AIRSOFT
Using formations is
another simple way to
stay ahead of the game.
Airsoft Action’s
newest models took to
the studio to demonstrate
A
– bunching up will make you an easy
target, and the game will be over a little
prematurely!
While moving in formation you should
avoid deliberate, even spacing as this is
also obvious to the human eye. Irregular
distances between team members can
confuse the eye, especially in low light
conditions where an evenly-spaced squad
of marching troops is glaringly obvious.
The Team Leader or Section Commander
should decide what formation the team
will travel in depending upon the following
factors:
FORMATIONS
fter the last three issues
you’ll all know everything
you need to know about
communicating with your
team, right? Good – now
we’re moving onto the tactics that will help
you get from A to B without one of those
frustrating trips back to regen.
Gone are the days when the might
of the British armed forces would stand
shoulder to shoulder, chests puffed out in
bright red tunics, advancing to take on the
enemy with shot and bayonet and standing
firm despite an imminent incoming volley.
Undoubtedly the soldiers were brave to
stand and face such conflict, but the tactics
themselves were severely flawed and
resulted in a huge amount of unnecessary
casualties. Other tactics were called for to
prevent such devastating losses.
Formations are typically used when a
section or patrol needs to move across
different types of ground or cover, to
either approach an objective or get to
an RV (rendezvous) point. It is important
that the Team Leader can communicate
with members of the team – but equally
important that the team is spread out to
prevent opposition players easily wiping
the entire squad out. The team must be
alert and prepared for an enemy attack
from any direction at all times, and this
means different formations are required
for different environments to give the best
control and protection.
Operationally, the spacing between
each patrol member should be at least five
metres, though visibility and terrain can
reduce or expand this spacing. This is just
as relevant to airsoft, although the calibre
of weapons used in games is significantly
less powerful than those deployed in real
conflict so you could consider reducing
that spacing a little. Always remember
that a well-placed pyro will still take out
everyone within a five-metre radius though
■ Ground
■ Visibility
■ Direction from which enemy fire is
expected
■ The need for control by the Section
Commander
■ The need for producing the maximum
fire with the minimum delay.
Here are the five most commonly used formations and some pros and cons of each.
SINGLE FILE
Useful for linear features such as
hedges, ditches and walls, which give
cover from view or fire. Single file can
also be effective in close woods and
very dark night patrols. It offers good
protection from fire from a flank.
One of the main drawbacks to this
formation is that the patrol is very
vulnerable to attacks to the front and
rear as, initially, the team can only
respond with one gun until the team is
redeployed into a different formation.
Moving in this formation can also
make for poor flank observation as
players tend to lose focus and let their
eyes rest on the person in front or the
terrain ahead.
Also, as the Team Leader should
ideally be positioned near to the
front (shown second from front in
our example), passa ge of commands
030
Xmas 2011
and information to those at the rear can
be frustratingly slow. The signal for the
team to adopt single file is simply for
the team leader to raise the hand not
holding a weapon high in the air away
from his body to aid visibility in low
light conditions. Each member of the
team may repeat the signal to ensure
the rest of the team knows what is
required.