Whenever I get the question from people asking about how they are smart in the game, but just can't seem to get their aim up to par with their skill level, I always tell them to go into a deathmatch server and only use an AWP/d.eagle combination. Practicing this combination will increase your reflexes and accuracy.

Although you may not see improvements right away, after about a week of playing you will be using this combination as though it was a Colt/usp, AK/glock, or whatever gun combinations you like to use during competitive play.

In deathmatch opponents are constantly popping up and respawning from all directions. You’ll need accurate aim and quick reflexes to combat the mayhem unless you enjoy getting fragged a lot. Practicing with this method will slow down the game, be it in a pub, pug, scrim, match, etc -- everything will appear in slow motion. Now you will be able to sit in your designated spot and whether or not you are aiming in the correct spot, you will instantly react to the opponent's head out of reflex.

The topic comes up a lot in my "Ask Bootman" series and I still see tons of people leaving comments saying they don't quite understand what I mean by the flickshot.



The flickshot is a quick scope of the AWP and then the shot. The flickshot has a rhythm to it -- two quick taps that you will eventually develop. The quick scope is designed to make the AWP accurate on your opponent (for those of you who did not know, unless the opponent is extremely close range, your shot will be off when you fire the AWP unscoped). If you do happen to miss the AWP shot or get a leg shot, quickly switch to your d.eagle and aim for the head. Using the strongest combination of weapons in the game will cause the quickest and most effective frag rate, and that is exactly what you need while playing in a deathmatch server.



Attached to this article is a demo I recorded while pubbing in a deatchmatch server. I know it's not all that great, but is does serve as an effective way to clarify this concept. You will notice how my AWP always stays at the same level and is usually aiming where the opponent is. The aiming without a crosshair will come to you with time. Once you get used to aiming at people without a crosshair, it will be sort of like the transition from dial-up to broadband: after playing with a handicap for a while, the crosshair will instantly aim at your opponents. You will also notice that I will scope in for long ranged shots for a little bit longer. The best way to do this is to aim where you know the opponent isn't; this way, you are still conditioning yourself to aim at them instantly once they appear on the screen.