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, it's essential to find effective strategies for bridging the knowledge gap. 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 tackling the task of 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. While teaching focuses on imparting knowledge and skills, coaching emphasizes guiding and supporting players in their journey. 

Striking a balance between instruction and player autonomy is crucial. Encouraging your players to explore and discover strategies while offering guidance and support when needed is the key.

Alt Text: Conceptual diagrams contrasting coaching and teaching: Coaching is coachee-centric, feedback, observation, analyzing, goal-oriented, receptive, two-directional, and learning by doing. Teaching is one-directional, the teacher’s active, sharing expertise, the expert, directive, crowd base, one size fits all, and information oriented.

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 with the basics by going through the game's tutorial. This foundational knowledge is essential before diving into advanced strategies. Using content tools like Gameplan can relieve you of this step since you don’t need to know the game fully, as we provide pre-built, ready-to-go lessons and curriculums for different games.

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. Moreover, digital learning tools like Gameplan let you and your students review videos with friends, teammates, and instructors. With real-time feedback, students can add comments, draw, ask questions, and collaborate to improve skills.  

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: 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, 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

In conclusion, coaching a video game you're unfamiliar with can be a unique challenge. By following these strategies and leveraging the resources provided by esports curriculum providers, you can successfully engage your students and build a thriving esports program. Remember, it's less about the game and more about the experience and skills they acquire along the way.

Schedule a 30-minute meeting to learn more today!