Sport Airsoft Information Pack:
One of the founding principles of Sport Airsoft Ltd. is to keep the rules of play to a minimum, thus allowing sportsmanship, consideration and mutual respect to flourish. The company will create balanced games for you to excel in, that is our precept. Having said that, players need a common ground to play on, plus some guidelines on what is safe and sensible play, the following attempts to give these guidelines, along with examples, so that everyone will be playing the same game.
It should also be noted that some of the rules and guidelines below may be modified for individual scenarios or events; or, as in the case of ‘dead time’, there are a number of options that are game specific; you will be informed of these variations at the start of game play.
In Brief
- Show consideration to your fellow players.
- Acknowledge all hits and use your hit marker.
- Wear the correct safety equipment in-game.
- Be considerate with engagement distances, use the BANG option if undue pain may be caused.
- Be aware of the dead time conditions for you team in the given scenario.
- Be aware of gun class and speed restrictions before coming onto the field or purchasing your airsoft gun.
- Do not to shoot excessively at a player, and be aware of field safety procedures.
The Golden Rule:
Treat others as you would like to be treated and show respect and consideration to your fellow players.
In practice, this means don’t shoot someone in a way that has a high probability of causing them undue pain; and play within the spirit of the scenarios.
Don’t take a shot that you wouldn’t be happy to receive yourself. If you are up close, aim for a pouch, belt or boots; and use one shot, don’t pepper them point blank. If things go wrong, apologise & sort it out there and then. If you continually hurt people, you will have your own gun turned on you at the same range. So be aware that we really mean don’t take the shot that you wouldn’t be happy to receive. We absolutely accept that ‘things’ happen in airsoft, the target moves, BBs change direction on skimming field objects etc. It is hoped to develop a good culture of sportsmanship, so behave as gentlemen should ‘things’ happen.
It is a safe and sportsmanlike practice to shoot the centre mass of the body when & wherever practicable. Shooting someone in the head when they are standing in the open is bad form. Head shots should only be taken when no other part of the target is exposed.
On the game scenario front, play within the ‘concept’ of the game. If we have to explain 200 do and don’ts the briefings will become painfully long and monotonous. If you have questions or ‘unique’ ideas on how to play a scenario out, feel free to ask questions at the end of the briefing or speak to the game organiser quietly prior to game start. Please also be respectful during the game briefings. There is a lot of information to impart, and people talking or interjecting is both rude and frustrating. Please do listen carefully; having to repeat yourself is also frustrating.
Game Rules:
These rules relate to the way games and scenarios are played.
Acknowledgement of hits:
All hits must be acknowledged by the calling of “HIT” loudly, the placing of the arms in the air or the gun above the head, and the hasty application of the hit marker (an orange piece of cloth displayed in plain sight).
A hit is the impact or skimming of any BB on any part of you or your clothing or equipment, including your hair, your gun, your magazine pouches or any game props that you are carrying i.e. flags, cases, documents etc. This includes ricochets and team kills.
If you walk around dead with your gun up, but no hit marker, and get shot again, then you will be required to do two ‘dead times’. If shot again, three ‘dead times’, up to a maximum of five. The purpose of this is to ensure hit markers are used and to avoid frustration for both the shooter and the dead person. The shooter may have had to give away their position to shoot an already dead person and the dead person doesn’t want to keep getting shot, so use your markers.
If you fail to notice a hit on you, it may be called out by the attacking player or someone near to you. In the spirit of the game, you must accept these. At times, BBs may hit your kit and you may not feel it, your gun noise may have drowned out the sound of the impact. You are still hit. If it is found that you have the unfortunate propensity to continually not notice your hits; then you will no longer be able to play with us and we would recommend you take up paintball. It is very important to the sport that you play honestly, both for your fun, and that of your fellow competitors. Calling hits on a player you did not hit is cheating, and such calls undermine the integrity of the game. You must be 100% certain that you hit a player to call them out. A propensity to ‘false call’ on players will also see you ejected from the organisation.
