It sure packs a punch for an air rifle. Does it kick much when you fire it?

My brother got .22 air rifle for Christmas one year and the first time I fired it the scope cut me just above the eye. That was a rookie mistake holding it too close. Then when I saw my Dad he had the same cut on his brow from firing it earlier. We just weren't expecting it to kick like that and didn't give it the respect it deserved.