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The 3E’s of Communication in Airsoft

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The 3E's of Communication in Airsoft | AirsoftWarrior.netCommunication is a vital tool in airsoft.  It allows you to convey important team information like number of enemy players in a certain area,  the next big plan your team will implement, or how you will coordinate an attack with other players.  Communications can also be used to pass along information in a small squad or buddy team so you can both be effective.  Communication is a big player in successful operations, and ultimately, victory.

Here are some basics to follow in your communications on the battlefield

Communicate often
In several battles I have been the team commander.  I noticed that it is very helpful to me if players communicate with me and each other often.  It allows me to know about their well-being, tactical situation, and position so I can command them effectively.  It allows other players to feel more secure and allows them to help you in a pinch.  When you are on the battlefield try to stay in touch with your commander and other players.  Radio them or send a battle buddy so you all know where each of you are and what everyone is doing.

In communication the 3 Es can be helpful.

Explore-  Find out as much as you can about what you are talking about.  Know the terrain if you are trying to convey your location.  If you are communicating about the enemy,  find out strength, type of weaponry, and direction of travel.  Know as much as you can so you can answer any questions you or other players may have.

Eyesight or Earshot- be sure that those you are communicating to can hear you or see you if your using hand signals so they don’t miss any of your communication.

Expedient-  Your communication should be as long as it needs to be but as short as you can make it to avoid confusion.  Include all necessary information in your first communication, then let your contact ask the questions.  This way you won’t hog the radio or retell something they already know.

Use these tips in your communications to enhance their effectiveness.  As I have said communication is vital to consistence in your battlefield successes.  Don’t be afraid to speak up.

Here’s a free printable pocket version of the 3E’s of Communication for you!

3E's of Communication in Airsofting with FREE printable | AirsoftWarrior.net

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Lone Wolf: Are You Harming Your Team?

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Lone Wolf: Are You Harming Your Team? | AirsoftWarrior.net

Before I dive into this post, I want to define who is a “lone wolf” in airsoft?  For the purpose of this post, a lone wolf is a player that prefers to play alone on the field and is isolated from the normal team structure. Lone wolf players can range from those that picture themselves as the uber, lone sniper type seeking a stealth mission thrill, to those that simply find the time alone on the field to be the best way they play airsoft and have fun.  But if you play as a lone wolf, are you hurting your team and being selfish?  Should you be back with your team fighting on the front lines, rather than poking around in the back woods hoping to find an unsuspecting enemy to sneak up on?  Hopefully this post will answer those questions and provide some solutions to make you a better team player during those lone wolf adventures.

I will start by saying that I am a firm believer in players being committed to the team.  Most of the tactics post around the blog focus on how a player can be better involved with a team and complete team missions. I often try to play closely with my team. I include other players by asking them to join me on a push up the field or help me provide cover fire as the rest of the team captures the objective.  But there are times that I prefer to head out and see what I can accomplish all on my lonesome. Below are a few ways that a lone wolf player can still be involved in a team while playing with the airsoft style they enjoy most.

 

Tell The Team What You Are Doing

I know half the fun of being a lone warrior on the field is being invisible and no one having a clue where you are or what you are doing; but if you want to be a team player you need to communicate what you are doing to the team.  Communication is what teams thrive on.  By giving your battle buddies a heads up that you will be scouting the enemy lines and outflanking them, you end up with a win-win situation. Knowing that you are going to be sneaking behind enemy lines gives your team a moral boost and also keeps them from viewing you as “that guy” just hanging out by himself.

Communicating your plan to the team also prevents friendly fire.  I can’t count how many times I have taken aim on a player, or become very suspicion of what they were up to, before realizing it was a friendly teammate that had pushed too far up the field without me knowing.  Not only does it hurt them if I am forced to engage them as a target, but it also takes my focus off the real threat.  So please, give your team the respect they deserve and let them know you are going lone wolf if possible.

