The following are the standard rules of engagement for Direct Action sanctioned events. These are standard rules, and as such, are subject to modification by the event organizer. In the absence of any modifications or announcements of any modifications prior to the commencement of an event, the standard rules will apply. Modifications to the standard rules should be made at the scenario briefing. All modifications before an event must be clearly listed and explained to all event participants by the event organizers. All players are expected to fully understand all rules of engagement before beginning an event.

Elimination: A shot to any part of a player’s body or their gear, is considered to be a “hit” Shots to a player’s gun are not considered “hits” Friendly fire counts as a “hit”. A bb has no friend. Ricochets are not considered “hits”. Shots that hit a player through “indirect fire”, as when an AEG gun barrel is elevated to such a level that the bb’s fall onto the player from above them, are not considered hits.

Elimination acknowledgement: Upon receiving a “hit”, as loudly as possible announce, “I’m hit”, “dead man”, “you got me” or some similar verbal announcement so as to let all nearby players know you have been hit raise your arms or your weapon over your head and walk to a designated respawn/staging area as quickly as possible, trying as much as possible to stay out of the line of fire of other players still engaged in battle. Always remember that other players may not have heard your call and may continue to fire at you. It is your responsibility to make sure everyone knows that you have been eliminated.

Dead men tell no tales: Once eliminated, you are a “dead man”, and as such, you are not allowed to communicate anything to anyone, except that you are hit, (the only exception to this is to compliment your opponent on a fine elimination!) as you make your way to respawn. You are not allowed to give the location or status of any players or any other type of tactical or strategic information to your teammates. You are not allowed to communicate on the radio any information at all except in case of an emergency, in which case all transmissions would be limited to the emergency channel only.

Surrender and the minimum safe firing distance: The minimum safe firing distance (MSFD) is 20’ with all handguns and AEG’s. (Bolt-action sniper weapons have a minimum safe firing distance of 50’.) The only permitted reason to engage another player within the MSFD is if a surrender situation arises. An optimum surrender situation will occur when one player will approach another player without that player being observed, and then have a firing opportunity. Rather than firing, the player should call out loudly and clearly “surrender”. The player being asked to surrender should then immediately yield and proceed as indicated under “elimination acknowledgement”. In the event that the player does not yield, that player is assumed to waive the MSFD rule, in which case the player is allowed to fire, being restricted to firing only at the lower extremities. Headshots will not be allowed. For reasons of safety and honor, players are highly encouraged to yield to surrender requests. Occasionally, two players may happen upon each other, in complete surprise for both players. In these situations, both players should call themselves out rather than firing at each other. This avoids “panic fire” and the possible serious injury that may result.

Reincarnation: After being eliminated, a player proceeds to the designated “respawn” area. This is a staging area set aside for the purpose of allowing eliminated players to regroup and return to play. There are two general types of respawn: individual and squad. With individual respawn, a player will spend 5 minutes in respawn after checking in with the officials in the respawn area. Once time has elapsed, the player is allowed to return to play. With squad respawn, an eliminated player will check in with the officials at the respawn area, but will not be allowed to return to play until 4 other team members arrive at the respawn area, regardless of the time elapsed.

Field Velocity Limits: The maximum weight of all 6mm bb’s for AEG’s and handguns shall not exceed .25 grams. The maximum weight of all 6 mm bb’s for all bolt-action sniper rifles shall not exceed .36 grams. Metal clad or all metal bb’s are not allowed. Projectiles containing paint or other “marking” substances are not allowed. 8 mm bb’s are allowed for special weapons. Weapons are generally classified into two basic groups-AEG/handgun and Sniper weapons, and each has their own limits. Sniper weapons are limited to single fire bolt-action type weapons only. AEG’s, used in outdoor events, shall not exceed a velocity of 400 fps, using a .20-gram projectile. Gas powered handguns used in outdoor events shall not exceed 400 fps using a .20 gram projectile. Sniper weapons shall not exceed a velocity of 550 fps using a maximum .25-gram projectile. AEG’s, used in indoor/CQB events, shall not exceed a velocity of 350 fps using a .20-gram projectile. Gas powered handguns used in indoor events shall not exceed a velocity of 350 fps using a .20 gram projectile. Sniper weapons will not be allowed in indoor/CQB games. Any combination of internal modifications can be used to maintain these limits. Please remember, though, that these are limits, not goals. Modifying your weapon puts severe stresses on the internal mechanical parts and will lead to higher initial costs, and higher repair costs. Modified weapons breakdown much more often than stock weapons. Please bear these considerations in mind before modifying your weapon. All weapons used in an event will need to be chronographed before being allowed on the field.

