplanes. You don't have to tell them what's in it, especially if it's a domestic flight... I've never been asked, even on international flights. Air gear is another story... against FAA regs, and for good reason.

If everything you say is true... remind me never to come to move to Ohio, you make it out to be a rather oppressive place. No offence to you Richy_C... or anyone else who seems to live in "free" Ohio with him.

D6

[Cerberust]

Originally posted by Deep Sixx
I'm sure you or someone you know has a scanner. Please post a scanned copy of these papers, I'd be very interested to read them. If you don't have access to a scanner, I'm sure you won't mind posting the federal, state, county or city code reference numbers... you've piqued my interest...

BTW, your city/neighbourhood cannot legislate procedure for transportation on public roadways... that's up to the DOT. As far as I know, there is no DOT reg saying you must empty CO2 containers to transport them. Do you have the DOT regulation number for this?

There is no legislation against carrying paint markers in the baggage compartments of airplanes. You don't have to tell them what's in it, especially if it's a domestic flight... I've never been asked, even on international flights. Air gear is another story... against FAA regs, and for good reason.

If everything you say is true... remind me never to come to move to Ohio, you make it out to be a rather oppressive place. No offence to you Richy_C... or anyone else who seems to live in "free" Ohio with him.

D6


I know my pops threw the papers out, ill see if i can find the posting of the code, but yes, RIPP on ohio all you want, im desperate to leave this place. glad we could have a civilized debate D6

[j7million]

Originally posted by Deep Sixx


How do ya figure that?!??

I don't have to have a license to own a marker.

I don't have to declare it when I cross the border as it's not a firearm.

I can take a marker on an airplane without causing an international incident (as long as I check it).

There's no waiting period to buy a marker.

I can shoot my marker in my backyard/basement without a SWAT team busting down my door.

I can shoot my friends without ending up behind bars.

I don't have to register my marker.

I don't have to have any documents/licenses to buy paintballs (except proof I'm over 18 if I'm at Wal-Mart)

I don't have to take a safety course to buy a marker (although sometimes I think this might be a good idea for some people)

I don't have to get a Police record/background check to buy a marker.

I don't have to keep my markers locked in a safe separate from the paintballs.

I don't have to have any permits or special cases to transport my marker, I just put it in my gear bag and throw it in the trunk.

D6





You have to be 18 to purchase it, or have someone that is to buy a paintball "marker". The only place I can get a gun when not 18 was the local field and that's because he hasn't been sued by someone's parents who didn't want little johnny to get a paintball gun . . .

Have you taken your marker on a plane recently? I have never but I don't think they would like it very much. . Have you done any of this since Sept. 11th? I wanted to take mine to flordia when we went there for vacation but my mother wouldn't let me. . . How do you check in your paintball gun. . .? What about the hpa? If the tanks are empty can you take them? I would be quite paranoid about letting baggage handle my expensive paintball stuff :-)

You can shoot a regular gun in your back yard, I'v shot a shot guns or two in my back yard. *note I live in the boonies but it's still my back yard ;-)*

I had a friend shoot another(they are stupid) with a pellet gun and didn't go to jail. . Kinda like bb tag.. .The police were called and a report filed but it was an accident *they are REAL stupid. . .*

I don't you have to keep a gun in a safe or seperate from the ammo, but it is reccomended, and you should do the same with a paintball gun too.



I don't think it's a combat sport, I don't think it's like playing football either. What is boxing or wrastling? It's more of a combat simulation like someone else stated above, surely when you started it was "playin' war in the woods with some friends" Speedball and stuff is still realitvly new. . Speedball and stuff are more like close combat in a building or something of that sort. You are fooling yourself if you think that telling yourself that paintball is nothing like a war simulation because you are shooting at each other and anyone who does not understand what paintball is will see it as "playing war" except with guns that actually fire vs fingers and thumbs.

Telling everyone that we use markers not guns, it's a sport not a war, use protection, it's safer than bowling and golf isn't gonna change someones mind about it untill they play and enjoy it.

