Gaming
esports
4 easy tips to help you improve your aim in CS:GO
Pro CS:GO gamer Ankit Panth explains how someone can get better at aiming by making some simple changes in how they approach the game.
Ankit Panth has been one of India’s most consistent Counter-Strike players for several years.
With Team Brutality, he has coursed through the game’s titles and been among the best. With CS:GO the current favourite of the gaming community, we asked Ankit for his tips on how someone could get better at the game, particularly if they were looking to improve on their in-game aim.
Ankit had some simple advice which can be easy to implement and just needs some time and dedication to get right.
Here are Ankit Panth’s tips on how to improve your aim in CS:GO.
Ankit Panth
© Ali Bharmal
Play a warm-up match
Ankit suggests sharpening your aiming skills with a warm-up match before every competitive game. He says this can help you tune into the game and train your eyes on targets. The game mode Deathmatch can be quite useful for this.
“Before playing a game, I always warm-up in an offline map called aim_botz followed by Deathmatch. It helps you keep your aim on point,” says Ankit.
Develop your muscle memory
A common tip that most accomplished gamers will suggest to improve your aim is to not look at the screen and keep your eyes trained at the crosshairs at all times. That way, whenever you move your crosshairs over the map, you always have your target in sight. Ankit says this isn’t necessary because hand-eye coordination and trained muscle memory can take over.
“Once you have played enough of Counter-Strike, I don’t think you will keep your eyes on the crosshair. I don’t do that. You develop muscle memory and as soon as you will see an enemy your crosshair will automatically go towards him,” says Ankit.
For this to work, you need a large, smooth mouse pad and you have to train your hand to move smoothly across it so your crosshairs cover the screen quickly.
Practice your flick aim
In general, there are two types of aiming theories in CS:GO. The first is tracking aim, where you keep your crosshairs trained on a particular point even if you are moving. The second is flick aim, where you move your crosshair very quickly between target points. Flick aim movement is a function of developing muscle memory as well. The best way to perfect it is to shift between targets slow at first (preferably practice in aim_botz) using quick arm movements and then make the movements snappy and quick as your muscle memory develops. Ankit says he uses flick aim a lot.
Use crouch effectively
Ankit suggests learning how and when you should use crouch because it can help with your aim. “In CS:GO, when you crouch the bullet spread decreases a little so make sure you are using it your advantage,” says Ankit.
Crouch can also be an effective defensive tool. “You can also use crouch to make your enemies miss headshots because even a half decent player will always have his crosshair at head height,” he adds.