 

Have A Mission and Return Plan

Going lone wolf for no reason makes zero tactical sense.  Every move should have a mission, otherwise you don’t contribute anything to the team and can’t judge if you are even good at being a lone wolf airsofter.  The best success I have had as a lone wolf player have been when I took the time to decide what my mission was.  A simple goal such as outflanking the enemy team, finding their leader and taking him down, or even defending a key position that is off the path the rest of the team is taking will give you an edge.  If at all possible, align your plan with the overall mission of the scenario and do your part to make the mission a success.

In addition to having a primary mission, you should also consider how you plan to get back to friendly lines and rejoin the team.  Sometimes this issue sorts itself out when you get overwhelmed by attacking operators and are sent back to respawn, but never go into a battle without having at least some idea of how to make it back in one piece.

 

These are just a couple of ways that a lone wolf player can still be an important part of the team.  By being in communication with the team, everyone will benefit.  On a closing note, it is important to remember that even the best military snipers don’t hunt alone.  Their trusty spotter is right there to back them up and prove the point that two are better than one.

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Recognizing a Good Airsoft Leader

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Recognizing A Good Airsoft Leader | AirsoftWarrior.net
(affiliate links included)

 

Airsoft is a team game.  Due to the nature of airsoft, airsofters often end up on a team with a wide variety of players with different levels of experience, tactical and field knowledge, and leadership skills.  You may end up on a team of 10 players where nobody has ever played at the field before and is trying airsoft for the first time.  On the other extreme, you may get mixed in with a team where everyone thinks they are SEAL Team 6 material and their sole mission is to beat the other team into the ground.

No matter what kind of team you end up on, often there is a dominant leader that other players on the team look up to for directions and guidance before the game begins.  Sometimes a leader rises through having played at the specific field more than anyone else or having more tactical knowledge.  Sometimes a leader comes to power by having a lot of good friends on the team or knowing how to find the best spots on the field to hold down the enemy offensive.  No matter how a leader is chosen, the amount of success you have on the field and the fun you have while you’re there, is often determined by how well a leader is able to do their job.  Here are some questions that you can ask to determine if the leader at your next airsoft event is good at what they do, as well as pick up some good tips for the next time you command a team!

 

Is The Leader There To Have Fun?

This is the biggest question to ask when deciding if someone is a good airsoft leader.  Airsoft is a game, not a talent and gear show.  It isn’t about decimating the enemy team all day long, having the highest kill streak, or laughing at the enemy team while they get mowed down by a bunch of over-serious players.  Airsoft at its core is about FUN!!!  A good airsoft leader will be willing to have fun no matter how the game is going.  Usually they will crack a few jokes when things are going rough, as well as be the first to congratulate a player when they push the objective and secure a win.  If the team isn’t having fun, or at least having a good laugh now and then, it is a clear sign that the leader is being too serious or isn’t doing enough to keep up team moral.

 

Is The Leader Including Everyone?

A clear sign of a good leader is the ability to get everyone involved in the game.  No matter the experience level or amount of gear someone owns, everyone and anyone can play airsoft and be a part of a team.  Every player needs to be included in the execution of a mission, and also the planning of that mission if possible.  Granted there are always a few players that don’t have a team mentality when playing airsoft (you know “that guy” on the field).  Don’t expect a leader to get those kinds of players involved every round, but they should at least be making an effort to keep the team working together.

(Interested in getting new or young players involved during a game? Than THIS post is for you!)

Is The Leader Knowledgable And Able To Communicate Well?

This is an excellent question to ask about a leader after seeing them command for a few rounds of a game.  A knowledgeable leader will be able to identify issues in the team’s gameplay and strategy and be able to communicate his plan for fixing those issues in upcoming battles.  The good leader will also be able to find the spots on a field that are the best to defend at, as well as the best places to attack from.  Being a knowledgable leader with good communication skills doesn’t mean that they are a walking dictionary of tactics, or are able to shout out orders like a Drill Sergeant.  A real leader will have the common sense to make decisions and get their point across to everyone quickly and clearly before and during a battle.

