Finding it hard to take the first step

[Edward Black]

Hello guys,

I have never played Airsoft. In fact, I just heard about it a few days ago, but I got interested in the sport immediately. So I did a quick research around and learned the basics about the law, the equipment, body protection and so on. Now, of course, I want to go to a skirmish site and play. But my concern is: I don't know anyone interested in going with me, which means I'll have to get there on my own. So first of all, I don't know how the team assignment happens in this case. What if everybody there comes with their own team and I'm basically the odd one out? Then, let's say I manage to get into a team but they are all experienced and I'm just the annoying newbie that will probably screw everything up, slow them down, whatever... on top of all this, I'm highly introvert and I'm not very good at socialising with lots of people I have never met.

For all this, I'm finding it hard to take the first step and experience Airsoft firsthand. I'm probably not the only one with these concerns, even though I couldn't find anything on this topic anywhere (or maybe I'm just weird and I am the only one). In any case, what would be your advice?

 

[Gepard]

You know, I felt the same when I first got into Airsoft. I had a little experience with Paintball but was overwhelmed with all of the information at the time. I did a bunch of research and held off going for so long but eventually I just bit the bullet and went down to my local site for their Summer Social and had an absolute blast. 

Everybody I met was super friendly and welcoming and I really enjoyed it. I asked a bunch of questions and learned a lot that day. 

Now a couple years later I can safely say that if you went down for a skirmish tomorrow and introduced yourself as a new player they would be more than willing to help you. If you're polite and listen to what they have to say all of your concerns will just dissapear and you'll have an amazing time.

The community on the whole is some of the most patient and helpful people I've met and as somebody who's also pretty anti-social I always look forward to my next game.

 

[LightningCh]

Hello and welcome!

This is where you will realise you aren't the only one because I was the same lol. No friends to go with either, no radio (still not got one but that's another topic I need to search for lol) I was completely lost.

First thing? Picked up my hire kit, put it on, watched some guy put his fast helmet on backwards (wish I took a picture).

Second thing? Asked a question because the guy next to me pulled out the Scorpion Evo, and I used what little gun knowledge I have (*cough* gaming *cough*) and said "oh hey, that's a scorpion evo right?"

Next thing I knew I was in the middle of a huge talk, and when it got out I was a new guy. I then had them all saying "ah join us, doesn't matter about the radio, if you lose us join someone else" and that's exactly what I do lol. Just a random guy who floats between the squads depending on death and spawn rules.

OK enough rambling about my first experience, as obviously different people have different first times.

But that's just my proof of what Gepard said. The airsoft community is just amazing, and when you are out there, everyone is just equal. Ask questions, people will answer. It's a hobby at the end of the day and everyone is there for a good time. Just be polite and respectful, play by the rules, and the day will be gone suddenly, and you will be booking your next game the very moment you can lol.

Anyway, I hope you read these responses and finally take the first step to your first skirmish and join the community (it's well worth it!) I'm still a noob like you as well so don't worry about being one, you will be surprised how many first timers are there as well as you

 

[EDcase]

Just listen carefully to the info about the game and rules.

Follow others and give support until you get more familiar with the site.

Don't be too afraid to get hit.

Call your hits even if unsure. (Usually a quick respawn to get back in)

You'll be fine.

Enjoy

Check what sites are nearby

 

[L3wisD]

Where are you based @Edward Black?

I'm sure, we'll have members near you that wouldn't mind going to a game with you.

 

[Rogerborg]

Hi Edward, I can only echo the above.  I'm a right social spacker too, but within minutes of arriving at my local site I was happily chatting away with other players.  Everyone there has a shared interest and folk are always keen to discuss their gear.  There will be other hire players there too, and a wide variety of player abilities and styles - some folk are really just there to dress up and mill around the rear echelons shouting at everyone else to move up. Don't take any of it seriously, it's just overgrown boys and girls playing soldiers.

You'll be fine, really, it's a very welcoming and inclusive hobby and I'm very glad I got into it.

