CQB In Airsoft

Airsoft is a modern combat sport where players attempt to eliminate each other using bb pellets fired from airsoft bb guns. In this article I’ll be looking at the key tactics used to play (and win) airsoft CQB games.

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.

Strategy and communication are the key factors that determine the success or failure of a CQB mission. Identifying the best attack and defend positions is crucial before you begin your mission – there are only a finite number of entry points into a building and you need to be aware of all of them. Communication between units is vital. As a commander you’ll quickly lose sight of other units as they move around the buildings. When you’re with them, establish hand signals. When you’re not with them maintain radio contact. Knowing where your teams are will mean the difference between a win and a loss.

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.

Be ready for a contact at all times. Always keep your gun in front of you – when moving through cleared areas have your gun shouldered and pointing slightly down, ready to draw. When moving through live areas, have your gun shouldered and drawn ready for a contact. When you look, look with your gun. It’s faster to turn, look and fire than look, swing your gun into place, aim and fire.

In CQB cover isn’t used for long – players will be pushing through buildings at speed and bounding between obstacles as they enter rooms. Windows and doors work well as cover, hiding your entire body while providing easy access. When using windows and doors as cover, stay as close to the opening as possible without revealing yourself. When you’re ready to move, move out with your hips and do it quickly and smoothly.

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.

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