(If you want to learn more about good communication in airsoft, check out “The 3 E’s of Communication”.  If you are needing some good radios to help enhance communication on the field, HERE is the pair I use on the field.)

 

These are some great guidelines to use to improve your own leadership skills in airsoft.  Use these questions during a game to discover what other leaders do well, or struggle with.  Armed with the knowledge these questions will provide,  you can become a stronger leader and command the field in a way that keeps airsoft fun and exciting for every player!

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How To Go From Backyard Airsoft To Field Games

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How To Go From Backyard Airsoft To Field Games | AirsoftWarrior.net

One of the places many airsofters first get to experience a game is in a backyard.  A couple of spring pistol battles later and their hooked.  After awhile, they want to expand beyond those small battles on the lawn and check out what the rest of the airsoft world has to offer, namely dedicated airsoft field games!  But the transition from the casual backyard games to the highly competitive and structured field scenarios can be a harsh one.  If you want to learn more about how to make this transition better and help other players too, you’ve come to the right place!

(Note:  Backyard games must be safe and comply with local laws at all times.  Be sure to do your research and require full seal eye protection as well as proper face protection at all the game you host or play in.  The backyard is not a time to slack off or stop using common sense.  Respect your neighbors and notify them if you plan on playing.  If you think you shouldn’t play, DON’T!  The airsoft community thanks you for keeping the sport honorable and safer for everyone.)

 

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

The biggest thing to remember when you’re going to your first field game is to be prepared (in case the title of this section didn’t get your attention).  Preparedness requires that you hone your skills on more than just the tactical level (although you’ll want to spend a lot of time on that too!).

The first way you can prepare for a field game is mentally.  Understand that field games aren’t really like a backyard game.  There will be a lot of people you don’t know and they will all have a different style of airsoft.  Some of them will have a lot more experience and understand how to “play” the field better.  Don’t let that concern you.  You just have to mentally accept the fact that not everything is going to go right and you may be sitting in respawn a bit more than usual for the first few rounds.

Research is another valuable tool to use when you are preparing.  Look up the rules of the field and the layout if possible.  Use a program like Google Earth to see a satellite view of an outdoor field, or ask players that have visited the field before to give you some tips or draw a simple map.  If you understand the dynamics of the field, you can prepare for the most likely scenarios that will occur.

 

Train for the Field

If you have prepared properly and understand as much as possible about the field itself, then you should take some time to implement that knowledge.  Go out and practice running scenarios specifically for the field.  Implement proper tactics and shooting principles to enhance your skills.  The muscle memory you build, and your better understanding of tactics, will boost your confidence when you show up at the field.

Here are some training ideas:

  • Watch videos from the field and analyze the tactics used.
  • Practice the different shooting positions (standing, kneeling, prone, etc.).  Both supported and unsupported.
  • Have a backyard game and try out some squad tactics.
  • Practice using different communication skills to relay battle information.

 

Gear

Proper gear is a vital to making the transition from backyard to field games easier.  Make sure you have the basic gear you need for the field you are visiting (right BB weight and number of BBs, batteries, hydration, kill rags, eye and face protection, etc.).  Don’t worry about having the best gear or most tacticool load out.  This is your first field game.  Just bring what you NEED and use the game to learn what you WANT in the future.

HERE is a link to my Basic Gear List to give you some ideas of what you may need to bring to your first field game.  Check the field’s website or give them a call if you want further information on recommended gear.

 

Extra Tips:

Here are a few ways to make your field experience better:

  • Arrive earlier than you think you need to if possible.  You’ll have more time to set up your gear and get settled in.
  • Fill out your field safety waiver before hand (most fields post them on their website).
  • Organize your gear and know where everything is so you can find it quickly in between games.
  • BRING WATER!
  • Bring a small repair kit or tool box for minor fixes on both guns and gear.
  • Remind yourself that you are there to have FUN!

