To play COD4 to your peak ability, have a decent headset and practice in public servers listening to movement. Once you can master the sounds of the game, shooting whoever is making the noise becomes a piece of cake. Of course, don't completely rely on sound. Don't forget those crouching ninja!
Crouching Is Your Best Friend
When you're not crouching and want to move just simply toggle down the sights of your gun. While sighted in, you move much faster than crouching, and keep the silence. Just be ready to his the crouch if you have to toggle back.
Communicate With Your Team
"WTF?!? How did he kill me?!?" isn't quite what I mean. Help your team and listen for their commentary. Try to keep the comments on your voice server to a few words. "1, B plant" or "3 B corridor" are perfect to inform your team if you hear movement. Also make sure to inform your team if you die. Just because you drop doesn't mean your team can't get revenge for you.
Choose The Weapon Best Suited For You
If you like to move fast and rush, go with spec-ops. If you'd rather sit back, maybe the sniper is for you. Whatever you are best with is going to be to the advantage of your team as well as yourself.
Know Your Weaknesses
It's sometimes hard to notice your flaws, but you should try to learn your mistakes as you play. You are going to lose, it's part of the game. That doesn't mean you can't try and improve!
Use Your Position To Your Advantage
It's better to stand behind a car that can blow up than stand in the middle of the street in a fire fight. Learn what can be walled through and what stops bullets. Ultimately, the smart player beats the better player if they have the advantage of the proverbial "high ground".
Know Your Limits
Don't rush into a group of five guys. If you know you can't do something, take a second and work it out in your head. Perhaps a seconds thought can give you the advantage you need! Also, know your computer limits. Don't play for five hours straight, take a break and relax doing something else. A moment away from the computer can return alot of your stamina.
Join A Team That Is Your Style
If you like the realistic type of clan, join one. If you prefer a laid back ground, that's for you. Just don't go somewhere you can't stand playing. It is a game, and ultimately, if it's not fun then you aren't helping yourself.
Seek Help From Other Players
More than likely if you can't do something, someone can help you. Ask some of your friends to show you a trick or two. A little help goes a long way and if you learn something you can pass it on to others.
Stay Relaxed
The more stressed you feel, the worse you are going to play. When you're stressed you don't think or assess a situation, you just move. If you feel stressed in a game, take a deep breath and a minute break. After that, go back and whoop the enemy!
Know Your Enemy
I've played alot of teams and probably would have lost if I didn't know the team I was playing. Once you understand the positioning, gun selection, and strengths of another team you can pick apart their power round by round. If you have to lose a round or two just to learn, it's better than ignoring the enemy's strategy.
Practice
Everyone always says it, but it's true. The more you play, the better you get at everything that the COD4 competitive world has to offer. In the end, you'll thank yourself for taking the time to prepare for scrims or just play with a group of clanmates!
