What Is Solo Queue – And Why It Matters

For many gamers, solo queueing (playing ranked matches alone online) is the most familiar form of practice. It offers a chance to play against a wide range of opponents and is often the main way to climb the competitive ladder. Top players value solo queue as a place to experiment and “limit-test” their skills in ways they might not during official team matches. In interviews with elite League of Legends players, they noted that solo queue is useful for trying new strategies or champion limits – it’s “a place where you try limits and improve as an individual player, with mechanics”. Another benefit unique to solo queue is the chance to face high-level competition; if you reach the top ranks, you’ll be matched with other pros – an opportunity unheard of in traditional sports (as one player quipped, “you’ll never get to play football against Cristiano Ronaldo unless you make it,” whereas in solo queue a top amateur can play against top pros).

Mindset Over Marathon Sessions

That said, solo queue practice needs the right mindset. Simply spamming games for 12 hours isn’t effective and can even be harmful. Players in a recent study mentioned a prevailing but misleading attitude that “to be the best” you must “play like 15 games of solo queue per day”. In reality, such overtraining led them to mental exhaustion and worse performance during those marathon sessions. Instead of fixating on grinding out volume or your online rating, it’s more productive to practice with purpose. Set specific goals for each session or game, for example:

• “Today I will focus on my map awareness,” or

• “I’ll practice a new character’s abilities.”

By having a focus, even a couple of solo games can be turned into deliberate practice rather than just mindless ladder climbing. Keep a notebook or digital journal to jot down what you aimed to practice and what you learned each day:

• If a match went poorly, note one or two mistakes to correct next time.

• If it went well, identify what to replicate in future games.

This reflective approach helps you turn solo queue into a powerful tool for growth instead of a source of frustration.

Staying Cool Under Pressure

It’s also important to manage the emotional rollercoaster of solo matchmaking. The anonymous, high-pressure environment can breed “tilt” (frustration) when you hit a losing streak. Remember to:

• Take short breaks after a tough loss.

• Keep calm – as one coaching article quipped, the number one rule of solo queue is to stay cool, since even pros only win ~55% of their games at best.

Treat each game as practice for skills, not as a do-or-die judgment of your worth. By viewing solo queue as a training ground for improvement (and not just a ranking grind), you’ll gain much more from it.

What Is Replay Analysis?

In traditional sports, teams spend hours watching game film to study their performance. In esports, this comes in the form of replay analysis (or VOD review). After a match — especially a loss — it’s invaluable to go back through the replay and identify what went wrong and what could be done better (TryHavocEnergy, n.d.).

Professional teams make replay analysis a core part of their training routine. For example, one top League of Legends team’s schedule included scrimmage blocks followed by team-wide game reviews — an approach used by Team Liquid to reinforce learning and performance (Cheng, 2018). By dissecting the footage, players and coaches catch:

• Mistakes in positioning

• Missed opportunities

• Lapses in communication

These are things that aren’t always obvious in the heat of the moment.

How to Review Replays on Your Own

If you’re training on your own, you can still do this. Many games allow you to save or watch your recent matches. Try the following:

• Pick a game where you felt you struggled.

• Re-watch key moments. Ask yourself:

  • Did I die because I was overextended?

  • Was I checking the minimap often enough?

  • Did I miss an opponent’s strategy or play?

It can be an eye-opening experience to “step outside” of the game and observe it like a coach. One esports player described how he compared his gameplay to a professional’s to spot areas of improvement — a method that helped him see gaps in farming efficiency, map control, and decision-making (Cunningham et al., 2018).

What to Look For and How to Take Notes

This kind of analysis highlights areas to work on and gives you concrete goals. For example:

• “I’m not farming as efficiently as the pro at 10 minutes – I need to improve that.”

A good tip is to take notes during replay review:

• Write down specific scenarios that went poorly:

  • “Lost dragon fight at 18:00 – late to rotate.”

• Brainstorm possible solutions:

  • “Ward earlier, communicate rotation sooner.”

