How to Peek Effectively in CS2

I just wrote a couple paragraphs explaining the best way to peek a corner in CS2 for a new player who was asking questions on Reddit. I figured that I might as well make a video because the things that I was writing are better illustrated in motion than via text. It's probably easier to understand and explain the fundamentals of peeking corners in CS in this format.
0:00 - Intro
0:15 - Peek as fast as possible
1:02 - Never press 'W'
2:18 - Stop as fast as possible
3:09 - Simplify your peek
3:24 - Crosshair placement
4:02 - What to practice
5:48 - Another example
7:04 - What not to do
7:29 - tl;dw? just walk horizontally :)
#CS2 #csgo #counterstrike #peekersadvantage

[@matchboxr]

Hi everyone, the response to this video has been shockingly positive! I really appreciate all the kind words that are being said here. *If you have any questions you want answered or subjects covered in follow up videos, please leave a comment!* I’m planning to make a few other similar videos to this one, and want to know what to prioritize. Again, thank you everyone! I did not expect my first video on this channel to reach so many people :) Cheers, matchbox ✌️🤠

[@Puxi]

Speak slow man me now english this ,

[@X3GoldenOfficial]

Regarding 4:56 The "peeking further back away from the wall/angle" has been debated a lot. Peeking close to the wall will actually seem way quicker on the enemy POV so that is actually usually better when possible. Peeking further back is way slower from the enemy POV so it will be easier for them to react in time to kill you. Also when peeking further away from the wall, you're moving and they're not for a longer period of time even a slight bit, this will give you the disadvantage and them the advantage. What do you think, have I been misinformed?

[@ultrablazed9126]

Shockingly positive? Dude your videos are awesome!

[@BrianRamirezIAteASock]

This video is concise and useful! Can you please go over how to hold a defensive angle? I don't know if I should constantly watch an angle or if I should peak out occasionally instead

[@matchboxr]

@@BrianRamirezIAteASock yes! Holding angles / CT fundamentals is coming soon

[@DaniakNigga]

why is ben shapiro teaching me how to peek on mirage

[@samirhussain458]

Thanks Ben Shapiro.

[@ZoMiLeTHIRD]

Now I can hear it... great, I can't unhear it

[@SubOptimal_]

oh god i cant unhear it

[@legoz77]

I CAN’T UNHEAR IT HEELLP

[@bigjack6698]

Lmaoooo ofc I saw this comment 30 seconds into the video

[@fl3tched]

I clicked on this video and instantly said "I didnt know ben shapiro played cs"

[@laeioun]

Do also consider shadows. A main on Mirage is a good example. Even though peeking from further back is faster, they see your shadow beforehand, negating the effectiveness of your fast peek.

[@Nyver253]

You do make a good point and this is good to keep in mind, but any team with even the most decent of knowledge will throw a pop flash and other forms of util over A main when pushing.

[@laeioun]

@@Nyver253 I see, that does help cover it, but then the timing needs to be really perfect. Ideally, the peeker would start peeking at the same time as the flash pops. But due to the shadow giving them away early, they would have to calculate a slightly delayed and really tight peek, or maybe wide swing early to catch the blinded enemy.

[@L3D33]

A main on Mirage?

[@laeioun]

Yes. A main is the wide entrance to A bombsite from T-side.@@L3D33

[@slippynipz]

@@L3D33 he's most likely referring to "Bombsite A" main lane. Which typically, is going to be swinging from ramp/palace alley. If you're coming from mid to corridor or jungle, they'll just call it that.

[@Unique__Thoughts]

You sound like a less nasally Ben Shapiro. Also you have a cool ak craft 🐐

[@CalixGamin]

Can't unhear now, thanks.

[@redeemme8382]

Yeah you broke this guy for me all I hear is Ben Shapiro

[@nutskok5394]

Ben shabino

[@AutoFish6484]

I’m now picturing a facecam of Ben Shapiro lol

[@CalixGamin]

​​@@AutoFish6484same when I read the comment I instantly started seeing Ben doing his lil head nod / tilt thing as he talks 😂

[@Jailbird830]

Mate... that glove + knife + agent combo is unreal. You have amazing taste! I dream of having a loadout like this one day. Well done.

