Paintballing is a pretty recent sport that has grown significantly in the last few years. As more competitors begin to get into and compete in this energetic activity, organized games and sequences become larger and more complex. It is most likely in your best interest to compete with other novices if you are one yourself because experience counts for a lot in the game. Experienced competitors commonly form groups to compete in more intense paintball situations. Competitors can can participate in one of the more serious games when they have mastered some of the common strategies and techniques of paintball. Each player and team has to form the best strategy for themselves through experience and trial and error.

250-300 feet is the range the average paint gun can fire. They can get extremely expensive, but there are special paintguns that have much farther range and accuracy. It is harder for a competitor to make consistent shots because a paintball is not a solid projectile. To get the best chance at hitting an opposing competitor you should move in as close as possible without exposing yourself. It is a good strategy for players to hold the opposition behind objects out in the playing field so they will be forced to take shelter. This will keep them unable to locate you as you move in on them. You might want to spread to either side to change your angle as you continue in their direction. This will let you flank your enemy from the side. To keep from exposing yourself and effectively shoot other participants it is generally best to avoid face to face engagements.

One other essential aspect of paintball is taking cover and implementing the natural surroundings as a defense. When competing in surroundings like the forest, terrain is used for shelter and camouflage. It is common for amateur competitors to make the mistake of staying in one place for too long and endangering their location. They might hit one or two of the opposite team but allow for the others to sneak around and eventually flank them. It is a good idea to remain on the move as much as possible and to remain hidden as long as possible. This gives a player the advantage of stealth. Many players today are getting ghillie suits to give themselves the edge on the playing field and in organized events. The suit's unique camouflaging aspects make it very hard for players to see someone in a ghillie suit who is being still to blend in with their surroundings. Participants who prefer greater mobility and range of vision by not wearing a ghillie suit may choose a technique of dexterity and offense to make up for their disadvantage of being easily seen.

When trying to take cover in the game of paintball, position is very significant to consider for a defensive strategy. Standing will give a player more mobility by letting them move fast in scenarios where they have to. A player limits what they can see around them when they kneel or lay down behind a big object like a stone or tree. Opposing players might be able to gain the edge if you allow them to come upon you. High brush and bushes are good for both surprise melees and defensive locations because they have both camouflage and some visibility. A paintballer will find it hard to get away quickly if he must crawl between two objects to stay under cover and will find their dexterity and stealth go down significantly.