How to Coach Games You Do Not Know
How to Coach Games You Do Not Know
Oct 10, 2023
Updated Dec 2, 2024
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Summary
Coaching esports games you’re not familiar with is possible with the right approach and tools. Focus on guiding teamwork, communication, and strategy rather than mastering the game itself. Use resources like Gameplan’s pre-built curriculums, watch gameplay videos, learn from your players, and play the game to understand its basics. Esports coaching is about fostering growth, building confidence, and creating a collaborative environment where everyone thrives. You don’t need to be an expert in the game to be an impactful coach!
Coaching Games
Coaching something you're not familiar with can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when it comes to coaching esports. If your team is advanced in their game knowledge and you're struggling to keep up, finding effective strategies for bridging the knowledge gap is essential. So, how can you coach what you don't know, especially in the world of video games? In this article, we'll guide you to get started.
Difference Between Coaching and Teaching
When you are coaching esports, it's crucial to focus on "what" rather than "how." In the context of games, there is a distinction between teaching and coaching.
Teaching: Focuses on imparting knowledge and skills. It’s about "how to" play or master a game.
Coaching: Centers on guiding and supporting players to improve and achieve their goals. It’s more about "what" needs to be done for the team to succeed.
As an esports coach, your role is to foster collaboration, analyze gameplay, and help students develop strategies, teamwork, and leadership skills. The focus should be on building a supportive and goal-oriented environment.
7 Steps to Coach Games You Do Not Know
Here's a step-by-step approach to help you navigate this journey:
1. Learn the Basics: Start by learning the game's fundamentals. Use tutorials, guides, or introductory videos to familiarize yourself with game mechanics, objectives, and terminology. If time is tight, tools like Gameplan provide pre-built lessons and resources, so you don’t have to know everything about the game to coach effectively.
2. Review Gameplay Videos: Visual learning is highly effective, and esports is no exception. Watching gameplay videos, developer updates, and patch notes can enhance your understanding of the game. However, passive observation is not enough. Interactive learning, where you watch and then engage with the content in-game, is vital to accelerating the learning process. Websites like YouTube, Twitch, or game-specific forums can be excellent resources.
3. Explore Training Programs and Resources: Seek out training programs and resources designed to enhance your coaching skills and game knowledge. These programs often provide valuable insights and strategies. To substitute the knowledge gap, you can utilize pre-built courses and resources to help guide your players.
4. Learn from the Students: Don't hesitate to learn from your players. They may have unique insights and strategies that can benefit your coaching approach. Encourage them to share their strategies, tips, and insights. This can foster a collaborative learning environment.
5. Play the Game Yourself: Put your knowledge into practice in the game. While it might sound obvious, the best way to understand a game is to play it. Dive in and get a first-hand experience. Experiment with different strategies and techniques to better understand their practical applications.
6. Focus on Teamwork and Communication: Even if you’re not an expert in the game itself, you can still coach on general principles like teamwork, effective communication, and sportsmanship. These skills are valuable in any team-based activity. Ensure that there are clear rules and guidelines for behavior. Respect, sportsmanship, and fair play should always be emphasized. Address any issues of toxicity or poor behavior promptly.
7. Embrace Continuous Learning: Accept that your learning journey as a coach will continue alongside your students. Esports is an ever-evolving field, and staying current is essential.
Seek Help From Esports Curriculum Providers
One of the most effective ways to teach games you're not familiar with is to collaborate with esports curriculum providers like Gameplan. These types of providers offer comprehensive education programs tailored for teaching and coaching esports, making the learning process more structured and effective.
Gameplan offers a range of resources, including lesson plans, professional development, training materials, and assessment tools. These materials are designed to help you engage students in the world of esports effectively.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of esports curriculums, check out our blog post.
Conclusion: Coaching Is About the Players, Not the Game
Coaching esports is less about knowing the game inside out and more about fostering growth, collaboration, and confidence in your players. By leveraging resources like Gameplan and following these strategies, you can bridge the knowledge gap and create a thriving esports program.
