Rules for Michigan Airsoft Players
(Part 2 of 2)
“Safe” Staging Area Rules
Article 14: While in the staging area ammunition magazines must be removed from all airsoft replicas with the exception of holstered pistols. Any airsoft replica that is being handled in any manner (i.e. cleaning, repairing, reloading) must have the magazine removed. If the replica has a working mechanical safety the safety must be “on”.
• In some cases an event organizer may provide a designated area for pre-fire or testing of airsoft replicas. Any rules corresponding to that designated area should be followed.
• Firing, live or dry, in any “safe” area is prohibited.
Engagement Rules
Article 15: The following are the minimum distance engagement limits for airsoft replicas. This is the closest a player can engage another player with a replica rated in the following feet per second (fps) categories using full-auto, semi-auto, or single shot capability. See Article 16 for extremely close quarter player elimination.
As of April 24, 2009, these rules include a 10fps "tolerance zone". Players will be allowed onto the field if their weapons shoot up to 10.0 fps over the published limit.
- 1 - 350.0 FPS (0.01j - 1.07j) - Arms Length Engagement.
- 350.1 - 410.0 FPS (1.08j - 1.49j) - 20 Foot Engagement.
- 410.1 - 500.0 FPS (1.50j - 2.32j) - 50 Foot Engagement (Permanent Semi-Auto or Bolt Action Only).
- 500.1 - 549.9 FPS (2.33j - 2.69j) - Bolt Action Replicas Only.
- 550 FPS+ (2.7j) - Prohibited Under All Circumstances.
- Velocities are measured using the weight of BB being used.
INDOOR/CLOSE QUARTER BATTLE (CQB)/ENCLOSED FIELD ENGAGEMENT LIMITS
• 1.0 - 340.9 fps – Arms length engagement limit
• 341.0+ fps – prohibited or allowed with permission of event organizer only
Engagement limits are based on averaged fps readings using .20 gram weight bb’s only. The method for acquiring an airsoft replica’s average fps is to fire multiple (more than 2) shots through a chronograph, record the readings, add the fps readings together and divide by the total number of readings.
Gas operated airsoft replicas should be chronographed using a “warm” ambient temperature gas supply (i.e. magazine), or with heating device functioning if used during the cold season.
No allowance is made for airsoft replicas that have an average reading close to the lower end of the next highest fps category. Example- if the replica has an average reading of 351.5 fps it falls within the 20 foot engagement limit.
Again, these rules include a 10fps "tolerance zone". Players will be allowed onto the field if their weapons shoot up to 10.0 fps over the published limit.
Article 16: It is the event organizers option to institute specific rules for extremely close quarter player elimination. Some options for safe elimination of a player are:
• “Knife kill”. If an opponent player is within arms reach a “knife kill” should be used to eliminate the player. This involves touching, not hitting, the player with a hand and declaring a knife “kill”. No “real steel” knife or sharp instrument should be used to institute a knife “kill”, but replica rubber knives/bayonets are permitted. Please use great care when using such items.
• “Sniper Surrender”. If an opponent player(s) is within the shooting player’s engagement limits the shooting player should consider asking for the opponent’s surrender. It is not mandatory that a player asked to surrender, surrender unless the shooter calls "Sniper Surrender". In which case the player asked to surrender will surrender with the understanding that the airsoft replica held by the shooter is high-powered and observance of engagement limits would prevent firing. In simple terms the shooter with a high powered replica should call "Sniper Surrender" if and when they have a clear surrender advantage over an opponent, but the engagement limits would prevent them from firing. The player asked to surrender must surrender to a "Sniper Surrender" call. All other surrender calls (not involving high-powered replicas) are left to the judgement of the players. Surrender may or may not be accepted when presented. Questions concerning surrender will be answered by the event organizers or appointed referees.*Edited-10/28/04, Frostee
• “Surrender”. If an opponent player(s) is within the shooting player’s engagement limits the shooting player should consider asking for the opponent’s surrender. It is mandatory that a player asked to surrender, surrender if the situation clearly indicates that the opponent could have been eliminated by the shooting player. Questions concerning what types of situations clearly indicate surrender will be answered by the event organizers or appointed referees.
