As a type of combat game that is considered to be relatively safe as well as fun, airsoft has a loyal following in many places around the world. Here are some basic facts about airsoft, including some tips on how to prepare for a game.
Airsoft had its beginnings in Japan during the late 1970s. Devised to be an example of combat sports that required relatively little preparation but was capable of entertaining participants for several hours, the sport quickly began to spread, and is today found in many places around North America and Europe. Airsoft enthusiasts tend to organize clubs that are referred to as meetings, and often structure their games along military lines. However, there are airsoft meetings that specialize in historical reenactments of famous battles, as well as some meetings that provide choreographed simulations for the wider community.
Just like the popular game of paintball, airsoft is structured along the lines of a military unit fighting against another team. While the guns and rifles that are employed as part of the sport are very similar to the real thing, they are configured to shoot small airsoft pellets that will bounce harmlessly off the individual. Typically, when a participant is shot with an airsoft pellet, he or she is expected to voluntarily declare themselves to be dead and thus out of the game. Once all the members of one team have been eliminated or the remnants choose to surrender, the game is considered to be over.
In most instances, airsoft is conducted in a wooded area or some other terrain that will involve plenty of opportunities for cover and the use of strategies to capture and eliminate the other team from the game. Participants tend to dress in clothing that is not unlike military garb, and may use camouflage gear as part of the strategy. The typical airsoft game can last the better part of a day, especially if the participants are seasoned airsoft players. However, there are some variations of airsoft in which there is a specified start time and end time to the game. When this is the case, the team with the most “live” members is considered the winner.
Airsoft weapons and ammunition is still largely manufactured in such countries as China, Taiwan, and Japan. Generally, these products are processed through independent distributors in countries where airsoft has gained a measure of popularity. There are also a number of online retail sites that feature airsoft equipment, including camouflage clothing and accessories.