[@matchboxr]

Thanks! Tiger tooth is my favourite knife finish- more than half the knives I’ve owned have been tiger tooths haha

[@kurtrayner7562]

I have the same gloves, underrated in my opinion! Great vid btw

[@matchboxr]

@@kurtrayner7562 big games are *by far* the most underrated gloves in the game imo. I get more compliments on them than I do on my $2,000 knife hahaha

[@mizmuth]

@@matchboxr Those definitely look great. I prefer running overtakes with my tiger tooth falchion, a very solid and budget friendly combo.

[@RossWasTaken]

the ak too, really nice yellow/gold inv

[@drkvaladao776]

Very nice, Subscribed! For someone who feels like something is missing when playing, don't get much kills these tutorials are great. Keep them coming!

[@clay2889]

I'm blown away by the quality of this video of a channel with such few subs. Been playing CS for years and you explained what took me 5 years to learn by myself in just 7 minutes. Well done

[@diktaf]

You've got a knack for explaining things. Thanks for this!

[@jartex]

Very good explanation for the majority of new players! I will use it and translate it for my friends as well! Thank you.

[@sokkejimbo]

Crazy good video man. High quality, to the point, good examples. Real math (huge kudos). Very much subbed from here. Also, great thumbnail and cewl knife

[@matchboxr]

Thank you! I definitely have a few other videos planned; mostly covering mistakes I commonly see fairly good players making

[@sashaesb]

This is super helpful! I'm just getting back into Counterstrike after, like, 5 years, and I was never that good when I did play anyways. I didn't even know about counterstrafing, and I'm super bad at peeking, so I'm glad I found this video :)

[@izuizu8989]

bro i love the way how you're explaining this! respect!

[@Terminator-ht3sx]

as a csgo sliver this is the best peeking video i’ve seen. great video❤️🔥 ik exactly how to improve my peeking big time now thank you

[@rapi666X]

Thank you for the good info, keep it up with the amazing content! 🔥

[@Un1qu3_PL]

Good stuff, mate. Very well explained. It should be basic knowledge, but people still forget about it. There are still things like shadow (dis)advantage/situation/time and other aspects, where you can't afford to enter side clinical like that. But still very well explained. Gonna show it to my son, so he can improve. Thank you for the vid, keep it up, mate!

[@mrgenius4]

Awesome videos, no distracting music and straight to the point.

[@HOSS_-hh3zj]

really good reminder video to come back and look on, thank you for that.

[@foxus-a113]

Dude, really nice guides. Keep it up!

[@yesiam7481]

You explain things pretty good man, W video

[@concertgod5758]

knife glove combo goin crazy

[@dwhit4245]

Thank you for simplifying this game. I’m new and your videos are super helpful

[@pupupuppuu]

Sick tips, I just got back into the game. Helps a lot, big thanks!

[@iamwakeen]

I can tell that this channel will make quality content. Subscribed!

[@JunsuePark]

Straight and to the point. subbed

[@GeorgeT96]

Fantastic video mate! Didnt realise I was peaking wrong until now honestly, will improve

[@deasinlostin7667]

I've played going on 10 years this next December, almost 6k hours. This was an awesome explanation. Even people at somewhat high-level cs miss key fundamentals like this. Earned a sub.

[@user-lp5wb2rb3v]

same lol

[@oszki_]

Tf you talk about. I have 1k hours and everything he said was so obvious. +I think he is not right about peeking, in cs2 it’s better to peek closer. What the hell could you learn from this video?

[@Billybob-go8hn]

​@oszki_ yea then you're already dead because he seen you first. Seems like you didnt listen at all

[@Lukqru]

@@oszki_who’s gonna know more about it then you or this guy

[@MrBacon-ou1kw]

@@oszki_ what rank are you buddy? I promise you everybody under global doesn't do this properly. Even a lot of lower skilled globals don't do this right, so unless you're a level 8-10 faceit player I don't wanna hear it. Which you obviously aren't because you only have 1k hours in the game so you're probably not good and definitely don't do this right.

