Clutch or Kick: tips and tricks during clutch situations

It’s as tight as it gets, the scores are tied at fourteen each and the lead has been going back and forth throughout the game so far. This is a crucial round and the pressure to secure at least a tie is on. It doesn’t start well; two allies are taken out in quick succession, only bringing down one opponent with them. Across the map a friend manages to pick up a kill, but the hope quickly dissolves as he is traded out along with the teammate he was with. Ultimately you have been let down by your team and must now face three bloodthirsty counter-terrorists alone. Your hands might be shaking and sweat could be blurring your vision but this is it, your time to shine. Welcome to the clutch.

We’ve all been in a scenario like this at some point during our Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) careers. Some people thrive off the thrill of being the last man alive and managing to take down multiple opponents. Yet at the same time a lot of people also struggle, panicking in the face of adversity and ultimately being unsure of how to act. There is nothing wrong with this, it is a completely normal reaction to the increased pressure of having your whole team spectate and judge every move you make.

Newer players in particular are often simply not used to it, lacking the core game sense that hours of practice provides. However, this does not mean that executing a clutch is reserved for those with thousands of hours; in fact it is quite the opposite and something that players of all skill levels can pull off. In this article we will be looking at some things to consider in clutch situations as well as what to do on the reverse side of things if you and your team have the numbers but are facing a lone enemy.

 

Points to remember in clutch situations:

Know when to save – This is often forgotten about at some ranks. In certain situations it can be far more beneficial to save your rifle if possible, especially if it is an AWP or auto sniper. Getting exit kills and damaging the other team's economy can also prove to be very advantageous. Remember that there is no point saving on the final round of a half or a game. Your team can help you make the right call, particularly if they are more experienced than you, so do not be afraid to ask for your allies’ opinion.

Don’t panic – Take a deep breath and remain calm. Remember that this is only a game and your opponents are under just as much pressure as you are, especially if you start taking them out. The odds are stacked against you and nobody can honestly blame you if you are unsuccessful. Try to relax and keep in control, there are a lot of lifestyle choices that can benefit this. Drinking a lot of water, regular exercise and plenty of sleep will all help to keep your stress levels lower. Don’t dwell on a mistake if you fail, tackle one round at a time and move on in the next with a fresh start.

Take your time – Keeping your position unknown can be incredibly useful, so don’t run about like a headless chicken straight off the bat. Keep an eye on the clock and use the time to your advantage. It is likely that you will be cornered once your position is compromised, so try to at least catch one opponent by surprise. To help this use any information gained in the round to try and work out where you think your opponents will be heading, catching people off guard during a rotate or on their own is a great start.

Time plays a very different role for the terrorist and counter-terrorist side and has positives and negatives for each. For a terrorist the time limit can be cruel, especially if you have to retrieve and plant the bomb. Remember that it takes three seconds in total to plant the bomb and if you do manage to get into a position to plant try and place it somewhere that you can cover easily. It is incredibly difficult and frustrating for the counter-terrorist trying to defuse in a one on one situation, peaking quickly and firing shots in their direction is often enough to put them off.

As a counter-terrorist the time ticking away is your friend, unless the bomb has been planted. As soon as the bomb is counting down you have to make a decision, do you attempt to retake whichever site it is at and clutch the round or as previously mentioned save. Be decisive and stick to your choice. Faking a bomb plant is less reliable than faking a defuse, so catching a planting terrorist can win rounds if the timing is tight.

Get creative – If you are going for it with nothing to lose then try something unusual. If there was ever a time to try and fake a flash by throwing your pistol or attempt a jumping scout shot then this might be it. Of course this only applies in certain situations and shouldn’t be the go to option at every chance you get. If you do try something unusual it may just catch your opponents by surprise and provide you with the upper hand, along with an influx of style points. Be smart about this and use your own judgment to gauge what you think you can get away with.

 

Points to remember when there is only one opponent left:

Use the number advantage – A common mistake people make is running into the last person alive one by one. Peeking without teammates there to back you up can often result in feeding kills and even allow your opposition to complete the clutch. If you don’t know where they are play it smart and don’t hold too obvious angles. If you do know where they are try and close in from multiple positions, using the in-game voice chat will help to coordinate this. Try not to bait your own teammates, if they are in a fire fight help them out rather than wait passively to see if they die.

Be wary of the ninja defuse – Once in a blue moon somebody manages the ninja defuse in the face of incredible odds. If you are playing as the terrorist side and have taken a site be sure to clear it out fully. One of the best examples of this is the pit at site A on Inferno. Leaving the site to chase down the last man standing can really help to break their economy; just make sure you know the bomb is guaranteed to go off. It may not happen often but is definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Common save areas – On each map there are certain areas that offer good protection for saving rifles and AWPs. If you know they are trying to keep hold of their gear then hunt them down methodically and try to picture where they might hide on the map you are on. Check the common hiding spots and be sure to call out if you see or hear any clues to their location.

Don’t neglect your grenades – Just because there is only one opponent left does mean that you should relax and forget about your grenades. Throwing a smoke or a flash in the direction of the last man alive can really slow them down and force them to try another angle or give up on their hope for the clutch. It is far better to be safe and use your grenades to try and secure the round than die with them still on your body because you underestimated the capability of the last man alive.

 

Hopefully this will give you a few things to consider when you are the last person alive or are trying to prevent an opponent from clutching. These situations are one of CS:GO’s most entertaining features and if executed successfully provide a feeling like no other. Over time you will become more comfortable relying solely on your own ability and eventually learn to love the thrill of the clutch as many players already do.