Along with Woodsball, Speedball is one of the most played paintball games recreationally – we have two fields here at PaintSplat Jamaica. As well as being the most popular recreationally, it is the format of choice for paintball tournaments. As it is such a huge part of the sport, here are a few facts about the paintball game that is Speedball:

1. Speedball is much newer than it’s counterpart, Woodsball. The first decade or so of paintball took place mainly in woodland and rural areas until Dennis Bukowski’s new, faster pitches at SC Valley proved popular and led the way for more constructed and fast-paced fields.
2. When it comes to Speedball pitches, the same number and size of bunkers line both sides of the paintball field.
3. There are many variations on speedball games, with the most popular including some form of “Capture the Flag” or “Elimination.”
4. The creation of Speedball has led to the competitive and extreme nature of paintball as it is seen as today. Paintball games became faster, more regulated, and much more of a spectator sport.
5. The number of players on each side is only limited by the size of the paintball pitch. The most common format is two teams of 3-10 players in each.
6. Speedball dominates tournament paintball games. Paintball tournaments take place all over the world, but paintball’s stronghold still seems to be the place of paintball’s creation: America. The two leading leagues are PSP and NPPL.
7. There are three broad positions which Speedball players take up: front, middle and back. Front Players are small and speedy, and lead the advance. Middle players may have to replace the front players, as well as cover them. The back players scope out the paintball game to give information to the rest of their team, as well as providing cover.