Food for thought: Should Airsoft be run like a hockey game?

[Spook]

Should fields consider running Airsoft like a hockey game, with time penalties for rules violations? Since many Airsoft missions run about an hour (same as a hockey game), I think it could work. The refs would wear all black instead of B&W stripes and there would be any number of them throughout the field where they could observe game behavior. When they see a violation, they would write it down and wait for a lull in fighting, then penalize the player responsible with X number of minutes at their respawn.

Cheating, swearing at opponents (unsportsmanlike conduct), demanding opponents call hits (unsportsmanlike conduct), blind firing, abuse of game props, illegal contact, shooting too closely, illegally entering the game (leaving respawn too early) would all be given two minute (minor), four minute (double minor) or five minute (major) penalties. Cursing at refs, field owners, or instigating fighting would all be ten minute penalties (misconduct) in addition to any other penalty.

Players would not need to wear numbers as refs would not stop game flow, they simply walk over and tell a player they have a penalty and how long it is. Refs would communicate on dedicated channels and also be trained in first aid and safety.

[Ares51]

I like the idea, but i believe refs should be dressed in something like blaze orange to separate themselves from regular players (black is a pretty commonly worn color in airsoft...) other than that, sounds like a plan.

[Spook]

Dressing an official in blaze orange lets a player know exactly where the ref is, which will allow them to circumvent officials. Under the rules I envision, refs could use another neutral color if a scenario called for players to wear black. The wearing of black comes from having seen instructors wear black in military war games. In even older times, war game judges wore white helmets, which I think kinda sucked because like the orange, it let everyone know where they were. (Of course those judges also could call you dead pretty much at will.)

[uberguy]

Only way I'd go for this is if I get to check my opponents into the boards.

[Spook]

Or in this case, the trees, eh Jeff? Given your height and bulk, that would hurt. Jokes aside though, I think it would work. No one wants to sit out so the mere threat of having to sit for doing something stupid would serve as a deterrent.

[chrisdetrin]

sounds good but id double the time on everything.

[kirzach]

[Spook]

Only cursing at an OPPONENT would be penalized, not cursing in general. I'm not a great fan of having under-16's on the field myself, but as long as they behave themselves, I can live with it.

[kirzach]

See John Lyly's "Euphues" - "The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war." Otherwise known as, "All is fair in love and in war."

Since we replicate war itself.. y'know.. Besides, I've heard far worse language in paintball, soccer, and football. The latter two of which are considered traditional sports that kids should be involved in. There are plenty of cases in which the parents have fouler mouths than the children playing. Language is a means of expression; no matter your intentions, you will never completely eliminate foul language.

[Spook]

Ever ref hockey? I have. You don't penalize every little thing, you penalize whatever affects the course of the game. Same thing here

[bigrik]

people who repeatedly break rules intentionally should be expunged from play. end of story. if they are new address them privately, if it continues to be a problem address if publically, and if its a regular thing they should find a new sport.

[Spook]