[@Vestedd]

This was so good please more.

[@blackph2025]

I LOVE YOUR KNIFE, GLOVE, GUN, PLAYER SKIN COMBO

[@thislue4376]

Thank you so much for the great video, absolutely class content! I will try my best to implement it into my game. Please keep it up, would be nice to get more advice on CS2.

[@matchboxr]

Thank you! I have a few more videos planned; I just haven’t had time to record and edit them just yet :)

[@nomizuniverse1073]

Rlly like your explaining style :)

[@rsobrady]

Bud I've never played this game until this week, been messing around in deathmatch being mid table the whole time. Just watched this and came 1st in 3 games in a row. I know it's just deathmatch but you made this extremely simple, it's so easy to implement. Thank you. Looking forward to more videos!

[@MyctiK]

i recommend trying out some of the workshop maps, if you want to get better at aiming, strafing, spraycontrol. there is alot of maps like, Aimbotz which help to get better at the basics

[@redux5848]

Hey bro, I have just started the game and can already say this is a game changer for me. Thanks so much!!

[@NitrooxYouTube]

4:02. This part was informative, thanks for the video!

[@Leptiaos]

There is also another fact that you didn't talk about. The reason why people crouch peek is that they're scared to make noise or something. BUT, there is a mechanic in Counter-Strike which allows you to make any noise, by just not being in movement just some seconds before peeking. Like : take your position and place your crosshair through the wall, wait around one big second, and peek. You'd see that you absolutely didn't make any noise because of your foot. So everybody can check a site without making noise AND by being fast and quick. Now go remove some heads Oh and ultra useful tutorial btw

[@iluvpandas2755]

I don’t understand what you just said but thanks

[@juicybacon12]

@@iluvpandas2755I think they mean if you STRAFE with AD incrementally you can go one or two full speed steps with out making noise. But the trip is to fully stop in between those few steps or else you’d make noise

[@Rich.Mindset]

Amazing Stuff G 😱😱🔥🔥

[@user-ku5oo2cl3z]

Good video. It's nice to listen to someone with a sharp, no-BS mind. Subscribed. How would you recommend that I practice counterstrafing? I need to really drill it in as a habit, because while I know the advice is to do it, I end up not doing it in most actual games.

[@nevad1784]

i needed to hear this, have been wondering about this lately. Crazy the algorhythm gave me the answer.

[@matchboxr]

Happy to hear it's helped someone! glhf!

[@MrBacon-ou1kw]

bro said algorhythm LMAO. Love seeing people's creative spelling

[@f0rmatPlayz]

You have quality content keep it up!

[@BigLRestInPeace]

Also with the A ramp peek, by standing further back on that ledge, you are not blocking anyone behind you who can cover tetris while you peek triple.

[@cheefpoker]

I'm 41 and getting back into CS. I played since beta. Had to step away from the game entirely to raise my kids but now that they're older, I'm getting my feet wet again. This video has helped A LOT with getting back into the fundamentals. Subbed! Thanks you for this!

[@bigkaris912]

Crazy its not explained this simply on other pro channels its all over complicated. Thank you alot

[@RapLyricalVideos]

Awesome man 🔥❤

[@darksoul_shm]

Amazing video. Would just like to add that sometimes situation calls for peeking close to wall for a super wide peek, because on the enemy's screen you will appear faster when peeking closer to the wall than away from the wall.....and so the enemy would have to flick more if you peek closer to the wall. Situations like when the enemy is holding a tight angle, you would peek closer to the wall to appear faster to the enemy so that he is unable to react in time. So peeking close to the wall should not be completely ignored, it's situational and with proper crosshair placement, you can easily get a kill even when peeking close to the wall.

