2.2 Field boundaries must be clearly marked.
3.0 ELIGIBILITY
3.1 Players must meet event eligibility requirements.
3.2 Rosters: Players may not be listed on more than one team roster per event, and a player may not change teams during an event.
Waivers and roster sheets must be turned in before the first game the team plays. Turning in waivers and roster late will result in zero points for prior games played.
4.0 CHRONOGRAPHING & CHRONOGRAPH PENALTIES
4.1 Maximum Paintball Velocity: The maximum allowable velocity for any event is 300 feet per second (fps). Event rules may reduce the velocity limit.
4.2 All paintguns are subject to a chronograph check before, during and after a game.
4.3. Pre-game Chrono Check: Before each game every player must report to the fields designated chronograph. An equal number of players from each team will be chronographed. The velocity check shall consist of three (3) consecutive shots over the chronograph. A set of three (3) shots must be taken with each power source/cylinder a player takes onto the game field. No single shot may exceed the event limit. Any paintgun shooting over the event limit shall not be allowed in the game. Players may attempt to re-qualify paintguns, providing games are not delayed. A player may go into a game without a paintgun.
4.4 Between chronographing on before a game and chronographing off after a game, without the express permission and supervision of a judge, a player commits an infraction if he adjusts, disassembles or otherwise alters or tampers with the velocity regulating components of his paintgun. If the player is active, the judge will eliminate him; if the player has already been eliminated, the judge will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -10 (10 points are subtracted from the teams score).
4.5 An eliminated player, or an active player after the game ends, commits an infraction if he discharges his paintgun, bleeds off gas, removes the cylinder, or turns off the valve before completing the post-game chrono check; the judge will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -10 (10 points are subtracted from the teams score).
4.6 During a game, a player must allow a judge to chronograph his paintgun upon request. The judge will call the player neutral, and the player must cease all play-related actions and follow the judges instructions. If the player refuses to follow the judges chrono check directions, the judge will eliminate him; in addition, the judge will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -50 (50 points are subtracted from the teams total). The game check shall consist of one (1) shot over the chronograph without any clearing shots. This shot may not exceed the event limit. If this shot exceeds the event limit, the judge will eliminate the offending player. The player must submit to a post-game chronograph check where a further Points Penalty may be assessed according to post-game chrono check rules. JCP Amendment: Game officials at anytime may take possession on the players marker to check for illegal settings or fire rates pertinent to the rules.
4.7 Post-game Chrono Check: Every player must report to the fields designated chronograph immediately after the game ends. After each game an equal number of players per team will be chronographed. The velocity check shall consist of one (1) clearing shot immediately followed by one (1) shot over the chronograph. If the single chronograph shot exceeds the event limit, two (2) additional chrono shots are required; those three chrono shots will be totaled and the judge will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -1 point for each fps over the event speed limit (1 point for each fps will be subtracted from the teams total score, up to a maximum of 50 penalty points per player per game).
5.0 ELIMINATIONS & MARKINGS
5.1 A player is eliminated from the game when he is ordered off the field or eliminated by a judge, or when a player signifies his elimination whether marked or not.
5.2 Out of bounds: A player whose body or equipment accidentally or deliberately extends beyond the vertical plane of the boundary shall be eliminated.
JCP Amendment: A player will not be eliminated for touching a suspended tape boundary. However, pushing out the tape or extending any part of his body and/or equipment more than two feet beyond the original position of the tape boundary constitutes going out of bounds and the player shall be eliminated.
5.3 A player who deliberately shoots at another player across a boundary or from out of bounds commits an infraction. When witnessed by a judge, a player marked by a paintball from across a boundary will be returned to active status.
5.4 A player who climbs on a tree, a bunker, a structure or a prop will be eliminated.
5.5 A player who deliberately alters terrain or structures, or tampers with a bunker, will be eliminated.
5.6 A player who deliberately uses a non-participant or a movable object as a shield will be eliminated.
5.7 Start of Game. The countdown and "game-on" signals will be issued to both teams simultaneously. No more than the prescribed number of players may be on the playing field when the game-on signal is given or at any time during the game. A team may start the game with fewer than the prescribed number of players. Games will not be delayed for late players or for equipment malfunctions. A referee will eliminate any player who is not within his teams starting area when the game-on signal is given or who leaves the starting area before the "game-on" signal.
