As small a role as it may seem, a good support can actually change the whole outcome of a game. Whether it's making sure there is vision at objectives such as Dragon and Baron or peeling for your ADC, being an able support can make or break a game. So here's how to become that carrying support;

Champions:

A good start to knowing your way around the support role would be keeping up to date with what's currently in the meta and also how to counter these meta champions. For example, if a champion such as Alistar would be in the meta, you should consider either learning or selecting champions who counter him such as Morgana, Zyra or Janna (simply because they all have the ability to counter Alistar's full knock-up combo).

Solo or premade:

- When playing solo, there's no real need to worry since there's still the option to discuss possibly tactics/plays in either champion select or during the early minutes of the game, but you could be missing out on voice communication which might be useful during actual (team)fights, since there wouldn't be any time to type in chat then.

(Keep in mind, you should try to stick to champions you know you can carry your ADC with, or lead him to carry you and the team. Don't pick a support you don't know how to play just because he told you it'll be a great combo)

- Being a premade botlane can have its perks. You can both agree on whether or not you play aggressively or passively because you want to focus on early game farming. You could also decide what bot lane combo to play. For example, with Morgana and Jhin, if Morgana uses her Q (Dark Binding), Jhin has the opportunity to then use his W to land even more CC onto the enemy botlaner. This can give the potential for first blood or an early lead to your laning phase.

(Here again, try to stick to champions you both know how to play, but work out as a combo)





Laning Phase:

This completely depends on both your and their botlane but also if you have decided to play aggressively or not.

Your main goal as a support during laning phase is to keep Dragon, river bush and Tri-bush warded whilst trying to deny the enemy ADC farm so that your ADC can get the most out of the early game.

If an enemy wave is pushing in and your ADC is on his/her way botlane, keep the wave away from your turret and tank it so that your ADC won't miss too much farm.

Also setting up ganks is an important thing to do, landing your CC or simply engaging as your jungler decides to gank your lane gives both your ADC and the jungler a chance to grab easy kills.

(If your ADC is quite ahead and you feel like it could be more beneficial for your team, try roaming mid to potentially assist your laner in getting him/herself a kill. Do tell your ADC to be careful at that time as he is quite vulnerable when alone, even if he is ahead)





Mid/Late Game:

When laning phase is at its end and teamfights start to take place, it becomes more important to keep objectives such as Baron and Dragon warded with either Vision Wards or Stealth Wards (Trinket or Sightstone). You should also sweep out possible enemy wards with your Sweeping Lens/Oracle Alteration to deny them of vision, so that your team can safely secure objectives.

During a teamfight you should do everything you can to heal, shield and peel for your ADC to ensure they take as little damage as possible while they deal as much damage as they can. If you have a Talisman of Ascension, use it to speed up your team to either initiate a teamfight you think you can win or to disengage from a teamfight you're losing. Itemization as a whole can be very important. Building items such as Mikael's Crucible, Locket of the Iron Solari or even a Randuin's Omen can really help both you and your team out during teamfights.

Little things to remember:

- Dragon spawns every 5 minutes, Baron spawns every 6 minutes and a ward only lasts 3 minutes.

- Place pink wards and ask your teammates to do so too.

- Always upgrade your trinket at level 9

- If you notice the enemy team placing wards to gain vision and you don't have a Sweeping Lens available, ping to alert your jungler and possible roaming laners.

- Stay with your ADC during teamfights and remind him (if necessary) to stay in the backline. The only exception to this is when you're the frontline of your team (meaning you're playing a tanky support).

- Time enemy Flashes/Heals/Teleports whenever they use them and type them out in chat so everyone is aware of when certain summoner spells are going to be available again for the enemy.

Most of all remember to have fun and try your hardest. As long as you know you've done what you can, then the flaming from others is irrelevant!

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