Over time, you’ll start seeing patterns in your mistakes and improvements.

Getting Feedback from Others

If you have access to a coach or even just a more experienced friend, reviewing a replay together can bring new insights. Sometimes an outside perspective catches things you might miss yourself.

Focus on Learning, Not Blame

Remember, the goal of analyzing replays isn’t to dwell on errors or assign blame – it’s to create a feedback loop for continuous improvement. Each match, win or lose, becomes valuable data for your training. By diligently reviewing and learning from them, you ensure that time spent playing leads to real progress (TryHavocEnergy, n.d.).

References

Cheng, K. (2018, September 27). A day in the life: Dodo. Team Liquid. https://teamliquid.com/news/2018/09/27/a-day-in-the-life-dodo
Cunningham, C., Fairweather, M., & Taylor, T. L. (2018). Esports analytics: Performance and practice in a digital field. eprints.chi.ac.uk. https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/4264
TryHavocEnergy. (n.d.). How pro gamers train. https://info.tryhavocenergy.com

Building Self-Awareness Through Reflection

Hand-in-hand with replay review is the practice of self-analysis and note-taking. This is about cultivating self-awareness as a player. In the middle of an intense game, it’s hard to remember every decision you made. That’s why developing a habit of reflecting on your play after each session is so useful. Try ending your daily practice by asking yourself:

• What are three things I did well today?

• What are three things I want to improve?

Jot down the answers in a journal. Over weeks and months, you’ll have a record of your progress and recurring challenges. Many top competitors in esports use some form of a performance journal. It can include:

• Goal setting

• Logs of training hours

• Notes on strategies

• Mood or focus ratings

Writing these thoughts down externalises them – you’re essentially coaching yourself. Academic research on expert performance has shown that deliberate practice (highly focused, goal-oriented practice) is most effective when coupled with feedback and reflection.

Spotting Patterns and Making Adjustments

By reviewing your own notes, you become better at identifying your strengths and weaknesses. For example, your notes might reveal a pattern like:

• “I tend to lose concentration late in the evening”

• “I struggle against aggressive opponents”

Once you recognise these patterns, you can take specific action – maybe adjust your practice schedule for when you’re most alert or spend time studying how to counter aggressive strategies.

Don’t be afraid to get granular with your self-analysis. Some players use stat trackers or software to log performance metrics (like aiming accuracy or actions per minute), but even a simple pen-and-paper tally can help. For example:

• A fighting game player might count how many times they dropped a combo in a set

• An FPS player might note their average reaction time in an aim training exercise

These give you measurable indicators of improvement. Combine those with qualitative notes like “felt nervous in Game 3 of tournament – need to work on nerves,” and you’ll have a well-rounded view of both the technical and mental sides of your gameplay.

Setting Clear and Achievable Goals

One important part of self-analysis is setting incremental goals. It’s demotivating to only have huge end-goals like “become a pro player.” Instead, break the journey into smaller, achievable milestones:

• “Increase my damage output by 10% this month”

• “Reach a higher rank tier by next season”

• “Communicate with my team more frequently this week”

Write these goals in your notes and track progress over time. Research in sports psychology shows that clear, specific goals help focus your training and improve outcomes. Each time you hit a goal, celebrate it – then set a new one to keep yourself moving forward.

Your Notebook as a Roadmap

Your training notebook becomes more than a log – it becomes a roadmap of your esports development. By diligently analyzing your own play and maintaining notes, you become an active participant in your improvement, not just a passive gamer. This habit builds a mindset of continuous learning – crucial for long-term success in a fast-evolving field like esports.

The Evolving Role of Coaches in Esports

Behind almost every successful esports team is a coach – or often, a team of coaches and analysts. In the early days of esports, coaching was informal. But today, professional organisations invest heavily in support staff, including:

• Head coaches

• Strategic coaches

• Analysts

• Sports psychologists

• Nutritionists

This shift reflects the growing understanding of how essential coaching is to high performance and long-term development (Graham, 2021).

