Esports Coach
The term “esport coach” in esports commonly refers to the professional coach of esports athletes or an esports team.[1] The role of an esports coach, much like in traditional sports, encompasses a wide array of tasks. From organisational duties, direction, and team management to providing psychological support to esports athletes, their responsibilities are driven by the ultimate goal of enhancing the level of esports athletes and the progression of the esports team in competitions.
The esport coach is not only expected to be an expert in the videogame used for the esport competition but also a strategic thinker capable of building a winning strategy for the team. Their aptitudes include a keen sense of observation to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each team member, articulating strategies for squads’ compositions, replacements, and all other aspects of the game. It is therefore crucial that the coach manages the feelings and ambitions of each esports athlete well to create a healthy team spirit, which is ultimately the key ingredient for success.
Furthermore, the esport coach is tasked with providing effective psychological support to esports athletes, given the high competitiveness of the competitions and the stress suffered by esports athletes.
In terms of development skills, the esport coach plays a mentor role for each esports athlete who relies on their judgment to train specific skills and share doubts and concerns about their development in the industry. It is common for esport coaches to organize group or individual debriefing sessions to enhance the level of each esport athlete, thereby benefiting the entire esport team.
From a legal perspective, as a proper member of the esports team, the coach must abide by regulations governing participation in esports tournaments. Similar to the rules applicable to esports athletes, esport coaches must be eligible to act as coaches throughout the tournament and must be compliant at all times with the regulations. Most esports regulations mandate that esport coaches be adults, residents in eligible countries, and not subject to any sanctions or prohibitions to act as a coach. Esport coaches are generally appointed before the beginning of the esport competition and cannot be replaced or coach more than one team throughout the whole tournament. Esport coaches are also subject to security protocols, anti-doping regulations, and sanctions that might be applied against them by the organizer if they are found to be in violation of tournament regulations.[2]
With the rapid growth of esports and the establishment of a robust economy within the industry, esports coaches may find themselves asked to manage the intellectual and commercial rights of their teams, to ultimately grow the teams’ income. Additionally, they may be responsible for engaging in negotiations with sponsors and brands during events. In this context, possessing strong commercial abilities becomes particularly advantageous.
In conclusion, with the rise of the esports competition ecosystem, esports coaches are fundamental to the success and development of an esports team, given the variety of responsibilities they handle. This, in turn, allows esports athletes to focus on developing their skills and talent, contributing to the overall growth of the esports industry.
[1] ‘Coaching Esports: the role of esports coach’ (25 July 2022, UK Coaching) available at: <https://www.ukcoaching.org/resources/topics/guides/coaching-esports-the-role-of-the-esports-coach accessed 25 September 2024> accessed 25 September 2024. See for example courses offered: ‘What does an esports coach do’ (19 January 2024) available at: https://www.accesscreative.ac.uk/blog/what-does-an-esports-coach-do/ accessed 25 September 2024; College of Esports ‘BA (Hons) Esports Coaching and Management’ available at: <https://collegeofesports.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-esports-coaching-management/> accessed 25 September 2024.
[2] ‘Everything you need to know about esports coaches’ (International Esports Federation, 18 November 2022) available at: <https://iesf.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-esports-coaches/> accessed 25 September 2024.