5.8 Each player must maintain possession of any equipment or clothing (including his armband) that he carried onto the field except for the following disposable items: paint pods/loading tubes, squeegees, paper towels, and spent 12-gram cartridges. Intentionally discarding equipment is an infraction. Unintentionally losing possession of non-disposable equipment for more than five seconds also is an infraction. Any equipment more than 3 feet away from the player is considered discarded equipment.
5.9 A player is eliminated from the game when he is marked anywhere on his body, clothing or equipment with a quarter-sized or larger splat caused by a direct hit from a single paintball. The size of the paint mark is cumulative. If two splat marks (e.g., one on the loader and one on the goggle) are from the same paintball break and are larger than a quarter when combined, then the player is eliminated.
5.10 A player is eliminated from the game when he is marked anywhere on his body, clothing or equipment with a quarter-sized or larger splat caused by an indirect (when a paintball breaks against a secondary object and splatters/sprays the player) hit from a single paintball, except when the indirect splatter was witnessed by a judge.
5.11 If two or more players are marked simultaneously, both shall be eliminated. A judge will decide which player(s) is eliminated when the players involved do not agree on the order in which they were marked.
5.12 It is the players responsibility to notify a judge and receive the judges acknowledgment when he is marked other than by a shot (e.g., by kneeling on a paintball, from cleaning his paintgun, from leaning against a paint-stained object, etc.). If the judge determines the mark was not from a hit, the judge will wipe off the mark.
5.13 It is each players responsibility to check himself and call himself out when he has been marked from an obvious hit. An "obvious" hit is a direct impact that leaves a quarter-sized or larger splat and that, in the judges determination, the player should physically sense. JCP Amendment any hit in front of the hip bones is considered an obvious hit. Hits on a players pack may be considered in-obvious in the judges determination.
5.14 When a player receives an "obvious" hit that the player can visually verify, he must signify his elimination immediately. A player may seek reasonable cover in the immediate area if he is unable to visually verify an obvious hit and if remaining in his current position while waiting to be paintchecked will leave the player exposed.
5.15 Blatantly shooting a player after he has signified his elimination is an infraction.
5.16 A player who fails to continuously call for a paint check after an obvious hit which the player cannot visually verify commits an infraction. +1
5.17 A player who receives an obvious hit and continues aggressive play (shooting, advancing, communicating with teammates, handing off supplies, etc.) commits an infraction. +1
5.18 A "questionable" hit is a mark that, in the determination of a judge, the player probably did not physically sense. A player who receives a questionable hit will be eliminated from the game but has not committed an infraction. If, however, a judge determines that the player became aware of a questionable hit and then continued to play, the player has committed an infraction by continuing aggressive play after an obvious hit. +1
5.19 A player who has been eliminated and/or signals himself eliminated, and who then shoots at an opponent from on or off the field, commits an infraction. + 2 JCP Amendment: If a referee witnesses him or her hitting another player that player is not eliminated.
5.20 A player who deliberately attempts to hide, remove, or conceal a paint mark commits an infraction. +2
6.0 PROCEDURES FOR ELIMINATED PLAYERS
6.1 An eliminated player is allowed to verbally signify his elimination once only, simultaneously with his visual elimination signal. +1
6.2 A player must immediately signify his elimination by fully extending his arm above his head and keeping it raised until he has crossed the field boundary; failure to do so is an infraction. A player shall allow a judge to take his armband off, but if a judge is not available to do so, the player shall remove his own armband and give it to a judge. +1
6.3 An eliminated player must exit the field as quickly and directly as possible, following the directions of the judges. A player should insert a barrel plug or condom onto his paintgunís barrel when he crosses the field boundary. An eliminated player commits an infraction if he fails to proceed promptly and directly to the fields holding station. +1
6.4 An eliminated player who communicates, verbally or visually, with his teammates, commits an infraction. +1
6.5 An eliminated player who discards or passes off equipment or supplies commits an infraction. +1
6.6 A player who fails to call for a paintcheck and waits until after the game ends to signify his elimination, and/or who has an obvious hit but attempts to report as "live" (active) after a game, commits an infraction. The offending player shall be counted as an elimination; additionally, the judge will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -20 points (20 points will be deducted from the teams score).
