Struggling to Beat My Anxiety and Go.

[Rogerborg]

May be silly to ask but what's bound and cover?

Bounding overwatch, fire-and-movement, whatever the latest tacticool term is.  Moving in co-ordination with others, you move while they fire, then they move while you fire, usually with lots of shouting of "Move up! Move up!" from folk with all the gear 10 metres behind you, but with very little movement from them.

Some folk love the full Shouty McDrillsergeant experience, some like to sneak around on the flanks, it's all good.  You play your way.

And I hope I dont see someone as good ad deadpool lol. 

The first day I played (rental, solo, awkward, lost, not knowing what I was doing) there was a mad lad running around in a pretty decent Deadpool costume having a blast.  That's what convinced me that airsoft is a broad church.  You can have fun doing whatever you want to do, whether that's a stitch-counter impression kit, generic camo, trackies, speedsofting or LARPing.  The BBs don't care, we're all equal once we're hit.

I was going to have a little mess around with the Hop Up but I need a bigger place to do it so like you said it may be better for me to go and do it on site and potentially have someone to help me.

It does help to have a spotter looking from the side to see where the BBs start dropping - just a tiny bit of tuning on the hop can add several metres to your effective range.

I have got an over stuff like this in the past but it is just doing it for the first time is the hardest. but after eating everybody's comments up to now I'm feeling a lot more confident.

Great, I'm glad we can help. You'll find folk like us at every airsoft site.  Yes, there will be groups in camo with matching patches acting like they're a unit going on deployment to Helmand, there will also be some quiet folk just getting on with setting up their guns and mags who will be more than happy to have a chat and show you the ropes.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

hope I dont see someone as good ad deadpool lol. 

dressed as=/=as effective as, especially in woodland red tends to stand out lol.

was pretty funny, although he did say he regretted it by the end of the day being covered in bramble scratches and nettle stings.

stupid stuff like this is one of the things i love about this hobby, for example we once started playing rick astley in the middle of a gunfight and everyone started singing and dancing to it, somehow we even managed to hold our ground for the duration as well...

end of the day it's just a bunch of (mostly) grown men doing stupid shit in the name of a good time.

 

[Nick G]

Well I must admit the hardest part is getting out my vehicle once I'm there. People look like army guys/women and all look the part and I'm turning up in trackys and on my tod. The other thing is that my gun it blue like a smurf and I dont know if it's all set up right. I've set the scope up to be able to hit a clothes line pole and the bottom of my garden from my lounge( about just over 10 metres), but on the videos I watch it looks like a need to set a bigger distance. 

I turned up to one game dressed like a French peasant from Allo Allo and a chap used to play at our local dressed like a western gun slinger , I' ve also played in jeans and cargos . Its all good, wear anything you like , we are all playing dress up and running around shooting each other with our toy guns ? And god only knows how many times I've been shot by bright blue or bright green guns ! 

 

[Cr0-Magnon]

I guess the people that look the part are going to be talking to me in army slang that I won't understand or i would just be a hindrance to my team.

You're overthinking in mate. It's far less like being part of a proper army than you think. Bear in mind a significant amount of people there are kids or general new players and 99% of the rest haven't served in a real army. Plus most of the time teams are very disorganised and you're all just trying to achieve the objective in your own way. There are no officers barking orders that you need to follow.

 

[L3wisD]

@Sambo - I used to suffer with this loads in my youth, so I feel for you.

I won't cover what the others have. It's already good advice

What I will say is: Remember that you will have paid exactly the same money as everyone else that day, to turn up and shoot BBs at people.

Do not let them intimidate you, try to boss you around (You get the fat old guys barking orders sometimes, just ignore them), or try and single you out for having a Two-tone gun.

Everyone is equal once you've paid your fees for the day. 

One thing that used to make my anxiety bad when I was younger was not knowing what will happen.  Not knowing how each part of the day will pan out, if I'd never experienced it before (Part of the reason I fucking hate surprises - my missus hates it )

Hopefully, if I write out what to expect, it might put your mind at rest. So let's give it a go - going to be a bit of a long read I'm afraid.

• Arrive on site and get your stuff out the boot
   
  
• Walk into the safezone and find a table/bench/area to set up for the day (try and pick something under cover in case it pisses down)
  (This is where I like to try and eyeball where the toilets are so you can find them confidently later, as if you've been here hundreds of times before)
  
• Dump all your stuff on said table
   
  
• Look out for the main desk/booth where you sign in and pay and walk over.
   
  
• "Is this where I pay?"  / "Yes Mate, just sign in here" - and you sign your name, signature, and some sites even Registration of your car if necessary. 
   
