CQB Tactics In Airsoft
Airsoft is a shooting game similar to paintball where players eliminate each other by firing plastic pellets propelled by electric motors or gas systems mounted in replica guns.
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.
The most important part of any CQB operation is planning. Buildings will have a limited range of entry and access points and commanders should be aware of these before they plan an attack. There’s no substitute for proper reconnaissance and planning before games – commanders will quickly lose sight of their teams as they infiltrate the building, so each team should be aware of their strategy and objectives before play is started.
Move in a manner that minimise the possibility of detection. When you move, keep your profile as small as possible by hunching over your gun and bending your knees. Walk quickly and only run in an emergency – running creates a lot more noise than walking and you will be easier to see.
CQB is fast and you need to be ready for anything. When you move, keep your gun in front of you. If you’re moving through a cleared area, keep your gun in front and angled down. If you’re moving through a danger area, keep it drawn and shouldered. When you look, look with your gun. It’s much faster to turn your head with your gun than look, swing your gun into position and aim. That split second of time saved could mean the difference between killing and being killed.
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 each person to ensure your team is covered from all angles. Typical fire sectors for a five man team are the front man covering the front, the second man covering the flanks of the first man, the third man covering the left and right flanks, the fourth man covering targets of opportunity and the fifth and last man covering the rear.
Reloading airsoft guns can take much longer than real world guns. Magazines may require filling from bb bottles and players will keep their magazines instead of dropping them. If you need to reload, signal to your team, move to cover and get started. Keep your sidearm ready – when you’re done, signal to the team and move back quickly.
All these tips are easy to follow but hard to execute. The secret to winning is following these tips and drilling them with your team until they can be executed quickly and without hesitation. Do that and watch the wins roll in
