General Airsoft Gaming Rules
© 2004 Scarecrow

These rules were developed for games held on private lands by myself as game host in cooperation with the field owner.  They are posted here as-is free for use.  If you feel certain areas are too loose or too tight (regards to safety) feel free to shore them up to your own standards.

One area of more recent development has been field safety and an in place medical response plan.  I will put that in a separate document that can assist you in making a first aid plan that addresses player injuries and emergency medical response to injury or illness.

I. Weapons Handling Rules

1. Always treat your Airsoft weapon as if it were loaded.

2. Never place your finger in the trigger guard until you are ready to discharge the weapon.

3. Never sweep the muzzle of the weapon over a person or group.

4. Magazines are to be removed from your weapons while in the safe zone. Barrel plugs are affixed to barrels while outside the play zone (play zone is marked).

5. AD’s (Accidental Discharges) will not be tolerated as this demonstrates unsafe weapons handling. You will be warned once if you have an AD. A second incident will result in a 30-minute time out for the player.

6. All testing of weapons takes place at the range or inside the play zone.

7. Avoid taking a Point Blank shot at another person or player. Point Blank will be considered 10 Feet or less for stock weapons, 20 Feet or less for upgraded weapons.

II. Basic Field Rules

No alcohol or drug use will be tolerated before, or during a game. Minors are forbidden to consume alcohol at any time. In general, no illegal or illicit behavior will be tolerated.

1. No firing of weapons in staging areas. The only area beside the playing field where weapons may be fired will be a pre-determined lane for sighting and testing.

2. Eye protection must remain on at all times while in the play zone. Eye protection may only be removed in the safe zone or the parking area

3. If hit you must call yourself out, players that are observed not calling hits may be removed from the game. Special condition rules for hit players may be in force during events. Always check special rules in briefings for more info.

**4. All minor players (16-17 years of age) must have parental consent via parent or guardian signature on their waiver at time of game registration. Those under 16 years of age cannot play be waivered by parents or guardians and cannot play on OASA fields. You must be 18 years of age or older to be considered an adult such that you can sign your own waiver.

5. When applicable, Hosts or OC' s* will wear a Blaze Orange Vest with OC in black letters on the back specifying NO SHOOT STATUS.  (*OC-Observer-Controller)

6. “Safe Zone”, "Parking Area are clearly marked. No Fire will be allowed into, out of or through these areas at any time. Players may not extend play into these areas. A player who plays into these zones will be declared out for the period of time set for the hit players.

7. Players that are in violation of these rules will be ejected from the game.

8. Casual observers are permitted only on a case by case basis. All Guests must have signed waivers, the same as full playing participants.  Field entry fee will be at the discretion of the field owner and game host.  If a non-player over 18 wishes to be a "Combat Photographer", he may do so and is subject to the rules regarding "Combat Photographers".

** If your jurisdiction or field permits mentoring.


III. FPS Rules

1. There is a 400fps limit for all AEGs and Sidearms (sniper guns are different and addressed in Rule 2). This limit is for standard assault weapons. It is based on chronograph results using .20g bb's.

2. There is an absolute 450fps limit for all weapons. Weapons that exceed 400fps will be placed in the Sniper Weapon Category and have an absolute limit of 450fps with .20g bb's. The following further Sniper Weapon restrictions apply:

• Standard Cap mags ONLY.
• Semi-auto fire ONLY. No full auto.
• 60 foot no shoot limit.
• All participating players approve the Sniper for play.  Since they are being shot at with a hot gun, they have a choice as to whether or not they know and trust the Sniper to play safely.  Any player may VETO a sniper.

3. 450fps using .20 bbs is the maximum limit permitted on the field.  Under no circumstances is anything beyond 450fps using .20 bbs permitted.  Anything above 450fps is consider prohibited and should not be brought to the field.  Is this clear, or should it be reworded one more time?

4. Each player will attempt to within reason maintain the standards of no head hits, and no hits under a 15-foot range (see Mercy Rules section). It is the understanding that this rule is difficult to adhere to and will only require that each player attempt to adhere to it to the best of their abilities. Each player should realize that by presenting only a head shot, will draw said head shot, and should be willing to take the responsibility for the consequences. Additionally, any player operating in terrain where engagements will occur within 15 feet must understand and be willing to accept the consequences of that action.

5. Remember: FPS limits are just that, limits, NOT GOALS.

6. Dark or Dusk Play: Due to the possibility of very close contact in low light conditions, all AEGs may be restricted to semi-auto for dusk or nighttime play, depending on the field conditions at the time and by an informed authoritative consensus. It is recommended that players who are not highly skilled or otherwise unconditioned with respect to night operations self-impose a semi-auto restriction regardless. Full face protection is also HIGHLY recommended.