7.0 PAINTCHECKS
7.1 Paintchecks may be requested by any active player any time during a game, but judges are not required to respond to superfluous and/or distracting requests. Nor will judges answer questions regarding game situations (e.g., time remaining, location of flags, disposition of active players, etc.). The time clock is not stopped for paintchecks.
7.2 Judges may visually check a player without performing a "neutral" paintcheck (without "calling him neutral"). During these non-neutral paintchecks, play continues across the field without restrictions to shooting and movement.
7.3 Neutral paintchecks: A judge will perform a "neutral" paintcheck if, in the performance of the check, he will expose the player to hits or interfere with normal game activity. A player becomes neutral only when a judge gets close enough to touch the player, tells the player he is neutral, and signals the players neutrality to the rest of the field. A player who calls for a paintcheck on himself remains in play unless and until a judge performs a "neutral" paintcheck on him.
7.4 When a judge performs a "neutral" paintcheck, he must signal the players neutrality to the rest of the field by raising one arm/hand high above the players head.
7.5 A judge may signal a player "eliminated" by outstretching one arm/hand to point at the player and putting his other hand on his head. A judge may signal a player "clean" by waiving their arms across each other in front of their bodies.
JCP Amendment: Since players are required to signal their elimination, judges shall pull armbands instead of pausing to point and pat their head. Judges shall not signal the active status and location of players, other than when necessary to begin and end neutral checks.
7.6 An active player shall not shoot or advance directly toward a neutral player, and shall not enter a 25‑foot (25') radius around the neutral player.
7.7 A neutral player becomes active when the judge tells him he is clean/may resume play, and signals to the rest of the field that the player is now active by lowering the raised arm.
7.8 Judges, not the player, will wipe off indirect spatter and wrongful hits, such as when players are hit after being called neutral.
7.9 A player who attempts to remove paint splatter and/or spray off his clothing or equipment commits an infraction. However, the exception is a players goggle lens; a player may wipe off his lens only after receiving direct permission from a judge.
8.0 SPECTATORS
8.1 Unless spectator coaching/cheering is allowed by the event producer, spectators shall not point at nor communicate with active players, nor shall they distract judges and/or interfere with the game. Spectators and eliminated players must remain in the designated viewing areas and shall not signal/communicate with active players or refs.
8.2 Spectators must follow the directions of the judges.
9.0 FLAGS & FLAG CARRIERS
9.1 A flag is designated as "pulled" or "secured" when it is removed from its station and held in the possession of an active player.
9.2 A player shall not be eliminated for taking possession of a flag with quarter‑sized or larger paint marks on it. A quarter‑sized or larger hit to the flag while it is in a players possession must be witnessed by a judge to be deemed an elimination of the flag carrier.
9.3 A flag carrier must hold the flag in the hand and must keep the flag visible at all times. The flag may be handed off between active players.
9.4 Any active player may pick up a dropped or discarded flag, but in a dual flag game, players may not intentionally touch, move, shoot or disguise their teams own flag. A player is presumed to know which flag is his own teams flag.
9.5 If a flag is abandoned for more than five (5) seconds, a judge shall pick it up and return it to the appropriate flag station as quickly as possible. Resetting the flag in its station nullifies the abandoning teams pull.
9.6 In single-flag (center flag) games, a flag "hang" is awarded when an active player touches the suspension point or breaks the plane of his opponents starting station with the flag. In dual-flag games, a flag hang is awarded to the first active flag carrier from either team to touch the suspension point or break the plane of his teams flag station with the opponents flag.
9.7 A flag carrier automatically becomes neutral when he breaks the plane of the station or touches the suspension point. A judge will check him for paint marks. If the flag carrier is clean, the game ends. Should game time expire during the check of the flag carrier, the flag hang will be awarded if the carrier is clean. If the flag carrier was marked prior to breaking the plane or touching the suspension point and game time did not expire during the check, the judge will back the neutral flag carrier out of the station approximately 25 feet (in the direction he came from). Play continues at the judges signal to the rest of the field.
