Revised: 01/31/09
Let’s start with a couple quick definitions to clarify two terms that I’ll be commonly using. "Outlaw" Paintball is usually played with no chronographs, little to no safety rules, and usually on land without permission. "Renegade" Paintball is a style of play very similar in safety and rules as a commercial field, but not actually played on a commercial field.
Lately I've come across groups of players that claim they're playing Renegade, but are definitely Outlaw. With many retail chain stores like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, and countless online stores on both sides of the border selling Paintball equipment, there's numerous players heading into the bush to play with unfortunately no concept of safety (Does anyone actually read the manuals?). It's not that these players are purposely being dangerous, most often they're just not aware of the proper rules and safety. So because of this, I felt a need to write a set of guidelines for players who would like to do it right and keep the game safe.
Now before we get started, I want to say that I’m not trying to encourage Renegade play. I’d rather see players go to a proper Paintball field to learn the correct safety rules and codes of conduct. But I also understand that sometimes this isn’t possible, and it’d be stupid to bury our heads in the sand and say it doesn’t happen. In fact it probably happens more than we as a Paintball community care to admit. So, if you’re in this category, I hope this article will help. However, I also accept no responsibility of any actions or consequences as a result of using the information contained herein. I may be supplying the information, but how you use or follow it is up to you.
Okay, I’ll hop off of my soapbox now and get started with the basics:
First, you’ll need a place to place to play. Private land is ideal and a simple solution, like a wooded lot on a friend’s property, or part of a farm acreage would work well (With permission of course!). If you have to resort to using Federal/State/Provincial land (this should be an absolute LAST resort, preferably not at all.) try to select a location that’s out of view. This’ll save a lot of headaches in the long run. Otherwise anyone passing by will only see a bunch of guys in camouflage running around in masks with “guns”. Police are often involved and they have to treat the situation seriously. Use some common sense and don’t select areas like park land, natural habitat, or protected areas. This may get you on the news, but it’ll also give a very negative image for the sport, in addition to fines that will probably keep you from playing for the next few years. Don’t forget that wherever you do play at, it will be uninsured. Due to the possibility of liability, some areas that are privately owned may not want you to use their property. With that in mind, please remember that no matter where you are or where you play, you will NOT be insured! Any damages or injuries that happen may be the responsibility of the group, or even the individual who organized it. This is a good reason why you should play at an insured commercial field. Also check with the police to make sure you’re not violating any local laws.
On the note of injuries, it’s a good idea to go through whatever area you’re playing in and remove any objects that could be hazardous. Items like glass, metal, debris, barbed wire, mouse traps, bear traps, parent traps, etc. (you get the idea) should be removed. Checking and filling in holes is also a good idea. A little clean-up now could save you a trip to the hospital later on.
Sounds simple right? You’d be surprised! I knew of one field locally that didn’t have its boundaries marked off very well, or not at all in some places. As a result they had one rental that disappeared back into the woods for a couple hours, and came back with a story of getting to watch a Cougar stalk a Deer! Yikes! Keeping your team and opponents is one playing area is a lot more fun than searching over Hell’s Half Acre looking for them. Let’s look at in another way: Say you and your group of players all play in one location all the time. You know where every tree, rock, stump, gopher hole and occasional piece of barbed wire is (and why haven’t you cleaned that up yet, hmmm?). Now a new player joins you, and you have to explain where the boundaries are.
You: “Boundaries are over here, there, there, and here. Got it?”
New Player: “Yup!”
Not having a clue what you meant, he walks away with an expression like you just gave a lecture on the Theory of Relativity while speaking Swahili. Next thing you know, you don’t see him for 2 hours and he comes back with a story of a Deer stalking a Cougar.
With a well marked off boundary, there’s no question. For smaller areas you can use nylon rope, or trail-marking tape (plastic ribbon in neon colours) tied to tree branches. In one of the wooded areas our club plays on, we’ve used natural bailing twine. It’s very inexpensive, comes in a roll that’s easily unwinds, biodegradable, and breaks easily if an animal goes through it. If by chance you do use an area where there’s other traffic (hikers, bikers, horseback riders, etc.), be sure and not block off any trails. These areas are for everyone to use, and a little common courtesy goes a long way.
Here’s a part where I get into a lot of trouble. I am a huge advocate of safety (like you haven’t figured this out already…), to the point of being anal about it. I’ve unfortunately jumped down a few guys throats for doing what I would consider a blatant disregard for safety. But as a friend had pointed out, it’s not that these guys are doing it deliberately, they just don’t know any better. So to them, I apologize. How Paintball progresses in the future is up to us. The safer the sport can be portrayed, the more accepted it will become. Since there’s no one around (like Field Owners) to baby-sit you, Renegade players have a huge responsibility in keeping their figurative noses clean and policing their own players. You’ve got to be willing to act like an Ambassador for Paintball and lead by example.