 

Thank you for reading this post.  If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I would be happy to answer them.  Also, let me know any tips you have for making backyard to field game transitions better!

 

 

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Airsoft Discoveries: December 2015

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Airsoft Discoveries: December 2015 | AirsoftWarrior.net
(affiliate links included)

This is The Airsoft Warrior’s “Airsoft Discoveries”, where I write up a post about airsoft videos, news, tips, and much more I’ve discovered during the month to help you discover new things!  Here’s what I found this past December!

 

Gear:

Element Comtac II Style Headset – These headsets are a working replica of the real Comtac II headsets that retail for over $600!  They have built-in noise canceling, you can buy the adapter to attach them to FAST Helmets, and they work with various Push To Talk (PTT) units to meet your tactical communication needs.  If you want to avoid the hassle of finding a suitable PTT unit for them, they’re often offered in a packaged deal.  HERE is the packaged deal for Motorola 1 pin radios.  If you want more information on this headset, I found THIS video review to be helpful.

 

Guns:

Elite Force Race Gun–  This pistol from Elite Force is designed for competition shooting.  Spring assist magazine ejection for faster reloading, enhanced trigger, half slide for less recoil, and swappable, adjustable rear sights (including a fiber optic one) make this an awesome and accurate airsoft pistol for the airsofter who demands accuracy and function from their sidearms.  The current price is $129.99 at the Airsoft ‘R Us Tactical online store, which is plenty reasonable for a tuned up pistol.

MilSim:

B.O.S.S. (Ballistic Ordinance Sound System)–  This unit developed by B.L. Tech looks like an M203 grenade launcher.  It turns your airsoft gun into a much more realistic weapon by creating a gunshot-like sound using propane gas.  A microchip regulates the B.O.S.S. system to match your specific weapon’s rate of fire (and can also be adjusted manually).  The extra immersion factor of this system will appeal especially to MilSim players or airsofters who want to use their airsoft guns for training purposes.  Proposed price is $600, so start saving!  Here’s a video from Spartan117GW to give you a taste of what this thing can do!

 

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Just Go For It: Because Big Plans Don’t Work

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Just Go For It Because Big Plans Don't Work | AirsoftWarrior.net

One of the things I notice more and more as I airsoft is that set-in-stone plans don’t work.  This is due to a lot of factors.  The best laid plan can be brought down by a single move of the enemy team or when some of your team members are in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Sometimes you just have to go with a plan, even if it’s not completely thought out.  Otherwise you risk the enemy making a move, getting ahead of you, and winning the game.  Just doing something can make the difference.  Here are a couple of stories from one of my outdoor battles to illustrate this point:

 

Rushing Is Better Than BB Swapping

The scenario was to transport our team’s box (loaded with smoke bombs that would be triggered upon opening) to a location across the field and deploy it.  A group of 4-6 players decided to transport the box while the rest of the team attempted to assault the enemy stronghold (a large, building-like complex), a mere 200 feet from our respawn.  After a half hour of shooting and respawning, I was ready to do something besides swap BBs with the enemies shooting through all the tiny windows.

I moved to the flank of the building and got myself psyched up for charge.  I scanned over the rest of my team and saw some players who seemed to be preparing for a frontal assault on the building.  I waited a few more seconds and timed my charge with theirs.  We rushed the building, cleared it, and move forward.

I tried to continue to move up and figure out what had happened to the squad that had headed off with our box, when a column of smoke rose from the building we had just cleared!  Turns out our team had deployed the enemy’s box of smoke that had been left behind, making a technical win for the enemy!

Due to a lot of factors (including a lack of communication), the game didn’t go as planned.  Although by doing something besides sit and swap BBs, we accomplished our secondary mission of clearing the enemy stronghold.

