1) First of all you need to get a few simple changes done to your config.cfg, such as getting a quick weapon switch aliase running rather than using the standard weapon change menu. This will greatly speed up the switch of AWP & your side arm. Why is this so important? Well you move faster using a side arm or knife in hand than carrying a fully loaded AWP rifle.
So fast switch between AWP & side arm for faster movement around maps & to get out of danger quicker. The use of fast weapon switch between AWP & your chosen side arm also greatly speeds up your zooming out. By switch weapons instead of zooming out you will save vital time and could mean the difference of life & death.
2) You need to get the feel for the aim this will only come about by playing more & more with the weapon in first Sniper deadicated servers then more into standard public servers. I rcommend the UK2Net Sniper servers to get started on as there is a good mix of skilled & non skilled players.
3) Scan quick & don't leave you scope zoomed too long! When I say this what I'm talking about is high speed and good quality scanning of the target zone. Don't hange about in full zoom & move around the map... You will be open to attack. To see other players it's better to remain zoomed out and only zoom when taking a shot or to scan an area. If you watch the pro's play they scan areas very fast & pin point precision not missing any possible hiding spot or window that another player maybe hiding in.
4) Be fast but hiden. The sniper is best when not seen but camping can be a bad move if you are in a bad position as one or two shots will give away your location to others. It's good to scan the map ahead but be quick about it, don't hange about or you will find the lights go out!
5) Aiming with the weapon is not a skill that only the elite can have. If you find you take shots but never hit or kill anything then I ask you one simple question. Did you move to get out of danger when you took the shot? The AWP & other sniper weapons will only ever hit if you remain still when the shot is taken. Never run behind a wall when taking the shot because although your crosshair may have been on the target the shot will almost always go completely off target.
The best thing to do is jump out fast and while in the air go full zoom & line-up with the zone you expect to see the enemy in. As you land go straight into ducking mode reposition your crosshair if needed and take the shot, then get out of sight/danger. If you find the player isn't in your zoomed field of vision then counter react or get back out of sign QUICK!!
6) Watch your back, When using AWP your use of sound is far greater. You must keep track of who is where all the time. Sound will give away the location of players and using AWP you will be far more open to attack and will need to covery your six o'clock position from knife attacks and like wise.
You also need to think about where you place yourself within the map. some objects can be shot through like boxs, corner of walls, class windows, doors and even some walls have areas where bullits from high power weapons can penetrate.
The super elite players equiped with full blown A3D Sound can track movement from any player on the map whether or not he/she can be seen. Taken some one out from behind a wall is a skill that comes from time & use of sound, sneaking around maybe slower but in some situlations it's the best means of staying alive.
