Practice is key to any skill and poking holes in players heads is no exception. If you don't practice, you will get absolutely nowhere. "But Reef, my friend said sniping is just point and click with no real skill." Bad. Bad little incomprehensive noob. Snipers are one of the few classes that can kill every class with one shot. I have about two-hundred hours invested in my skills. I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn when I started down this path. Without practice, I am nothing...

Aim and Target Prediction

So now you’re reading this thinking “Okay Mr. Wiseguy, now how do I hit my target?” I use two main tactics when shooting: Muscle Memory, a topic we shall discuss in a later section, and Target Prediction. Target prediction is as fundamental as practice.

There are two main ways of going about this and each has their advantages, as well as disadvantages. The first is simple. Put your crosshair in the enemy's path and shoot when he/she unwittingly sticks their head in it. This works extremely well when used on slow to normal paced classes like heavy or engineer. The trick is timing, and timing will come with practice. Jeez there is that silly word again. Practice.

The second is a little more complex. What you want to do is follow ahead of an enemy’s path at a slightly slower speed until BAM! Now in case you have no idea what that means I’m going to torture you with math. Let's say we have two cars. Target A is ahead of Target B. If Target B is moving at 50 mph and Target A is moving a 45 mph, Target B will eventually intercept Target A. Now let's pretend Target B is a scout's head, and Target A is your reticle. Make sense? Good.

Moving on...

This one's a tricky one as no one can ever teach it to you, but it is ultimately the most vital skill in sniping. Muscle Memory can only be learned by practice, so that's why practice is so important. There are special maps and special techniques that can help improve your muscle memory, but they involve a controlled environment, and sniping is anything but.


Why is muscle memory so important? Well let's just say the only times I have ever make a mid air headshot on a scout, I was utilizing muscle memory. This skill truly separates the good and the bad.


“Okay Reef, how does this whole muscle memory work.” Well unlucky for you it cannot be taught, but there are many techniques that will help this skill develop. In sports you have probably hear a few phases passed along in the locker room. Two of these being “Keep your eye on the ball,” and “Your body knows the perfect swing.” Both are very true and can be applied to sniping. Firstly always keep your eyes on your target not your reticle. You never saw Babe Ruth hit a homerun by watching his bat. Next, your body does truly know the best shot. If you have ever golfed (real golf not this silly putt-putt) you should know how true this is. Sniping isn't a cognitively complex task. Don't sit there with your rifle going “Okay, this guy may go left so I would want to put my reticle…” You’re thinking too much about it. Just relax and take the shot.

Using these techniques your muscle memory will slowly begin to develop. No, it's not an overnight process. Be patient young welp, within time you will learn.

Many people feel sniping is as dishonorable as it gets. This simply isnt true, at least in my game play style. With this in mind let us look toward the snipers phase "Professionals have standards." Wow, a sniper having standards. Why yes little welp, we have standards.


First on this list of things that are lacking in honor, and by far most important, is the Darwin's Danger Shield. Take it off and leave it off. "But Reef..." No. Shut up and comply. Nothing makes a good sniper more angry than this item. It's like cheating death. I headshot you, you die. No ifs ands or buts. You're dead. Get over yourself and return to spawn. You aren't good at sniper vs. sniper? Practice. End of conversation.

Next is rage heavy, spy, pyro, etc. Please don't. It's annoying, and just straight up pathetic. Oh no, a sniper is dominating me, whatever shall I do? I know! I'll take advantage of this snipers skills to better improve my own. That's how improvement works. If you wanna stop sniping, okay. No hard feelings, but if you change class solely for the death of your enemy, shame. Nothing is more true to this than changing to spy. If you do this just please uninstall Team Fortress 2 until you mature a little.

I know I’m The Reefer Man but I’m going to talk about different drug. Caffeine. If you are going to play sniper competitively you must avoid caffeine. Just try it. Snipe for a while. Doing good? Now drink a caffeinated beverage. Notice how you can't hit anything now? Exactly. Caffeine can cause you hand to slightly twitch, throwing off your aim. “Okay I’ll just drink one an hour before hand.” Nope. Caffeine can affect your body for up to eight hours after consumption. So if you have to drink caffeine, avoid it on the day of a competition. (I like a twenty-four hour period in between.) A good alternative to your Mtn. Dew is decaffeinated drinks, like Sprite or Root Beer. If you do drink a lot of pop, then you don't want to quit cold turkey. The withdrawal shakes and headaches aren't fun. The same goes for nicotine. It can/will affect your aim. So be weary.

Aquire, Aim, Shoot