Yes, this assumes that the participant wears their protective gear, which is never optional. Imagine a football player on the field without a helmet. The refs would force them to put it back on. Eye protection is a must, and most fields have some more protective gear requirements. Other players hold each other accountable. The biggest risk are those that come with running around, like tripping and falling. Like any sport, its an inherent risk.

Airsoft and Paintball find their biggest difference in the weapons used. Airsoft replicas are one-to-one recreations of real firearms. They fire much smaller projectiles (Airsoft bbs hurt less too) with far more range and accuracy. Most of the players wear far more gear in Airsoft, Such as helmet systems, plate carriers, holsters and sidearms, etc. The list goes on and on. and the simulation aspect is the biggest difference at the end of the day. Airsoft is far more realistic than Paintball.

When compared to Paintball Pellets, not at all. Airsoft players are often covering most (if not all) of their skin when on the field. Direct hits to the skin hurt a little, as do a few other areas. Major areas of note are: Nose, Ears, Fingers, Cheek, Groin, and any exposed skin. Most of the time the answer to that is no, and can often be avoided by simply wearing the appropriate gear. Sometimes you may be hit and not even know it. Even when you do feel it, more often than not its just a little sting thats gone in a moment.

It’s depends on what your definition of “Family Friendly” is. Airsoft players are almost always friendly and sociable, always looking out for each other, especially the newer players and little guys. The language can be best described as PG-13+. However, beyond the language, nothing else falls under the catagory of “Not Family Friendly.”

Airsoft appeals to all sorts of people. It is a huge mixed bag of people from all races, creeds, political followings, lines of work, and more. The major categories are Gamers, Simulation fanatics, and Ex-Military and Law Enforcement. I personally as a player have played with people from all walks of life, and it has been an amazing experience. The appeal itself is so broad that its hard to pin down. Engineers may have fun toying with the replicas (a common term for Airsoft “Guns”), Gamers may have fun living out their Call of Duty matches in real life, Ex-Military and Law enforcement may enjoy honing their skills. Each person may find their own appeal within the sport, and that is the beauty of it.

Though not often a well known sport, almost all people who have played would say yes. Fields host events and players show up to run around and have fun. They are split into teams and given an objective. They may strategize and plan, or just throw themselves at it. Almost always the team that plans will win. Squads are preset groups of players who are really just a tight knit friend group. They go to airsoft fields as a group, and have their own preset positions (Imagine like a football team) and they run their plays and do their jobs within their larger team in hopes of winning.