On to the second story…

 

The Enemy Is Not As He Appears

In this scenario, an expansive field with a large number of bunkers (properly named “Bunker Hill”) gave us a chance for a fun game of “capture the water bottles”.  😉

With a few other players, I moved up the left flank and attempted to approach the enemy, undetected.  The field was bigger than we anticipated putting us in a head on head battle on the left flank.  After coming under heavy enemy fire, we engaged and dug in (notice the sit-and-wait mentality here).  After a while, I decided that someone needed to move up if we were going to get anywhere.

I cautiously moved up the left flank with my battle buddy covering me.  Then, I rushed up to a piece of cover, spotted an enemy player behind a wall before he saw me, lined up my sights, and took him out when he tried to fire! After a quick look around, I realized he was the ONLY player there, and had held down the entire flank!  I quickly called for my team to move up the flank and we started an advance.

Again, the point is that you sometime just have to do something to get ahead in an airsoft game.

 

This doesn’t mean that planning is useless and you should go to every game having done zero research and preparation.  Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces on D-Day and former President of the United States, said “When preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”  I think this quote sums up the purpose of plans in airsoft very nicely.  Plans have a place in the preparation stage of games and are very helpful in making sure everyone understands the mission at hand.  But they are useless if you don’t adapt them to the changing battlefield.

By simply moving forward, you can make things happen in an airsoft battle.  Pre-game plans allow you to form a cohesive team that works together to accomplish the overall mission.  Small in-game plans (like moving to a flank, or working with your battle buddy) are a great way to get things done during a game.  Try to make an easy plan, act on it, then make a new one.  Here is a quote by General Patton that sums up the overall point of this post nicely :

“A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week.”

General Patton | AirsoftWarrior.net

Thanks for reading this AirsoftWarrior.net post.  If you enjoyed it, be sure to share it with your battle buddies!  As always, comment your thoughts on the post and let me know how you “Just Go For It” during a game!

 

 

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Battlefield Awareness: The Mental Discipline

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Battlefield Awareness: The Mental Discipline | AirsoftWarrior.net

In airsoft, you will often find yourself in situations that require you to perform actions in rapid order.  A CQB engagement, a rush into an enemy building, or a fast command decision while under enemy fire.  We block out the rest of the battle when the situations present themselves so we can focus.  This focus is not an issue.  It gives you the ability to think quickly and look at a situation so you can come to a good, fast decision.   The problem arises when you let this focus fuel your actions after that part of the mission is over.  You get what is known as “tunnel vision”.  Your focus is solely on doing the “next thing” and not taking in information about your surroundings.  This can result in a lot of issues on the field.  How do we regain our battlefield awareness?  That is what I hope to show you in this post.

Step 1: Think

The first step to regaining awareness is to think about it.  Remember that you need to be aware.  You’ll notice in my battle videos that I often look around after I get to a position or after making a kill.  This allows me to make sure that my surroundings are clear of enemy players and that I am not being out flanked.  Often my process works like this:

1.  Look for friendly and enemy players (in front of me, on my flanks, even behind me).
2.  Shoot enemy players if they are with in range.  If there are none, go to step 4.
3. Confirm kill (to insure that the enemy will not be firing back at me with out my knowledge).
4. Move into cover to prevent dying (move to a different position if needed).
5. Go back to step 1

You’ll notice that in step 1 I am taking in information about my surroundings.  This is when I am most aware.  I recon the field and use that information to make my next move.

In step 2 and 3, I am very focused.  I have a much more limited awareness of what is going on.  This is when I am most vulnerable to attack or being out flanked.

Step 4 is my opportunity to regain my awareness.  I am able to find new cover and come back to my surroundings.

Step 5 is where my mental discipline needs to kick in.  After the adrenaline surge of fighting the enemy, I want to react with “instinct” to make my next move.  This can result in an untimely elimination.  If you think about awareness at this step, you will have taken a big leap towards having better tactical gameplay.  When you do it automatically, you will have reached the battlefield awareness goal!

 

Step 2: Be an Observer

One of the ways I hone my battlefield awareness is by being an observer.  I often call out the position of enemy players or the direction they are heading.  This allows me to practice my awareness and communication skills while helping my team.  By being an observer you can help your teammates be prepared for enemy players and also have better battlefield awareness.

