1. Master the Basics

• Know Your Controls: Familiarize yourself with all the controls, especially those less used like leaning or quick weapon switching.
• Learn the Maps: Knowing the layout of maps can give you a strategic advantage. Recognize common choke points, hiding spots, and high ground.

2. Improve Your Aim

• Practice Regularly: Use aim trainers or specific training modes within games. Aim labs or custom games with bots can be very effective.
• Adjust Sensitivity: Find a sensitivity that feels right for both quick turns and precise aiming. It might differ between games.
• Crosshair Placement: Always aim at head level and where enemies are likely to appear. This reduces the time needed to aim.

3. Tactical Movement

• Use Cover: Always move from one piece of cover to another. Peek around corners using the least amount of your body possible.
• Footsteps and Sound: Learn to listen for directional sound cues. In many games, quieter movement can mean the difference between life and death.
• Strafe and Peek: Practice moving unpredictably. Strafing can make you a harder target while peeking can give you info without exposing yourself.

4. Game Knowledge

• Understand Game Mechanics: Learn how different weapons work, including recoil patterns, effective ranges, and bullet spread.
• Watch Pro Players: Observe how top players move, shoot, and strategize. Streams, tournaments, and gameplay videos are great resources.

5. Communication and Teamwork

• Call Outs: If playing multiplayer, good communication can turn the tide of battle. Learn the callouts for key map locations.
• Role Play: Sometimes playing to support your team like a medic or a spotter can be as crucial as being the one with the highest kill count.

6. Settings Optimization

• Customize Your Setup: Adjust your graphics settings for the best performance and visibility. Lower settings might mean higher FPS, which can be key in fast-paced shooters.
• Audio Settings: Good sound cues are vital. Adjust your audio settings to hear footsteps and gunfire more clearly.

7. Mindset and Adaptation

• Stay Calm: Panic leads to poor decision-making. Practice keeping calm under pressure.
• Adaptability: Games evolve, metas change, and new tactics emerge. Be ready to adapt your playstyle.

8. Health Management

• Know When to Engage: Sometimes, retreating to heal or regroup is the better strategy than pushing for a kill.

9. Regular Breaks and Analysis

• Take Breaks: Avoid burnout. Regular breaks can improve focus and performance.
• Review Your Gameplay: Watch replays if available to see where you went wrong or could improve.