[@dragunovful]

was looking for this comment. Super important. 3kliksphillip covered this recently I believe.

[@Pedro75151]

nice content bro you deserve more subs

[@PunchbuggyBlue]

Wow. This is gonna help! Thanks

[@swampfox3536]

You also need to know what other peeks are, 1. Bait peek (hugging the wall close range, using A and D to bait awp shots or even to know their location), 2. Bait peek (jumping strafe) difficult to pull it off, 3. tight peek, 4. Wide peek. You need to know when these peeks are viable for different situations.

[@NachitenRemix]

This is clearly a tutorial for people who are not experts

[@kelthings7124]

bro just got teaching me on math. nice video thank you

[@nightfighter8837]

bro after the video i just 3 insta peek hs in 3 rounds you are the best

[@ksawi288]

Nice guide will use it!

[@user-gi9zf5fq4r]

thank you for easy guide video😊

[@dyslexic7]

ty so much for this video

[@uzairshahid2506]

Great video transitioned to cs from cod and i lack in this area sm

[@lolrus]

the fact that you can see your own leg now so you can show how its peeking when you have angle disadvantage is great lmao

[@tenshi2024]

Gotta appreciate your skin set lol, really good especially those golden bracelets on hand!!

[@matchboxr]

Thank you! (I spend too much money on this game LMFAO)

[@Notter_]

amazing man!!!

[@iyexz]

loved this got 10x better by watching this vid

[@notkaymao]

solid vid ty fo the advice

[@longlive8850]

thank you ben shapeeko for your advice

[@B0kaj]

yoo, thats crazy. i thought i made an original combo with big game, tiger tooth bayonet and bloody darryl. But then i scrolled on YT and i saw your thumbnail with this combo XD.

[@B0kaj]

No inspiration btw :D

[@JG-pz8mg]

Awesome content!

[@rarejunkie]

Mans was about to pull out the pythagorean theorem

[@MrToneAddicted]

Keep up the good work! +1sub

[@paullim4279]

Older millennial here getting back into CS since like high school (early 2000’s). Your straight to the point videos are highly appreciated. Like, commenting, and subscribing, bro. I rarely do one of those things, much less do all three.

[@per-arneandersen2579]

Thats why i die when close peek corners. Great video helps alot.

[@mygoi715]

This video is like an efficient public service: I never thought it would exist, but it does...

[@LeFingal]

I played counter strike when it first released the very first beta. way before 1.0 , 1.3 and 1.6 which all people favor differently. I remember when bunny jumping was at it's peak which i will admit was kind of fun to hop around getting headshots! But great point for those who don't understand, and even I till this day can do silver mistakes just because i'm not focused. Having map knowledge is one thing but if you can't peek or know your nades on each map then you're done for in cs2. Nades are so important because every map has sweet spots for safe smoking, good flashes and plases for HE and molly's.

[@mayosaucelol]

Hey just want to say this helped me out a lot. I only have 90 hours on csgo so thank you

[@estrellita9185]

great job!!!

[@euphoria1980]

bro taught about velocity components aswell lmao W vid

[@matusperasin8420]

this helped me so much

[@brentschmogbert]

Im 67 and this helped a lot. Thank you

[@Cowboy2004]

"I'm not gonna do Pythagorean theorem live" LMAOOOOOO

[@klaskamjajami7841]

great knife gloves combo

[@j12e29]

Amazing video

[@ondrejeder8816]

great videos, thx

[@jordanperekopskiy3361]

probably the first time I've seen math in a CS guide video.

[@jayyoucouldsay]

Great video!

[@rehab_herr]

sick loadout

[@ibrahimixe]

thx man !

[@hatsunehades]

holy shit, right into it at the start, clear voice, and useful, actually a good video lmao thank you

[@dustinp26]

I like the way you articulate yourself in a technical explanation. Would you mind sharing the reddit post/comment this originated from?

