No matter what skill level of paintball you are the best resource that I have found for everything paintball is the Warpig paintball site. 

         Playing Your First Game Of Paintball

     The first thing to do if you want to play paintball is select a paintball field.  You'll want to find a reputable field with a good safety record.  Ask about their fields, if they have more than one ask about each one's terrain.  Don't be afraid to ask all the questions you want, the field should be happy to answer.  Be sure to inquire about the types of games they play and the skill levels they offer.  Also ask about their rental policy and what they rent.  Ask about the type of guns they rent (pump, semis) and the type of equipment they rent.  Goggles are a must.  If they do not rent them, do not play at the field.  They might rent camo clothes or other equipment.  Check in to the rules of the field.  See if they allow you to bring your own paintballs or if you have to buy them there.  Expect to pay about $25 for admission, a pump gun, and a mask and goggles. Paintballs average about $15 for 200 and expect to use between 400 and 600.  This number will go up if you rent a semi auto because you simply inherently fire the gun more.  My first time out, I went on a special day where admission was free and gun and mask rental was $5.  But I made up for that by wasting a ton of paint about 600 rounds with a pump gun, my first trip wound up costing about $40.

         Next, think about the things that you'll need to bring to the field.  Think about buying your own camouflage clothes if you intend to go many times in the future, it will work out to cost less than renting each time from the field.  If you only have gym shoes, you'll need to go and buy a good pair of boots with good ankle support.  Running over logs and uneventerrain can really take a toll on your feet.  Think about wearing kneepads and gloves.  By the end of the day, your knees may be extremely sore from crawling around on the ground and you might get hit in the had from a paintball.   Many of these things can be purchased at a military surplus store for reasonable prices.

         When you get to the field, most fields have an orientation meeting before the first game to explain field rules and select teams. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand. Be sure to find out what the local custom is on how you call yourself out and how to call for a paintcheck.  This is also a chance to get to know the other players and the refs, see who is on your team and get to know them.  Tell the other players and refs that this is the first time you are playing and you might need some help or advice.  Most people I met are great people who will be more than happy to help.   Talk to the refs at the field and tell them you're a first time player.  Find someone to partner up with to provide cover fire while switching places or reloading.

          When you finally actually get down to playing your first game, keep in mind some of these pointers.   Keep moving.  Always be looking around for better cover locations to go.   Don't get pinned down in one location, move around even if sometimes it means moving backwards.  When you do run, have someone provide cover fire and  try to crouch and swerve back and forth.  When you get to your new cover scan around for opponents and teammates to make sure you know where they are.  Work with your team and listen for directions from verern players.  Listen for people screaming the color of your armband to get your attention, as well as information on where opponents are located and where they're not.  After the game talk with the other players about what you could have done better and why they might have done certain things.  But don't only think about strategy, think about having fun, better yet don't think about it, have it.

Playing A Good Game Of Paintball

    About Getting Shot:

Getting shot really doesn't hurt that much.  Think of hitting your knee on a table, you notice that you hit it, but it really doesn't hurt except for the first few seconds.  Normally, your mind will be so much into the game that you wont notice you've been shot until someone calls a paintcheck on you because they think they've marked you.  When you do get shot and you know it, call loudly, "I'm out," put in you barrel plug, hold up your gun and walk out of the line of fire to the holding area.  Once while playing in a forest a guy was marked out and was walking down a trail between two walls of brush to the holding area, and all of the sudden paintballs started shooting out of both sides.  It wasn't on purpose but the oposing teams started shooting at each other and the marked player was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  My point is if you can go to the back of the playing field and walk around to the holding area, do so, it's better than getting shot accidently from all sides.

     About Shooting Someone

Shooting people is sometimes the point of the game, and because it doesn't harm the person, it can be fun.  But some guidelines should be followed when trying to eliminate someone.  Never shoot anyone in the head or neck, or in the middle area (you know where).  Trust me, I've been shot in all of those places and not one is pleasent.  I was shot in the mask in the front and would up having colored geletain water (paint) for lunch, mmmm, yummy.  Being shot below the waist I think explains itself.  If at any time you think an opponent is in a hopless situation, cornered or out of paint maybe, offer them a surrender.  You'll save paint and they'll have more fun.

     About Playing The Game   

Never, ever take off your mask or goggles during a game, even if you are out and in the holding area.  Paintballs can still be shot into the holding area during a firefight nearby.

Never use paint that you find on the ground.  It will be dirty and clog your barrel, causing misfires or no fire at all.

Never start the game unprepared.  Always have enough paint and enough compressed air.

Never leave your partner or not know where they are.

Never be a cheater.  Don't wipe away paint that you have been marked woth and don't communicate with your team about your opponents position after you've been marked out.

Always make sure that you have been marked before leaving the game, sometimes the paintball will not break on contact.  Always call a paintckeck if you're not sure.