Team deathmatch is perhaps the most popular game. Two teams compete. Each kill earns points and the team with most kills/points wins
An Airsoft combatant uses a helicopter skeleton as cover during a match. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
All Airsoft weapons are safely transported to and from the game venue, either in a gun case or in the original box
Speedball Airsoft consists of five players per team and is usually played in an area the size of a basketball court. Whoever 'kills' all the other players or captures the flag in the middle of the court, wins
Many players wear a tactical vest with magazine holders and their favourite patch for show
Automatic electric guns, such as the M4-A1, left, and the high pressure Tavor Bullpup, right, work by using pressurised air to fire plastic 'bullets'
In Capture the Flag, two teams compete, one defending a flag and the other trying to capture and return the flag safely to their base for the win
The Sharjah Airsoft & Paintball Park features various hiding places, including bridges, cars, underground tunnels, towers, trenches, and even a helicopter skeleton
Players avoid aiming at other players' heads
Many Airsoft players use ghillie suits, which provide better concealment than standard camouflage apparel
A player tests his M4 HPA gun before the game
Goggles are the most important protective gear you will need. No game master will allow a player to participate in any kind of Airsoft game without eye protection
Airsoft gunsmiths are available at the site for quick repairs and gun upgrades
A hit player raises her hand. When hit by an opponent's bullet, he or she must shout ‘hit’, raise their arms over their head and walk to the re-spawn spot or safety area
Many women play the game, although they are usually fewer in number than male players
In a game known as Sniper, one player has to hide and survive against all the other players for a time decided by the game marshal
The Sharjah Airsoft & Paintball Park can accommodate up to 200 players in a session
High pressure air guns are the pinnacle of high performance Airsoft guns and use compressed air tanks similar to paintball guns
Team deathmatch is perhaps the most popular game. Two teams compete. Each kill earns points and the team with most kills/points wins
An Airsoft combatant uses a helicopter skeleton as cover during a match. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
All Airsoft weapons are safely transported to and from the game venue, either in a gun case or in the original box
Speedball Airsoft consists of five players per team and is usually played in an area the size of a basketball court. Whoever 'kills' all the other players or captures the flag in the middle of the court, wins
Many players wear a tactical vest with magazine holders and their favourite patch for show
Automatic electric guns, such as the M4-A1, left, and the high pressure Tavor Bullpup, right, work by using pressurised air to fire plastic 'bullets'
In Capture the Flag, two teams compete, one defending a flag and the other trying to capture and return the flag safely to their base for the win
The Sharjah Airsoft & Paintball Park features various hiding places, including bridges, cars, underground tunnels, towers, trenches, and even a helicopter skeleton
Players avoid aiming at other players' heads
Many Airsoft players use ghillie suits, which provide better concealment than standard camouflage apparel
A player tests his M4 HPA gun before the game
Goggles are the most important protective gear you will need. No game master will allow a player to participate in any kind of Airsoft game without eye protection
Airsoft gunsmiths are available at the site for quick repairs and gun upgrades
A hit player raises her hand. When hit by an opponent's bullet, he or she must shout ‘hit’, raise their arms over their head and walk to the re-spawn spot or safety area
Many women play the game, although they are usually fewer in number than male players
In a game known as Sniper, one player has to hide and survive against all the other players for a time decided by the game marshal
The Sharjah Airsoft & Paintball Park can accommodate up to 200 players in a session
High pressure air guns are the pinnacle of high performance Airsoft guns and use compressed air tanks similar to paintball guns
Team deathmatch is perhaps the most popular game. Two teams compete. Each kill earns points and the team with most kills/points wins