Trading in CS2: how not to die for nothing
What a trade is in CS2, why it matters more than solo kills and how to position yourself to trade teammates.
A trade is killing the enemy who just killed your teammate. If a death is traded right away, the round stays even.
📌 Why it matters
A 4v5 after an untraded death is almost always harder.
A good trade turns a teammate's death into a 1-for-1.
Teams that trade each other win more often than teams of strong solo players.
🔧 How to position for a trade
Stay close to your teammate, but not directly behind them in a line — or you both die to one spray.
Stand where you can see the spot that is shooting your teammate.
Move right after the first player, a split second behind.
🎯 How to swing
The first player peeks or throws a flash, the second swings immediately on whoever shoots.
Listen to gunfire: if your teammate starts shooting, it is time to go.
Communicate: "I'm behind you", "going after the flash".
⚠️ Mistakes
Waiting too long after your teammate dies — the enemy reloads and repositions.
Standing so far away that you cannot reach the enemy.
Peeking the same angle from another path where the enemy is already aiming.