The Quality Life: Teams bolster player support networks in 2015
Riot·1/26/2015, 9:31:34 PM·0 votes·16,948 views
For an esports organization, managing what happens “off the Rift” is critical to the success of their team. As the sport grows and teams gain access to more experience and resources, organizations are learning how to better manage the quality of life for their players. Alexander Mὒller, Ryan Armendariz, and Eric Ma (managers of SK Gaming, Winterfox, and Team 8 respectively) have each taken steps this season to ensure that their players are well cared for in between LCS matches.
SK Gaming leans on their sports psychologist for help managing team synergy. Mὒller said that one of his keys for the team’s success is making sure that the players are excited to play in their current composition. “Players that like each other will find it easier to achieve success,” he said. “From the past we have learned we’d rather have great team chemistry than one or two superstars.”
Winterfox took this a step further, and sent the entire team to Korea for the offseason. While most of their day was spent practicing, the players also put an emphasis on spending time together away from their keyboards. “The team would spend a decent amount of time exploring Seoul and coming up with things to keep them busy,” said Armendariz.
Each team has their own methods and culture, but they are all chasing the same goal -- victory. By eliminating distractions, providing life lessons and resources, and maintaining a positive team atmosphere, LCS organizations are learning that by improving their players quality of life, they improve their chances at victory.
Help Is Here
For SK Gaming, emotional and mental health has been a primary focus of their management for some time. As has been widely reported, they were the first team to utilize a sports psychologist on a regular basis. The job of a sports psychologist is to help maximize the players’ mental focus, and fix any issues with attitude or chemistry within the team. Mὒller also noted that the team’s coaches and analysts work to maintain a close relationship with their players. “We want them to grow into responsible individuals that learn the basics for their life,” he said. To offer players a greater level of privacy, SK has also decided to separate their living quarters from their practice space. Across the pond, Winterfox’s support staff is doing their best to listen to the needs of their players. “One of the things our players want this season,” said Armendariz, “is the ability to just play. Meaning they’d prefer everything to be handled before it lands on their plate and their input is required.” Professional players are pulled in a lot of different directions between sponsors, interviews, and personal obligations. Armendariz and his team are hoping to handle the majority of these distractions with as little direct involvement from the players as possible.Growing Up So Fast
That support staff is especially important considering the unique circumstances LCS players find themselves in. Specifically, there's the money. Whether it’s a newly promoted jungler or a "veteran" 22-year-old mid laner, young players are dealing with amounts of money that require actual finance management. Balancing the checkbook is difficult even for most experienced adults, but for pro players, that stress can take away from their preparation for game day. “I personally give financial advice to our players all the time,” Ma said. He added that Team 8 covers all the costs related to the gaming house so that, “players won’t need to worry about anything other than playing.” In addition to fortune, there's the fame. When players join an LCS team, many are not prepared for the level of responsibility that is suddenly placed upon them. “We sometimes have very inexperienced young players that need to be pushed a little harder into becoming more independent and reliable,” Mὒller said. SK’s philosophy is to guide these players towards independence, rather than trying to control every aspect of their lives. “We want to help them fix problems on their own, and therefore grow.” For Winterfox, their biggest challenge will be acclimating their new players, Hyeonsu “Imagine” Jang” and Donghyeon “Avalon” Shin, to life in America. Armendariz noted that the team will be relying heavily on the veteran leadership of Helios to help his new recruits navigate their new home. “We’ll be working with them on their language skills and making sure they are comfortable exploring the area,” he added.We’re All In This Together
While every LCS pro is a unique individual, the success of their team relies on their ability to become one cohesive unit. When signing new players, team managers must weigh the applicant’s in-game skill against their fit within the team culture. “For us,” said Ma, “having a good personality that works well with other teammates is everything. If players don’t get along, there won’t be any teamwork.” He added that friendship between the players is critical for building this type of teamwork. “It’s a lot easier to take advice and follow a call from a friend.” Armendariz noted that sometimes a player’s raw skill can make up for their caustic personality, but the risks to the team are much greater if that player doesn’t work out.
SK Gaming leans on their sports psychologist for help managing team synergy. Mὒller said that one of his keys for the team’s success is making sure that the players are excited to play in their current composition. “Players that like each other will find it easier to achieve success,” he said. “From the past we have learned we’d rather have great team chemistry than one or two superstars.”
Winterfox took this a step further, and sent the entire team to Korea for the offseason. While most of their day was spent practicing, the players also put an emphasis on spending time together away from their keyboards. “The team would spend a decent amount of time exploring Seoul and coming up with things to keep them busy,” said Armendariz.
Each team has their own methods and culture, but they are all chasing the same goal -- victory. By eliminating distractions, providing life lessons and resources, and maintaining a positive team atmosphere, LCS organizations are learning that by improving their players quality of life, they improve their chances at victory.