  
• When you're signing in/paying, maybe mention to the guy/girl at the desk that it's your first time ever, and that you might need some pointers etc. If it's a good site, they'll keep an eye out for you.
   
  
• Go back to your table and open your case (Remember: Do not ever put magazines in your guns in the safezone). And start filling your magazines with BBs, wind them up in advance if they're hi-caps.
   
  
• Get ready as though you're about to go out into the game
   
  
• Unfortunately, this is the boring bit, if you get there early enough to get a good table, you're in for a wait of about 45-60 minutes until game time
   
  
• Go to the sign-in desk and buy a drink / make a coffee. Try to relax and take your mind off the anxiety, maybe strike up conversation with the guy next to you, explain it's your first game ever and he'll probably ask how you got on after each game
   
  
• Then eventually it's the safety brief.
  The head marshal will ask everyone to gather round and they'll give a 10 minute (ish) speech on the safety rules for that particular site, dos and don'ts basically. Some sites will detail about what grenades they allow all that - to be honest the safety brief is pretty boring, but it's mandatory and you've got to stand through it whether it's your first time or your 100th.
  Just keep looking the dude in the eye and nod in agreement  when he looks your way BUT try to pay attention for your first ever one
   
  
• He'll probably then say "Right, five minutes until we head out!" (as if you've not had long enough already)
   
  
• Get yourself kitted up, vest on, with mags in the pouches, get your gun and get your mask
   
  
• When you're in the game area your mask or eye protection stays on all the time.  Don't try and remove it, or lift one corner out of the way to wipe fog away. Just don't risk it
   
  
• Head out for the first game by following the crowd.
   
  
• Usually the first game at a lot of sites is a faster, more fun orientated game, in order to get everyone started happy and get the blood pumping.
   
  
• After the game is finished, you'll trudge back to the safe zone, hopefully happy and with a few kills under your belt.
   
  
• There'll be maybe another 2 or 3 games and then you stop for lunch.
   
  
• Eat your lunch (Site provided pork foam and foreskin sausages in a dry bun - Nice!)
   
  
• Then you'll head out for 2 or 3 more games before you're told it's the end of the day and you can pack up
   
  

I won't cover what game modes to expect because each site does it differently.

Lots of places like a Attack & Defend timed game, where one team will push back the other on set route until you have a final showdown at a fort, or a building or something. 

Then the teams are reversed and you have to beat the previous attacker's time etc 

I will say this, no one cares who wins. No one is tallying up whether the blue team does better than red for example. Nobody cares.

Everyone is there to play Tactical Hide and Seek with toy guns. It's Laser quest for grown ups. It's Cowboys and Indians for kids who never decided to be sensible. It is fun!  



Sorry it's a bit of a long post (Usually @Sitting Duck's forte!) but I hope it helps.

Like I mentioned, I used to get so hung up of not knowing what to expect that it ruined a lot of stuff for me as a kid - so hopefully this helps!

 

[ziCk_]

People are quite friendly (I'm located near Shrewsbury and pretty much everyone attending my field is very welcoming) overall and there will always be one who will take you under their wing. People are a bunch of goofs  anyway - we're ADULTS who run around with TOY GUNS and PLAY WAR after all.

Alternativelly grab a buddy with you who also never played airsoft but is interested enough to try, even if he will never play with you again - you can rent equipment on site after all and you can split your combined anxieties in half  I've dragged colleague from work  to give it a try and now there's 5 of us (mostly his buddies) - also I ruined his finances as he's even worse than me when it comes to impulse purchases - played 3 matches and in that span bought 2 rifles, 2 pistols, a springer shotgun and bolt action O.O

If an outsider (I'm a foreigner) like me with social anxiety can have fun with strangers, so can you. Now stop whining and go get them tiger!

 

[Nick G]

You will also have to get your gun chrono'd to check it is within site limits . That normally happens before the safety brief .

All straight forward, line up, when its your turn fire 2 or 3 shots through the chrono either using the supplied .20 BBs or tell them the weight you are using. They check the power output and you are good to go.

 

[Sambo]

@Sambo - I used to suffer with this loads in my youth, so I feel for you.

I won't cover what the others have. It's already good advice

What I will say is: Remember that you will have paid exactly the same money as everyone else that day, to turn up and shoot BBs at people.

Do not let them intimidate you, try to boss you around (You get the fat old guys barking orders sometimes, just ignore them), or try and single you out for having a Two-tone gun.

Everyone is equal once you've paid your fees for the day. 

One thing that used to make my anxiety bad when I was younger was not knowing what will happen.  Not knowing how each part of the day will pan out, if I'd never experienced it before (Part of the reason I fucking hate surprises - my missus hates it )

Hopefully, if I write out what to expect, it might put your mind at rest. So let's give it a go - going to be a bit of a long read I'm afraid.