• “Parlay”. If opposing players are under their safe engagement limits and find themselves unable to eliminate the other player(s) safely without firing, the players involved may call for a “parlay”. It is mandatory that players accept a parlay if the situation clearly indicates an unsafe or stalemate situation. Once a parlay has been agreed to all players involved may temporarily stop play, retreat to a safe distance, and resume play.
Article 17: A player who has been hit by a bb is considered “out, dead, incapacitated, eliminated, removed or wounded”. A hit is considered as a sufficiently mobile bb that has contacted any part of the player’s person, clothing or gear via a direct shot or ricochet. This does not include a direct or ricochet hit to a player’s weapon. However a hit to a player’s replica that ricochets into the player or gear is a valid hit to the player.
• In the event that a player is hit by someone on his/her own team the hit is considered valid. This is called “friendly fire” or “fratricide”.
• In the event that a ricochet off a player’s replica hits another player it is considered a valid hit.
• In the event a player does not feel, hear, or see a hit it is suggested that the shooting player continue firing until a hit is recognized.
A player clearly not calling a hit(s) is considered cheating and that is expressly forbidden. Players should notify the event organizers or referees of persons who may be cheating, but they should not try to rectify the situation themselves. It is strongly recommended that players who are consistently reported as cheating be removed from the playing field.
• If a dispute arises concerning the validity of a hit refer to the event organizers or appointed referees.
• Purposely targeting and shooting an opponent player’s head is prohibited unless the opponent’s head is the only target presented. As always, the fps/engagement limits apply. Extreme care must be taken and shooting players in the facial area should always be avoided. Safety is the first priority.
Article 18: A player who has been hit and is eliminated should immediately shout “HIT” or “OUT” or some similar indication that they have been eliminated from the engagement. The eliminated player should then proceed to the “safe” designated area to await the end of the engagement or to respawn or to follow the instructions of the event organizer.
• Eye protection must be worn until the engagement is over or until the player has reached the designated “safe” area. Refer to the event organizers if in question.
• Firing of airsoft replicas into the “safe” area at any time is prohibited.
• An eliminated player is not allowed to fire his/her airsoft replica at anytime after being eliminated from an engagement (if the engagement is still active). Doing this may mislead other active players into believe that the eliminated player is still in action.
• Eliminated players are not allowed to communicate any pertinent information to active players, such as opponent location, movement or the like. It is suggested that eliminated players should not talk, except to say they’re out…”Dead men don’t talk”.
• Intentionally putting players or non-players into a situation where their safety is threatened is completely unacceptable. It is suggested that any player doing such should be immediately removed from the event. Refer to the General Guidelines for dealing with non-players entering the event area.
Article 19: It is left to the event organizers discretion to limit the use of high capacity ammo magazines, amounts of ammo, types of ammo, types of airsoft replicas, or any other event specific parameter.
References
1. Airsoft Ohio. General Play Rules:
www.airsoftohio.com/dynamic.php?s=&action=genrules&menu=1&pos=40. 06/05/03.
2. Airsoft Ohio. General Safety Rules:
www.airsoftohio.com/dynamic.php?s=&action=safetyrules&menu=1&pos=40. 06/05/03.
*A special THANK YOU to Airsoft Ohio (
www.airsoftohio.com) for creating a reasonable and safety conscious set of rules for airsoft players. Some parts of the above guidelines and rules may be taken verbatim, or with slight rewording, from Airsoft Ohio’s General Play Rules and General Safety Rules.
3. The Cimmerians:
www.cimmerians.com/Rules_of_Engagement.html. 06/05/03.
Original Posting: 06/09/03
Revision Posting: 12/15/04 - Frostee
Revision Posting: 03/30/07 (Art. 5 & Disclaim) - Frostee
Revised Again: 04/24/09 - Zorak
Updated Posting: 08/05/20 - (Velocity/Ranges) - Canto
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