1. BEFORE YOU PLAY

Age Requirements

• Minimum age: 12 years old

• Players under 16 must have a parent/guardian on‑site

Waivers & Check‑In

• A signed waiver is required every calendar year

• All players must sign in at registration

• Wristbands (if issued) must remain on

• Entry fee required for all events (online or at the door)

2. SAFETY FIRST

Eye & Face Protection

• Full‑seal ANSI Z87.1 goggles required at all times in the game area

• Never remove eye or face protection on the field

• Never shoot a player without proper protection

Safe Zones

The parking lot and staging area are safe zones:

• Remove magazine

• Clear chamber into the ground

• Set replica to safe

• No firing or dry firing

• Shooting BBs in safe zones or off‑property = ban strike

Footwear

• Closed‑toe shoes required

• No cleats or metal spikes

Hydration & Medical

• Bring adequate water

• Notify staff if you feel unwell

• Players with medical conditions may privately notify staff

• Players must assess their own risk; DFA is not liable for undisclosed conditions

Emergency — “BLIND MAN”

If someone is injured:

1. Yell “BLIND MAN!”

2. Everyone repeats the call

3. Field becomes safe

4. Remove mag, clear chamber, wait for instructions

5. Only direct staff if you know the exact location

3. STAFF & AUTHORITY

Referees & Admins

• Refs wear high‑vis vests or yellow shirts

• Admins wear blue DFA patches (players may NOT wear these)

• Their authority is final

• Admins may play in games and still hold authority

4. PLAYER CONDUCT

General Behavior

• No pushing, shoving, hitting, or aggressive physical contact

• Medic systems may require light tapping (allowed)

• Special modes (e.g., Mad Scientist) may allow controlled interaction

• No harassment, arguing, or hostile behavior

• Report issues to refs — do not confront players

Cheating & Strike System

DarkFire uses a 3‑strike system:

1st Strike:

• Blatant cheating (not calling hits, blind firing, tampering with objectives)

• Removed from current game

2nd Strike:

• Removed from field for the day (no refund)

3rd Strike:

• Permanent ban (no refund)

5. HIT RULES & ENGAGEMENT

What Counts as a Hit

• Any BB striking your body, gear, clothing, backpack, hat, or headgear

• Friendly fire counts

• Blind fire hits count

What Does NOT Count

• Ricochets

• Gun hits (BBs bouncing off your primary replica)

When Hit

• Call “HIT!” loudly

• Raise your hand

• Display kill rag

• Return to spawn or follow game rules

• When unsure, take the hit

Overshooting

• Do not intentionally overshoot

• 1–2 rounds is enough

• Repeated overshooting = ban strike

6. DEAD PLAYERS

Dead Men Tell No Tales

When dead:

• Only say “Hit” or “Dead man walking”

• No spotting, coaching, or assisting

• No removing eye protection

• Complimenting a good shot is allowed

7. SHOOTING RULES

Target Visibility / Blind Fire

You must see your target. Blind fire includes:

• Shooting around corners without looking

• Sticking gun through windows without eyes behind sights

• Firing over obstacles without visual confirmation

• Shooting through cutouts you cannot see through (if your face can’t fit, you can’t shoot)

“Bang Bang” Rule (Optional)

• Only replicas with 5 ft MED may use it

• Target may accept or refuse

• If target shoots back, they forfeit attacker’s MED

8. MELEE & SPECIAL ACTIONS

Melee Weapons

• Only rubber/foam/admin‑approved melee weapons

• Soft slashing motions only — no stabbing

• Melee kills are silent

• No throwing melee weapons unless specified

• No tagging with hands

9. TEAMS & IDENTIFICATION

Team Markings

• Standard armbands: Blue or Yellow

• Must be worn on arm or replica

• Other colors may be used for special modes

10. FIELD & PROPERTY RULES

Respect the Field

• Do not damage buildings, barricades, forest, or equipment

• Do not climb structures or trees

• Multi‑story structures are marked

• Negligent damage may result in liability

Wildlife

• Do not disturb wildlife

• Report injured animals

• Shooting wildlife = immediate permanent ban

11. REPLICA & EQUIPMENT RULES

Airsoft Only

• No paintball guns, airguns, real firearms, or deadly weapons

• Violators will be turned over to authorities

BB Requirements

• Biodegradable 6mm BBs only

• No match‑grade/non‑bio BBs

• No 8mm or full‑thrust kits

Automatic / Binary

• Most games = semi‑auto only

• Full auto allowed only for LMG‑style replicas

• Binary triggers prohibited

• Using auto in semi‑only = warning → ejection for repeat offenses

Drones & Tanks

• No remote‑controlled firing or spying

• Photography drones require approval

• Drones may not assist gameplay

12. GRENADES, PYRO & SHIELDS

Grenades

• Allowed

• Sound grenades: 15 ft kill radius

• Solid cover negates kills (head to toe coverage)

• Smoke/pyro allowed depending on weather

• No homemade pyro

Ballistic Shields

• All shields allowed

• Shields immune to BBs

• Only pistols/shotguns may be used with shields

• Shields do not protect from grenades

• Shield users must still follow blind‑fire rules

13. CHRONO, MEDs & JOULE LIMITS

Chrono Rules

• All replicas must be chronoed and tagged

• Untagged replicas = ejection until chronoed

• DFA rentals = 5 ft MED

• Staff may perform random chrono checks

• Refusal = ejection

• Chrono rules do not apply to open play events

14. MILSIM‑SPECIFIC RULES

EO Rules

• Non‑DFA events may have additional rules

• Read event descriptions carefully

SMG Rules

• Real‑world SMG replicas under 1.0 joule may use full auto

Radios

• Allowed channels listed in event info

• Spying on enemy channels = immediate ejection + 2 ban strikes

• No jamming, spamming, or interference

Bleed Out

• Stay in place until timer expires or medic revives you

• Times vary by event

15. VEHICLE RULES (TECHNICALS)

DFA staff vehicles are except from rules below

Requirements

• Must have prior approval

• Max speed: 10 mph

• No fluid leaks

• Functional brakes

• Valid driver’s license

• Comprehensive insurance

Passenger Rules

• Must remain seated

• Limbs inside vehicle

• No entering/exiting while moving

Vehicle Damage Rules

• Grenades/rockets disable vehicles for event‑specific durations

16. UNIFORM RULES

Uniform Codes

• Applies to clothing & headgear

• Mixing colors within same uniform code allowed

• Mixing uniform codes prohibited

• Ghillie suits allowed on any team

• If not wearing proper uniform under ghillie, you may not remove it

• Incorrect uniforms may result in point penalties or reassignment

17. CAMPING RULES

• Dispose of garbage properly

• No alcohol, cannabis, or controlled substances

• Fires only in designated rings

• Quiet hours: Midnight–6 AM

• No shooting in safe zone

• Minors must be accompanied by an adult

• Be respectful and courteous

• You are responsible for your belongings

• DFA provides no camping supplies

18. BAN CONDITIONS

Strikes are cumulative.

1 Ban Strike — Removal from Current Game

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

• Cheating

• Arguing with staff (advocating is allowed)

• Littering on field or staging area

2 Ban Strikes — Removal from Event

• Removing chrono tags

• Spying on radio channels

• Repeated removal of eye protection

3 Ban Strikes — Permanent Ban

• Theft

• Vandalism

• Assault

• Consuming controlled substances

• Lying on waiver

• Shooting wildlife