Budget on graphics went to lunch, my bad Eric..

Introduction

Every season of competitive play we prepare ourselves through a mixture of checklists, which represent the core embodiment of a true-to-the-nature ready participant. Whether your involvement is strictly endemically casual, semi-professional or a full-time professional, effort of sorts must be shown in your season to play out smoothly. Compiled below are 8 tips on a wide variety of aspects that should be looked into to prepare yourself as an individual and as a team.

1) Scheduling Your Agendas

Being tardy for anything is borderline inexcusable. If your work or school doesn’t allow you to come in late (if yours does; lucky) then why would you expect your teammates or opponents to allow it? Scheduling your agenda is a commonality and a requirement which shouldn’t be done in haste.

When I mean scheduling I mean everything. Why? It’s simple, organized people are more productive. More productivity means accomplishment. More- -accomplishment means more success.

More success means more establishment. It’s a chain affect that helps adapt your lifestyle to something that truly works wonders.

Now how is thus integrated into eSports and your season of competitive play? Unless you’re playing professionally you are most likely working a 9–5 job, going to school or both. Scheduling your agenda micromanages your day and develops a good trait. What are the things that should be scheduled?

Schedule your practice sessions as an individual and with your team

Schedule your matches in advance with enough time to account for delays or breaks

Schedule your meetings/workshops/training sessions with your team

Schedule your specific tasks such as VOD reviews, social media, etc

2) Mentally & Physically Prepare Yourself

I wrote about this before. Mentally and physically preparing yourself is a very important aspect of achieving better performance in and out of the game. During your season you’ll face a series of obstacles which will stress you out which could lead to stress eating and gaining unnecessary weight. To avoid this you should exercise — literally and mentally.

Before you play CS, stretch your arms, massage the tendons in your hands, perform light cardio so your back is relaxed and prepared for strain. Sitting down for a lot of hours playing CS can put a lot of strain on your mental state and your physical state. A quick summary of a workout that complements your play during this season of competitive play.

2 sets in a repetition of 10: jumping jacks

1 set in a repetition of 20: crunches

1 set in a repetition of 25: push-ups

1 set in a repetition of 15: lunges

A series of stretches, massaging your hands, rotating and relaxing your wrist, back, shoulders and arms

Do this before you play. Remember, having a light workout doesn’t excuse you from dieting properly. It isn’t a proper substitution, everyone's body is different and x guide might help x person but may not help x person. If your metabolism is fast and you burn off calories like it’s nothing congratulations, if not I recommend switching to healthier foods and when you snack eat healthier things.

Granola bars, fig bars, fruits, stay hydrated with lots and lots of water. For meals again, eat a healthier alternative. This isn’t just for your gaming hobbies, it’s for a better lifestyle — to break away from the stereotypical nerdy gamer who plays games all day and eats Doritos all day (me right now, fuck.)..

To prepare yourself mentally I would recommend a couple of things. Mainly proper development of facing reality and avoiding problems through escapism in dynamic circumstances. Learn to properly vent negative emotions. Remember that losing is part of life. You cannot win them all look at professional teams, for example, same circumstances and all. Preparing your mentality will grant you a competitive edge over your opponent while developing yourself as a level headed player which teams love.

Breathe, don’t tilt yourself by allowing your negative impulses to control your gameplay and your attitude. Take small breaks in between to exercise and to clear your head and relieve some of that built up stress. Talk to team mates effectively through your scheduled tasks and constructively give feedback on yourself and your teammates instead of building bad tension.

3) Learn To Network & Brand

I’m what people call a “Marketing Specialist”, I help people market themselves among many things; I like to multitask. I know the ins-and-outs of marketing and branding. I understand how important it is and I want to make sure everyone also understands the importance of it. Branding and networking is extremely important as an individual or a team/organization.

If you are serious about being a successful player in a successful team and you’re looking to get picked up by an established sponsor or a company then I recommend you starting branding yourself or your team. Create a brand around your image(s). Learn to utilize twitter, twitch and other platforms to gather a fan-base or archive your presence as a player or team.

Tweet your matches, live-stream your matches, create content that people can relate to or do something that could substantially increase your opportunities for success. Build a brand, it won’t happen over night, but just like freelancers build portfolios for potential clients to see, you should too.

