What Is the Break in a Paintball Game?
Paintball has branched into a professional sport. There are several different professional paintball teams, and there are a great many amateurs. Paintball enthusiasts vary from office professionals to 15-year-old boys that enjoy running around through woods and shooting at each other.
The break in a paintball game means the beginning of the game. Both teams in a game are to meet in the middle and shake hands with each other. The referee of the match explains the rules to the individuals, and they agree. The game is also decided upon when the meeting takes place with the referee. There are several different games in paintball that people can play. The break signifies the start of the game, and both teams take off running in the direction of their "safe" zone. In a game of "Capture the Flag", each team guards its flag on its home base.
The break generally consists of several seconds, and, during this, neither team can shoot at each other. In some cases, if the opposing team does shoot, that individual is disqualified.
Like timeouts and the coin toss in football, having a designated break in paintball allows teams to relax and size each other up, giving them a breather before play begins.
I think it's good that they do "the break" before every paintball game. It helps foster good sportsmanship, and makes sure that everyone knows the rules of the game that they're playing. I think that without it, paintball could be a way more chaotic game that some kids wouldn't like.