• Arrive on site and get your stuff out the boot
   
  
• Walk into the safezone and find a table/bench/area to set up for the day (try and pick something under cover in case it pisses down)
  (This is where I like to try and eyeball where the toilets are so you can find them confidently later, as if you've been here hundreds of times before)
  
• Dump all your stuff on said table
   
  
• Look out for the main desk/booth where you sign in and pay and walk over.
   
  
• "Is this where I pay?"  / "Yes Mate, just sign in here" - and you sign your name, signature, and some sites even Registration of your car if necessary. 
   
  
• When you're signing in/paying, maybe mention to the guy/girl at the desk that it's your first time ever, and that you might need some pointers etc. If it's a good site, they'll keep an eye out for you.
   
  
• Go back to your table and open your case (Remember: Do not ever put magazines in your guns in the safezone). And start filling your magazines with BBs, wind them up in advance if they're hi-caps.
   
  
• Get ready as though you're about to go out into the game
   
  
• Unfortunately, this is the boring bit, if you get there early enough to get a good table, you're in for a wait of about 45-60 minutes until game time
   
  
• Go to the sign-in desk and buy a drink / make a coffee. Try to relax and take your mind off the anxiety, maybe strike up conversation with the guy next to you, explain it's your first game ever and he'll probably ask how you got on after each game
   
  
• Then eventually it's the safety brief.
  The head marshal will ask everyone to gather round and they'll give a 10 minute (ish) speech on the safety rules for that particular site, dos and don'ts basically. Some sites will detail about what grenades they allow all that - to be honest the safety brief is pretty boring, but it's mandatory and you've got to stand through it whether it's your first time or your 100th.
  Just keep looking the dude in the eye and nod in agreement  when he looks your way BUT try to pay attention for your first ever one
   
  
• He'll probably then say "Right, five minutes until we head out!" (as if you've not had long enough already)
   
  
• Get yourself kitted up, vest on, with mags in the pouches, get your gun and get your mask
   
  
• When you're in the game area your mask or eye protection stays on all the time.  Don't try and remove it, or lift one corner out of the way to wipe fog away. Just don't risk it
   
  
• Head out for the first game by following the crowd.
   
  
• Usually the first game at a lot of sites is a faster, more fun orientated game, in order to get everyone started happy and get the blood pumping.
   
  
• After the game is finished, you'll trudge back to the safe zone, hopefully happy and with a few kills under your belt.
   
  
• There'll be maybe another 2 or 3 games and then you stop for lunch.
   
  
• Eat your lunch (Site provided pork foam and foreskin sausages in a dry bun - Nice!)
   
  
• Then you'll head out for 2 or 3 more games before you're told it's the end of the day and you can pack up
   
  

I won't cover what game modes to expect because each site does it differently.

Lots of places like a Attack & Defend timed game, where one team will push back the other on set route until you have a final showdown at a fort, or a building or something. 

Then the teams are reversed and you have to beat the previous attacker's time etc 

I will say this, no one cares who wins. No one is tallying up whether the blue team does better than red for example. Nobody cares.

Everyone is there to play Tactical Hide and Seek with toy guns. It's Laser quest for grown ups. It's Cowboys and Indians for kids who never decided to be sensible. It is fun!  



Sorry it's a bit of a long post (Usually @Sitting Duck's forte!) but I hope it helps.

Like I mentioned, I used to get so hung up of not knowing what to expect that it ruined a lot of stuff for me as a kid - so hopefully this helps!

Legend!! Your comment has really helped alot. I think your right, it's the not knowing but what you've put has helped tremendously. It's a same none of the people above play/live in or near Sheffield. You've all made me feel welcome and I cant say thank you too you all enough. 

But thank you for you time to write all that. It means more then you think. Thank you ??

 

[Musica]

I guess I am expecting people to be commenting that my gun is blue and that I am wearing normal clothes.

If anything it attracts the right people to you as they will see you are new and try to help you out.

I had a lot more people make idle chit chat when I was in jeans and a tshirt then I get now. Hell it took a while for Roger to realise it was me after I put camo on.

Equally just because someone is in camo don't assume they know what they are doing. We had a guy at my site who would love to play soldier and boss people about. If someone wants you to push a direction consider why they aren't doing it themselves if it's such a good idea. There is a fine line between helping a new player and using them as bait.  If they are gathering  a group up to do something probably fine to follow along. I've spent games defending with hehaw to do and then spent games just roaming for kills.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

I will say this, no one cares who wins.

wait, it's possible to win in airsoft!?

