The Minnesota Airsoft Association® promotes safe and responsible Airsoft play and to that end has written the following as a basic outline on how to attend and play at MAA Open Sessions. This is a comprehensive but simple guide to educate players, parents and the public on our general game/event rules and procedures. For your convenience the rules are listed in order of progression; starting with considerations when traveling to a game, what to do when you arrive at the field, our essential safety rules, to general Airsoft sportsmanship and game play procedures. if you ever have a question on our rules, please contact us through our Discussion Board or via E-Mail at info@mnairsoft.org.

CASES:
The Minnesota Airsoft Association® requires all players who attend our events to transport their guns responsibly. Players are expected to have a good gun case, hard or soft, to carry and protect their Airsoft guns.

- Hard cases offer the most protection for Airsoft guns. A decent hard case can be purchased from most sporting good stores and shouldn’t cost more than $20-$30.
- Soft cases allow for discreet carrying and offer some level of protection but are not nearly as effective as hard cases. We have seen many Airsoft guns get damaged while in soft cases so be aware of where you place your case (in your car, at an event, etc). Something as simple as someone stepping on your soft case can break the gun inside.

Other acceptable options include:

- OEM boxes (the manufacturers box it was shipped in) are acceptable for beginning players so long as any pictures of guns are not visible (lids with graphics should be and usually already are turned inside out) .
- Sealed plastic containers (i.e. Rubbermaid bins) are popular with many players, especially at larger events, to carry all your gear and game supplies. If you can fit your Airsoft gun in a sealed and solid colored storage bin for travel that is totally acceptable. Bins are heavy and difficult to carry but are discreet and offer good protection to your guns and gear.
- Backpacks or duffel bags are unwise and offer little to no protection to your Airsoft gun but as long as the item is completely submerged (no visible barrel or stock hanging out) we will allow them.

TRANSPORTATION:

Players are expected to have their Airsoft guns and gear in the trunk of their vehicles. If you cannot store them in your trunk the backseat is adequate but never have any unboxed items, including gear (magazines, vests, etc.), visible. You aren’t doing anything illegal but it could lead to a lot of time answering questions. Just be responsible and try to follow the same legal guidelines as for real firearms.

PARKING LOT & STAGING AREA:
There are a few universal rules that almost every organized event/field in the country follows and the Minnesota Airsoft Association® encourages all players to learn and use these wherever they play, even if they are not rules where you may be playing. It’s just good Airsoft etiquette and shows you are safety conscious.
- There is no firing in the staging area. EVER! It doesn’t matter if the gun isn’t loaded (dry firing). Guns should remain on safe until you enter the field of play or are in an approved test fire or chronograph area.
- There should be no magazines in your guns in the staging area. EVER! This includes both rifles and pistols.
- You should have an actual (not homemade) barrel blocking device on the barrel of your gun. Pistols can be holstered. Acceptable barrel blocking devices include: barrel sleeves, barrel plugs, and barrel caps. Items such as gloves, socks, or your hand are never acceptable. Barrel blocking devices should be a standard piece of gear all Airsoft players own.

These rules are to assure a safe staging area and to protect all the people present at an event from an accidental discharge. In the event that a player is repairing an Airsoft gun he should get clearance from organizers or staff before they attempt to cycle or dry fire.

FPS / FEET PER SECOND:

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® chronographs all long rifles at our events. Pistols are only chronographed for indoor fields or if required by the site. We use our own BB’s and when available our own magazines. Our staff will shoot the guns and if it passes it will be tagged (usually a colored zip tie). If a player’s gun is over our limit, it will not be allowed. If a player is found to be playing with an unmarked and or previously unchecked gun they will be banned from all future Minnesota Airsoft Association® events. No exceptions.

Outdoor FPS Rates: 450 FPS w/ 0.2g BB’s.
Indoor FPS Rates: 350 FPS w/ 0.2g BB’s.
Sniper Rules: See below

* Changing the weight of BB to lower FPS does not change the energy of the round. This is why we do all our rating with .2 BB’s.

Minnesota Airsoft Association® SNIPER RULES:

There is a lot of discussion about “snipers” and “sniper weapons.” To simplify the rules for the community there are only two things to remember in regards Minnesota Airsoft Association® events:

1. FPS is what makes a gun a “sniper gun”, not the model. Any gun shooting over 450 FPS is considered a “sniper” weapon. Anything that shoots 450 FPS and under is considered a standard rifle. So if you have a BAR 10, M24, M700, APS, or even a Barrett that shoots under 450 FPS you will be allowed to play with it. If you have an M4 or a shotgun that shoots over 450 FPS it will be considered a “sniper” weapon and will not be allowed.
2. We only allow Minnesota Airsoft Association Members to play with weapons over 450 FPS under special circumstances. The rules by which MAA Members are required to use when playing with higher FPS guns are available upon request.