 

[Jedi_Master]

 I'm probably not the only one with these concerns, even though I couldn't find anything on this topic anywhere

Welcome . Have a read of other peoples topics in the New Players section, you will see that it is a common theme. There is a search tool, with a 3 character minimum length, type in a search term and read through the results, i.e "alone":

 

[Stainesy86]

Hi @Edward Black

Like you I am new and not played Airsoft yet. I joined this forum a couple of weeks ago and I have been welcomed with open arms and people answered my newbie questions and made me feel more comfortable. I also went to my local airsoft shop to get some info as well. 

Just be reading on this forum, you get a feel that everyone is willing to help everyone else. Now I know a little more i am going to go to my first skirmish in February as I am busy working over the next 5 weeks. 

Just remember, everybody here was "The new Guy" at one point. I reckon once you take that plunge you will love it you will automatically start talking to people while playing because you kinda have to in the games lol

Where is your local skirmish site, you might find people in here that play there regularly.

 

[Dentonboy]

Bite the bullet, get stuck in and prepare to empty your future salary into the pockets of grateful Asian retailers at Zero Dark Thirty when you really should be saving up for your MoT... 

 

[Careless]

dont worry about going on your own , pretty much everyone else is/was in the same situation as you at one point or another its just most of the people there will probably be regulars that go every other week and know the other players because of that, As for the team selection its normally down to the organisers/marshalls, the two methods iv seen is #1 they call everyone in for the brieifng and at the same time get a rough idea of whos who , like any groups that want to be on the same side, how many snipers/dmr users there are and whos playing solo and hire guns users and first timers etc etc ,  they then put an equal amount of these on each side to what they think is balanced , And the other method which is used at my local , marshal goes around with a bag full of red/blue arm bands and its lucky dip for every player , either way its down to the organisers to sort out ...seriously dont worry you wont get left out and by the end of the day you will know a couple of people for the next time you go. just get stuck in!

 

[AshOnSnow]

dont worry about going on your own , pretty much everyone else is/was in the same situation as you at one point or another its just most of the people there will probably be regulars that go every other week and know the other players because of that, As for the team selection its normally down to the organisers/marshalls, the two methods iv seen is #1 they call everyone in for the brieifng and at the same time get a rough idea of whos who , like any groups that want to be on the same side, how many snipers/dmr users there are and whos playing solo and hire guns users and first timers etc etc ,  they then put an equal amount of these on each side to what they think is balanced , And the other method which is used at my local , marshal goes around with a bag full of red/blue arm bands and its lucky dip for every player , either way its down to the organisers to sort out ...seriously dont worry you wont get left out and by the end of the day you will know a couple of people for the next time you go. just get stuck in!

Yeah my sites are like a random selection, then the first game is a short balancing game so the marshalls can work out if one side is advantaged over the other and swap some players round accordingly.

 

[LightningCh]

the two methods iv seen is #1 they call everyone in for the brieifng and at the same time get a rough idea of whos who , like any groups that want to be on the same side, how many snipers/dmr users there are and whos playing solo and hire guns users and first timers etc etc ,  they then put an equal amount of these on each side to what they think is balanced , And the other method which is used at my local , marshal goes around with a bag full of red/blue arm bands and its lucky dip for every player , either way its down to the organisers to sort out

My site uses the first method. Well... a lazy variation of it, they call everyone in for the brief, call all snipers up front, splits them up into the 2 teams. Then they just split the group down the centre, move people around to even out numbers and just throw red masking tape out to one side, blue tape to the other. Which works fine, you don't usually get disadvantaged due to the fact we play long games. But it's quick and easy and gets us out to the game.

 

[DorianW]

My first game I went alone. I'm socially awkward, too, and didn't find it easy to chat while waiting to get out on the field. But once you're out there calling out enemy positions, being asked for support, or just going to respawn with another team mate...the chatting soon happens. You'll find yourself being pulled into squads, or squads with radios splitting amongst you to keep you all in contact.  All in all, once you're playing it's a very inclusive sport and all of your hangups will dissipate.

Where abouts are you based? You may find other players on here you can tag along with.

 

[brushwood69]

I started a couple of months ago with the same concerns but found that people with a common love of guns is always enough to start a conversation! And as always there are always differing levels of skills when out on the field just remember to call your hits and say sorry if you shot a team member in the back OOPS! have fun