How Esports Players Train: Inside Competitive Prep Secrets

Have you wondered how elite eSports players click heads before you even can say “game over”? Surprise surprise, it doesn’t just involve days upon days of gaming and a never-ending supply of energy drinks.

Preparing for eSports competitions, let alone something as large as the Esports World Cup requires much more than playing the game.

To this end, let us step into the surprisingly, often jarring (and occasionally amusing) realm of eSports training.

1. It’s Not All Fun and Games (Okay, Maybe a Little Fun)

If you think about pro gamers, you can imagine those playing games all day at home.

But surprisingly enough, some of these players work 14 hours a day! This, yep, is more than your average office job.

The first half of the day is focused on individual practice, working on various mechanics and strategies.

From there, they go straight into scrims, i.e., practice games with their team. Imagine, for example, a soccer team that practices and then scrimmages to test out what they have worked on. These guys mean business!

And if you think these players were training in pajamas, think again. Unlike the average recreational player, most elite teams have high-tech practice facilities with rooms where they would train like any serious athlete.

You can think of it like the “home gym” of eSports, but without any of the old gym sock aroma.

2. Physical Fitness: The Surprising Key to Success

Surprise! eSports players work out too. Of course, you might think gaming is just about a few twitchy fingers, but cardio and strength training are actually an aspect of their regimen.

Staying fit helps them concentrate, improves their reaction response, and they require fitness in marathon match sessions. On top of that, hitting that gym solves a lot of issues up there post loss (or simply because they misplaced their last health potion).

“Wait, pro gamers exercise?!” Yep! They are well-fed and do their best to sleep enough (while consuming all that caffeine).

So, it is all about staying fresh, so that they don’t burn out before the tournament starts!

3. Mental Fortitude: The Mind Games (Without the Games)

Playing professionally involves a mental aspect. And just picture it—you are 1v1 with someone so the whole tournament is on your hands. No pressure, right?

And before you say it is just about talent and play style, this is also the reason why teams bring in mental coaches for players to also maintain their composure and focus, especially in moments of stress.

While some players meditate or deep-breathe, other just scream into their pillows and call it a day (okay, the last part is a joke).

And many of the top teams, such as G2 Esports, even have sports psychologists to assist with issues ranging from pre-game jitters to post-defeat recovery.

It helps to think of it like this: It’s as if they are training their minds to be Jedi masters, just without the lightsabers.

4. Team Chemistry: Making It Work with the Crew

In games with a team aspect, it’s all about how well the players gel together. This isn’t just about skill though; this is about faith in your team mates.

This is where you achieve a team bonding. They train, play and even share meals together at boot camps.

There are facilities with chef-prepared meals so the entire team can sit together, eat, and possibly talk about something other than games for a few minutes.

E-sports teams like 100 Thieves even have vintage arcade games and basketball courts at their headquarters for players to frolic after day work.

Because, after all, what is the best way to connect with someone – other than playing basketball together or some good old 90s Mario Kart?

Good chemistry also means that the players know that they can rely on each other.

It encourages them to listen to their awper (IGL played as awp) without questioning since there is always someone who will have to play dirty at critical time in a match.

5. Post-Match Analysis: The “Game Film” of eSports

The actual work, however, comes after each match. Groups come together to review what went right and where they screwed up (and, yes, every blunder is replayed in excruciating slow motion).

There are analysts who review these replays to catch all of the missed opportunities and to see what design the other side ran.

They are, in a way, like detectives for each game that provides ways for teams to improve and shave points off each play.

From time to time, they will watch what they completely missed during the game, and the coach will provide feedback.

More like a how-not-too for those involved. Insider tip: Listen to your coach, if you want to keep the door open as the guy who blew the match.

The Secret Ingredient: Discipline, and a Dash of Fun

It may sound harsh and it is, but all they do is for the love of what they do, even in eSports now us training. To play at that level requires crazy discipline, many hours of practice, team-building, and self-care.

And they realize that balance and fun are as important as the grind. So if you are wondering whether you might be able to crack pro eSports, ask yourself, are you willing to work harder than you have ever done, and maybe go without a sleep or two here and there?

Or perhaps, just perhaps….make it a entertaining hobby and be the best spectator in the world. So, the next time you see an eSports tournament, you will understand the effort behind even every epic move!