[@rqertip]

good shit matchbox, better than 99% of videos

[@squanchygaming]

Knife/glove combo is CRISPY

[@griffenbrd]

great video I liked some of your analysis. The only thing i’m curious about is your opinion on peeking an awp. In my mind you would never peek an awp from the furthest back position of ramp, because even though you decrease the exposure time of your player model you also take a super unfavorable fight. If you instead swing the awp from close to the wall you can fake them out with a jiggle or swing across with a closer distance.

[@matchboxr]

Absolutely. Peeking an awper is more nuanced. I always recommend trying to push them out of a strong angle with util. (In the case of the example angle, I’d be smoking jungle and stairs, and then getting a teammate to flash over main). Once you’ve pushed them into a weaker angle, you can either try jiggling to bait the shot or just get a teammate to trade you

[@sh666nks]

Pretty sure on the close vs far explanation you got it backwards but only one part. Now if you peek farther away from the ang you'll see them sooner/first depending on where they're standing. fl0m does a good explanation of this on his channel. But wide swinging fast is better closer. Overall peeking is better farther away from the ang. If this doesn't make sense think of it this way. People standing right in front of you moving left to right seem to be moving faster (even though they're moving the same speed) vs people standing across the map moving left to right. I shouldn't have to explain this any further. Anyways good vid hope this helped both parties

[@lechu1789]

Thank you.

[@bubhale811]

Generally this is good advice but I think it’s good to add that once you get to a point with your side to side counter strafing you need to work on more advanced strafing. You can’t move around the whole map with an and d and you also can’t count on enemies only being behind angles that only require a or d to peek. Dust long doors to mid is a good example of this. After you lock down side to side strafing your next step is actually to practice counter strafing w’s and w + a / w + d. ~ someone with 90+ strafing on leetify

[@gamingbeast710]

Awsome❤

[@bellanti]

heY, I have a question, switching the primary weapon with the secondary and back again does the shot more powerful? thanks for the video!, nice tips.-

[@MaybeScripted]

Ben shapiro giving me cs2 tips is crazy

[@Xerathful]

Hi, great video man. I wonder when you peek on 30th second do you move your mouse or just holding your mouse poisition?

[@belgiumball2308]

Tbh A ramp was the worst example you could show peeking as far as possible, the shadow would give you away.

[@jimmymh369]

I liked it, thanks for the advice

[@Shwanksy]

very good video, covered everything, came here looking for something cs2 specific due to the desync issues but i kept watching anyway. im left handed hence the munted binds but just imagine w a s d but as p l ; ' I made the mistake of getting used to diagonal strafing (rh on keyboard) pretty early on and it stuck around for a while. (and just a disclaimer, he is right, it has never actually helped me and in the couple of cases where it sort of did, it still would have been better just doing l and ' (a and d) strafing and counter strafing ) while it doesnt help, i can do it cleanly and its probably more to do with my binding layout and the key layout of my keyboards (movement pl;' , up arrow for walk, right alt for crouch, reload o, nades ] - [ = \ ). Now i have repeated multiple times it doesnt work well but that only applies to the actual counterstrike gameplay, it can be very useful in some other gameplay settings that are primarily based around movement and again its only useful in very very specific circumstances on mid-ish level surf as a loose/unspecific example.

[@romanpro8125]

I hope my future teammates can learn from this ❤

[@user-yj9pp4lh6v]

now I won't learn just to spite you ♥️

[@tazz1226]

Moving diagonally doesnt move as u would predict but keeps the same speed vectors magnitude, effectively halfing the speed, otherwise diagonal movement will be faster than horizontal and vertical alone, (pythagoras), as a game dev, hope it helps

[@STLLITE]

You sound and remind me a lot of @HectorHectorson , anyways, great video and breakdown. CS would benefit so much from this content.

[@qcold7621]

you have a really nice voice and clear diction tbh. just letting you know :)

[@matchboxr]

Thank you!

[@Crossovahh]

I have 3k hours in csgo (and only rated 6k in CS2....) And I really appreciate the way you broke down not just the mechanics but also the theory behind the mechanics. Very beneficial to players of all skill levels