What Do Coaches Actually Do?

A good coach does much more than call plays. They:

• Provide an outside perspective on gameplay

• Draft and refine strategies

• Mediate team communication

• Keep the group organised and motivated

• Create a productive and growth-focused environment (Graham, 2021)

Coaches often act as the glue that holds a team together, helping manage conflicts and stress in a healthy way. For example, in one top team’s daily routine, the coach might:

• Lead a morning meeting to set goals for scrims

• Guide post-game discussions on what went well or poorly

• Offer feedback on missed opportunities and potential improvements (Cheng, 2018)

They also help balance the team’s schedule, managing:

• Team scrimmages

• Individual training time

• Replay review sessions

• Rest and recovery

As teams become more aware of the mental and physical toll of constant training, many coaches now prioritise limiting practice hours to maintain quality and avoid burnout.

Coaching at the Individual Level

Coaches frequently work one-on-one with players to support specific needs:

• A positional coach might help a League of Legends marksman (AD carry) with lane tactics

• A performance coach could help someone manage stage nerves

Even if you’re an amateur without formal coaching, you can still benefit from outside guidance:

• Find a mentor or higher-ranked friend

• Use online coaching platforms or community resources

• Watch coaching content on YouTube or Twitch

The key is getting an external perspective – all players have blind spots in their own play. A coach or mentor can:

• Spot those blind spots

• Suggest targeted improvements

• Provide structured plans to accelerate learning (Cunningham et al., 2018).

The Need for Better Coaching Standards

Research into esports coaching shows that players actively want more support and structured tools beyond solo practice (Cunningham et al., 2018). However, coaching in esports is still developing. Many current coaches:

• Are former players learning on the job

• Work long hours

• Juggle multiple roles: strategist, motivator, manager (Graham, 2021)

Despite these challenges, the impact of a dedicated coach is undeniable. Coaches help:

• Enforce discipline – such as punctuality and consistent training

• Foster team cohesion – making sure communication and teamwork are strong

Even at a school or community level, having someone act as a coach – whether it’s a teacher, senior student, or team captain – can transform a group of individuals into a united team.

References

Cheng, K. (2018, September 27). A day in the life: Dodo. Team Liquid. https://teamliquid.com/news/2018/09/27/a-day-in-the-life-dodo
Cunningham, C., Fairweather, M., & Taylor, T. L. (2018). Esports analytics: Performance and practice in a digital field. eprints.chi.ac.uk. https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/4264
Graham, R. (2021). Esports coaching and player development: Current practices and future opportunities. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com

Esports is often a team endeavour, and success hinges on more than just individual skill. Team training transforms solo talent into collective strength. When a squad moves and thinks as one, it’s impressive to watch – and that kind of coordination takes work.

What Does Team Training Involve?

Effective team training usually includes:

• Scrimmages (practice matches against other teams)
• Strategy meetings
• Communication drills

The goal is to develop team cognition – a shared understanding that helps players anticipate each other and execute strategies smoothly.

Learning Through Shared Review

While solo replay review is important, watching game footage as a team is just as valuable. After a scrim, for example, the whole team might rewatch a key teamfight together and ask:

• What did each player see and hear?
• Were any call-outs unclear?
• What could be done differently next time?

This group reflection builds mutual understanding, improves call precision, and strengthens in-game coordination.

Practicing Communication

Communication drills can be surprisingly effective – and even fun. Some teams:

• Set up custom-game scenarios where one player relies entirely on teammates’ call-outs to succeed
• Debrief quickly after scrims to develop clear, concise communication habits

These exercises build a team that can stay calm and coordinated under pressure. Over time, teams also develop team self-awareness – a shared grasp of their collective strengths, weaknesses, and current game state.

Building Team Culture

Team training isn’t just tactical – it’s also about trust and culture. Strong teams often:

• Spend time together outside of the game (team meals, casual chats, off-game planning)
• Set clear expectations:
  
  • “No blame, just solutions”
  • “During fights, only the in-game leader gives directions”

Agreements like these create psychological safety, allowing players to speak up and collaborate without fear.

