Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 23, 2016 13:35:06 GMT -5
Airsoft leaders (like all leaders) come in all forms with widely varied backgrounds, skills and talents. They are often self appointed, group consensus, sponsor designated or a last second "oh, okay I'll do it I guess.". Most of the time it's a combination of all of them and more often than not there is either great reluctance or entirely too much enthusiasm for the role. Leading a squad platoon or entire team at an Airsoft event is extremely hard. The good news is that orders and decisions, lack of communication, poor planning or failure to delegate rarely results in injuries or death. The bad news is that player enjoyment and team success is often impacted greatly by the caliber of leadership. To enhance the likelihood of success I volunteer the following tips and suggestions.
1. Remember that the goal of an Airsoft event is to have as many players as possible be safe and have a great time. safety of your charges needs to be your #1 priority. Not ego, or winning!
2. Remind yourself that by taking on a leadership position you have accepted responsibility without any REAL authority. This is a really tough position to be in as you need to elicit an even higher level of confidence and salesmanship than a ranked individual in a military organization. The what and how are still important but the why takes on more significance. This by the way is a skill set that translates brilliantly into actual leadership.
3. Appreciate that your team is not likely to have much if any tactical training and will be widely diverse with regard to their level of physical fitness.
4. Understand and be okay with the fact that not everyone is going to be okay with your decisions, orders, approach and leadership. You can't please everyone all the time. Few will have a full appreciation for the challenges of airsoft leadership.
5.In real combat the desire to be heroic is offset by the fear of death or life altering wounds. In airsoft everyone wants (and typically gets) to be a hero. The challenge with airsoft leadership is convincing team members to perform the supporting task that appear to be keeping them away from the action. (Flank or rear guard, held in reserve, recon where you want to discourage firing, pulling back from action etc.). It is an interesting twist to your challenge.
6. Airsoft leaders (and actual combat leaders) should think first as their team as their weapon. Their own personal weapon is strictly for personal protection, to briefly direct your teams fire or initiate more aggressive action by your team or instill confidence. Constantly think in terms of your team as your weapon. The leader is usually best served to have the LEAST capable weapon in the group.
7. Assign a chain of command. (Who takes over when...)
8. When talking to groups or units under your command have them all clustered together while sharing your plan or giving orders. That helps with clarity about who is supposed to do what.
9. Keep your plan simple and have the team repeat back the plan or what you just said. If time permits do a simple walk through or rehearsal of your plan.
10. At all halts check security and get a count of your men. Teach them to sound off and echo commands or handsignals.
11. Constantly check on their well being, watch closely for signs of fatigue, overheating,hydration and encourage everyone to "help their buddy". Give each other a hand up, hold their weapon when it might help, look out for each other. Look out for your well being last. Last one in the chowline etc.
12. Shower your team with specific, detail praise when you see them doing even simple things well. If you need to discuss undesirable behavior do so one on one away from their teammates. Since you're not really their boss try to draw the mess up out of them. "What might have been a better way to do that?" Position
feedback forward (next time try to...)
14. Learn to delegate. You can't do everything and aren't as effective when you try to. Assign tasks tour direct reports (team members or subordinate team leaders)
15. Remember that good leadership contributes to players having a good time, volunteer to accept the call and do the best you can. Learn from what you did well that you need to do more of and try to improve in areas you fell short. Be a student of tactics and take on the role of teacher and coach during non tactical phases.
1. Remember that the goal of an Airsoft event is to have as many players as possible be safe and have a great time. safety of your charges needs to be your #1 priority. Not ego, or winning!
2. Remind yourself that by taking on a leadership position you have accepted responsibility without any REAL authority. This is a really tough position to be in as you need to elicit an even higher level of confidence and salesmanship than a ranked individual in a military organization. The what and how are still important but the why takes on more significance. This by the way is a skill set that translates brilliantly into actual leadership.
3. Appreciate that your team is not likely to have much if any tactical training and will be widely diverse with regard to their level of physical fitness.
4. Understand and be okay with the fact that not everyone is going to be okay with your decisions, orders, approach and leadership. You can't please everyone all the time. Few will have a full appreciation for the challenges of airsoft leadership.
5.In real combat the desire to be heroic is offset by the fear of death or life altering wounds. In airsoft everyone wants (and typically gets) to be a hero. The challenge with airsoft leadership is convincing team members to perform the supporting task that appear to be keeping them away from the action. (Flank or rear guard, held in reserve, recon where you want to discourage firing, pulling back from action etc.). It is an interesting twist to your challenge.
6. Airsoft leaders (and actual combat leaders) should think first as their team as their weapon. Their own personal weapon is strictly for personal protection, to briefly direct your teams fire or initiate more aggressive action by your team or instill confidence. Constantly think in terms of your team as your weapon. The leader is usually best served to have the LEAST capable weapon in the group.
7. Assign a chain of command. (Who takes over when...)
8. When talking to groups or units under your command have them all clustered together while sharing your plan or giving orders. That helps with clarity about who is supposed to do what.
9. Keep your plan simple and have the team repeat back the plan or what you just said. If time permits do a simple walk through or rehearsal of your plan.
10. At all halts check security and get a count of your men. Teach them to sound off and echo commands or handsignals.
11. Constantly check on their well being, watch closely for signs of fatigue, overheating,hydration and encourage everyone to "help their buddy". Give each other a hand up, hold their weapon when it might help, look out for each other. Look out for your well being last. Last one in the chowline etc.
12. Shower your team with specific, detail praise when you see them doing even simple things well. If you need to discuss undesirable behavior do so one on one away from their teammates. Since you're not really their boss try to draw the mess up out of them. "What might have been a better way to do that?" Position
feedback forward (next time try to...)
14. Learn to delegate. You can't do everything and aren't as effective when you try to. Assign tasks tour direct reports (team members or subordinate team leaders)
15. Remember that good leadership contributes to players having a good time, volunteer to accept the call and do the best you can. Learn from what you did well that you need to do more of and try to improve in areas you fell short. Be a student of tactics and take on the role of teacher and coach during non tactical phases.