How do I stop being terrible at this game.

Seriously, I've devoted hundreds of hours into games like Timesplitters 2 and Quake, but I am atrocious at any sort of modern FPS. You'd think my skill would transfer, but you'd be wrong!

How can I get better?

use more skill

Use more...Crap, I was beaten to it! 

Abuse the game like everyone else.

Black Ops online maps are designed so you die, theres no places to hide. Every building or what would be a good place to hide out in has multiple entrances, so it makes it impossible to hold up somewhere. you have to keep constantly moving, which means you'll die alot more.

I don't think a deficiency of skill is the problem here!
I can kick serious ass in Timesplitters 2 and Quake 3, but I have a lot of trouble playing Call of Duty, or anything else that isn't super fast.
Maybe that's the problem. I can't make myself think that slow.

You have to play constantly to be truly awesome. Test out strategies, different load-outs, see what works for you.

Primary weapon: AK74u with Rapid Fire, or FAMAS
Perk 1: Lightweight, or whatever
Perk 2: Steady Aim 
Perk 3: Whatever
 
If that doesn't do it for you then Houston, we've got a problem.

I see that you haven't read my free guide. 

Use the Stoner 69. Worked for me.

Well here's your problem, your playing call of duty.

My entire experience with Black Ops is: spawn, get shot in the back 3 seconds later, repeat. Toss a few random grenades and napalm strikes in for good measure.

Aim

Same issue.

Gotta creep around like a dropshot tryhard mofo! 

For Black Ops? Exploit the broken spawn system and bad map design. Or be a man and play COD4 or MW2. 
 
 
 
Also, play Team Tactical. It's better.

My advice is to not sprint unless you know for a fact no one is around, I have lost so many fights because i have been caught sprinting, and it gave the other player that one second edge while i raised up my gun. 
 
If a guy is at close to mid range and he sees you, you are best to fire from the hip and THEN aim down the sights, it seems to help me. 
 
Always be moving, but when also try to know when its smart for you to hold up at a spot for a few seconds. If you know theres a group of 3 or 4 guys around a corner, do not pop out and try to rambo them. Dig in, throw a nade, or just wait to mow them down.  
 
Believe it or not playing smart does work well in this game, despite it being known for its run and gun nature. 

Aiming bots and wall hacks, if you're on the PC.

Well, what are you trying in Blops? What kind of guns are you using? Perks? Game modes? What's the biggest problem you feel with the transfer?

" use more skill "

" For Black Ops? Exploit the broken spawn system and bad map design. Or be a man and play COD4 or MW2.    Also, play Team Tactical. It's better. "

just remember: there's always someone behind you.

I am the same way.... except I just plain suck on consoles. Give me UT through *UT3 and i'm decent. (on PC) or *PS3 with Keyboard/mouse.

Ak 74u with extended mags
 
Hardline, for easy 2 kill streak
 
Any red perk really
 
Hacker to avoid stupid claymores
 
and a launcher to shoot down UAVs and the like

" @Potter9156 said:

" For Black Ops? Exploit the broken spawn system and bad map design. Or be a man and play COD4 or MW2.    Also, play Team Tactical. It's better. "

No. "

i suggest you camp a little more. it's what i do, i go somewhere shoot a couple of guys then find a different place to camp. find out the guys aren't there find a different place to play.

Camp/shoot at anything that moves.

Just be more aware, whenever you die stop and think about why it happened, and just take it slow and relax.

Post your gamertag, so we can watch a few of your games in theater mode, "I´m terrible" is not enough info for constructive advice. 
 
Also, class setup is not important (unless you´re running a uzi).

" i suggest you camp a little more. it's what i do, i go somewhere shoot a couple of guys then find a different place to camp. find out the guys aren't there find a different place to play. "

Always bunny hop around corners and if someone starts shooting at you, prone. 60% of the time it works all the time!

stop playing call of duty, then go to a store or steam and buy bad company 2.

Play Team Fortress 2

Here are some easy steps: 

• SPAS12 w/ silencer
• Steady Aim Pro
• Duck and weave like a muthafucker
• Peg bastards in the chest

"...bad map design."

Calm your shit and go slow. Listen for footsteps and other sounds that tell that there's someone near and don't sprint unless you KNOW that you're alone.

Sensitivity  & AIMING . Is the icing on top of Not running in open areas like a fool

Get the Wii version. It's pretty much identical to the other ones except for the hit on the graphics and the fact that everyone who plays online fuckin' suuuuuuuck, both in terms of pointing the gun and stuff like knowing that you show up on the radar if the gun you're shooting isn't silenced.

• Best tip is to stay around the perimeter of the map (as opposed to the middle) so you won't get shot in the back while you're trying to get better. 
• When you're shooting someone, hold down the crouch button at the same time to go prone while firing. You'll win the 1 on 1 battles that way because most people aim for the chest, and going prone causes them to have to re-adjust.
• Always keep moving. The only time you should stop, go prone, and hide, is when you're using a killstreak. Camping nets you low kills, and you won't improve.
• Always toss your frag/semtex grenade. Wasting a grenade is terrible.  
• The dive is surprisingly useful. Avoided a lot of grenades and claymore explosions that way.
• Practice in Combat Training. It's not an ideal substitute for real players, but you'll be able to gauge how well you're doing from game to game because the difficulty remains the same.
• I don't recommend sniping in Black Ops. There are maybe two maps that you can snipe on, and even those have a bad field of vision so you're boned if the action is elsewhere. Either way, you can practice in Combat Training to get a feel for the scopes. 
• Choose perks for your play style, but I would recommend Sleight of Hand + Ghost as safe bets.