 

Step 3:  Play in 3D

Airsoft is not a linear, 2D game.  It has a multitude of options, positions, and players.  Tunnel vision causes players to have a 2D approach.  They believe there are only 2 options: either the enemy dies or I do.  This black-and-white approach is not reality in an airsoft game.  Airsofters who have battlefield awareness will look at the field in 3 dimensions.  They will see that they can move away from an attack, switch to different cover, have more teammates come to their aid, etc.  They will use their resources to fight back in creative and effective ways.  They will remember that not every enemy player attacks from the front (and smart enemies almost never do).

Having this 3 dimensional mindset will also help you to recognize that threats can come from any direction and allow you to combat them effectively.

 

Battlefield awareness is a skill that takes a great deal of practice to become proficient at.  Use the guidelines in this post to help you implement new steps to keep yourself mentally and physically aware and involved while at a game.

 

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How Numbers (Or Lack Of Numbers) Can Win An Airsoft Game

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How Numbers (Or Lack Of Numbers) Can Win An Airsoft Game | AirsoftWarrior.net

One of the factors that airsofters often don’t fully understand the importance of is troop numbers.  Larger teams may think they will win the battle because the team has more troops to throw around and can take casualties with ease.  Outnumbered teams believe they will inevitably lose because they can’t match the force of the other team.  Numbers can help win a battle, but they don’t guarantee a win.  Being outnumbered doesn’t guarantee you will lose.  It all matters on how you use your resources on the field.

In this post we will examine how troop numbers (or lack of numbers) can affect your airsoft game and how you can use them to your advantage, no matter how big or small your team is.

 

Larger Teams: A Super-Sized Killing Force

Having more players can be one of your biggest resources at an airsoft game, and you should pay attention to how the extra players are used.

Advantages that teams with larger numbers have include being able to:

  • Send out recon missions to locate enemy players,
  • Initiate large scale outflanking maneuvers,
  • Have dedicated defensive squads to protect key points.
  • Control the battlefield better through force. 

Even in small scale backyard battles, numbers can have a big effect.  A two-player-on-one-player battle is an excellent example of this.  The two-player team is able to use many different tactics and options that the lone player can’t.  They can choose to outflank the enemy player while one player provides a base of fire and suppresses the single enemy. They are also able to effectively search for the enemy player if he decides the hideout.  Flexibility and firepower are the biggest strengths of a bigger team.

Numbers can also have a good effect on team moral. If you have five, ten, or even just one more player than the other team, you know you have an advantage starting out.  This allows you to feel more flexible and secure on the field.

 

Keys To Running A Large Team

Good organization, communications, planning and leadership are key to running a large team.  Without these, the war machine can quickly fall apart and become fodder for a smaller, elite enemy team.  Organize the team into buddy pairs and squads so you can keep track of team resources.  Try using radios to stay in touch with other squads on your team.  Have goals and a battle plan (even if it’s simple), and make sure everyone understands it.  If possible, have dedicated leaders for each squad. This way the team leader can communicate directly with them and be assured that his message reaches the whole team.

 

You may be wondering how an outnumbered team can survive against even an moderately larger team.  After all, you’ve probably seen how a large team can crush a smaller team first-hand.  But, small teams do have a few advantages on their side that, if used effectively, can win the day.  Let’s take a look at how you can win with an outnumbered team…

 

Outnumbered Teams: “Don’t Mistake Our Numbers As A Weakness”

As an outnumbered team, you have some disadvantages to the enemies’ large numbers. You can’t simply throw troops at the enemy team and expect to survive, but you can still win through a cunning use of tactics and mobility.

Smaller teams have the advantage of being able to communicate with one another more easily and form plans faster.  This can allow you to stay one step ahead of a larger enemy team.  Outnumbered teams can also move with more stealth on the field.