Now, let’s get on with some safety guidelines.
To me, the one piece of safety gear that should be as critical as a mask is the Chronograph. For those of you who may not know, a Chronograph is a device used in measuring the speed of a paintball after it’s been fired out of a barrel. I’m always amazed at players who spend huge amounts of money on equipment, yet cringe at the idea of spending more than a couple bucks on a device whose sole purpose is to help keep you safe while playing. The industry maximum speed is 300 feet per second (fps), and ASTM approved Paintball masks are designed to take impacts at this speed. Shooting faster than 300 fps risks damaging the lenses of the mask, and your eyes. This device is an absolute MUST! Without it, you might as well throw your masks away. All markers need to be chronographed at least once a day - twice a day during summer months - to ensure markers are shooting below 300 fps. If you can’t afford one by yourself, ask the group you play with to contribute to help offset the cost of a Chronograph. If anyone doesn’t like the idea, ask them how much they think their eyesight is worth. After a bit of thought, they usually contribute. The Paintball RADARchron from Sports Sensors Inc. is an excellent example of an inexpensive and accurate Chronograph for around $80 (US).
A Safety and Staging Area is somewhere to store equipment (preferably covered) and somewhere to go after being eliminated. If you have the ability to set it up so masks can be removed in this area without the possibility of stray balls coming in, that’s great. If not, then masks should be kept on until game is over and markers are made safe. There should be no shooting of any kind in this area. Set aside a separate target range or test range off to the side to help enforce this rule. Barrel plugs should always be in when in this area. No excuses!
Paintball markers should be treated with the same respect and caution you would with a firearm. In my opinion, barrel plugs should be in as soon as the marker is gassed up. I’ve been shot at (and hit) one too many times for my liking by a marker that’ was supposedly “empty”. Don’t point your marker or touch the trigger unless you intend to use it. Barrel plugs in when not playing, markers pointing down, fingers off triggers, safety is on, and electronic markers switched off.
Even though you’re not at a commercial field, conduct yourself as if you are. Even simple things like “hit” rules need to be defined, especially for the sake of new players. We’ve (our club) always used the rule that once your hand goes up, you’re calling yourself out and once it’s up, that’s it! Calling (more like yelling) out “HIT” also reduces your chance of becoming a walking canvass after the fact. Once a player has called themselves hit and/or put their hand up they are no longer in play and out of the game, and should go to the safety area until the game is over. Some players may choose to use surrender rules. If so, determine how far away an opponent has to be before calling surrender and if a player must take the surrender (recommended) or attempt to return fire? Masks kept on until game ends and markers are made safe. For refereeing, the Honor System is usually the rule. Being able to rely on the honesty of other players is critical to make this work. Another option is if you have one extra player, have them act as a referee, with a different player being the new referee after every game. When in a game if a player calls for a paint-check, be willing to check him if necessary. Remember, it is just a game.
Since you’re not on a commercial field there are some extra precautions that should be taken, especially if you consider the possibility of the general public walking in on your game. If you’re not playing on private land, you’re almost guaranteed at some point to have someone walk onto your playing field. Whether its hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, or motocross riders, call out to inform the group there’s someone coming through and all play and players STOP! This means no shooting of any kind, even in the target area. Once they are out of range, then play can resume.
A code of conduct is rules for general behavior and how to conduct yourself around other players. Most of it is just common sense stuff, but unfortunately common sense isn’t common anymore, so some rules need to be established. Consider criteria such as no drinking or drugs, no obscene language, not going into other players gear without permission, respect for others, and respect for property of others. You may also consider rules for traveling to the playing area. It’s not going to look very good having players walking down the street with markers in full view of the general public, so set up a rule to have gear stowed in a bag and out of sight until you get to the field. Be discrete.
Our Club has used a similar
format as listed here for our set up, so this can and does work. Paintball has
not grown to the point yet where every town that has players has a commercial
field, and I’ll guarantee there are more towns with players than there are towns
with fields in them. On the flip side of the coin, I've also come across
so-called commercial fields whose level of safety is horrendous at best! If you
find yourself in a situation where Renegade is your only option, I hope you
decide to follow these guidelines. Keep it safe out there.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me at sniperbob_92@hotmail.com
SNIPER BOB, 2000-20010