Arch Pop Flash from A Short

Steps

1. From A short, approach the corner where the corridor turns toward the arch entrance. Stop about two steps back from the corner so you have room to run and throw.
2. Look at the right wall of the corridor at roughly head height. Find the point where the wall meets the corner edge - the exact spot where the corridor turns toward arch.
3. Place your crosshair on the wall corner edge at about head height. The underhand throw needs to go around this corner, so aiming at the edge ensures the flash bounces into the arch area.
4. Start running forward toward the corner. As you reach the corner, right click to throw the flash underhand while still moving. The key is releasing the flash just as you pass the wall edge.
5. The flash pops almost instantly around the corner inside arch, blinding any CT positioned there. Because it is an underhand throw, the flash pops within a fraction of a second of leaving your hand, giving defenders zero time to react.

Tips

• Pop flashes are the most effective type of flash in CS2 because they give the enemy almost no reaction time. The underhand throw makes the flash pop immediately after it clears the corner.
• Timing is everything with this flash. You need to release right click as you reach the corner - too early and the flash pops before it clears the wall, too late and the CT sees it in the air.
• If the flash pops on your side of the wall (blinding yourself), you released too early. Wait a half step longer before throwing.
• If the flash pops in the open and the CT has time to turn, you released too late and the flash traveled too far before detonating. Release earlier in your run.
• Have a teammate ready to peek arch the instant the flash pops. The blinded CT is vulnerable for about 2 seconds - your entry fragger needs to be there immediately.
• Practice the timing in an offline server with sv_cheats 1; sv_infinite_ammo 1; sv_grenade_trajectory 1; sv_grenade_trajectory_time 10; mp_roundtime_defuse 60 until the pop timing feels natural.

When to Use

This pop flash is your primary tool for taking the arch area during A site attacks. Use it when:

• A site executes where your team needs to clear arch before pushing through to site
• Entry fragging from short where the arch CT is the first defender you encounter before accessing the site
• Mid-round picks where you are pushing through short alone and need to catch the arch player off guard
• Coordinated pushes where your teammate smokes pit and you flash arch simultaneously to overwhelm the A defenders
• Eco round rushes where a perfectly timed pop flash gives you the best chance of winning an aim duel against a rifled CT