IV. Mercy Rules

Mercy rules are designed to enhance player safety when players engage in close quarters.

1. Minimum 15 feet with stock gun, pistols, or under 400FPS AEGs.

2. Minimum 60 feet with sniper classed rifles (APS rifles shoot hard). Distance may need to be adjusted according to power. No head shots. If you're a real sniper, you'll have to pass up an otherwise good head shot for safety reasons.

3. Snipers CANNOT mercy players when they cannot take a safe shot. In other words, a sniper can only mercy from 15 feet like any other player using an AEG. Between 15 feet and 60 feet the sniper cannot take a shot OR mercy the player. IF a sniper carries a secondary AEG or pistol, AND switches to it and is pointing it at the player, they can take a safe shot, or, mercy within 15 feet.

It is the Sniper’s decision to take on the sniper role. There is no guarantee you would hit a player between 15 and 60 feet and due to distance, it may not be possible to hear someone call a mercy from between 15 and 60 feet away, therefore snipers cannot use the mercy rule beyond 15 feet or under 60. That is a limitation snipers have to accept and abide by. We recommend that snipers take a spotter with an AEG or have a secondary under 400fps if they intend to engage targets under 60 feet. In order for a sniper to call a mercy, he or she MUST have their secondary that is under 400fps pointed at the player they are mercying. They cannot be pointing their primary sniper weapon and call a 15 foot or under mercy. This rule is not negotiable or subject to any other interpretation.

V. EYEWEAR Rules

Note: Due to insurance and liability, some fields will require FULL paintball type face protection.  The rules below were derived for private fields and mature players who show due concern for their fellow players and their own safety.

1. If you are under 18, you are limited to full seal paintball goggles. We are not requiring you to use the full face shield, but we do insist you use the full seal type goggle.

2. If you are over 18, you can use a polycarbonate goggle and it does not have to be a full seal. It will need to meet ANSI Z87.1 standards, which is a US DOD set of performance values.

3. Please check with the manufacturer of your goggles or safety glasses to be sure they meet this standard. If there is a doubt, the eyewear in question will be disallowed for skirmish use.

• G.I. Issue dust goggles are NOT APPROVED for skirmish use.
• High School Safety glasses are NOT APPROVED for skirmish use.
• Metal Mesh Full Seal type goggles are approved for skirmish use for all players.
• Bolle Attacker goggles are approved for skirmish use if you are over 18.
• Wiley X Brand "Higher Ground", "2002" "PT-1","Roamer II","SG-1","Hyview", "Saber" and "Lobo II" ballistic eyewear and Canadian Tire AOC brand safety glasses are approved for skirmish use if you are over 18.
• Oakley Brand "H2O", "MX", "L Frame", "O Frame", and "E Frame" are approved for skirmish use if you are over 18.
• Oakley Brand "A Frame" is approved for under 18 players for skirmish use.

4. It is up to you to provide documentation as to the suitability of use for your eyewear. If you have any doubt at all, please bring a pair of paintball approved goggles with you as a backup.

a. A printout from the mfg's website, or the box, or the info sheet that came with the safety glasses that state they meet or exceed ANSI Z87.1 is all the verification we need. We cannot accept "I believe" or "I heard" or "I'm sure" as valid proof.

5. If in your safety goggles are in question, be prepared to surrender them for the 6 foot single shot/10 foot full auto test.  If they survive undamaged, the brand is approved.

VI. HIT RULES

1. When hit by a bb, the hit player will immediately call out "hit" and depending on what supplemental rules are in effect for that skirmish, the hit player will be required to one of several things.

• You may be required to immediately exit the playing field to a pre-determined location for reassignment or regeneration or...
• You may be required to call for a MEDIC, if the medic rule is in force for the skirmish. If conditions permit, when hit, you will lay on the ground and call for a medic. If conditions are "sloppy", you may stand where you were hit and call for a medic.

2. At no time after being hit, may the hit player speak to any other live players for any reason. If there are dead players and hit players in close proximity, the dead players should refrain from talking to anyone, assuming the medic rule calls for the hit players to remain in place after calling hit.

3. If you are required to exit the field, carry your weapon above your head as you exit the field to avoid being hit again or having to chant "dead man walking". You may not stop to talk or signal or swap weapons if you are required to exit the field after being hit.

