The third installment of the four part Player Development guide is now here; Training Techniques. More specifically speaking, general training techniques that any player of any game can adopt and apply to their training regime. Many players focus strictly on their game, and the intricacies of...
The third installment of the four part Player Development guide is now here; Training Techniques. More specifically speaking, general training techniques that any player of any game can adopt and apply to their training regime.
Many players focus strictly on their game, and the intricacies of it; however many miss the outside factors that apply to just about every gamer out there who wishes to make something of his or herself.
Previous installments:
- Part One:Player Tools
- Part Two:Media Relations
Bootcamp
When it comes down to preparing for a LAN event nothing comes close to preparing teams like bootcamping does. It gives teams a feel for what playing with their teammates is like on LAN, it allows players to get used to latency changes, gives players a more open feeling instead of being alone and comfortable in their rooms and it allows teams to develop a better team ethic as well as strategies.
Ambient Noise and Distractions
Events are loud, there is no way around it at this point in time; teams have to deal with noisy sponsor booths, BYOC area, and demonstrations and other events going on. For a game such as CS or Quake where listening for footsteps and shots is very important, getting used to the increased noise levels is a must.
The best way to do this of course is play at a local LAN center, where it is usually quite noisy and people are constantly moving around you. It allows you to get used to the constant distractions apparent at most LAN events. If this is not an option for you, you can try turning on the TV or music in the background and cranking up the volume so you can get used to the noise levels.
Along with the noise comes distractions, people moving around you or bumping into you. The best way to deal with it again would be to go to a LAN center, however if that is not an option; you can have one of your friends come over and while you are playing, instruct him to randomly bump your arms. As well, you can move your computer to a more public part of the house where a lot of people tend to be. These allow you to play through distractions very easily.
Demos/Replays
If available, view demos of the specific teams you will be competing against; nothing can give you such a good advantage as knowing what your opponents strategies, positions and tendencies are. It allows you to 'anti-strat' and prepare for them in multiple ways.
If you cannot get a hold of specific team/players replays watching other replays to figure out new strategies and positions is always helpful.
Setups
Something that you can't really prepare for before the event itself; knowing how to setup efficiently and comfortably will allow you more warmup time, as well as make you more comfortable while playing.
Professional players in the past such as Jason 'Socrates_' Sylka used to bring a stencil of how he had his keyboard/mouse/monitor spaced so that everything at the event was the exact same as at home. Other players use peripherals such as the Steel Series Xai where the drivers are on the mouse already, so players can simply plug and play, and not worry about having to setup drivers or sensitivity, etc. This gives players more time to warm up, as well it allows players to keep that comfortable familiar setting with their equipment.
Snacks
It may sound odd, however many times players wont get a break to eat for hours, bringing in snacks with you so you have something to keep up your energy can help the morale and overall health of the team. Staying energized and focused is just as important as your aim or strategies.
When it comes down to preparing for a LAN event nothing comes close to preparing teams like bootcamping does. It gives teams a feel for what playing with their teammates is like on LAN, it allows players to get used to latency changes, gives players a more open feeling instead of being alone and comfortable in their rooms and it allows teams to develop a better team ethic as well as strategies.
Ambient Noise and Distractions
Events are loud, there is no way around it at this point in time; teams have to deal with noisy sponsor booths, BYOC area, and demonstrations and other events going on. For a game such as CS or Quake where listening for footsteps and shots is very important, getting used to the increased noise levels is a must.
The best way to do this of course is play at a local LAN center, where it is usually quite noisy and people are constantly moving around you. It allows you to get used to the constant distractions apparent at most LAN events. If this is not an option for you, you can try turning on the TV or music in the background and cranking up the volume so you can get used to the noise levels.
Along with the noise comes distractions, people moving around you or bumping into you. The best way to deal with it again would be to go to a LAN center, however if that is not an option; you can have one of your friends come over and while you are playing, instruct him to randomly bump your arms. As well, you can move your computer to a more public part of the house where a lot of people tend to be. These allow you to play through distractions very easily.
Demos/Replays
If available, view demos of the specific teams you will be competing against; nothing can give you such a good advantage as knowing what your opponents strategies, positions and tendencies are. It allows you to 'anti-strat' and prepare for them in multiple ways.
