In the eighth part of our Starting Airsoft series, we address the best ways to ensure a smooth, fair game without conflicts. Not a reader? We have summed up all the important parts in this video too:
Play Fair yourself
Airsoft is fun and exhilarating but is ultimately a game of honor. That means if even one person doesn’t call a hit, or if someone complains that someone isn’t calling their hit, it can start a spiral which will negatively affect the game for everyone. Each player has the power to ensure games stay fun and fair for everyone else, and this is how you can play your part.
First off, always call your hit as loud and clear as you can along with putting your hand in the air and keeping it there until you spawn back in. If you continue to get shot when you have your hand in the air, call HIT again or DEAD MAN loudly. Also, step aside and wave your hand.
Most likely they didn’t hear you and there’s an obstruction so they can’t see your hand is up. If you feel like you were shot excessively after your hand was raised, tell a marshal and they will talk to the other team about over-shooting. By the way, a super-useful thing for these situations is a deadrag. While being compact, it sends out a clear message when used about the fact that you’re out of the game.
Avoid accusations
The next super important thing is to never directly accuse another player of not calling their hits as not only will this frustrate them and yourself, but it’ll also make everyone around you think players are not calling their hits which will affect their enjoyment of the game.
Instead, if you suspect a player isn’t being as honest as they could be, take a close look at their clothing and loadout, find a marshal and explain what happened and what the player looks like. They’ll keep an eye on them and if they’re caught cheating, they’ll be dealt with appropriately.
De-escalation Is Key
If you find yourself in a position where a player is angry or shouting at you, feel free to walk away and talk to a marshal. If you feel confident enough, calmly ask them what their issue is as it could be a simple misunderstanding. Don’t shout back to them though as this can often just escalate the situation further.
We can’t control how other people act, but we can control how we act. And anger only breeds anger. So if you’re in a situation like this, stay calm and communicate respectfully. And if you need to, ask a marshal to step in and help.
