Tournament Paintball
Frequently Asked Tournament Questions

Overview: Every tournament has its own rules and is run differently. This FAQ is designed to address common practices but keep in mind that each tournament will have its own procedures and policies. Be sure to ask about the specific rules for any tournament in which you expect to play.

Paint: Most local and regional tournaments are FPO (Field Paint Only). That means you must buy paint from the tournament operator. Sometimes the operator will offer choices of grades of paint but the more common practice is that only one choice is available. Many national tournaments do not have a FPO requirement.

Entry Fees: Nearly every tournament requires payment of an entry fee. These vary widely. Typically they are required to be paid in advance so that the tournament organizer can properly plan for the tournament. The organizer uses these to pay for refs, prizes, the field, insurance, staff, advertising, etc.

Uniforms: There are no requirements for uniforms but most teams do adopt a uniform for their team. Many tournaments ban the use of orange and pink. It is expected that yellow will also be banned for most events in the near future. Again, it is important that you check with the event organizer to insure that you comply with the rules of the event.

Padding: Most events will allow knee/shin and elbow/forearm pads as well as neck protectors. Extra padding, especially padding that would tend to cushion ball impacts would be disallowed. Shirts have to be tucked in.

Hoppers: Again, rules vary by event. Most events do not allow clear hoppers.

Stickers: Tournaments usually limit but do not eliminate stickers on markers and hoppers.

Barrel sox/plugs: Nearly every tournament requires barrel sox. Most tournaments no longer allow barrel plugs.

On the field: Only one barrel, one gun, one mask, etc. is allowed on the field per player. This equipment must stay with the player during the game. You cannot abandon the equipment during the game. The only equipment you can “discard” is your empty pods.

Nice to have equipment: A game timer. Cleated shoes are a big plus on outdoor fields.

Chrony: Every event has its own rules but expect to have to comply with the speed limit of the tournament. If you have an electronic gun do not turn it off at the end of the game until the officials have indicated that it is okay to do so and that they do not need to test your gun. Some events test guns prior to going on the field, some after the game, some spot check and some do all. At most events there are very heavy penalties for “hot” guns.

The Game: Again, games differ but a typical one is a center flag type. The goal is to get the flag, and put it in the opponents starting position. Points are awarded as follows for a 5-man game: 5 points for each opponent eliminated, 1 point for each of your players who remains alive, 10 points for the team that grabs the flag first, 10 points for possession of the flag at the end of the game (not awarded if “hanging” points are awarded), 60 points for hanging the flag in the opponents base. The game lasts until the flag is hung or 5 minutes, whichever comes first.

Tournament: A typical tournament includes a preliminary round of play where teams of the same division (rookie vs. rookie, novice vs. novice, etc) compete against each other in 6 to 8 games. Scores are totaled and only the top teams move on to a semi-final round. This round is typically a single elimination round. After the semi-final round, the finals are held. The finals can be a round-robin type of play with all the finalists playing each other and the results determining the ultimate winner. Again, each tournament determines its own methods of play and scoring and these may be modified to take into account weather, darkness and other factors.

Tournament teams and divisions: Tournaments and players are broken down into various experience and skill categories. Those players with little or no tournament experience are Rookies, sometimes called “Young Guns”. Sometimes tournaments further limit players by age. Those with some tournament experience are considered Novices. More experienced players are Intermediate and then Semi-Pro and then Pro. Various national leagues have their own classifications, for example, the NPPL and the PSP have a Pro Division and Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3. Usually there are strict rules about the eligibility of more experienced players to play in junior leagues. Teams sizes also vary with teams from 10-man to 3-man. Most teams have more players on the roster than play on the field to account for players who are unavailable from time to time.

If you are on a team and serious about it: You can expect to have to make a major commitment to your team. Tournament play is expensive and time consuming. In addition to the time at the tournaments themselves most teams have practices prior to each tournament at the tournament site and general team practices as well. Not only do the tournaments require entrance fees and paint costs but practices also have field fees and paint costs and frequently there are at least some travel expenses as well, especially for teams that compete at the national level. Additionally, team members must supply their equipment.

Some New England Tournaments: If you are new to tournaments you might consider X Fire Paintball’s Young Gun tournament. It is for players who have not played in tournament prior to Jan 1 of the current year. It is a 3-man tournament and if you do not have a 3-person team you can sign up and X Fire will put you with others who do not already have a team. You can check out X Fire Young Gun Tournaments and lots of other tournaments at www.xfirepaintball.com/calendar

Other local and regional tournaments are held by Friendly Fire Paintball in Upton, MA, (www.friendlyfire-paintball.com), the Hab in Uxbridge, MA (www.playboyzpaintball.com) P&L Paintball in Bridgewater, MA (www.pnlpaintball.com) and the NEPL (www.thenepl.com)
National Tournaments: For information on national events check out the NPPL (National Paintball Players League at www.nepl.tv) or the PSP (Paintball Sports Promotions at www.pspevents.com) or the IAO (International Amateur Open at www.teameffortevents.com)