If you are hit whilst carrying a game or scenario object, i.e. a flag or case etc, you should hold this above your head for 10 seconds when hit, then place it at your feet. If placement of the object may result in its loss, or moderate difficulty in its rediscovery, place the object in an area that would lend itself more to the flow and principles of the game. Hang it in a tree or place on top of a bush etc.
Dead people do not talk, so be silent, & also, do not try & work out where you were shot from, turn your back to the enemy, & follow the dead rules for the scenario.
The Ten Call
Ten seconds before you complete your dead time, call “TEN” in a loud voice. This indicates to any enemy that are nearby that you are about to become an alive player again. This call is made in the interests of fairness. Having someone yell “ALIVE” and then shoot you is not very sportsman like. At this call you may retreat to cover if you are exposed with enemy around you. This should not be to an advantageous position, but rather to a place where you can enter the game without being instantly shot, nor have the option of instantly shooting someone else. You may remove and stow your hit marker in this period. You may also duck down out of sight, or turn & view the battle field.
The Alive Call
At the completion of your dead time, call “ALIVE” in a loud voice. You then may shoot and be shot, move freely etc.
Safety Gear:
The minimum standard of safety gear at Sport Airsoft events is safety goggles or shooting glasses that will withstand BB impacts without shattering. They should envelop the eye region so that no BB from any direction can make contact with the eye.
It is very strongly recommended that you wear full face protection in the form of paintball style masks or the similar airsoft wire mesh masks. Although damage from BBs is usually superficial, normally no more than a good flick; from time to time, they can break the skin, chip teeth or deliver a good bruise. If you don’t wear full protection, you are taking responsibility for damage to yourself into your own hands.
Players under 18 must wear full face protection unless parents/guardians request otherwise. This form is
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It is also recommended that you wear gloves, as shots on the knuckles and fingers hurt significantly more than centre mass hits.
Engagement Distance Guidelines:
Officially, there is no engagement distance for any gun. But it is hoped that you will use the ‘Golden Rule’ cited above. You need to be aware that if you hurt someone, you may be shot with your own gun at the same range. So it is strongly advised that you use common sense. If you are found to have a propensity to hurt people beyond what is reasonable, you will be ejected from the organisation.
As a guide, guns going over 425fps on .2gm BBs should not be firing at people inside of 15 metres as it is highly probably you will cause undue pain. Snipers are required to carry a pistol to engage people that get to close. Do the right thing; be considerate of your fellow players.
The Bang call
The “BANG” call may be made on a player if there is a clear and unobstructed view of the target, and it is felt that actually firing on the target would cause undue pain. This must be a clear and fair call. You must have your gun lined up on the target, it must be capable of firing and there should be no doubt that you would hit the target if you pulled the trigger. To call a “BANG”, say the players name or get their attention loudly, and say “BANG” with your gun pointing at them. The player is then deemed hit. Examples of use of this rule would be if you had come up on a player and they were unaware of your presence and you closed to a distance of 0-5 metres. Or perhaps if you have the target lined up with your sniper rifle with a clear & unmissable shot but feel firing would cause undue pain in the 0-15metre range. In all cases the target and the shooter should not be mobile. There should be a two second delay between “BANGs” if there are multiple targets. Generally mutual (or reciprocal) “BANGs” should not occur, battle it out, or retreat if you feel things are too close.
Should the receiving player strongly feel that the “BANG” call is unjust. They may request that you take the shot. They must not move, neither must you, you simply pull the trigger. If you fail to hit the target, you take the hit and hopefully learn a lesson. Please appreciate that the “BANG” call has the potential to be abused and cause needless friction. Use it wisely and fairly and trust that if someone calls a “BANG” on you that they have your best interests at heart. It is to be use in the interests of safety, not to gain unfair advantage on a player.
The Knife Kill
Should you gain such an advantage on a player as to be able to enact a “KNIFE KILL”, the following provision is made. To make a “KNIFE KILL” simply tag the player on any part of their body and say “KNIFE KILL”. The player is then deemed as hit. This provision is useful when dealing with hostages, or people that almost stand on you when you hiding etc.
