Chop
Rhymes with `drop', which is exactly what your face will do when you have one of these. A chop is when a ball is broken in the breech (see breech) of the marker, usually if it is nipped by the movement of the bolt (see bolt). A really bad chop will gunge up your bolt and make re-cocking impossible.

Chronograph (Chrono/y)
A marshal's best friend. A chronograph measures the velocity of the paintball as it is shot from the marker.

Closed Bolt
A paintball gun that only releases the gas that propels the ball when the bolt is as far forward as it can go and in a stationary position... ie closed. All pumps are closed bolt, semis that are closed bolt include the Autococker and the Sovereign.

Cock (Cycle)
Although some would claim that this is a good word for describing various Paintball personalities, it actually refers to the action of paintball shooting. It is the process that prepares the paintball and the marker to shoot the next shot. The process goes something like this: breech is opened (normally by the bolt retracting) allowing paintball to drop in, bolt goes forward taking paintball with it, hammer strikes exhaust valve, gas released from exhaust valve via bolt propelling paintball, marker recocks.

Cover
A noun and a verb. As a noun, cover is something that protects a player, either partially or completely, from sight and/or paintballs. As a verb, cover refers to the act of shooting paintballs with the primary effect being protection of a fellow player rather than elimination of an opponent.

Crawl
What you do if you are a male player that has been hit by a paintball anywhere between the belt and the ‘upper thigh’.

Crawling Lanes
A bit like fairy rings. Only the gifted can discover these mystical pathways. You either have to be able to squirm like a snake or be a foot high to utilise crawling lanes. To learn these mystical skills dig up or get on back order the issue of PGI where Erik Felix wrote about essential crawling techniques. Alternatively, watch Pete Robinson talk to women.

Dead Man's Walk
The practice of giving the appearance of not being in the game anymore, strolling along, loaders in hand, in an attempt to get behind the opposition. NPPL rules ban the DMW as often if one happens in a tourney every subsequent game is marred by lighting up (see lighting up) of eliminated players.

Dirty Cheating Wiping Bastards
Generally a term used to describe any team which has beaten your own. Occasionally valid, especially when playing against some of the Paintball community’s morally bankrupt minority.

Double Trigger
A trigger on a semi that allows two fingers to be used to shoot. Is supposed to increase ROF and prevent RSI (see ROF).

Drop Forward
Precedes `crawl' as described above. Also refers to a section that can be screwed into the rear of your marker to bring your gas bottle forward. The benefits include a better balance of weight and the ability to get even tighter behind your cover.

Drugs
Drugs are bad, mmmookkaayy?

Dude
Pronounced ‘Duuuuuuuuuddddddddddddddddeeeeeeeeee’ in a laid-back stoner drawl by Californian players and wannabes.

Dump Valve
A valve that can shut off your gas source and dump all the gas between its location and the marker. Safety precautions still have to be followed as in-line regulators (see in-line regulator) or your marker may still hold gas.