4. Live players are cautioned against using hit players for cover or concealment.

5. If Medic rules are in effect, you must remain in place until a medic rescues you or until you are directed by a host or OC to exit the field. You may not speak or signal to any live players while waiting for a Medic. You may allow another live player to swap weapons with you if waiting for a Medic, but you may not assist verbally or physically in the swap. Potential weapon swaps should be arranged between players in advance of the actual skirmish.

6. If Medic rules are in effect, and you chose to move from the spot where you were hit, you will not be allowed to be rescued. You are not allowed weapons swaps if you move from your original hit position. Note: If you feel you are in the line of fire, you  may at your discretion, call yourself out and move from the field of play.

7. If Medic rules are in effect and a player is simulating a "fireman's carry" of a wounded player, neither the wounded player nor the carrying player may fire their weapons in either offense or defense.

8. If Medic rules are in effect, and the Medic is hit by fire, the medic is dead and may not revive himself. A live player may retrieve the Medic cards from the "dead" Medic, revive him at which time that player becomes the "new" medic and the "old" medic becomes a rifleman.

9. Friendly Fire is still fire. If you are hit by one of your own team, you are still “Dead”

VII. HIT DISPUTES

This section is intended to address problematic, repeat offenses. Accusations of not calling hits is serious.

1.Try to be as aware as possible to avoid disputes. This is a purely honor based game and as such, all the enjoyment is spoiled by players with a bulletproof syndrome. Try to resolve the issue between the yourselves. This has worked in the past and should work in the future.

2. Remember, if in doubt, call yourself out.

3. If a player has a claim against an opposing player that does not call himself out:

• a third party will be asked to verify or deny the hit (typically a battle buddy). If that third party cannot verify or deny;
• Make an after action report to any host or OC about incident claim while identifying the players involved.

Field Guideline - If there is a pattern to incidents between players, with one or more players consistently being reported as not calling hits, record the player in question as having had a complaint filed. If a single player receives 3 complaints in a single day, that player should be called out for the remainder of that skirmish event. 3CYO (3 complaints you're out) will be the recommended ruling. This will be done at the host or OC's discretion.

4. If a single player has 2 3CYO's he can be barred from participating in future OASA events.

Important Note: Special attention is paid to players who continuously accuse other players of not calling hits. If a player demonstrates a pattern of accusing others of not calling hits, they themselves can be found conducting themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner, and have the same penalty applied to them as to a 3CYOer.  Bottom line is conduct yourself in a fair manner that gives your fellow players the benefit of the doubt, both as a hitter and a hitee. Nothing is more annoying to a host or OC than dealing with people arguing over hits. Grow up.

VIII. Talking to a Host or OC for NON-EMERGENCIES

1. This option is not meant to prevent you from being engaged. It is only for urgent, non-emergency clarifications.

2. If you feel you MUST talk to a host or OC during a skirmish, walk towards the host or OC and utilize the Hit Rules while approaching.  After speaking to the OC, walk away from the OC back to your location.  Note that you are not dead when returning from speaking with the OC and are fair game for enemy observers to take you out.

a. If you cannot locate the host or OC for some reason, defer your non urgent problem for a break point.

3. Remember, you are a valid target at all times except when in direct contact with the host or OC. If your question can wait, let it wait. If you have a complaint, and it is not URGENT, wait until the skirmish hits a break point to present your case to the host or OC.

IX. Knives/Edged Items

1. Edged weapons may be carried by a skirmish player during a skirmish, but the blade must remain sheathed at all times.

2. Plastic or Rubber prop blades may be carried into a skirmish. In the case of replica rubber bayonets, they may be carried or mounted on an AEG, but may not be used to affect the outcome of the game mission, skirmish or firefight unless otherwise specified by the specific game rules.

3. At no time may a prop blade be used in an offensive manner against any other player.

X. Pyrotechnics

1. Smoke and pyrotechnic devices may be used at the sole discretion of the Field Owner. It will be the responsibility of the host or OC to know if the field owner approves the use of smoke, noisemakers or any other item than can be placed into the pyrotechnic description.

2. At NO TIME are fireworks or other loud-bang devices to be set off outside the play zone.

XI. Combat Photographers

1. Combat Photographers must wear eye protection when in the field.

2. They are considered non-shooting combatants.

3. It is recommended that Combat Photographers wear Camo BDU’s so as not to give away the position of the units they are photographing.

4. Be aware that as a Combat Photographer, you are still a potential target, and as such you are subject to being shot at and hit. You will not be required to follow Medic rules or Hit Player rules and may continue to photograph or video the skirmish.

5. If you carry a weapon and a camera into the field, you are not considered a Combat Photographer but a player and are subject to Medic rules or Hit player rules.