As a outnumbered team, defensive operations are usually the way to go.  Use a “rolling” defense to wear down the enemy.  Start with everyone near the front line and then slowly fall back to another defensive position.   Remember, although the enemy team may think they are making gains, you will be controlling the field and reducing the opposing team to a manageable size.  Once they’re worn down, you can make a counter strike!

Make sure your team has one or more small goals (like holding a point on the field, or taking down a certain number of enemies before falling back).   Often times, I have focused on taking out enough enemy players to make the numbers even (or to my advantage if possible).

As a smaller team you can make an effective offensive by setting up ambushes and also attacking smaller enemy squads that separate from the main force.  Always try to get the numbers in your favor and fight battles on your terms.  Keep the enemy team members guessing at every turn so they don’t have a chance to regroup and plan.  The key is to control the field.  Fight on your terms!

 

To recap:

  • Large teams need to have leadership and a solid plan.
  • Large teams have an advantage of flexibility over outnumbered teams.
  • Outnumbered teams have an advantage in mobility and speed of planning.
  • Outnumbered teams should always keep each battle on their terms and control the field.

No matter how many players you have, focus on using the unique advantages of being a larger or outnumbered team.  Never give up and always use every advantage you can.

 

 

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In Game At Tulsa Indoor Airsoft: Bucket Round

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In Game At Tulsa Indoor Airsoft: Bucket Round | AirsoftWarrior.net

In my last visit to Tulsa Indoor Airsoft in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I got to participate in a unique scenario.  In the Bucket Scenario, the goal is to sit on a 5-gallon bucket located near the middle of the field for 2 minutes without getting eliminated.  While on the bucket, you may not move or get off of the bucket, but you can rotate in a circle to fire on the enemy.

Although this round was quite humorous to watch and to play, there were some definite strategies and tactics that were effective.

Although neither team was able to achieve the goal in this round, it was still a lot of fun and enabled me to observe some useful tactics.

 

 

Tactics

 

Meat Shield:

The rule set allowed a tactic dubbed “Meat Shield”.  Essentially, other teammates could move up and “shield” the player on the bucket from incoming BBs until they were hit.  This tactic was very effective when the team using it communicated and moved up quickly to protect the airsofter on the bucket.  As you noticed in the video, when I first got on the bucket, a player used the “Meat Shield” tactic to give me protection.  After he was hit, I tried to communicate to my team that I needed others to step up and take his place.  Unfortunately, no one was able to make it before I was eliminated.

 

Team Support:

One of the key elements in the round was team support.  Once a player reached the bucket, other players could support him by using the “Meat Shield” tactic and giving covering fire.  Communication was also a key element of team support.  At 2:09, I hear one of my teammates requesting support, and I move into position to try to provide support.  I also tried to use the firing angles that my position provided to give covering fire.

 

Using the Lanes of Approach:

Once I got into the excellent position I use for most of the game, I had an amazing angle on the main approach that the enemy was using to try to get on the bucket.  When you’re on the field, identify where these lanes of approach are and sling some BBs into them.  You’ll notice that even though the bucket was on the far right flank and I was on the left, I was still effective.  Sometimes the center of the action is not the best place to be.  Focus on staying where you can be the most effective.

 

I hope you enjoyed the game play footage from Tulsa Indoor Airsoft.  The bucket round was very unique and was a lot of fun to play.  Let me know what your favorite airsoft scenario is in the comments below!

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Basic Field Combat Tactics: Part 2 (Guest Post by “Venator”)

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Basic Field Combat Tactics: Part 2 (Guest Post by Venator) | AirsoftWarrior.net
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This is Part 2 of the Basic Field Combat Tactics Guest Post by “Venator”.  Click HERE to read Part 1.

“Venator” (Latin for “hunter”) is an avid airsofter who enjoys airsofting with his family on their 10 acres.  He prefers the support role when he goes into battle, but isn’t afraid to take command if the situation warrants it.
His primary weapon is a KWA SR7 and his current dream gun is a KWA SR10. I hope you enjoy the second part of his post and the insight he gives into troop placement and airsoft tactics in open field operations.

