Basic Rules Guidelines

[The Shootist]

Here are some basic rules, that you, and your group, can extend/modify/whatever. These are a good framework to inspire you to think more about what's going on and what could go on in your games.
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• There should be out of bounds on any range you play on. Unless the objective is to use as much space as possible.
  
• Surrender. Surrender is a long and complex topic. I will devote an entire article to this, later. For now, do some research and look at what Surrender entails.
  
• Due to the thickness of the garments involved in some people's playing gear; every group should have an agreed upon way of alerting someone that they've been shot. For Instance: a paintball mask is made of sturdy plastic, there is a hard plastic bill jutting out from the mask itself. If a low-powered gun hits you in the top of the bill, you might not feel it. Or if you're wearing a heavy tacticle vest, you might not notice if you get hit in the thickest part of the garment. Especially if your hunkered down or running throught the woods at high speed. I suggest simply stop firing, get their attention, and ask them if they've felt those 300 rounds bouncing off of their flak jacket.
  
• Any objectives should be talked out. If you want something placed, it might get thrown. The more detailed the conditions of victory are, the more likely they will be met exactly as you've intended them to be met. However, too much detail is a bad thing.
  
• All rules, no matter how small or redundant, should be detailed before the beginning of every match. If you repeat the rules ad nauseum, everyone will know them, and no one will be able to say they didn't know the rules.
  
• Minimum engagement ranges. We use 10'. We try to never make shots at closer than 10', and there is a definite no head shots at closer than 15', if at all possible. This rule is for the safety of the players.
  
• FPS Cap. Look around online at the various Airsoft fields, the major events, OP: Irene et cetera, and anywhere else you canf ind 'em. These will give you an idea of about where other places are putting their limits. A safe range is 400 fps and lower for AEGs, 450 fps for semi-auto Gas Guns, and 500 fps with a minimum engagement range fo 25' or more for sniper rifles. This serves two purposes, saftey and pain. It's safer to not allow people to use 9000 fps guns (not that 9000 fps is possible) and it ensures that the pain of ebing shot isn't prohibitive to new players.
  
• Safety equipment standards. Some places want eye protection, and anything that covers the eye- including normal glasses- is enough. Other places are more restrictive. Also, face coverings are required at different locations. Make a list of what is allowed and what isn't allowed. No one is allowed to play unless their saftey equipment is up to par.
  
• Have fun. Remember, it's just a game. If you, or your group, isn't having fun talk about ways of improving the game without risking anyone's safety. If everyone already knows all the rules and it's annoying to spend 15 minutes going over all the pre-game rules, then drop that. Only repeat the rules when something changes. Just remember, Airsoft is a non-professional sport. If it's not fun, then something's wrong. The most important aspect of the game, other than safety, is having fun.