Introduction
In this section you will learn the basic tactics of airsoft. This section includes security, overwatch, leap frog, covering fire, flanking, and suppress & flank.
Security
Security (or 360 degree security) is a term used in reference to the tactical awareness of a unit on the field and should always be maintained. One or two members of a unit are designated with the unit’s security and are looking for flanking units or enemies approaching the rear of the unit. The highest casualty rate in airsoft happens when a unit does not maintain security and an enemy moves up the unit’s weak rear and takes advantage of them. Security, like defense, can sometimes be boring but it is a very important part of any unit’s tactical procedures.
If a flanking enemy unit has been spotted, information must be given to the unit’s leader as fast as possible. This is important because the leader must make the call on what to do about the flanking enemies. This way, the unit can respond accordingly and deal with the threat. Sometimes counter flanking elements are dispatched to deal with flanking enemies.
Overwatch
Overwatch is used during team movements. One element moves or performs an action while the other one, performing overwatch, maintains security that is focused on the moving team.
For example, if a squad is tasked with securing a convoy truck and checking it for hidden weapons, one fire team would be designated the searching team while the other team performs overwatch. The overwatch team sets up a defense and maintains security, often hidden from view, so that the searching team can focus on their task at hand.
A second example of this would be for a team to provide overwatch while a second team moves across a bridge. The overwatch team is focused on watching the areas surrounding the moving team to assist them to finding and acquiring enemy targets.
Leap FrogThe standard leap frog movement is rather simple but effective. Single team members (or buddy teams) make up the movement elements.
The last person in the movement moves to the front of the line, bounding past his teammates. They move up to the next suitable position and become the new front. The now rear element in the line does the same; moves out, up, and past the front becoming the new front.
This movement is usually performed during engagements where one team is trying to move into an assault on another. The benefits of leap frogging are that several teams are overwatching, resting, and covering fire while a team advances. These movements are usually performed with some sort of verbal cue, such as Move, Moving, Set.
Covering / Suppressing FireThe act of providing covering fire is extremely important in airsoft. Covering fire is defined as the act of rendering enemies harmless or incapable of retaliation due to accurate or large volume fire being put on them. In simpler terms, it is simply shooting at the enemy so they must take cover, which will allow your teammates time to act or react without getting shot.
Suppressive fire is the main focus of a support or SAW gunner. They pour huge amounts of fire at the enemy so that the enemy cannot effectively fight back. Without suppressive fire, teammates can be easily picked off while moving or trying to maneuver around an enemy’s position.
FlankingFlanking is a simple maneuver in airsoft. It is simply the act of moving around to the side or rear of an enemy.
For example, if an enemy is dug in and has excellent fields of fire to the North, a wise move would be to send a flanking team to hit them from the West or East.
Suppress and Flank
The Suppress and Flank is the basic attack used in airsoft. It is simply adding the act of covering fire and flanking together. One team or element suppresses the enemy while the other team or element flanks around to hit them from another angle. It is the simplest and most efficient way to eliminate enemies on the field.
