Panther asks about Scouting

[Fluff]

I'm wondering if I can help some understand what I barely understand myself...
Panther has asked some genuine questions after getting treated to be on the receiving end of someone having a "scout-tastic" showing one map. This was like a month ago. There were several players there at the time - maybe 6 or more. I happened to be in tune that night and ended up with a score like 80-8 on King of the Hill_usa.
His question: "How do you get so many head shots?"
My lame but true answer: "Practice practice practice"
In my head, at the time we were IMing, I was wondering how I could explain something that covers so much to consider and integrate into one's playing in just a few sentences - I couldn't. I feel I did not do good enough by Panther at the time but I really didn't have a way to convey something I barely understood myself.
So here is an attempt to help in understanding how I get good with the scout sometimes.
I have two basic kinds of aiming styles I am best with that I use with the scout but not so much with other weapons. I have a third style added in when I am "ON A ROLL" and in a kill or die situation. It's a risky one so I don't use it when I am not under pressure.
All of my aiming has a timing-expectation to it!
In order of frequency of use :
Side-to Side sweep-
When you are both out in the open or just him..
I have learned to sweep my crosshairs starting from both left or right to get a body shot. This is timed and you get used to it. The variable here is if the target is changing direction, speed, etc. If they are standing still or running in one direction there is really no excuse to not nick him one. That is pure timing on the shooter's part. This gets tougher when they are fighting you and they are moving side to side erratically. It is still a matter of timing/anticipation just the window for error has narrowed. When you are truly used to timing your shot on a sweep you can see the shot in advance - it's hard to describe but it combines reading the scene and getting the feel of how they are moving, antcipating where they will be that half second from now, - then the muscle memory kicks in. That's where you have made that move so much you just make it and don't try to "aim" in the traditional sense. The hardest variation of this is when you have a camping sniper and YOU are the one on the move and in the open. Of course the dis-advantage is great with a partially hidden sniper waiting to pop you off. Same style applies and the only advantage you have is your target isn't moving. What I anticipate in that scene are my moves. I know I will be moving out so far and shooting THAT spot where he is. Muscle memory again. Practice practice practice
Sweep-up aim
Not sure what to call this one. This is when you spin around toward someone who is shooting you and don't pop a shot at first but get a head shot. A quick spin and the crosshairs are on their belly or chest - then a glide straight up and pop the head. This is timed and muscle memory. The muscle memory gets me on your belly and gives me a smooth slide exactly straight up the torso. I look for movement - are they standing still or jumping? - adjust timing accordingly. When it looks like I am on the neck I fire - but I don't "look" so much as it feels like a repeat of many many encounters and it's more like "this is the moment to do it". Like timing yo-yo maneuvers with your hand - you "see" it is time to make that movement that either catches it or walks the dog. It becomes a "feel" to me.
Jumpers are the easiest. You can predict where they are going to be 1/2 second from now - same timing on the neck if you want but usually it's a quick body shot and on to the next target. You only have to get your crosshairs on the body and hold still until the right moment. All of that is less than one second of time - swinging to aimpoint, waiting for right moment. Muscle memory again. Practice practice practice
Direct aim for the head
Mostly I pop head shots with the sweep maneuver on stationary targets. But sometimes time seems to slow down and "putting" the crosshairs on a moving head that's fairly near you is do-able( hardest scene ) This can be with me moving but if I am already set and in the open when the target comes out and squats - then they have given me 4 times the amount of time it takes to pull a quick "anywhere" shot and let's me take tha extra 1/2 second to come down on the head in a timed unpanicked fashion. I may atart out with my crosshairs being off-center at some odd angle off the target area and instead of getting on a sweeping level I go straight to the head - that shot has a lower chance so you need am extra split second of being a target yourself. Truly - anyone that gives me 1/2 second or more to aim is most likely to get hit somewhere. Head shots come more often when I'm in a groove with timing. There is almost a "let it happen" quality to it because I feel a rythm between my movements and the game and I try not to try too hard. I either watch my crosshairs float down to the head and pull the trigger when they meet or "put" it on their head in a close fight.
When I get in this mode I seem to be taking in a lot of info at once and making a plan for the next two shots while making the current shot. Seriously, I see 4 targets and try to assess which is the most threatening (squatters get my 1st attention) or if they all are and I need to retreat with a nade in their direction. If they aren't all focused on me I can tell which one is engaging me and target him - at the same time I am taking in the other targets and anticipating where my sweep will need to go next and next all the while adding the next target or two as I go. A combination of muscle memory and training.

Of course... be the hardest target you can be....
keep moving - when in the open move side to side when fighting - this is why the sweep maneuver works so much.

[Head-Shot Victim]

I couldn't get headshots until I started aiming above their head a smidge. That's the only thing I found to help.

[Fluff]

[Head-Shot Victim]

I almost never stand and shoot. Always squating. For some reason aiming just a hair above their head works best for me. Kinda weird.

[Fluff]

[Panther]

wow i never got around to reading this page but jee thx fluff thats helps a lot. watch out next i have a scout. im guna use ur strats on u. hehe. and ur right headsho sometimes it is like that. take for example dust2002 wen ur t and trying to scout the ct in the ct spawn windown u have to shoot above the head. thx u guys.

[maddog]

Thats what I do to. that post sum it up really good.
PS that what do and try to put in too my scouting, Just not as great as you the master. All hale the king of scouting
Maddog

[Panther]

thats true all hail the master of scouting FLUFF!