Dead Time and Respawn:
When hit, rules are applied on the conditions of re-entry into the game. Generally, these will fit into the following categories. Which version is applicable will be explained at the beginning of each game. Please note that in some scenarios, different teams may have different respawn criteria. In all cases, once hit, you immediately should apply your hit marker and make it known that you are hit. Keep your back to the enemy when ‘dead’, it helps avoid being mistakenly shot, plus you don’t gain visual information on how the battle is progressing and can’t come alive and hunt down people you were watching. Please also be aware, that dead men cannot talk. You must not communicate in any way with other players, this is very important. Generally, dead time will be one minute long.
Fall Back
Once hit, you fall back in the direction of your own teams lines, if this is obscure, choose a non-advantageous direction. The distance you fall back should be at least 50 metres or the range of your main gun, whichever is greater, from where you were hit. Once at that location, start a minute count. Make the “TEN” and “ALIVE” calls as described above. Just as a note, in some games the defending/ambushing team may be exempt from making these calls so as not to give away their position; this is called a rolling retreat.
Medic
Once hit, you remain in position, you turn your back to the enemy, you raise your hit marker, and you remain dead until you receive medical assistance. When the battle has subsided or move a safe distance from you, you may call for a Medic. This is done simply be calling out the word “MEDIC”. It is best to wait until the designated Medic will be able to get to you safely. Getting the Medic killed could result in the death of your entire team. The Medic will get to you when they are able, they will tag you for the spawn time. You will be alive again at the completion of the tag time. If, however, the medic does not complete the tag time, as in is killed, or moves away, your dead time is reset, you must wait for another successful complete tag. Should the Medic get hit, it is very important to bring them back into the game as soon as possible. A Medic can heal another Medic just as if they where a normal player. Make the “TEN” and “ALIVE” calls as described above. Please note, dead people should not be used as cover. If, as a dead person, you find yourself in the line of fire, you may lie down or move a small, non advantageous distance, to get out of the way. Please also note, there are many variations to the medic concept. So listen to the game briefing.
Elimination
Once hit in an elimination game, you are dead, and cannot re-enter the game. You fall back out of the battle and wait for the game to be concluded. Elimination games are not that common in airsoft. But some scenarios require it. It may also be brought in to end a game, the call will be made that any hits from this point on will be elimination hits. This can help decide a winner for a hard fought battle etc.
Counter Elimination
In this rule, you may be given a set number of lives. For example, you may be given three lives. For the first two times you are hit, you may respawn under the conditions of the scenario. But on the third time you are hit, it is treated just as an elimination death.
Respawn Location
Once hit, you return to a predetermined position, upon reaching that position, you start your dead time. Make the “TEN” and “ALIVE” calls as described above. Remember to face away from the conflict.
Rolling Retreat
Once hit, you fall back in the direction that has been predetermined. You fall back at least 50 metres or the range of your main gun, whichever is greater. At that point you duck down and are deemed to be instantly alive, no “TEN” or “ALIVE” calls are necessary. Try and fall away from advancing troops. If they follow you, it is their problem if they get shot.
Use of Airsoft Guns:
Some scenarios may limit the type of weapon classes allowed in game. For instance a pistol or indoors game would exclude sniper rifles etc. It is recommended to all members to have an airsoft pistol. This is useful for if your main gun runs out of batteries or jams. Those carrying sniper rifles are required to carry a pistol as a secondary weapon for close engagements. sniper & machine gun numbers may also be limited in scenarios. So people wishing to play with these weapons would be wise to also own an electric airsoft gun that is below the 350fps on .2gm BBs. Given the desire to develop this organisation into a squad based system, this may also limit the number of available positions for machine guns and snipers. It is advised that you check in before ordering that canon. sniper Rifles and machine guns will also require an application to the organisational council, a probationary period to be passed, in addition to completion of a field test. Sport Airsoft Ltd. desires to give you freedom to play how you want, but at the same time doesn’t want a field full of snipers. It is hoped that we would never have to say no though.