Equally just because someone is in camo don't assume they know what they are doing.

this, for example they might be a first time player such as yourself who's borrowing a bunch of kit from a mate who plays.

using them as bait.

goddamnit, you're not supposed to tell him that, where am i gonna get my meat sheild willing volunteers from now?  h34r:

 

[L3wisD]

Legend!! Your comment has really helped alot. I think your right, it's the not knowing but what you've put has helped tremendously. It's a same none of the people above play/live in or near Sheffield. You've all made me feel welcome and I cant say thank you too you all enough. 

But thank you for you time to write all that. It means more then you think. Thank you ??

Mate, no problem at all. Any time.

If there's any question, or scenario or anything you want cleared up, just send me a Private Message if you like

 

[Tackle]

wait, it's possible to win in airsoft!?

Nah that's just a myth, the only winners are the retailers ?

Airsoft mirrors life, in the end, no one gets out alive ?

 

[Sambo]

People are quite friendly (I'm located near Shrewsbury and pretty much everyone attending my field is very welcoming) overall and there will always be one who will take you under their wing. People are a bunch of goofs  anyway - we're ADULTS who run around with TOY GUNS and PLAY WAR after all.

Alternativelly grab a buddy with you who also never played airsoft but is interested enough to try, even if he will never play with you again - you can rent equipment on site after all and you can split your combined anxieties in half  I've dragged colleague from work  to give it a try and now there's 5 of us (mostly his buddies) - also I ruined his finances as he's even worse than me when it comes to impulse purchases - played 3 matches and in that span bought 2 rifles, 2 pistols, a springer shotgun and bolt action O.O

If an outsider (I'm a foreigner) like me with social anxiety can have fun with strangers, so can you. Now stop whining and go get them tiger!

I never really seen it like adults that never grown up playing with toy guns. Sounds less serious when you put it like that. I guess that the area I live in isnt the nicest and I'm presume it would be like that in game. I cant believe how nice everyone is been and it's made me feel loads more comfortable. After the covids gone I think I'm gonna give it a blast now thank you ??

 

[EDcase]

Good post Lewis,

The only thing I'll comment on is the safe zone may be treated differently now.

Some sites will ask you to use your car as your bench for kit so you only go into the site to register and then play.

I like that so you can lock things up when you're away playing.

 

[Sambo]

You will also have to get your gun chrono'd to check it is within site limits . That normally happens before the safety brief .

All straight forward, line up, when its your turn fire 2 or 3 shots through the chrono either using the supplied .20 BBs or tell them the weight you are using. They check the power output and you are good to go.

Oh I never thought about that. I've been using 28g bbs. But I have no idea on the power but it leaves a sting when you've just got a shirt on from 10 metres away lol but thank you ?

 

[EDcase]

If you can afford it, its worth getting a chronograph so you don't have to faff on site or worst case, possibly not be able to play if your gun is too hot

 

[Rogerborg]

I had a lot more people make idle chit chat when I was in jeans and a tshirt then I get now. Hell it took a while for Roger to realise it was me after I put camo on.

True story is true.  It's like... that guy in the operator gear looks a lot like Musica, but... nah, he's not one of those Walts, it can't be him.

In-game in particular, you actually will be recognising folk from their distinctive toy guns, masks, patches, hats, and what-not.

We had a guy at my site who would love to play soldier and boss people about.

Past tense, decent site owners will give them the flick sooner or later.  And yes, when your encounter them, just smile and nod... and then do whatever you want to do.

@L3wisD is bang on: there's the site owner, there's the marshal team, and then there's every paying player, who are absolutely equal whether they've been there for 10 years or 10 minutes, whether they're toting £3,000 of gear and gun, or a £30 springer shotgun.

 

[L3wisD]

The only thing I'll comment on is the safe zone may be treated differently now.

Some sites will ask you to use your car as your bench for kit so you only go into the site to register and then play.

Oh fuck, aye.. I somehow forgot about Covid 19!

Swap the part about looking for a table, to "Work from the boot of your car!" 

 

[Sambo]

wait, it's possible to win in airsoft!?

this, for example they might be a first time player such as yourself who's borrowing a bunch of kit from a mate who plays.

goddamnit, you're not supposed to tell him that, where am i gonna get my meat sheild willing volunteers from now?  h34r:

I love your humor. Thank you ??

Mate, no problem at all. Any time.

If there's any question, or scenario or anything you want cleared up, just send me a Private Message if you like

Thank you it means alot to have people like your self to go too. Thank you

 

[Nick G]

As mentioned, getting a chrono is certainly handy for checking and maintaining your guns (for there will end up being many ) at home, learn some teching skills and I guarantee you will have more airsoft mates than you can count !