What's wrong with it bein' a war game anyway?

[Cloud-VII]

Well, I consider Football to be a combat sport, and even to an extent Chess.
(Im a very big chess fan)

[elTwitcho]

Originally posted by j7million

You have to be 18 to purchase it, or have someone that is to buy a paintball "marker".

No dude, you don't. I bought my intimidator about a month before my 18th birthday.

[JDS]

Question is did they card you? They should have!

Heck I bet here in good old N.J. you probly need to be 21?!

The reallity here is these guns/toys can hurt and do damage if they get into the wrong hands!

Since I'm a gun owner I always treat my paintball gun/marker as a real gun. It's scrary to see how some of the guys we play with treat and hold their markers.

I don't dry fire the gun/marker in my house, when with other people outside I go off away to a safe area to fire it after doing some work on it and we have a safe area near the chrono to test fire when out playing.

Some of this might be off topic but I just thought of it!

[Deep Sixx]

Originally posted by j7million
You have to be 18 to purchase it, or have someone that is to buy a paintball "marker".

Nope, not by law you don't. If you are required to be 18, that's a store/company policy, not a law. Wal-Mart is like that.

How do you check in your paintball gun. . .? What about the hpa? If the tanks are empty can you take them? I would be quite paranoid about letting baggage handle my expensive paintball stuff :-)

You put it in a bag and check it in with your luggage. Air tanks should not be taken on airplanes, it's against FAA regs to have them full, and airlines may not even let empty ones on... but again, the latter is a company policy. As for baggage handler incompetence, that's up to your discression... although I must admit I agree with you on that point. :)

You can shoot a regular gun in your back yard, I'v shot a shot guns or two in my back yard. *note I live in the boonies but it's still my back yard ;-)*

I live in a small town, I can shoot paintballs in my backyard all I want and nobody says anything... same with my compound bow, as it's also not a firearm. A real gun, on the other hand, would probably get me in big trouble. But it makes little difference to me... I hate guns.

I don't you have to keep a gun in a safe or seperate from the ammo, but it is reccomended, and you should do the same with a paintball gun too.

You do here... they must be secured and stored separately.

D6

[ClockworkMiller]

DOT regulations say that co2 and HPA tanks must be empty if your transporting them on an airplane. Since they are pressurized, it gets pretty dangerous. Thats why 12gram cant be shipped overnight, cause they cant be (flown/flone).

Technically, paintball is a combat sport. So is any sport that puts two people, or two groups of people, against eachother in any way shape or from. Chess is combat, but it sure as hell aint a sport.

Calling paintball an adventure sport is kinda funny. Unless you're playing a scenario, its really just combat. There isnt an exploring, or mental discover going on. See a guy, shoot a guy. Sure its more complicated, but thats it at its simplest form.

A paintball gun isnt a firearm, plain and simple. But a firearm doesnt define combat. Unarmed combat anyone?

You're still considered armed with a paintball gun, it just isnt against the law.

[Richy_C]

What's wrong with war games? Them simulate war for crying out loud! Have you seen any war atrocities? War is horrilbe. Speed ball is not like close combat, just accept it, paintball is'nt war.

[j7million]

Ok, so we shouldn't let children play "war, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians"?

[ClockworkMiller]

You guys assume way way too much without thinking.

A "Combat Sport" is really not a bad thing. Its just a way of further defining the sport. It's also an extreme sport. And I am sure football players would argue that it is less physical or extreme as a football game. Its really just a matter of perspective.

Paintball isnt a bad thing. So anybody can call it anything they want, its not really what they call it, its how it's played.

[j7million]

Originally posted by ClockworkMiller

Paintball isnt a bad thing. So anybody can call it anything they want, its not really what they call it, its how it's played.

You can say that again!

[Richy_C]

Do you mean paintball is what you make it?

