Since the development of the game in the 80s, airsoft has become an increasingly popular, intricate, and competitive game with hundreds to thousands of clubs, tourney, and matches worldwide each year.
With the increase in popularity, the player base and airsoft clubs have established an extensive list of game rules that players need to know and understand to be able to properly play the game. When does the match start? What to wear? How do you get eliminated? How should eliminated players behave? You need to know the answer to all these questions. And that's precisely what you'll get in this blog post.
General Rules of Airsoft Matches
When playing airsoft, there are some basic rules you need to follow. These rules are essential to learn before you set foot on the battlefield and set out essential aspects of the match.
- Safety: Airsoft matches can get intense and ensuring safety is paramount. Aside from real weapons and knives being entirely outlawed on the premises, airsoft clubs often set limits on the power/FPS of the airsoft weapons permitted, the size of the BBs, and more. However, this can vary depending on the state, club, tourney, and match. Checking with other active players and your local airsoft chapter to properly learn the safety rules is a must before participating in airsoft games.
- Equipment: players need to be properly equipped before they can participate in airsoft matches. This includes goggles, vests, boots, and other tactical gear that not only facilitates more effective playstyles on the battlefield but also makes sure you're safe and free from injury no matter how intense engagements get. With how powerful airsoft guns can be, tactical gear is a necessity that you aren't allowed to forgo.
- Start and end of the match: Referees will sound the beginning and end of the engagement. Prior to and post-engagement, players are neither allowed to point their guns at other players or shoot, unless it is in a designated area for target practice. Pay attention to directions from the game referee, and once he declares the match over, it is over.
- Different types of airsoft matches: not all airsoft games have the same rules, win conditions and engagement rules. One of the main draws of airsoft is the diversity it provides in playstyles. Whether it is open or closed fields, single-round elimination, or a different criterion, you should pay attention to the instructions the organizers will put out.
How Do Players Get Eliminated?
To properly play airsoft, it is important to learn the rules of elimination: when will players get eliminated, how do you behave after elimination, and what happens if disagreements occur? We'll answer all these questions in this section.
- Direct hit means you're eliminated: Typically, direct hits are how players get eliminated. Airsoft matches abide by an honor system whereby players are expected to announce when they've been hit. So when you've been hit by a direct airsoft BB, you're expected to announce it and voluntarily eject yourself from the battlefield and wait at the respawn/deployment point. Keep in mind that friendly fire also counts in most circumstances, and you're out if one of your teammates accidentally hits you.
- Ruling around ricochets is more complicated: Whether ricochets count as “hits” or not depends entirely on the game and the trajectory of the BB. Approaches to ricochets vary substantially, and if the rules aren’t laid out clearly before the game, you should consult the referee to get a better idea of what counts and what doesn’t count as an elimination. Ricochets during close-quarters combat are very common, and players need to be mindful of the rules of the match and engage with their opponents accordingly.
- Listen to the referee: Airsoft is hectic and disagreements on whether someone hasn't been eliminated or not is commonplace. However that may be, you should avoid arguing with the referee on the playing field. You're unlikely to change his mind and you might risk incurring penalties. Concerns over judging calls should be brought up after the match.
Airsoft Etiquette - Rules of Engagement
Airsoft is a fast-paced game that often brings out the competitive side of people. This means that if players don't follow the proper etiquette of engagement, things might get ugly. Some of these are concrete rules laid down by most airsoft clubs, others are good manners, but all are necessary if you want things to go smoothly.
- No physical contact: physical contact is strictly forbidden on the battlefield. You are there to shoot your airsoft guns not engage in physical altercations. Depending on the severity, the referees might disqualify players who get physical, not least because it might cause serious injury, which is something organizers desperately want to avoid.
- Avoid inflicting unnecessary pain: Excessive shooting, targeting sensitive areas of the opponent's body, gun shooting at point-blank range: these are all things that are frowned upon. Not only are they unnecessary when eliminating players, but they often impact your accuracy and efficacy on the battlefield. So observe proper conduct and immediately stop shooting once a player has been eliminated.
- Active players should stay inside the designated boundaries: The match takes place within a designated boundary. Active players should remain within the confines of this boundary for the duration of the match. Players shouldn't trample with the props in the arena, jump over them, or otherwise trample on them. This is not only disallowed, but it is also not safe.
- Appropriate spawn point/dead zone: only active players are allowed to stay within the boundaries of the arena. If you've been eliminated, you need to quickly move to the dead zone/spawn area and wait for further instructions.
- Don't blind fire: Carefully and purposefully shoot opponents. Firing blindly is heavily discouraged: it impacts your accuracy and performance, it might cause injuries, and you might even accidentally hit your own teammates. If you feel nervous at close range, you can always use sniper rifles and other long-ranged weapons so you can target your opponents more safely and from further away.
Airsoft Rules FAQ
What Is the Number One Rule in Airsoft?
Though there are many important rules and guidelines in airsoft, if we were to choose one, it would be the importance of wearing proper gear. From masks to goggles and vests, if you want to engage in the sport safely, protect your body from injuries, and perform at your best, you need proper gear before the game play starts.
What Are the Rules for Snipers in Airsoft?
If you want to be a successful sniper during airsoft matches, there are a few simple rules you need to follow:
- Keep your distance: sniper rifles are great when you've put some distance between you and your opponents. Your accuracy is your greatest strength, and you need to leverage it to your advantage.
- Be careful where you aim: Sniper rifles are powerful weapons, and while eliminating player opponents is your ultimate goal, you need to be careful where you aim. If you hit a sensitive spot on a player's body, you might cause him unnecessary pain.
What Happens If You Get Hit in Airsoft?
Getting hit in airsoft is significant, though depending on the type of the hit and the type of the match, it can signify different things.
- Being directly hit: A direct BB hit often means elimination. The player would need to move out of the arena and either wait at the respawn area or the dead area depending on the rules of the game.
- Ricochet: ricochet hits often don't count, which means the player will be free to continue the game. If you're unsure, however, you can always consult with the referee to ensure everything is above board.
What Are the Rules of Engagement in Airsoft?
Airsoft is a competitive sport that's played using high-powered BB guns. This necessitates rules of engagement to ensure the safety of all participants. They include abiding by an honor system and declaring when you've been hit, avoiding physical altercations, not bringing in knives, carrying out personal safety equipment check, abiding by scenario rules, and more. To get the most out of airsoft matches, following these rules is essential.