With the increase in the popularity of such target/combat games as paintball, don't you sometimes wish that you could experience something just a little more, well, primitive? If that's your wish, we have just the thing for you. Its archery tag, and it combines all of the fast-paced action of paintball with a precision required of archery, combined with the fun of an old-fashioned game of tag. 

The company that started the phenomenon called Archery Tag actually started in 2011. Despite this, however, the company and its locations have spread like wildfire across the country, bringing its unique brand of fun with it. Today, there are practically numerous locations that offer archery tag, many of which are divided further into specific markets. For example, there are many locations across the nation that cater exclusively to women, military members, and other demographics.

Simply put, archery tag is played much like dodgeball, except by replacing the ball with a specially designed bow and arrow. Don't worry about getting hurt, because the arrow's tip is covered with thick padding that's just enough to let someone know they have been hit, without hurting them. In Archery Tag, two teams of five players each are divided on separate sides of a field. There is also a centrally located safe zone as well as a "5-Spot Knockout Target" for each team. The game has two objectives, to tag your opponents and to knock all five targets off of the knockout stand. Tagging an opponent happens when you either hit him with your arrow or are able to catch his arrow. Also, when a player of the opposite team is able to knock a target off the stand, one team member who has been taken out of the game may return to the field to play again.

Thanks largely to the padding at the end of each arrow, the game of Archery Tag is quite safe. Safety is especially assured with the use of a facemask, similar to a fencing mask that is worn by all players. Also contributing to the safety of the game are the specially designed bows that are used, which produce much less drive than standard archery bows. Standard archery bows are not allowed in Archery Tag games. 

The goal of the Archery Tag organization is to spread the game around the world, including collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels of competition. To date, all of these levels have participants, but not in the numbers that would be needed.