In the last several years the game of paintballing has grown significantly. As more competitors start to play and compete in this energetic pastime, organized games and sequences become bigger and more complex. Experience counts for a lot in paintball, so if you are a beginning competitor it would probably be in your best interest to play with other beginners. In serious paintball scenarios, adept competitors will commonly join paintballing groups. When amateur players have learned several of the general tactics and techniques of paintball and the gear they can think about going into one of the more serious encounters. Trial and error is the most effective way for players and teams to develop the most efficient strategies for themselves.

Two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet is how far the standard paintball gun is able shoot. They can become extremely expensive, but there are modified paintguns that have a lot farther range and accuracy. It is harder for a competitor to make consistent shots because a paintball is not a solid object. It is important to get as close as possible to a target without endangering yourself to have the best chance of hitting another player. Players will be forced to take cover out in the field if you fire at them and pin them down. This will make them unable to see you as you move in on them. You may want to go to either side to change your viewpoint as you continue in their direction. This will let you flank your opponent from the side. It is usually best to stay away from face to face engagements with competing participants and try to shoot them from covered areas so as not to endanger yourself.

Taking cover and using the natural terrain as a defense is an integral part of the sport of paintballing. When playing in surroundings like the woods, terrain is for shelter and camouflage. Remaining in one place for too long and endangering their position is a frequent mistake for many amateur competitors. They may eliminate one or two of the opposite team but allow for the others to sneak around and flank them. It is a good idea to remain on the move as much as possible and to stay unseen for as long as possible. This gives a player the edge of stealth. Many people nowadays are getting ghillie suits to give themselves the edge on the field and in organized games. When a competitor in a gilly suit is being still to blend in with their surroundings the suit's unique properties make it extremely hard for other players to see them. Participants who want greater mobility and range of vision by not wearing a gilly suit may prefer a technique of speed and offense to make up for their disadvantage of being seen.

For strategy, position is really important when attempting to take cover in paintball. Standing up will give a player the most dexterity by letting them escape fast in situations where they need to. Kneeling or lying behind a big object like a stone or tree will give a player good camouflage, but will limit what they can see around their peripheral vision. Opposing competitors might be able to gain the edge if you allow them to come upon you. High grass and bushes are good for both surprise melees and defensive positions because they have both camouflage and some visibility. If a paintballer finds that he must crawl between two objects to stay under cover the mobility and stealth goes down and they will discover that it is difficult to get away quickly in this position.