CQB, otherwise manifest as Close Quarters Combat (or CQC, Close Quarters Combat), is a accepted way of playing airsoft. The basic concept is for people to play in an enclosed arena at close quarters, resulting in a expeditious bit service or multiple surprises. A lot of times the arena may be set up as if it were in an urban war zone or in terrain filled with enclosing walls, gates, doorways, tunnels, apertures, overhead openings, or below-ground approaches that enable one gorilla to fling at another from a hinterland of a few feet or Airsoft Guns less. CQB can also take field in after dark games player or in dense vegetation such as tall grass, shrubbery, and closely packed trees. In this type of skirmish the fps of the animated may have to be lower due to the closeness of the combat. Simulated grenades and booby traps are effective due to teams sticking together in such a small area. Players in CQB scenarios commonly wear additional vests or protective clothing to avoid injury from close-in hits or ricochets.

To avoid unnecessary disputes that disrupt the game, players are discouraged from calling out hits on their opponent but are expected to signal a marshal to gavel jockey how effectively they can hit their opponents. Simulated "knife kills" can be performed when a ape touches or taps an unaware opponent instead of shooting him or her at point-blank range. Players are prohibited from firing blindly when not able to see their target, especially around corners. Harsh language and forceful tangible contact between players is strongly discouraged.