The first game of paintball was played in Henniker, New Hampshire on 27 June 1981, with players using a "Nel-spot 007" pistol; normally used by farmers and ranchers for marking trees and livestock.

Woodsball is a style of paintball that can be played in natural terrain, including wooded areas - limited only by the availability of land.

[4] The natural terrain and weather conditions affect the strategic options offered to players in a differing way to a symmetrical playing field encountered in other regulated sports.

[7] Gloves, padding and other armor are also allowed to improve comfort and safety in rugged playing environments, such as canyons and rocky areas.

For example, a player might fulfill the role of a sniper[9][10] by adding a telescopic sight, stock, and more accurate barrel to their marker.

The same equipment can be later replaced by fully automatic grips and/or circuit boards, which enable the player to play as a gunner.

Players can also take advantage of "sasquatch" or "ghillie" suits, allowing them to remain undetected at close ranges.