Placement

Placing both attackers and defenders is critical in any airsoft battle.  However, field battles are especially tricky because there is little cover to hide defenders and to temporarily shield attackers charging a position.

 

Defenders:

As with any airsoft combat situation, placement of forces is critical to surviving an assault or attacking a position.

Snipers, as mentioned in Part 1, are useful in maintaining a defensive posture.  A smattering of assault riflemen with snipers should be sufficient to hold a position.  A good rule of thumb in defensive placement is to have at least one assault rifleman per sniper.  Team up these infantry types into pairs (or groups) to maintain that balance.

Place the snipers at both ends of the position and space them unevenly throughout the rest of the area. Why unevenly? Because it prevents attackers from guessing where a well-hid sniper is located.  If the snipers are evenly spaced, a calculating commander who finds a few snipers can guess the other snipers’ positions.  Snipers also should not be placed in areas of cover if the regions of cover are pronounced.  Again, a good battle leader will assume that snipers are placed in those areas of cover.  However, use discernment.  If the snipers will be sitting ducks (obvious targets) if they do not use the obvious cover, then place them behind cover.  Use common sense and modify these tips as necessary.

Assault men are present to provide sweeping fire when the attackers grow closer.  This fire provides two advantages.  First, it typically causes the attackers to hit the dirt, thereby providing easy targets to the snipers.  Secondly, it protects the snipers from a charge.

Charges are very dangerous to snipers.  Since snipers typically have fewer shots than an assault rifle and reload slower, charging assault riflemen can quickly overrun a position if the snipers do not have men with assault rifles to back them up.

Diagram 1 shows the basic positions for snipers (represented by an S) and assault riflemen (represented by an A) in a situation with only sparse bushes for cover. The blue swaths represent the sniper’s areas of engagement.

(Diagram 1)
Basic Field Combat Tactics Part 2 Diagram 1 | AirsoftWarrior.net

 

Attackers:

Attackers will have a much harder time, and offensive tactics are not so easy.  As with the “over the top” trench charges of World War I, expect numerous casualties.

One strategy is to use a catch-up style of engagement.  This will again utilize both snipers and assault riflemen, but they will not be split into groups.  When charging a position, the assault rifles should go first (oh goody!), securing the path as they go.  This is the normal method of assault, but there is one big difference. After the assault riflemen have advanced a few yards (more or less yards may be necessary depending on the size of the field), the snipers should rush up to the assault riflemen’s spots and lie down, prepared to shoot from a prone position.  Again, the assault riflemen will dash forward a few more yards, and the snipers will repeat the process.

If they are suddenly swept by fire at any point, the assault riflemen should immediately crouch and return sweeping fire, taking care to present as little of a profile as possible. Meanwhile, the snipers behind the assault riflemen can provide cover fire for the assault men, picking off defenders that are too hidden for the assault rifles to reach.  Then, when the returning fire dies off, the march should continue.

Every time the assault group is challenged by fire, they should report the approximate location of the shots to command (see next section).  This method of assault allows the snipers to provide cover fire for the main assault group without ever being too far behind to help effectively.  Note in the following diagram how the movements of the parties are apparently random.  In any operation, it is best to maintain an apparently random, yet highly coordinated system of movement to confuse the defenders.

(Diagram 2)
Basic Field Combat Tactics Part 2 Diagram 2 | AirsoftWarrior.net

 

Command:

In the style of warfare discussed in this article, an established command base with communication lines to its soldiers is of paramount importance.  This command post should consist of the overall leader and an assault rifleman.  Move command forward with the troops if communications become strained, but always keep command behind the lines of fire.  Radios are recommended for this setup if available.

 

I hope you all enjoyed the insight that “Venator” presented in Part 1 and Part 2 of Basic Field Combat Tactics.  Be sure to comment your thoughts and questions below!

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