And father and son question
 

Realize I'm new here and already have three post. I've played professional paintball for a few years,and saw the sport explode in popularity back in 03 (was called the fastest growing sport in the world) just to watch it crash in 08. Friends talked me in to trying airsoft. Going to my first game this weekend so pump. But down the road could I bring my young son out to play?

Don't quote me but I believe most fields are 18+ not just about age, I'm fairly certain insurance has something to do with it also.

Thank you for your time. I was really hoping to do this with him. Just thought it would be great to bond with him. I'll keep taking him out to hit targets I guest.

Like I said don't quote me. Someone with a little more experience can chime in.

Depends where, how old your son is and who is hosting.
Some fields/hosts will allow 15-16 or so with parental consent.

Recently took my brother to a very small skirmish at the local field, we had mad fun. Beats bonding over the T.V and controllers! :D

How old is he would be the first question.
Some fields and a fair ammount of private fields will allow younger players to play with their parrent on the field.
Useually 16 and over but some places allow younger alot of it will depend on what folks think of you and especially how your youngen carries himself and his maturaty level.
What game you going to this weekend?

I like the response about the tv remote. So true. As for this weekend I think it's going to be at adrenaline. A buddy at work told me about this forum, he was right about having good guys helping out on questions. Thanks again.

My son and I played together on private venues, I've started him on airguns and its safety since he was 6 (He's 11 now) its a great bonding activity since my time with him are very limited this way it keeps him off the computer, xbox and his PS3. educate your son on the safety and consequences of misuse of airsoft, the best thing to start off is just by plinking or a simple game of shooting each other in the basement with a low powered springer before moving on to a more higher powered airsoft guns. Other than the safety lectures and other housekeeping stuff you are good to go check in with the game host you are going to make sure they are ok.

That sounds great wildcat that is exactly what we are doing right now. We have two cheap walmart pistols in the basement.

Some fields are lenient I've seen 8 year olds on the field who can take hits better that 30 year olds probably shoots better than them to. Your best option is to contact the field and ask if they can attend. But I know some fields as long as there's a guardian present it is fine. But then again I say some fields.

Sorry wildcard.... Auto spell check

One of the things I like to do my my son is set up a duelling tree like the one from IPSC and some poppers, use the same rules as in CAPS and have fun, this teach him accuracy, speed and most important muzzle safety along with some shooting fun.

Check with the owner of the field you intend to go to. I checked with the field owner first, then brought my 11 yr old son in for a visit to familiarize him with the field before I finally brought him to play. The owner required that we play like siamese twins during our first session together there. The second time the owner was willing to let him in on his own while I was still gearing up since he had proven himself responsible previously. Like Wildcard, I've been teaching him since young how to be responsible around airsoft and firearms in general.

This has been a great source of information thanks guys. Can't wait to talk to him in the morning. I'll give it a try on Sunday. Maybe after a few weeks of practice ill see about bringing him.

Make a good name/impression for yourself first (which shouldn't be a problem by how you've already conducted yourself on the forum so far, much better than some self described "mature" minors or even some self entitled "adults" (18+)), then bring your son out to spectate and then ask about bringing him to play.

Keep in mind, baby steps. You can't expect to just show up as a "random" and bring your son out to play but once people get to know you they'll be more receptive.

One more thing; some fields are 18+ only, period. Others may be 18+ or have parent/legal guardian in good standing to allow younger. Some may be 16+ and parent must be on field/spectators area at all times (this is to prevent mommy and daddy dropping the kid off with money and taking off to do whatever like it's some daycare).

Just ask, it doesn't hurt.

As for gear, rent first and see if you like it. If you come from a paintball background it's similar but different. Some games are run like speedball but you'll mostly be playing woodsball style, some quick objectives, some longer objectives, and the occasional long daysim/multiday sim (if you sign up for one and think it's something you'd like).

So true in my experience!

On the fields I oversee younger players are allowed. I prefer the parent or guardian to also be a player. Any breeches of safety and they know they face ejection from the game. 6 years, lots of 12-15 year olds, and I have never had a problem.

I enjoy AirSoft with my son, who just turned 17. He has played all along these past 6 years.

As others have said, depends on the field. What I don't get is if kids can paintball with no problems, why is AirSoft treated differently? Anyways, enjoy!

Shark Attack fired an MP5 into the sofa when he was 2 1/2 years old. Took the wife and I two days to wipe the grin of his face.
Kids like the game and Dads are a great thing to have on field with them.
ASC still encourages responsible gaming and that is possible with Dads and their Spawn.

Thats why Army Issue Tactical and Airsoft is working with a local private field to Host Father & Son Games.
Any Dads interested in this iniative should PM http://www.airsoftcanada.com/member.php?u=5633 or Email sales@armyissue.com for an upcoming game announcement.
Cheers

The Limit for insurance is 10
The Field limit at Adrenaline is 12

Many games at 16+, Some are 18+

98 % of players are 18+.

We welcome father son como's to the regular every other Sunday afternoon, at the Adventure Park and to the the open play every other Sat night at the indoor... Airsoft is a great man time activity to to with your son... see you soon

I think its a fear factor kinda thing, I mean there are idiots/asses in airsoft too don't get me wrong, but when a guy in airsoft has a beef they deal with it, whereas in Paintball they deal with it in the wrong way.

For instance, you don't call your hits, they other person talks to the ref and the ref deals with you. Paintball you just get shot right up and go home looking like a spotted leopard.

I remember a number of years back when I was playing paintball, we used the 15 foot rule, fair enough right? Well I was the last one left with a 12 or 13 year old kid or so having a stupid back and fourth game of hide and shoot, I decided I wasn't going to waste any more paint and run up to his bunker and past 15 feet, turned, and shot him once in the back, one time, no more no less. Of course the kid began crying and everyone was of course pissed at me, once we got back into the staging area one of the guys, and ref at the field at the time, grabbed a marker and shot me twice in the toes, I think that's a HUGE part of why Airsoft and paintball are different.

They shot you in the staging area? Holy shit man, isn't that assault?

Absolutely they did, mind you it was only the toes, but it still hurt like hell.....Think is everyone was angry about it, even though it was the rule. You wanna play the game like a man, take the pain like a man.

Now I think of it yea essentially it could be.

That's uber poor sportsmanship man!
Did you mouth off or something after shooting him? lol

Lord no, that's not how I am, they were the "Eliteists" of the field, big time players if you will, with the 800 dollar upgraded to the nines gun that thought they were better than everyone else.

Wow, what field was that at???

One here locally (well semi-locally) in Brooks Alberta.

Saw the same thing here in Quebec. My friend, who was is first time and running with a yellow "smiley" t-shirt was sprayed by 2 guy, saying he was cheating. Worst in this, the ref just say to be more careful and left to see other.

One of the reason I left paintball, too many idiots playing. Not all of them are like this, but on this field there's too many, the refs are no better... (I wont name the field, all the people of Quebec may know it anyway :P)