* If you have a question about a particular gun (i.e. 8MM) please contact a safety@mnairsoft.org or ask the game organizers.

EYE PROTECTION – GOGGLES & FULL FACE MASKS:

Eye protection is the most important piece of gear you have and the Minnesota Airsoft Association® takes this very seriously. Our rules are strict for the safety of all players.

ALL PLAYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST WEAR A FULL FACE PAINTBALL MASK SYSTEM. NO EXCEPTIONS OR SUBSTITUTES.
- A balaclava and goggles is not the same as a full face paintball mask and is not allowed.
- A full face mesh mask with full seal goggles underneath is not the same as a full face paintball mask and will not be allowed.

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® requires eye protection that meets or exceeds ANSI Z 87.1 ratings but also is meant to be ballistic resistant. Shooting glasses/goggles, shop glasses, ski goggles, swim goggles and Military Sun, Wind & Dust goggles (SWD) are not allowed.

Goggles must be full seal, meaning they fit snugly around the eyes and leave no visible gaps that a BB may pass through.

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® approves the use any paintball rated goggle system, specifically the SavePhace, JT and V-Force line, as well as Tactical Goggles made by companies such as ESS, Bolle, Wiley and Oakley.

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® reserves the right to inspect and deny any eye protection we feel does not offer suitable protection to the user.

Full Face mask systems are always acceptable at Minnesota Airsoft Association® events but are optional for players over 18 at outdoor events. Indoor events are site specific but usually require 18+ to have face protection and full seal goggles. The Minnesota Airsoft Association® always recommends full face to players who want the most protection.

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® does not allow mesh goggles, at all, regardless of age. Mesh face masks are allowed for players over the age of 18 but they must wear full seal goggles underneath.

Eye protection must be worn at all times by all participants (players, referees, or visitors) when on the field of play regardless of whether or not a game is in session or not. If your goggles fog up or are causing discomfort you should stop playing and exit the field immediately or request assistance from fellow players or games staff. Players are not allowed to do anything that breaks the full seal of the goggles.

Infractions of the eye protection rules are grounds for immediate expulsion from the event.

PROCEDURES FOR ENTERING & EXITING THE FIELD:

After you’ve been given a briefing on what kind of game you will be playing it will be time to enter the field of play. The following rules are very straight forward but need to be learned in the correct order to avoid issues.

1. Put on and secure your eye protection. This is always your first step.
2. Enter the field of play. At some sites this may be a physical barrier (netting, a door, etc.) at others a simple marked boundary.
3. Remove your barrel blocking device.
4. Load your Airsoft gun.
5. Turn off your safety and play or test fire as needed.

When the game is done or you are leaving the field of play for any other reason the following procedures are required.

1. Eject and stow your magazine.
2. Point your Airsoft gun in a safe direction and fire in semi 3-5 times to verify there are no remaining rounds.
3. Turn your gun to safe.
4. Affix your barrel blocking device.
5. Exit the field.
6. Take off your eye protection.

These procedures will become second nature to you after you play some games and are logical in their order and function.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

Unless otherwise noted the following are the basic rules of all Minnesota Airsoft Association® events.

1. Shots anywhere to the body, including gear, count as a hit.
2. Gun hits do not count as an hit.
3. No shots within a 10 feet radius unless in a Surrender situation (details below).
4. No “Blind Firing,” you must see your target and have your weapon shouldered or in direct line of site to the target.
5. Opposing players that unintentionally bump, crash, or otherwise meet by accident while searching for each other should both be considered out. This is to avoid point blank engagements or “panic fire.”

There is absolutely no aggressive physical contact allowed at Minnesota Airsoft Association® events. Fighting is grounds for immediate expulsion from the event. Depending on the severity of the incident the player may be banned from all future Minnesota Airsoft Association® events, public admonishment for their behavior, and if necessary law enforcement will be contacted.

Hit Recognition: When you are hit raise your hand(s) over your head and yell loudly “I’m hit!!” or otherwise signify you have been eliminated. Do this quickly and leave the area of engagement as quickly as you can to avoid getting in the way and avoid getting shot further. If you have a dead rag (bright red bandana or shop towel) pull it out and wave it to further indicate your eliminated status or place it on your head and exit the area. If you do not have one the Minnesota Airsoft Association® always hands them out before our events.