Guns Speed Restrictions:
Most airsoft organisations have limits on what speed guns may attain for safety and game play reasons.
Sport Airsoft Ltd. has sought to balance game play, safety and universality with other clubs so that its members may enjoy all that airsoft has to offer.
Pistols: spring, electric or gas pistols should not exceed 350 fps with .2gm BBs.
Airsoft Electric Guns: must not exceed 350 fps with .2gm BBs; and be fired semi-automatic only.
Sniper Rifles: spring, electric or gas sniper rifles should emulate real world long arms or sniper weapons, should have low or real cap magazines, should be scoped, should not exceed 500 fps with .2gm BBs (425 fps for probationary snipers). Acceptance by the council must be sought before used on the field.
Machine Guns: must not exceed 425 fps with .2gm BBs; also, they should emulate real world squad support weapons, they should have a bi-pod, and may only be fired from the deployed position. Acceptance by the council must be sought before used on the field.
Gas guns experience fluctuation in speed at different temperatures. It is hoped to roll with the punches on this issue, as on a hot day we don’t want to have to stop half the pistol users from being able to play. So we will allow a +20fps on .2gm BB’s grace for gas powered guns on hot days. This is not to be abused however by people using 370fps guns on cold days etc, please aim to be far enough under the limit to allow for climatic changes.
Spamming:
Excessively firing your airsoft gun at a target is actively discouraged for a few reasons. The noise of your gun being fired rapidly for long periods can cause you not to hear a person’s “HIT” calls, or hits impacting on you. It also spoils the game if it is just a stand and shoot until you chop the cover down around your opponent style game. To this end, Sport Airsoft Ltd. has created the rule that only 3 shots should be in the air heading for each target at any one time. We recommend a diagonal slice through the centre mass of the target with 3 rounds. This will maximise the chance of hitting them. You should only be firing your airsoft weapon in 3 round bursts on the field. If there are numerous targets grouped together, the burst may be sustained as you plug 3 rounds at each of the individuals in the group. Targets should not be getting hit with more than 3 rounds each though. It is not necessary to shoot someone 3 times up close though, so please exercise common sense. Also, you are reminded not to shoot people in the head when body shots are available.
The exception to the spamming rule is machine gun owners. Their purpose is suppression fire, and as such, they have no restrictions. These guns should be big, heavy and need to be deployed on a bi-pod to count for this though. It is hoped that in time these may be allowed to be fully automatic.
Snipers are encouraged to have bolt action weapons. Having said that, there are some semi-automatic sniper rifles out there. If you desire to play with one of these on field, it is requested that you discuss this with the club council before your purchase. You would be expected to fire and observe the completion of the BBs flight, before taking your next shot. People should not be getting hit by multiple rounds from a sniper class airsoft gun.
Field Safety:
Games will be started and stopped by whistle blows. Outside of game time, it is essential that your weapon be safe. Do this by moving your selector to the safe position. Please always remember to keep your weapon pointed in a safe direction also. If your weapon lacks a safety selector, either remove the magazine, or use a barrel plug. An area will be set aside for sighting in and testing your weapons. Do not discharge you weapon whilst around non-game-vehicles, or the eating area.
Three quick whistle blast means there is an emergency, meet at the whistlers locations.
At game end, ensemble on the game organiser.
In-Game Vehice Safety:
Games may have vehicles involved in them. The vehicles should not excede 20kmh. The vehicles should not be used in multiple/opporsite directions, lending to the increased risk of collision. The vehicles must come to a complete stop before passengers disembark or embark. A minimum of 10m following distance should be observed when in convoy. Vehicle rear should be checked as clear before reversing.
Organisation Rules:
These rules relate to the way members are treated and disciplinary actions handled.