If you cannot get a hold of specific team/players replays watching other replays to figure out new strategies and positions is always helpful.
Setups
Something that you can't really prepare for before the event itself; knowing how to setup efficiently and comfortably will allow you more warmup time, as well as make you more comfortable while playing.
Professional players in the past such as Jason 'Socrates_' Sylka used to bring a stencil of how he had his keyboard/mouse/monitor spaced so that everything at the event was the exact same as at home. Other players use peripherals such as the Steel Series Xai where the drivers are on the mouse already, so players can simply plug and play, and not worry about having to setup drivers or sensitivity, etc. This gives players more time to warm up, as well it allows players to keep that comfortable familiar setting with their equipment.
Snacks
It may sound odd, however many times players wont get a break to eat for hours, bringing in snacks with you so you have something to keep up your energy can help the morale and overall health of the team. Staying energized and focused is just as important as your aim or strategies.
Perfect Practice
Straight from the mouth of Johnathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendel 'Perfect Practice' is exactly what it sounds like; not messing around.
Playing every scrim, CG or duel like its a match, trying 100% and practicing at 100%. If you go into training with a lack luster attitude you wont come out ahead. You need to have a focused mind and determination towards what you expect to learn from the practice you are about to conduct. If you want to focus on movement, you best focus on movement and not just say that, or you will end up going through the motions while playing and not progress at all.
Along with perfect practice comes finding the perfect practice partner. Someone who shares the same mentality and desires/goals as you do, as well as has the same level of motivation. Finding the perfect practice partner isn't always about finding the best player/team per-say, but finding someone who you can discuss mistakes with and advance your game-play with.
Demos/Replays
Much like in the LAN preparations, finding demos/replays of your specific opponents is a major plus, however that isn't the case much of the time. However, there is still much to be learned from demos/replays; new base builds, new strategies, tendencies and styles, timings, and tricks as well as team ethics.
You can tell which teams work as a team, and which teams are just an acting pug. Being able to act as a team while playing is one of the most important aspects of team games. Watch your teammates demos/replays, see what they are doing and when they are doing it; nothing helps more than knowing.
Communication
Many teams do not communicate well, it is why there is rarely ever a new team to challenge the top teams. Most teams either breakup or die out because they plateau. Communication is a very large part of this. Many players either play with an All-Star mentality and don't communicate at all, or their communication is just plain weak.
Calling your enemies positions is only part of team communication. You need to also communicate your actions as well so your teammates know what it is you are doing - that is of course, if it is not already known to them, ie; pushing a position you usually don't-.
An easy way to practice communication on your own is to get your teammates demos and watch them as if you are playing, and call what is going on in the demo out loud to your empty room. It allows you to form the habit of constant communication, when to talk and when not to.
Physical Conditioning:
The physical aspect of E-Sports is often over looked; many players assume that their physical health plays no role in how well they perform. However that would be incorrect, many players throughout history have adopted a physical training regime in order to stay in good physical condition; a healthy body instills a healthy mind.
Alessandro ‘Stermy’ Avallone goes to the gym 3-4 times a week, Johnathan ‘Fatal1ty’ Wendel runs 6km every day so he can stay fit, and former professional Quake 4 super star Johan ‘Toxjq’ Quick even took to body building towards the end of his pro-gaming career.
In order to keep a healthy body you should adopt some sort of physical activity that is right for you, whether it is running like Fatal1ty, or going to the gym like Stermy, or perhaps just playing football or going cycling. The point is, you need to stay healthy in order to be the best you can be.
Aim, Base builds and Movement
Aiming is a rather important skill that most players focus on a lot, aim maps and deathmatching are the most popular ways of practicing your aim and for good reason, they work.
Base builds are quick and easy to learn, however most players neglect them when playing. Either they don't build according to the map/race they are playing or they don't take the time to learn the best ones.
Making a custom game, and practicing the best ways to close off your mine, or to bottleneck your base, or block off a ramp is the best and most efficient way of practicing this. It allows you to restart the games at your leisure, practice any map, and do it in a short period of time. This way you don't rely on practice partners and Ladder matches to slowly get you the results you want.