Scenario briefings: All events will be preceded with a scenario briefing to be conducted by the event organizers. The purpose of this briefing is to fully explain to the event participants all of the objectives, rule modifications and any special rules for the event. Scenario time limits and start and end times and special objectives are also explained. Boundaries and special areas, including respawn areas and staging and other no-fire zones are established. Communication requirements, radio frequencies and call signs and signals are assigned. A safety briefing is also to be given at this time. It is the responsibility of all event participants to make sure that they are fully aware of all event rules and modifications to the rules before the beginning of an event. After the completion of an event, an after action de-briefing is to be given, in which any and all disputes can be resolved, and announcements of winning teams and completed objectives can be made.

No fire Zones: No-fire zones are areas set aside by event organizers in which no weapons shall be fired. These areas are usually game staging areas, briefing areas, first-aid areas, respawn areas and any other area so designated by the event organizers. No weapons shall be fired within a no-fire zone, at any time, for any reason. There shall be no exceptions to this rule. Firing into a no fire zone, or across the zone from outside the zone is also forbidden. Any discharge of any airsoft weapon outside of designated live fire areas is reason for immediate removal from the game. There are no exceptions to this rule. Failure to abide by these rules will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the event.

Time outs and game stoppages: There are to be no “time outs” for any reason, except in the case of an actual emergency. In the event of an emergency that requires a game stoppage, an announcement will be made on channel 1 of the FRS radios stating “emergency”. An air horn or whistle will also blast five times, pause, then blast five more times. If any player is involved in an emergency situation, and is the first person or persons to respond, communicate to game officials on channel 1 of the FRS radios, indicating the type of emergency and then wait for further orders. Upon hearing the emergency signal, all players are to stop immediately and safe their weapons, until the all clear signal is given. The only persons allowed to move during an emergency are those involved in the emergency or those giving emergency assistance. After the emergency is resolved, the all-clear signal will be announced on channel 1 of the FRS radio, and an air horn or whistle will blast three very long blasts. Once the all-clear signal is given, play will resume normally.

Communications equipment: Radios of the FRS or the GMRS type are used during events. CB type radios are not allowed. High power transmitters are not allowed. Frequency monitoring is allowed, but jamming is not allowed. Channel 1 is always to be reserved for use as an emergency channel only and is not to be used for any other purpose. Failure to follow this rule may be cause for dismissal from the event.

Smoke and other pyrotechnics: Flares of any type are not allowed, including parachute type and hand launched flares. Smoke generating devices are allowed. Firecracker type devices are not allowed. Explosive devices of any type are not allowed, except for those allowed by the event organizers.

Disputes: All disputes between players are to be resolved in a fair, honorable, sportsman-like and non-violent manner. Any player that can’t maintain their composure may be asked to leave the event. Under no circumstances are players to resort to violence or intimidation. There will be no exceptions to this rule. If players on the field can’t easily resolve a dispute, both players should remove themselves from the game and return to the respawn or staging area for resolution or mediation. If mediation is requested or required to resolve a dispute, seek out a committee member. A mediator’s verdict is to be considered final and without appeal.

Night games: Night games are special events that require a few special considerations. Night games will require the following extra-required equipment: a working flashlight with fresh batteries.

Equipment liability: Direct Action assumes no liability for any player’s equipment or other gear used in an event. In addition, Direct Action assumes no liability for the safety of any player during an event. All players are required to sign a waiver absolving Direct Action of any liability prior to any event.

Trash: Players are required to remove any trash or refuse they bring to an event, including all food items, packaging, and any other type of garbage .If you bring it in, make sure you bring it back out! Damaging property in any manner or fashion is not allowed at any event. Players should always show the utmost courtesy and respect for any land and/or persons property that hosts an event.