CQB In Airsoft
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’s battle, where players fight in small or enclosed spaces with short barrelled weapons such as shotguns, sub machine guns and pistols. CQB games are typically indoors and involve a range of tactical objectives such as attacking and defending positions, recurring hostages and defusing bombs.
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.
CQB is fast paced, action packed and adrenaline driven. When moving through buildings always be on your guard and maintain hidden until the last moment. Hunch over your rifle to keep your profile as small as possible, walk quickly and don’t run. Running targets make more noise that walking ones and are easier to spot.
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.
It’s impossible for one man to be looking in every direction, so teams must work together to cover all the angles around them. This involves allocating fire sectors, where each member of the team is given a specific angle to monitor and protect. Typical fire sectors for a five man team are the front man covering the front, the second man covering the flanks of the front man, the third man covering the left and right, the fourth man covering the flanks of the third and the last man covering the rear. The rear guard is an important position – you never know when you’ll be attacked from behind and you’ll need to be ready if you are.
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 implement. Effective teams take time to develop and there’s no substitute for proper training and practice. Your team should be able to execute these tips quickly and without thought – do that and you’ll see the wins roll in.
