Obstacles, Terrain & Field Features

Overview

A neutral description of terrain, obstacles, and features that influence rule enforcement, including structures used in woodsball and hybrid formats.

Key Points

• Obstacles must be structurally stable and non-hazardous
• Natural terrain may impose additional safety requirements
• Visibility and cover vary significantly across field types
• Hybrid fields require combined safety and rules considerations

Details

Some regulated formats use natural or semi-natural features such as wooden structures, elevation changes, low walls, and vegetation. These features introduce additional considerations for safety enforcement, visibility, and referee placement.

Structures must be stable, free of protruding hazards, and maintained so players can use them without risk of collapse or injury. Natural obstacles like trees, logs, or uneven terrain require clear boundary markings and additional referee presence to prevent unsafe play.

Hybrid fields combine inflatable bunkers with permanent obstacles. In such cases, layouts must ensure movement pathways remain safe, visibility remains adequate for officiating, and obstacles do not provide unintended hazards.

Standardizing these expectations helps maintain consistent rules across varying environments.

Related Topics

• Field Types & Environments in 1v1 Paintball
• Rules, Safety & Player Conduct
• Refereeing & Officiating Standards
• Environmental Safety & Hazard Prevention