Once again, the ‘Golden Rule’ of treat others how you would like to be treated is the order of the day for your interpersonal relationships in this organisation. Threats of violence, irrational anger, unreasonable abuse and spineless gossipping are not acceptable behaviours. We all have opinions and feelings, we also all make mistakes. Let us treat everyone with common decency and respect. If there are issues that you have with individuals regarding their on-field behaviour or actions, call a council member and let them mediate it from there. If you don’t want to deal with an issue then and there, you forfeit the right to complain about it later. If you have off-field issues with people, leave it off the field.
Do not bring real firearms, knives, bayonets, explosive devices, paint-ball firing weapons, smoke grenades, lead pellet firing air guns, lasers, fully automatic capable airsoft guns, or airsoft guns over the fps limits set above, nor any other objects that can cause real & serious harm to players or could be deemed as offensive weapons to Sport Airsoft Ltd. events.
Sport Airsoft Ltd. is not an Incorporated Society, and will not be heading down that path. Experience has shown that whilst there are advantages to democracy, there are also many disadvantages. Some being politicking and infighting, factionalisation of the membership; harassment to vote a certain way on topics and general delays in getting even the basic things done. Sport Airsoft Ltd. will be run as a meritocracy for most of its offices. This means people with ability will be place in the positions the organisation needs, and will be responsible for their areas of expertise. The health, direction and needs of the company will be the responsibility of the director(s); they will also choose the organisations council members.
Problems with players’ on-field actions, forum abuse or other difficulties will be heard by the council; as will probationary restricted weapon applications. If the issue involves a member of the council, that member will temporarily have their vote and rights removed. If your playing style is causing complaints, you will be made aware of the issues, and have the opportunity to both address the council, and time to correct your behaviour. It is desired to sort issues promptly and at the time of the event. This is in the interests of both the people concerned, and the organisation as a whole. Little cuts can become festering wounds if unaddressed. So let us all agree to sort it once and sort it right. Everyone is held to the same standard, regardless of position.
Organisation Fees:
There will be an annual subscription to belong to play at Sport Airsoft Ltd. events.
Full Member: Pay $150 per year, no per game charge.
Member: $75 per year, plus you pay $5 per game.
Casual Member: $10 per game. (Will require attendance of at least 1 event every 2 months to maintain)
Casual Players will be charged $15 (folk who turn up with their own gun etc) Note you will still need to purchase a hit marker & armband to play at Sport Airsoft Ltd. games, as they are required equipment.
Airsoft gun hire is $20 for gun & safety gear, plus ammo ($10 or $20).
All players that come to Sladdnesfeld without a 4x4 vehicle will be required to pay $2 to be brought in & out of the field. The road is too rugged for normal vehicles to access. We have vehicles to bring you in & out.
This money will be used to develop the company, acquire land, purchase equipment, promote the sport and hold events, plus any other needs that company may have. The fees may be paid at any time, your year will start from date of payment. Membership may be applied for by completing the
membership application form & presenting it to a council member.
Please be aware that from time to time there may be additional fees for a specific field, venue or event. These will be in addition to the fees above.
Forum Rules:
The website forum and facilities are there for the use of paid-up members. There may be an open public section. Please show constraint and tolerance when dealing with new members. There is a lot to learn, and it can be quite daunting. It is not desired to limit the forums to on-topic, politically correct posts, but it is expected that there will be no ‘trolling’ or deliberate stirring. Keep it fun and friendly. It is required however that topics or pictures of an illegal nature and links to pirated material or programs not be posted as the organisation or web host is potentially liable for this. Please also be aware that this organisation will accept younger members, so keep things relatively ‘clean’.
Your password details should be kept private, and use of your account by yourself or another individual to damage or defame this organisation will result in termination of the account & additional punitive measures if deemed necessary by the council.
Airsoft Sports New Zealand Rules:
Sport Airsoft Ltd. will adhere to the principles and rules of the national body of airsoft clubs in New Zealand. These will be posted on our website for your information. It is expected that all members & visitors to events comply with these rules.
Firearms and Police/Government Laws/obligations:
Sport Airsoft Ltd. will adhere to the laws of the Dominion of New Zealand, its Government, Customs and Police Officers/Officials. Links will be posted to their web sites for your information.