Competitive gaming is making it to the mainstream! Competitions are selling out venues like Madison Square Garden and online streaming of Esports is as popular as viewing of professional athletic events. Colleges are starting to provide scholarships for competitive gaming. It is time to build the pipeline to prepare students for these opportunities while honoring their interests and valuing their skills. This chat is aimed at building a community around the growth of Esports in grades 6 though 12 which will naturally feed into the college programs. Join us for the weekly #EsportsEDU chat at 7:30 pm ET. It is a 30 minute chat that will have one question / topic each week to guide the discussion. Use the hashtag #Esportsedu or join us via participate.com at participate.com/chats/EsportsEDU
Tonight's Topic / Question: Coaching... How do we coach #Esports? What do we emphasize? How well versed do we have to be with the games as a coach? #EsportsEDU
I think it’s important to cover gaming skills, healthy communication, cooperation, balance between gaming and outside life, learning from defeat, team dynamics #EsportsEDU
I also think we should be familiar with the game and skill sets needed for them but don’t have to have mastered them, most kids will still be better gamers then us due to #hrs played, & often pick up games faster as well #EsportsEDU
As for coaching, I don't feel qualified to coach. I feel qualified to act as general manager, but would like to find gamers with much more of a handle on strategy for the specific games. Seems a bit difficult so far as the growth of #Esports is happening so quickly #EsportsEDU
Yeah, I think much of the strategy and 'coaching' will often happen from inside the team, but that is certainly different from traditional sports, so how do we emulate that type of genuine coaching - we need coaches who are willing to analyze film, strategy, etc. #EsportsEDU
Perseverance is a good one and one some gamers struggle with hence “rage quit” being a thing. Also works emotional regulation and management in there too #EsportsEDU
Hey, Sean special educator & STEM coach from NYC, enjoying Chris Emdin’s For White Folks who teach in the hood-I probably don’t know many YouTubers by name except the one’s my kids like-FGTV and super girly gamer #ESportsEDU
I think we definitely need to find qualified pros to volunteer their time (until we can pay!) as coaches. @UCIEsports and @connectedcamps created a program for schools in Orange County where some of the coaching happened remotely #EsportsEDU
Yes. Cover soft skills! I coached varsity sports for 10 years and plan on taking a similar approach. Also we have a pro overwatch player @likeclockwork that grew up in the town over. He’s given me some great advice.
In reply to
@carrie_linden, @mr_isaacs, @likeclockwork
I also find kids are getting good with peer mentoring for gaming, both seeking mentors and being them for others to help each other become better at select games #EsportsEDU
In reply to
@TechedUpTeacher, @mr_isaacs, @likeclockwork
A1: I would say it would depend on the games. For some the strategy is 90% before you begin the game (choosing character, etc.), For others it might be about practicing certain skills. For strategy you really need to know the game #EsportsEdu
Yes! I think going through gameplay and talking about what worked and what didn’t is key as well as team processing how they did and what they need to work on as a group #EsportsEDU
Yes, I have so much to prep in advance on top of tons of crazy end of year stuff-but I decided to take this break for a moment-We have to find some moment to say hi in Chicago #ESportsEDU
How often do teams practice together per week? How much of that time should be just playing vs. time spent listening to a coach or a remote pro giving advice? #EsportsEDU
There's a mentor meetup - will you be at that? So many other cool things. My schedule is already crazy - we need to also chat about #minefaire NJ Aug 4-5 - interested? #EsportsEDU
Oh yes, the frustration that leads to quitting a game, assignment, etc. If it’s important we usually practice failing in advance so the kids know how they ought respond. Also understanding that respawning and trying again is a part of life (death?) #ESportsEDU
It seems with most teams they start with once a week. I plan on having 4-5, much like any other sport. I think it might be the best thing if some of their days #ESportsEdu
Not sure what teams are doing now but if imaging we could take a page from college team schedules and adjust from there to meet the limitations set by school admin #EsportsEdu
I think to truly be competitive and earn the street cred comparable to sports we need to take practice seriously and abide by a schedule similar to sports #EsportsEDU
It seems with most teams they start with once a week. I plan on having 4-5, much like any other sport. I think it might be the best thing if some of their days #ESportsEdu
You can’t not. Professional gamers play every day, like a job - you have to train muscle memory, reflexes, and focus just like with physical sports. #ESportsEDU
Outro- most likely not hitting a conference (lots going on a the moment) but will be starting an esports class at UCI in little over a week though #EsportsEdu