Networking is simple. Break out of your shell and starting hanging out with new people. New community members. New mutual friends in your circle. Ring (substitute) for people who aren’t available to play so other teams know you’re a force to be reckoned with. Even if you’re not looking to become the next big thing, it’s never bad to learn something that will ultimately become another lifelong skill.

4) Develop Your Skills

Another topic I wrote about. As a player you will have a certain set of skills. Maybe you’re great at entry-fragging. Maybe you’re great at b̶a̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ lurking. Maybe you’re a great strategist. Maybe you’re even good at all the above. Developing your skills is the core of your gameplay but don’t allow yourself to believe in the impossible or out of reach.

Statistically, people can be really good or really bad, but the average player is capable of playing decently. Don’t feel bad it’s absolutely normal. Do your best to allocate time to practice and hone your personal skill. Don’t try to be the hero, do all you can, nothing less, nothing more.

The ideal team is compiled of players of different skills who mesh together chemistry wise with a balance of mechanical play and diversity in personality and play style. Look at the best teams nationally and international, all players who come from different backgrounds who played together for years as friends who grew together as a team.

They excel and contribute individually and make the whole team unique. You see clips on community forums and you wonder why you aren’t so good mechanically and it sinks in and hurts you mentally. Remember your attitude could become the biggest double-edge sword.

5) Work As a Real Team

This season you’re either playing with an existing roster of friends, you’re rapidly running around looking for people to fill up the roster or you’re thoroughly on-boarding people into the team as a starter or a backup. You should never play on a team that is disorganized, prematurely put together or simply put, a big hindrance on your potential.

Don’t join a team because you were forced to. Find like-minded individuals who you admire and respect as a player and a person. After that, work through your obstacles as a team. Ensure tasks are appointed by each member of the team so everyone pulls their weight. Rotate tasks such as VOD reviews one day, scheduling the next, or keynote speaking during practice and etc.

If you want to find success you’ll avoid putting yourself in a harmful environment where nothing is achieved or you’re doing everyone’s job. It’s not fair to you and your time that you’re inevitably going to put a lot into. Leads to the next point.

6) Find Leadership

One of the more important talking points. Find leadership among the group. Everything should be done respectfully through discussions, votes, and in a civil manner. Players should designate roles internally to remain consistent as you move through the season of competitive play. Organically mold the team through trial and error, but leadership is a non-negotiable and a non-compromise.

Natural leaders will lead during times of trouble. Seek them out and ask for their guidance on matters relating to your gameplay, your team, the agenda that accompanies it and even personal matters. The people you play with will become a family away from home. Don’t be afraid to confide in them, they’re there to help — at least they should be.

Leaders will take charge and delegate authorities and tasks which organize everything from A to Z.

7) Prepare Your Finances

Being in a team even casually is time-consuming. You’ll spend time playing video games instead of working or attending school. If you’re a student and you play competitive seasons you’ll lose the opportunity to gain income. Prepare your budgets and look at how much time you’re allowed to devote into the game.

If you’re working a full time job, 40 hours a week, use your skills in scheduling your agenda to play practices, matches and other sorts of functions to dictate when it happens. Someone who works a lot might have the luxury of affording certain expenses such as equipment upgrades, travel fees, league fees and so forth.

Someone who may be a student or unemployed, ensure you budget your income. Enough for league fees initially, some money for expenses such as events or even equipment in case of damages. Don’t allow yourself to get blindsided by the game itself and focus on your life duties first. Players should chip in, hold pools and fundraisers internally for expenditure such as a website, additional products or services (Teamspeak, practice server, etc).

8) Prepare To Lose

You’re going to lose a match. You’re going to lose a playoff. You’re going to lose players. You’re going to lose friendships or relationships inside and outside of the game. You’re going to sacrifice a lot to devote the amount of time into the competitive season. I decided to incorporate this into its own point as losing will always be interpreted in many different ways, rightfully so.

I never thought of losing, but now that it’ s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life. — Muhammad Ali

Everything ties in to every aspect of the season of competitive play. Prepare yourself and use this article as a template to what you need to improve before or you’ll wound up confused and alone. Good luck and have fun!

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Hi. I’m a consultancy owner. I deal with eSports, players, management and more. I occasionally write and bake awesome pies. This is an opinion piece that reflects on my ideology alone. Like my writing or want to get in contact with me? Twitter @MellowWalt or email w.sosa@esportsrda.net