New & Problems

[Spawn2]

Hi everyone,

My name is Cem. I live in London/Putney. First of all, you may have trouble understanding what I wrote, sorry for that.
I've been living in this country for 3 years and I haven't participated in any games. I have a few questions to ask. I hope I can get your answers.
 

- I think my English is not very good. (I'm using Translate now) I don't know the military terms and commands. I sometimes have trouble understanding the British accent, especially. If me and one person get stuck in an airsoft game and someone says "protect me take the right side" it's fine, but sometimes metaphors or ideams are used in between. I may have problems with these. Will these reasons prevent me from joining Airsoft?

- I had scoliosis surgery about 10 years ago and I have titanium attached to my spine. I have been involved in fitness for 4 years. I just can't hunched my back or do somersaults. I have no other problem. Will there be any problem?

I continue thinking that these will not be a problem...

- I'm taking things slowly. I just bought a Yakeda Multicam plate carrier. Does the group have a certain camouflage limit? (Tan, Multicam, Black) Because I don't want to waste my money if I have to change my tops, belts, clothes etc after joining a group. I'm not stingy, don't get me wrong.

- But which group should I join after finishing 3 preparation games? I heard the most Ukara group. There are certainly other groups or advice options, but I think this is the biggest one. We can register for games from many sites. I don't quite understand what the difference is between these groups.

In general, these are the first things I want to ask. I hope I wrote it correctly and under the right heading.

Edited December 14, 2022 by Spawn2

[Emergencychimps]

Hi Cem, 

 

Welcome! 

 

Airsoft is a very welcoming sport and as long as you know a few key words such as "Hit", "Medic" etc you should be fine. If you can get hold of the sites rules beforehand, read them/use google translate then that would be sensible as you need to understand what is and isn't acceptable at their site.

 

At my local site there is a lot of players that have English as a second language and it doesn't seem to cause them any problems. Airsoft is often labelled as a team sport - but often people do their own thing all the time, you're not there to do as you're told etc and other players won't listen when told etc. 

 

Communication helps, but it also isn't a barrier for entry to the sport. 

 

Regarding your physical condition - it depends. 

 

There are players who are wheel chair bound that do the sport, seen people play using a crutch. You will have to judge what you can and are willing to do, some players run around and others don't. When you play, be sensible and know your own limits. If you aren't sure, take it easy and ramp up the effort levels until you are happy etc. 

 

 

Camo

Some games (not standard skirmishes) will have camo rules and it's generally a version of tan vs green/black. However these are more specialist events, most sites run armbands vs non armbands or Red armbands vs Blue Armbands. What you wear doesn't matter. If you do milsim or weekend events then yes it will matter but those companies make that very clear. Most skirmish sites accept everything. 

 

The 3 games rule is so that you can prove you're a regular airsoft skirmisher, this needs to be in more than a 3 month period, so doing 3 games in a 4 week period won't work, it needs to be in more than 3 months. This rule is there so you can purchase a Realistic Imitation Firearm (or RIF for short). One way of doing this is to be a member of a site who then add your details to UKARA which is a database of regular players. Airsoft sites check this database to make sure you're a regular airsofter before selling you a RIF. 

 

This is to do with the VCRA (violet crime reduction act), its frustrating and easy to get around, however you really shouldn't, it's easier if you just follow the guidance as ultimately following this protects the sport. If you don't follow this then I guess you don't care about the sport. 

 

Another reason to follow the guidance is it will save you money. Buying Airsoft RIFS, kit, boots etc is expensive. hold off spending until you're really sure you love the game, rent for the first few times. If after 3/4 games you're hooked and know you'll do it enough, then start buying your own, but by then you should be registered for UKARA. If you buy a £150 RIF, plus batteries etc it's hard to know what to get until you have been a few times, understanding brands, type of rif etc takes time to understand and actually using them. You'll almost certainly not buy a great RIF for your first one if you buy before you play, so play a few times, learn what you like and don't like from the rentals and other players, then spend your cash. 

[EDcase]

Welcome Spawn2

 

Emergencychimps covered everything thoroughly so just to give short answers to your questions:

 

Firstly, there are 2 main types of airsoft days:

1) Most common is an open day 'skirmish' where several short games are played during the day.  (My answers relate to these game days)

2) 'Milsim' days are for more experienced players and involve a large war game that lasts the whole day or even a weekend.  There are more rules about kit and weapons allowed for these games.

 

- Basic English is fine.

- You can go as fast or slow as you want.

- No specific camo needed for 'skirmish' days

- Its not important to join a group on a 'skirmish' day.

 

UKARA is a system for buying realistic black weapons (RiFs) from shops.  You must play 3 games with rented weapons* to be registered with UKARA, then you can give a shop your number when you want to buy a RiF.

* You can still use someone elses weapons or if you already have one its OK to use.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Welcome .

[Rogerborg]

Ahoy and welcome.

[Pollynator_bravo2]

Great to have you onboard my fellow player !!