Movement is a part of most peoples game-play styles that they neglect. However it is one of the most important factors of any FPS game. Making sure that you walk at certain points, don't entrap yourself, have the most efficient way of getting somewhere, etc. allows for you as a single player to make less mistakes and capitalize more on your enemies. The best way to practice this is to Deathmatch, and force yourself to walk, or move a certain pattern on the map so you get used to it. As well, jumping into an empty server and running around trying to find the most efficient way to reach point A from point B is very helpful, especially when trying to time that all important Mega Health.
Straight from the mouth of Johnathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendel 'Perfect Practice' is exactly what it sounds like; not messing around.
Playing every scrim, CG or duel like its a match, trying 100% and practicing at 100%. If you go into training with a lack luster attitude you wont come out ahead. You need to have a focused mind and determination towards what you expect to learn from the practice you are about to conduct. If you want to focus on movement, you best focus on movement and not just say that, or you will end up going through the motions while playing and not progress at all.
Along with perfect practice comes finding the perfect practice partner. Someone who shares the same mentality and desires/goals as you do, as well as has the same level of motivation. Finding the perfect practice partner isn't always about finding the best player/team per-say, but finding someone who you can discuss mistakes with and advance your game-play with.
Demos/Replays
Much like in the LAN preparations, finding demos/replays of your specific opponents is a major plus, however that isn't the case much of the time. However, there is still much to be learned from demos/replays; new base builds, new strategies, tendencies and styles, timings, and tricks as well as team ethics.
You can tell which teams work as a team, and which teams are just an acting pug. Being able to act as a team while playing is one of the most important aspects of team games. Watch your teammates demos/replays, see what they are doing and when they are doing it; nothing helps more than knowing.
Communication
Many teams do not communicate well, it is why there is rarely ever a new team to challenge the top teams. Most teams either breakup or die out because they plateau. Communication is a very large part of this. Many players either play with an All-Star mentality and don't communicate at all, or their communication is just plain weak.
Calling your enemies positions is only part of team communication. You need to also communicate your actions as well so your teammates know what it is you are doing - that is of course, if it is not already known to them, ie; pushing a position you usually don't-.
An easy way to practice communication on your own is to get your teammates demos and watch them as if you are playing, and call what is going on in the demo out loud to your empty room. It allows you to form the habit of constant communication, when to talk and when not to.
Physical Conditioning:
The physical aspect of E-Sports is often over looked; many players assume that their physical health plays no role in how well they perform. However that would be incorrect, many players throughout history have adopted a physical training regime in order to stay in good physical condition; a healthy body instills a healthy mind.
Alessandro ‘Stermy’ Avallone goes to the gym 3-4 times a week, Johnathan ‘Fatal1ty’ Wendel runs 6km every day so he can stay fit, and former professional Quake 4 super star Johan ‘Toxjq’ Quick even took to body building towards the end of his pro-gaming career.
In order to keep a healthy body you should adopt some sort of physical activity that is right for you, whether it is running like Fatal1ty, or going to the gym like Stermy, or perhaps just playing football or going cycling. The point is, you need to stay healthy in order to be the best you can be.
Aim, Base builds and Movement
Aiming is a rather important skill that most players focus on a lot, aim maps and deathmatching are the most popular ways of practicing your aim and for good reason, they work.
Base builds are quick and easy to learn, however most players neglect them when playing. Either they don't build according to the map/race they are playing or they don't take the time to learn the best ones.
Making a custom game, and practicing the best ways to close off your mine, or to bottleneck your base, or block off a ramp is the best and most efficient way of practicing this. It allows you to restart the games at your leisure, practice any map, and do it in a short period of time. This way you don't rely on practice partners and Ladder matches to slowly get you the results you want.
Movement is a part of most peoples game-play styles that they neglect. However it is one of the most important factors of any FPS game. Making sure that you walk at certain points, don't entrap yourself, have the most efficient way of getting somewhere, etc. allows for you as a single player to make less mistakes and capitalize more on your enemies. The best way to practice this is to Deathmatch, and force yourself to walk, or move a certain pattern on the map so you get used to it. As well, jumping into an empty server and running around trying to find the most efficient way to reach point A from point B is very helpful, especially when trying to time that all important Mega Health.
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