CQB In Airsoft

By Dan J. Temple

Airsoft is a game where players dress in military uniforms and arm themselves with replica guns with compressed air motors firing plastic pellets.

CQB stands for close quarter battle, and refers to short range encounters between combatants. Players tend to use shorter barrelled guns to accommodate due to the short ranges involved, shotguns, pistols and submachine guns. Unsurprisingly then, CQB tends to take place indoors and games are fast paced, strategic and full of action.

One of the major factors that will determine a win or loss in CQB games is the use of tactics and planning. Indoor locations have a finite number of access and choke points and commanders must recognise those areas and implement strategies to exploit them. Teams will quickly lose sight of each other as they move around buildings, so it's vital that every team understands their objective before the mission begins.

When moving in close quarters it's critical you remain stealthy and as small a target as possible. Don't run unless you absolutely have to - running creates more noise than walking and faster moving targets are easier to spot. When walking, bend your knees and hunch over your gun - this will keep your profile as small as possible and harder to hit.

Always be ready for the enemy. When moving through a cleared area, keep you gun shouldered, pointing slightly down and ready to draw. When moving through a live area, keep your gun up and in front of you at all times. When you look, look with your gun. Turning your head and gun is faster than turning your head and swinging your gun into position.

In CQB games cover is seldom used for long periods as players will rapidly move from cover to cover as they assault a target. If you are using cover, make sure it's sufficient to protect you. Doors and windows make good cover as they hide your whole body and allow quick movement around and through. When using doors or windows as cover, stand close to them and just out of sight. When you move out of cover, do so in a way that minimises the target for the enemy. Lean out with your hips and don't hesitate.

Assign fire sectors to your team so all the angles are covered. For example, the front man should cover the front, the second man covers the flanks of the first, the third covers the left and right and so on. When you have your fire sector, stick to it. If you are not covering attacks of opportunity, do not fire at enemies in that sector - you may find you hit your own team first.

Airsoft guns can take longer to reload than real weapons as players don't dispose of magazines and may require a bottle to refill magazines. When reloading, signal to your team that you require a reload, move to cover and get started. Have your sidearm to hand at all times and when you're done, signal to your team and move back as fast as possible.

All these tips are easy to read but much harder to execute. Practice drilling these with your team so you can execute them quickly and without thought. - 31499

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