[Murph1]

Paintball was originally just a bunch of guys playing Capture The Flag, which is a game traditionally played with water balloons, with Nelspot 007's (Cattle Markers). Nowadays, Paintball is a bunch of guys playing Capture The Flag, Center Flag, or Scenarios with more expensive cattle markers and loads more ammo.



Oh, By the way: If you play paintball at Adventure Games in Weare, New Hampshire: Gog this guy, PLEASE!!!!
http://www.agpaintball.com/agpics/players/DefendingTheCastle.jpg

[Rogue Warrior]

I could understand why paintball can be considered combat-simulation. Especially when playing in the woods. It resembles guerrilla warfare.

[Chad51]

Exactly Rogue Warrior,

If you think about it paintball in the woods is like playing war! People wear camo and care a paintball gun around and shot each other. Even if it isn't just elimination and you are playing capture the flag or something it is still the same as war because the flag is just an objective. Think of it as a recovery mission in the army! As far as speedball and games like that I wouldn't say they are combat because it just doesn't seem like much of a war game in an arena.

But paintball is a combat sport! And the way I see it no matter how paintball changes you will always see people playing it in the woods in the same manner war is!

[sO Deuce]

Is Paintball a "Combat Sport"? Yes it is....is it a combat sport like Karate...no...

What do you call war? Combat... War is stradigy and tactics...isnt that what paintball is?

If paintball isnt a "Combat Sport" what kind of a sport is it?

[kel-morian]

I would most definetley consider paintball a "combat" sport but i dont mean it in any bad way, i love paintball but there are many reasons why i consider it a "combat" sport.

Theres definite strategy involved(not that thats exclusive to combat) but its strategy very similar to military COMBAT, IE covering fire, flanking, sniping, grenades, even mines, somehow i find that akin to combat and Your being shot at with high speed(obviously nonlethal) projectiles, tell me another thing besides combat and paintball where that happens? they also on occasion even use paintballs for military training scenarios and police training. (in the cases where they dont have MIKE gear available, i have no idea what MIKE stands for but its the laser tag gear they strap to guns basically)

[Cloud-VII]

Originally posted by Richy_C
Do you mean paintball is what you make it?
I think that.
Paintball could be a combat sport/ war game, or it can be the same as dodgeball but with smaller balls.

[Lavahead]

In the medieval world, people would often get together and have duels with their swords-this was clearly combat, as each person would struggle to defeat the their opponent. As the views on casually killing people off changed, the duels would often end at first blood, and eventually real swords were no longer used, replaced by foils, and so the sport of fencing developed. Fencing is clearly based in the art of combat swordsmanship, yet is not considered a particularly violent sport.

Here is my point for the little history lesson-go pick up your paintball "marker". It serves the same function as a firearm-to launch a projectile at a target. The details of the launching method are not relavent. In a combat situation, a firearm is used to fire the projectile at an opponent, so as to eliminate them with a hit. By doing so it helps to increase the chance that a certain party may achieve an objective. Sound familiar? While paintball may have originated as a "survival game", the transition to a team format has clearly created two opposing factions in a combat scenario, in most cases the capturing and/or defense of a tangible objective. To achieve said objective, the teams use methods similar to those used in combat situations. They are not the same, but neither is swordfighting and fencing. Whether or not people are being put into potentially dangerous situations on a physical health level is irrelevant.

[FrOnTMaN]

combat, no
battling, maybe
when i play with my own friends ya we yell medic!!!! when we get hit(we have medics:P ). we yell out commands to our teamates, and sometimes obscure words to our opponents(were all friends so it doesnt matter). but we never ran up to each other and fought hard(vigourlessy). we were never out of breath trying to "kill" our enemy. we mearly tried to find a way to there flag. we never fought hard at all. we might say we did, but it never happens. to fight vigoursly id say ud have to win or else lose control of something(be it land or government). there must be some real conseguence to losing. theres none of that in paintball

[Lavahead]

bat·tle Pronunciation Key (btl)
n.