Surrender Rules: The Minnesota Airsoft Association® does not allow players to engage targets within a 10-foot radius unless in a Surrender situation. The primary reason to make a Surrender call is to show respect for another player by not shooting, and possibly injuring, the player that you have the obvious and uncontested advantage over. The Surrender rule is in place to avoid point blank engagements.

For a Surrender to be legitimate, the following condition must be met between the player asking for the Surrender (Attacking Player) and the Opposing Player:

1. The attacking player has totally surprised the opposing player and is in total control of the situation within the 10 foot no shoot radius. The opposing player cannot resist because they have been effectively flanked and were unaware of the attacker until they called for the Surrender.

Multiple players (such as players in a trench or bunker) can be surrendered, but only if the above condition applies to every player being Surrendered.

The following is the proper procedure for calling a Surrender:
1. The attacking player is to have their Airsoft gun properly shouldered & aimed, finger off the trigger, and call out “Surrender” loud enough for the opponent to hear.
2. The opponent is to respond immediately by calling out “I surrender,” “out,” “dead” or any other suitable response in a loud enough voice so that it can be heard.
3. Once a player Surrenders and calls themselves out, they may not be engaged.
4. Attempting a Surrender with a broken or empty gun is considered valid (though poor form). An unarmed player cannot call a Surrender.
5. Use of Plastic Training Knives is allowed and considered valid. Also called a “Knife Kill,” all tactile Surrender Calls must be honored immediately. Use of sticks, branches, or any other make-shift weapons to call for a Surrender is not allowed and will result in the immediate elimination of the Attacking player.
6. Players are not allowed to throw objects to obtain a Surrender.
7. Players are not allowed to charge at others to obtain Surrenders.

Players who attempt to Surrender an opponent must realize they run the risk of being shot at close range. Despite how “cool” some players think Surrender calls are, they should not be what you are striving for in a game. The purpose of Surrender calls is to keep people from getting hurt.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® has a simple yet effective emergency procedure which we call the “Blindman Rule”. Whether it is an injury or game issue a Blindman call signifies the halting of all play immediately, no exceptions. If you have an issue or injury or see one you need to stop active play so yell out “Blindman” as loud as you can and continue until another player, game organizer or referee has come to assist you. The Blindman call should be echoed by all players and will continue until all players on the field have been notified.

Players not involved in the Blindman call must safety their weapons, and await further instructions. Players are not allowed to take advantage of this break in the action to advance to a better position; rather they should stay exactly where they are. Also, players should not remove their masks or safety gear until notified. Think of it as a time-out.

When the Blindman call has been resolved the game organizers and referees will notify the players if/when the game will continue. Communication is key in these situations and should be taken seriously.

HONOR:

Airsoft is a game of Honor and Sportsmanship. There is no paint like in paintball; no defining marks for hits, just one player’s word versus another and being that Airsoft rounds are relatively small it can be difficult sometimes to even feel a hit. Players tend to hear or see a hit more often than not, which means the opportunity to ignore hits and continue playing is always a possibility. Players who attend Minnesota Airsoft Association® events must strive to exemplify fair play and always call their hits, regardless of circumstance. In situations where a player isn’t sure, they should give their opponent the benefit of the doubt and simply call themselves out. Most of the games we play involve reincarnation, which means players will be back in the game in the matter of minutes.

Cheating will not be tolerated at Minnesota Airsoft Association® events. If a player is proven to be cheating they will be ejected from the event and depending on the severity of the circumstances may be banned from all future Minnesota Airsoft Association® events.

It is also customary to acknowledge particularly good hits, just a simple “Nice Shot” call to the opposing player can make all the difference and you as a player stand out as a good sportsman.

IN CLOSING:
If you ever have questions at events; be it during the safety briefing, before a game, hanging out in the staging area, or even if you need clarification on a rule, make sure to ask a game organizer or referee. The Minnesota Airsoft Association® staff is there for your safety and to make sure you know the rules.

Airsoft is an evolving activity. There is no national organization or governing body, few US sponsors, and compared to paintball, very few players and retailers. The Minnesota Airsoft Association® believes that if Airsoft is to grow and continue to be the game we enjoy so much, playing with honor is required.

The Minnesota Airsoft Association® has been running safe and organized events for over 10 years and we admit to having an abundance of safety and game play rules. We don’t consider any of them pointless or superfluous as our rules were specifically written based on what we have seen and experienced. The Minnesota Airsoft Association® is nationally recognized for our rule set and many other clubs and organizations have adopted them entirely. Our rules are in place to protect the players, the community, and the hobby of Airsoft.