Five Unconventional Tips to Play Airsoft: What I Wish I'd Known

There is a lot of advice out there about how to start playing Airsoft from a lot of veterans of the sport. The part that gets me about a lot of this advice is it focuses on the replicas, or the gear that you need to start playing. But in my decade on the field, I've found that the replicas and gear come and go, but there are many things that remain true every single time you play, and those are the things I would like to talk about today.

1. Drink Water, NOW

   No matter if your next day on the field is this weekend or three months from now, get in the habit of drinking a lot of water, and start right now. Not only is it incredibly good for you normally, but the more you regularly drink water, the more your body has to work with on game day. It is also one of your strongest deterrents to suffering a heat stroke as we head into the summer. I personally drink around a half gallon every day, and more the week before a game to get ready.

2. Your Gear Sucks, Train With it Anyway

   If you're like me, you get lost easily in the ins and outs of what makes modern tactical gear great. I love a good plate carrier system like the JPC 2.0 or what I run currently, the Haley Strategic Thorax. There are a ton of great accessories that can make your life easier with these systems; however, I think we as Airsofters tend to get lost in the over-optimization of our gear. Buying each piece, putting it in place... and then deciding you don't like it and try something else.

   When I was in a spiral similar to this last year, I found the advice of a friend very valuable. He told me to run my gear at least once with a new change before I make another. This way, you put at least a little time into a decision, developing muscle memory, seeing how things work in high-stress environments. Infantry soldiers, law enforcement, special forces, the guys we imitate on the field, put thousands of hours into running generally standard issue kit to make sure they know it backwards and forwards. I think it would help us to learn from their example.

3. Pack for Yourself, And Then Some

   Airsoft is all about community. I can't remember the number of times I've run out of batteries for an optic, or forgot to bring tools to fix a gun that went down, only to have someone in the staging area offer up their toolkit or a baggie full of batteries. We depend on each other in these instances because we want to see everyone who came to be able to play. So, when I'm packing for a game day, I will pack all of the things I will need, and then a couple extras. Batteries, water, and snacks are big ones, but also things like goggles, replica batteries, extra green gas. Everyone needs this stuff, and you might just make someone's day because you brought a little more.

4. Bring a Backup

   Piggybacking a bit off our last point, an extra replica is almost essential kit that you should be bringing every single time you head out to the field. I don't think I've ever gone to a game and not had myself or someone I'm with not have some sort of issue that led to them not being able to use their primary rifle for a few games, or even the whole day. Even if you have no issues with your replica, like I said before, there may be people who don't have an extra, and you would absolutely make their day. A backup is not only a tool for yourself, but a tool to make friends as well.

5. Screw Your Friends, Make New Ones

   If there was advice I could give myself a decade ago when I was first getting into this hobby, it would be this: GO PLAY. Many times, my friends at home would bail on me last minute to go out and play, and then I would end up not going as often as I wanted. I missed a lot of opportunities to build new friendships in this hobby I love, and I do regret that a little bit. If you love this sport, and want to play, go play. It might be a bit awkward at first doing your own thing, but you will meet people, you will come into your own, and it is worth it. Despite the times I let others make the decision for me, I did go on my own a lot too, and I met some really cool people. I joined a team when I was 18 of guys I met airsofting, it was tons of fun! People come and go, but you always have to be in charge of your own actions, and I think you should go have fun.

So that's it! These are my 5 unconventional tips that I wish I knew when I first started playing Airsoft! I hope there was something in here that you found useful, and if some veterans out there have other tips to share for those just getting started, I would love to hear them! I'll see you guys next week!

April 2024 @ Blast Camp Paintball