1.
a. An encounter between opposing forces: an important battle in the Pacific campaign.
b. Armed fighting; combat: wounded in battle.
2. A match between two combatants: trial by battle.

3.
a. A protracted controversy or struggle: won the battle of the budget.
b. An intense competition: a battle of wits.

v. bat·tled, bat·tling, bat·tles
v. intr.
To engage in or as if in battle.

v. tr.
To fight against: battled the enemy; battled cancer.

com·bat Pronunciation Key (km-bt, kmbt)
v. com·bat·ed, or com·bat·ted com·bat·ing, or com·bat·ting com·bats or com·bats
v. tr.
1. To oppose in battle; fight against.
2. To oppose vigorously; struggle against. See Synonyms at oppose.

v. intr.
To engage in fighting; contend or struggle.

n. (kmbt)
Fighting, especially armed battle; strife. See Synonyms at conflict.

adj. (kmbt)
1. Of or relating to combat: flew 50 combat missions.
2. Intended for use or deployment in combat: combat boots; combat troops.

It would seem that this argument depends on how one wishes to define "combat" or "battle". I feel that paintball has some connection to combat and battle, although maybe not in the classic sense of the words. You hold territory, defend strong points and objectives, supress or eliminate the opposition, and try to achieve an objective of your own. The flag has an objective similarity to, say, a person you are to retrieve. So speedball could be looked at as a sort hostage-rescue game perhaps.

While I do think that paintball is a somewhat combat oriented sport, the point is to have a good time. I don't go out to hurt people. Lots of people do martial arts for enjoyment also, not to hurt people.

[FinnMcKool]

I don't have to do all that I carry my gun on the strret on the way to the field a cops even driven by and not even questioned me. And a piece of food down the throat can kill someone too. Also if thats your definition of combat then almost all sports are combat sport.


Should we all tune in next week for "World War Golf" then?


hahahaha

Its mostly those miltairy wanna bes that think its a combat sport like those ones that own those markers that are designed to look like M16s and stuff. Those ppl that go like "I play war games, Paintball!"

fools

[Lavahead]

Actually a lot of sports, especially team sports, have some connection to combat. Look at football-everyone has to follow directions and do their jobs, regardless of how dumb it may seem. Even if you are a receiver and your job is to run ahead and block a linebacker, it may seem dumb, but maybe your job is to keep him from reaching the ballcarrier. If you don't do this, well, I live in Minnesota and have been treated to the spectecal of Randy Moss not doing his job time and again-look where that got the Vikings. In paintball the back players job is to stand there and throw paint. If he doesn't, his front players get overrun. It's not the best job, since you have to be exposed to shoot, but that's his job, and he does it. So besides the obvious "we're shooting things at each other" connection, there is a solid teamwork connection that all team sports, as well as military actions, have.

Also, sports were developed as a non-lethal contest. Conflict would occasionally be avoided by a non-lethal contest. Early on these sports were very combat based, but they were still sports. As armed conflict became less popular, more sports were developed, some more combat oriented than others. Endurance running isn't that far removed from a forced march, but curling? Clearly not very influenced by any combat heritage (for those who don't know, curling is kind of like skeeball, but on ice.)

I think paintball is a combat-oriented sport (not direct combat, but heavily influenced by it). That's my opinion. That doesn't make it good or bad, it's just what I see it as. Nonetheless, I love playing as much as possible, Speedball or woods (I prefer woods because the games last longer.) I've spent way too much time defending my opinion, so sorry about that. But the thing is, activists like to present us as one step removed from a guerilla army, which we know we aren't. But non-players don't know that, and therein lies our problem. I think that was the point of this thread, to get the opinions of player on how they view the sport and eachother. But it has devolved into another woods vs. speedball type argument. We can't rightly tell people that there's nothing bad about paintball if we can't even put out consistent information. When we step onto the field and put our masks on, we all have the same goal-winning the game. Maybe that should be our slogan.

See you on the field!