9.8 If the flag carrier is eliminated he shall stand holding the flag at shoulder height, with the majority of the flag or flag cloth clearly hanging exposed, until an active player takes it from him or the game ends. The eliminated flag carrier commits an infraction if he hampers a flag pull by an opposing player. +1
JCP Amendment: An eliminated flag carrier also must keep his paintgun raised above his head unless a ref places his paintgun on the ground.
10.0 GAME END
10.1 The head judge will give the game-end signal when a flag is hung, the time period for the game expires, or the last player on a team is eliminated via a penalty. All shooting must cease at the game end signal, and players on the field should install barrel plugs or condom.
10.2 A player who signals the end of a game commits an infraction.
10.3 The head judge of a field may "freeze" the field, signaling all play to stop, because of an emergency, injury, safety hazard or other serious game problem. The judges will instruct the players as to the actions required. The head judge will resume play with a 10-second countdown after notifying the field how much time remains in the game.
11.0 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
11.1 A person may not argue with a judge, hinder/interfere with a judge's performance, and/or disregard a judges warning during a game.
11.2 A person may not engage in loud arguing, cursing or insulting name-calling regardless of where or to whom it is directed (toward a judge, player, spectator, self, etc.).
11.3 Engaging in confrontational arguing or severe, abusive cursing or name‑calling, and/or threatening physical harm to another person, is an infraction. If the offending player is active, the judge will eliminate him; if the offending player has been eliminated, the PENALTY is +1. In either case, the judge also will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -50 (50 points are subtracted from the teams score).
11.4 Making belligerent physical contact with another person by deliberate bumping, pushing, shoving, use of an object, etc., is an infraction. When this occurs, the judge will END THE GAME and the offending players team shall forfeit the game. Additionally, the judge will assess a POINTS PENALTY of -100 (100 points are subtracted from the teams score). If a player from each team commits this infraction, both teams shall forfeit and the POINTS PENALTY of -100 shall be deducted from each teams score. A team may be disqualified for behavior deemed by the head ref or promoter as being outrageous, dangerous or totally disruptive to the tournaments goals or purpose, and they shall be removed from the tournament and property without recourse.
12.0 SCORING
12.1 Game Points: Game points are earned by teams according to their performance. Accumulated points will be used to rank contestants throughout the event for seeding positions and to determine which teams advance to the next round.
12.2 Standard Game Points System:
13.0 PENALTIES
13.1 This Tournament Rules Book is not an exhaustive reference regarding rules, infractions and penalties. Penalties may be increased, decreased, or declined by the director of judging or an ultimate judge, at his discretion, in particular circumstances.
13.2 It is each players responsibility to consult with the tournament producer prior to the event regarding definitions and limitations of the rules.
13.3 A violation of these specific rules, as well as a violation of the spirit and intent of these rules, is an infraction.
13.4 Each player must immediately submit his equipment, his paint, and himself for an inspection whenever requested by a judge.
13.5 Players must follow all of the directions of the judges. Since the instructions of the judges supercede these rules, a player shall not be penalized for following the directions of a judge.
13.6 Appeals. All decisions by the judges are final. Questions or appeals may be addressed by the team captain(s) to the head judge of the field immediately after the players have chronographed off after the game.
13.7 A ě+1" signifies that the judge will eliminate one active teammate of the offending player. A ě+2" signifies that the judge will eliminate two active teammates of the offending player.
13.8 Successive or continuing infractions are grounds for successive penalties. Example: the offending player is an active player and commits the infraction of arguing with a judge; the judge eliminates him from the game. He continues to argue with a judge; the judge eliminates an active player from his team. If he continues to argue, the judge eliminates another active player from his team.
13.9 Certain infractions result in Penalty Points. Successive or continuing infractions are grounds for successive penalties.
13.10 When a ě+1" or a ě+2" penalty eliminates the last player from a team, the other team will be awarded the flag hang automatically. First pull also will be awarded if one has not occurred earlier in the game.
14.0 EXPULSIONS
14.1 The producer or his designated representative is the only person authorized to penalize a player with probation, suspension, and/or expelling a person from a tournament.
Anyone who litters, vandalizes or behaves in an unsafe manner will be expelled from the tournament. Anyone who engages in belligerent behavior and/or threatens physical violence will be expelled from the tournament. Anyone who physically assaults another person will be expelled from the tourney.