Paintball
Paintball is a sport where players eliminate opponents by hitting them with paint-filled gelatin capsules fired from air-powered markers. Games range from casual recreational play to professional tournament competition.
01 // LEARN
What is Paintball?
Understanding this shooting discipline
Paintball is a sport where players eliminate opponents by hitting them with paint-filled gelatin capsules fired from air-powered markers. Games range from casual recreational play to professional tournament competition.
Woodsball uses natural terrain and emphasizes tactics and teamwork. Speedball takes place on smaller fields with inflatable bunkers, focusing on speed and aggression. Scenario games recreate military or fictional storylines over extended periods.
Types & Variations
02 // START
Getting Started with Paintball
Equipment, costs, and tips for beginners
Getting into paintball doesn't require starting with top-tier gear. Focus on safety fundamentals, basic equipment, and finding welcoming places to learn. The community is generally helpful to newcomers who show up prepared with the right attitude.
Essential Equipment
What you need to get started
Safety & Rules
Know these before your first shot
Pro Tips for Beginners
Advice from experienced shooters
What Does Paintball Cost?
Realistic budget expectations
$150-300
Basic equipment to begin
$500-2,000+
Quality gear for serious shooters
Hidden costs to consider: A quality mask ($80-150) should be your first purchase. Entry-level markers from Tippmann or Planet Eclipse work well for beginners.
Paintball Marker Types
Compare your options
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Simple, reliable, easy to maintain. Tippmann 98 is the classic example. | Beginners, woodsball, rental fleets |
| Electronic Faster firing, multiple modes, tournament legal. Requires batteries. | Speedball, serious recreational players |
| MagFed Magazine-fed, realistic appearance, limited capacity. Tactical gameplay. | Military simulation, scenario games |
03 // ASK
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about paintball
New to paintball? These are the most common questions from shooters exploring this discipline. The shooting community is generally welcoming and happy to help newcomers.
Find answers to common questions about paintball. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll help you out.
Paintball impacts sting briefly, similar to a rubber band snap. Quality paint that breaks properly hurts less than cheap paint that bounces. Padding and layers reduce impact.
CO2 is cheaper but less consistent, especially in cold weather. HPA (High Pressure Air) provides consistent performance. Most serious players use HPA.
Rent first to confirm you enjoy the sport. If you play more than 5-6 times, owning equipment becomes more economical. Buy a quality mask first.
Most fields require age 10+ for standard paintball. Low-impact options using smaller paintballs at lower velocity allow younger players (7+).
Entry plus rental is typically $30-60. Paint is $40-80 per case (2000 rounds). Experienced players with their own gear spend less on entry, more on paint.
04 // FIND
Upcoming Events
Find paintball events near you
NVFAC Member Shoot
The second Friday of every month is free range time for NVFAC members! If you aren’t a member, you can join by going to the NVFAC website. This is not an Annie Oakley program, so the Annie Oakley firearms are not available for use during this time. You will need to bring your own firearms, ammunition, targets, eye and ear protection.
2025 League dates
Trap League Applications for the Trap Leagues are now being accepted. League forms are available at the front desk. download league form Women’s Trap League Applications for Women’s Trap Leagues are now being accepted. League forms are available at the front desk.
Open Practice - Upper Trap and Skeet Range
Open Practice - Upper Trap and Skeet Range at Cherokee Rod & Gun Club in Kingsport, TN. Check with the host club for match details, start times, and registration.
Basic Bolt Rifle - OPEN
Bolt Rifle Foundations – 25-200 yards 4 hours of comprehensive training helping you master bolt rifle foundations. Build a solid base for future shooting goals, learn a new caliber or optic, lose an accuracy preventing habit, dial in a new rifle, get ready for a hunt, or prep for one of our long range courses – You don’t want to miss this informative class! – Sight In check / Scope adjustment – Building a shooter’s platform / Basic accuracy – Basics of benchrest shooting – 25 – 200 yards – Basic
ATA Trap Range F Follow the ATA Signs
Trap is one of the three major clay target disciplines. Shooters stand at five stations arranged in a semicircle behind a single trap house and fire at targets launched away from them at varying angles. | Detail | Info | |--------|------| | Targets per round | 25 (5 per station) | | Gauge | 12 ga. most common; sub-gauge events exist | | Skill level | All levels welcome | Shotgun (12, 20, or 28 gauge) Ammunition (target loads, typically 7.5 or 8 shot) Eye and ear protection (required) Hat or visor recommended Contact Ccleoa directly for current fees, start times, and any pre-registration requirements.
IDPA Classifier Match
Aug 18, 2007 USPSA Match Aug 18, 2007 Vintage Battle Rifle Match Aug 9, 2007 Indoor IDPA Match Jul 28, 2007 IDPA Match Jul 28, 2007 3-Gun Side Match
05 // LOCATE
Where to Shoot
Ranges, clubs, and shops for this discipline