Coaching Games
Coaching something you're not familiar with can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when it comes to coaching esports. If your team is advanced in their game knowledge and you're struggling to keep up, finding effective strategies for bridging the knowledge gap is essential. So, how can you coach what you don't know, especially in the world of video games? In this article, we'll guide you to get started.
Difference Between Coaching and Teaching
When you are coaching esports, it's crucial to focus on "what" rather than "how." In the context of games, there is a distinction between teaching and coaching.
Teaching: Focuses on imparting knowledge and skills. It’s about "how to" play or master a game.
Coaching: Centers on guiding and supporting players to improve and achieve their goals. It’s more about "what" needs to be done for the team to succeed.
As an esports coach, your role is to foster collaboration, analyze gameplay, and help students develop strategies, teamwork, and leadership skills. The focus should be on building a supportive and goal-oriented environment.
7 Steps to Coach Games You Do Not Know
Here's a step-by-step approach to help you navigate this journey:
1. Learn the Basics: Start by learning the game's fundamentals. Use tutorials, guides, or introductory videos to familiarize yourself with game mechanics, objectives, and terminology. If time is tight, tools like Gameplan provide pre-built lessons and resources, so you don’t have to know everything about the game to coach effectively.
2. Review Gameplay Videos: Visual learning is highly effective, and esports is no exception. Watching gameplay videos, developer updates, and patch notes can enhance your understanding of the game. However, passive observation is not enough. Interactive learning, where you watch and then engage with the content in-game, is vital to accelerating the learning process. Websites like YouTube, Twitch, or game-specific forums can be excellent resources.
3. Explore Training Programs and Resources: Seek out training programs and resources designed to enhance your coaching skills and game knowledge. These programs often provide valuable insights and strategies. To substitute the knowledge gap, you can utilize pre-built courses and resources to help guide your players.
4. Learn from the Students: Don't hesitate to learn from your players. They may have unique insights and strategies that can benefit your coaching approach. Encourage them to share their strategies, tips, and insights. This can foster a collaborative learning environment.
5. Play the Game Yourself: Put your knowledge into practice in the game. While it might sound obvious, the best way to understand a game is to play it. Dive in and get a first-hand experience. Experiment with different strategies and techniques to better understand their practical applications.
6. Focus on Teamwork and Communication: Even if you’re not an expert in the game itself, you can still coach on general principles like teamwork, effective communication, and sportsmanship. These skills are valuable in any team-based activity. Ensure that there are clear rules and guidelines for behavior. Respect, sportsmanship, and fair play should always be emphasized. Address any issues of toxicity or poor behavior promptly.
7. Embrace Continuous Learning: Accept that your learning journey as a coach will continue alongside your students. Esports is an ever-evolving field, and staying current is essential.
Seek Help From Esports Curriculum Providers
One of the most effective ways to teach games you're not familiar with is to collaborate with esports curriculum providers like Gameplan. These types of providers offer comprehensive education programs tailored for teaching and coaching esports, making the learning process more structured and effective.
Gameplan offers a range of resources, including lesson plans, professional development, training materials, and assessment tools. These materials are designed to help you engage students in the world of esports effectively.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of esports curriculums, check out our blog post.
Conclusion: Coaching Is About the Players, Not the Game
Coaching esports is less about knowing the game inside out and more about fostering growth, collaboration, and confidence in your players. By leveraging resources like Gameplan and following these strategies, you can bridge the knowledge gap and create a thriving esports program.
Written by
Chris Aviles
Chris Aviles is the Product Evangelist at Gameplan and the founder of Garden State Esports. A passionate educator and pioneer in scholastic esports, Chris has revolutionized the educational landscape by integrating esports into schools. His book, The Esports Education Playbook: Empowering Every Learner Through Inclusive Gaming, reflects his commitment to using gaming to enhance student engagement and learning. Under his leadership, GSE has become the largest scholastic esports league in the U.S., fostering teamwork, leadership, and inclusivity among students. At Gameplan, Chris continues to advance his mission of expanding esports opportunities in education.
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