Like chess, poker, and other traditional strategy-based games, digitalization increased accessibility. Anyone can play competitive games without being professional. Poker and chess players can compete online or play some of the online live dealer baccarat games alongside other advanced players. To win at these games, players can take years to fully gain expertise. The same goes for esports players.
So, how do these professional players train to be as good as they currently are?
Why Training Is Important in Esports
Esports titles are strategy-based games, so everyone needs to practice to be good at them. However, training for esports players is more than just being good at the game. Esports players are required to have multiple real-life abilities. This includes discipline, resilience, and determination to survive in the competitive landscape.
When professional gamers practice, they’ll naturally learn how to sharpen their cognitive skills. The most important skills in gaming include decision-making, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking. Once they have these skills, they’ll become more confident. This also helps in giving them composure when facing intense moments in crucial tournaments.
Throughout their career, esports players must also maintain their physical health. They’ll regularly train and watch their diets. Most also have a good sleeping routine to ensure they’re always in their top condition.
How Pro Gamers Train
So, how do pro gamers train to be good at what they’re doing? Here are the things that pro esports athletes do as professionals.
Physical Fitness
Many people still think that gamers aren’t fit. They spend a lot of time sitting in front of their computers, but physical fitness is important for esports players. Therefore, esports athletes are rarely unfit or out of shape.
As a professional gamer, they know that their career demands long hours of concentration. It’s a condition that mental practice can’t handle alone; they must be healthy physically to be able to constantly show quick reflexes. That’s why most esports athletes work out regularly and watch their nutrient intake to maintain their mental and physical health.
Gaming Practice
To fully master the games they’re playing, professional gamers would constantly practice. They’ll invest hours in their daily game practice routine to get better at their chosen game.
This includes getting better at the mechanics, fully understanding the maps, and analysing the flaws of their gameplay and their opponents’ patterns. Plus, it requires dedication until they can fully understand the game’s whole mechanics, so they can develop quick decision-making abilities when under pressure.
This is a repetitive process. Players who spot a skill they’re weak in will keep practicing the same thing, such as aiming and strategizing. They need to do it over and over again until the skill becomes their second nature.
Coaches would usually have a game plan and assist players when training. They’ll give feedback and watch over the players’ progress and improvements.
Teamwork and Communication
Most esports titles are multiplayer games like League of Legends and Dota 2. That means, not only must players be skillful on their own, but they also need to be able to work well with their teammates. That’s why some parts of esports players’ daily training include team communication and coordination.
Building teamwork goes beyond practicing together. Each member of an esports team must be able to trust the others during crucial moments. To achieve that, they need to build chemistry and bond as a part of training. If the team is bonded and trusts each other, they’ll be able to work together more easily and rely on one another.
Analysis and VOD Review
Professional esports players often dedicate a few hours of the day to analysis and review of their gameplay. This is also called a VOD (Video on Demand) review. By analysing their gameplay, esports players can spot their weaknesses, strengths, and whether their practice has resulted in improvements.
Through assessing their performance, players will be able to practice specific skills that they can improve. They can also make better strategies for upcoming matches.
Mental Visualization and Mindfulness
Mental performance is also crucial for esports players, especially before they’re playing in an important match. Focus and decision-making abilities are highly crucial in a match. Therefore, players should know how to calm themselves before a match they’re nervous about to remain in top condition.
Some players would develop a unique mental visualization and mindfulness practice. Some might try to imagine themselves winning the match or use certain breathing exercises. The aim is to ensure they can focus once the game starts.
