At the outset, training to be a pro gamer might seem like a fairly straightforward task. You draw up a schedule, play your selected game as much as possible, and then stream your endeavors online. Eventually, if you practice enough, you will get noticed by a team and taken on. Thus, your career as a gamer begins.
If only life was that easy. In all sports and disciplines, the most successful are those individuals who go beyond what is expected. Training the mind and body is just as important as playing your chosen game every day. Putting the controller down and pursuing other activities can make you infinitely better. Below, we discuss the inside training secrets used by pro gamers.
Never Underestimate the Competition
Make no mistake, the competition to become a professional gamer is serious. Unlike sports, where certain physical attributes become a barrier to entry, eSports are all-inclusive, and they also are not bound by geography. Being streamed online, everyone has an equal chance of becoming a pro gamer, meaning competition is hot.
This will only increase as eSports become more accepted by the mainstream. Their inclusion in the Asian Games has not only brought them to a wider audience but has increased the number of people who want to be pro gamers.
In the west, most US states now allow online sports betting, and many of the major providers are realizing that eSports are becoming one of their biggest earners.
If you want to bet on esports in the US but are unsure of the legality in your state, then this handy map from Oddschecker can assist. Not only does it tell you the states where you can place a bet, but the ones where legislation has passed.
With most of the map being green or yellow, over half the states in the US now allow eSports betting online, increasing competition further.
For aspiring gamers, this means one thing: You need to be better than the competition. You must go the extra mile, push harder, and push further. Start by following the Twitch streams and social accounts of all your rival teams and players.
Take the time out of your schedule to see what they are doing, break down their tactics, playing style, and work out how you can better it or combat it when the time comes.
Team Training
Team training is essential to your development as an eSports outfit. Yet it is not as easy to achieve as you may think. If you play casually, it may not matter if you book a Saturday evening session and a friend cannot make it. Yet the most successful eSports teams work together for around eight hours a day, often adding in a day at the weekend. That is a 50-hour week.
Unless you are in a major team where you are getting paid wages, this can seem impossible to achieve. Commitments with work, family, and other relationships may have to suffer. Yet this is a process you would find many major sports stars go through, so it is no different for those playing eSports. You must also account for the mechanics of living while you do it.
Many of the major teams will have chefs and assistants onsite. If you can manage to get up before your gaming, plan meals, and do the household chores, it will be a great weight off your mind.
Don’t be put off if this does seem like a gargantuan task. In this interview for Intel, Noquez of team Dignitas broke down their daily practice schedule. Their regime involves four hours of group practice, with an added two hours of individual spread out over six days. Note how all household jobs and work-related activities are done way in advance to clear the mind when training time comes.
Staying Physically Fit
Staying physically fit is vital to an eSports professional, and it can often be hard to do. The nature of gaming is that you are stationary for long periods, as opposed to other occupations where you may be moving and increasing your fitness in day-to-day activities.
The need for physical fitness is obvious. Once you become unfit, illness and absence soon follow. It also has a direct impact on your mental health, vital when you are using your brain and reactions for play.
The obvious way to rectify this is with a regular gym routine. It does not even have to be intensive. Half an hour or an hour daily will keep a player in pristine condition. This could be a mix of strengthening and cardiovascular exercises.
One of the top examples of this can be found with the team Complexity Gaming. Owned by billionaire Jerry Jones, one of his other ventures is the Dallas Cowboys. Understanding the importance of physical fitness, the two now share a training facility. This means many of the team players are undergoing a similar regime to that of NFL players.
Working On Hand Eye Co-Ordination
In addition to physical fitness, hand-eye coordination is crucial for professional gamers. According to a study published in the Nation Library of Medicine, “Hand-eye coordination is considered an essential skill in sports and is an important determinant of performance in video games.” Therefore, it’s essential for esports athletes to work on improving this skill regularly.
One effective way to improve hand-eye coordination is by taking up a racket sport like tennis or squash. These sports require quick reflexes, precise timing, and split-second decision-making, all of which are essential skills for esports athletes. You can practice hand-eye coordination by playing sports like tennis or squash, which require you to track a small object moving at high speeds and make quick decisions about where to hit it.
Playing racket sports can also provide a great workout, which is essential for staying physically fit. According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, “Playing racket sports provides an excellent workout that can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility.” This type of workout can also help esports athletes avoid the health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
In addition to racket sports, there are other ways to improve hand-eye coordination, such as playing video games that require quick reflexes and precise movements. Playing other games can help you improve your reaction time and hand-eye coordination. Games like rhythm games or first-person shooters can be great for this.
Overall, improving hand-eye coordination is essential for success in esports, and there are many different ways to work on this skill. By incorporating activities like racket sports or other video games into their training regimen, esports athletes can improve their hand-eye coordination, stay physically fit, and gain a competitive edge in the industry.
Create a Long-Term Plan
If you create a long-term plan, then you can use many of the burgeoning opportunities in the industry to your advantage. If you are lucky enough to start gaming early, you may be able to get into eSports education. Many Universities in the US and beyond have begun to set up courses, facilities, and education centers based on eSports and competitive gaming. By enrolling in one, you can train full-time while getting a qualification. With funding added, it may be another way you can bankroll your path into the sector.
You should also train for your withdrawal plan in the industry. Pro Gamers are much younger than those in major sports fields, which also means they retire younger. The average gamer retires at just 25 years of age, meaning you have a long life ahead in which you need to earn money. By putting funds aside and training yourself for a post-gaming career, you will have the best chance of staying in the industry doing something you love, even if it is not playing competitively.
Enjoying the Experience
Research has shown that the enjoyment factor can have a significant impact on the performance of esports athletes. According to a study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, “perceived enjoyment has a positive influence on the players’ competitive outcomes, such as their playing intensity, concentration, and motivation to continue playing.” Therefore, finding ways to make esports training more enjoyable can have a direct impact on performance.
Simone Biles, the US Olympic Gymnast, is an excellent example of an athlete who has found success by enjoying what she does. In an interview with The Guardian, she stated, “If you’re having fun, then it’s not really work. I try to find the fun in everything I do.” This approach has clearly paid off for Biles, who is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
In esports, there are many ways to make training more enjoyable. For example, esports athletes can incorporate other activities into their routine to break up the monotony of gaming. This could include playing other sports, taking up a hobby, or even just spending time with friends and family.
Another way to make esports training more enjoyable is to set achievable goals and celebrate small victories along the way. People who experience frequent small wins are more likely to enjoy the process of pursuing a larger goal. By setting small goals and celebrating each achievement, esports athletes can stay motivated and engaged in their training.
In summary, making esports training enjoyable is essential for success in the industry. By finding ways to have fun and incorporating other activities into their routine, esports athletes can improve their performance and stay motivated throughout their career. Enjoy what you do, because even if you do make it, your career will be short and go in the blink of an eye.
Summary
The article explains that becoming a pro gamer is not as simple as just playing your chosen game every day. To succeed in esports, you need to go beyond what is expected and focus on training your mind and body.
The article discusses several aspects of training, including understanding and competing with the competition, team training, staying physically fit, working on hand-eye coordination, creating a long-term plan, and enjoying the experience. The author provides specific examples of how top esports teams structure their training schedules and emphasizes the importance of balancing gaming with other activities.
If you’re serious about becoming a pro gamer, you need to be committed, disciplined, and willing to put in the time and effort required to achieve success in the esports industry. I hope this article inspires you to think about how you can take your gaming skills to the next level and become a pro gamer. Good luck!