Coaches often support this by facilitating team-building exercises or guiding discussions so everyone’s voice is heard. Trust is built over time – through shared practice, open communication, and learning from both wins and losses.

When It All Comes Together

Great team synergy looks effortless – like the team is operating with one mind. But it’s the result of consistent training, structured feedback, and mutual trust. That kind of unity is hard to beat and even harder to build – but it’s what sets top-tier teams apart.

It might surprise some, but physical fitness is a key part of modern esports training. The stereotype of gamers stuck in dark rooms with junk food doesn’t hold up anymore. Many pro players now include workouts, stretches, and even physiotherapy in their routines (Activision Blizzard, 2022).

Why Fitness Matters in Esports

Esports doesn’t require sprinting or jumping, but it does require:

• Fast reactions and fine motor control

• Mental endurance and focus

• A strong and injury-free body

In fact, 80% of esports athletes in one survey said fitness improves their performance (Activision Blizzard, 2022). And science backs it up: just 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise boosted gamers’ aim by 75% and speed by 9% in one study (Activision Blizzard, 2022).

The Big Three Benefits

1. Injury Prevention

• Esports players often suffer from wrist, back, and shoulder issues due to repetitive strain and long sitting hours.

• Workouts strengthen posture-supporting muscles, reducing risk of problems like carpal tunnel or back pain.

2. Cognitive Function

• Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving focus, decision-making, and reaction time (Activision Blizzard, 2022).

• Fit players also report better energy and less mental fatigue during long matches or tournaments.

3. Stress Management

• Physical activity helps regulate mood and reduces anxiety.

• Coaches often include workouts to give players a screen break and a healthy outlet for stress (Activision Blizzard, 2022).

How Pro Teams Train

Teams like Team Liquid schedule gym sessions after scrims as part of their regular routine (Cheng, 2018). Trainers recommend:

• Cardio – for stamina and circulation

• Core & Upper Body Strength – to support posture and precision

• Flexibility – to prevent stiffness and strain

Sample Exercises for Gamers

You don’t need to train like an athlete – just stay active. Here are some practical exercises esports trainers recommend:

• Hip thrusts – counteract long hours of sitting

• Planks & low plank reaches – improve core and shoulder strength

• Prone shoulder windmills – support shoulder mobility

• Banded face pulls – strengthen the upper back and improve posture

• Single-leg ball toss – builds balance and hand-eye coordination

• Humming bee breath – a calming breathing exercise to reduce stress

Even short routines help. One CS:GO pro stretches at her desk between matches to stay loose and focused (Intel, 2022). A good target? 30 minutes of moderate movement five days a week, plus two strength sessions – the same advice doctors give for general health.

Final Thoughts

Physical fitness doesn’t just help you game better – it helps you feel better too. Whether you’re a pro or just playing for fun, looking after your body gives your brain a boost. As the saying goes (with a slight gamer twist): Healthy body, healthy mind, GG.

References

Activision Blizzard. (2022). How fitness fuels performance in esports. https://newsroom.activisionblizzard.com
Cheng, K. (2018, September 27). A day in the life: Dodo. Team Liquid. https://teamliquid.com/news/2018/09/27/a-day-in-the-life-dodo
Intel. (2022). The future of gaming: CS:GO pros on preparation and performance. https://www.intel.com

Ever hear the phrase “you are what you eat”? In esports, you could say, “you play how you eat.” Nutrition plays a huge role in gaming performance, but many new players overlook it. Energy drinks and chips might be easy choices, but they can lead to crashes, poor focus, and long-term health issues. On the other hand, eating well and staying hydrated keeps your reflexes sharp and your brain focused (ELO Esports, n.d.).

What Does Good Esports Nutrition Look Like?

A balanced diet includes:

• Complex carbohydrates – for sustained energy

• Lean protein – for muscle repair and focus

• Healthy fats – for brain function

• Fruits and vegetables – for essential vitamins and minerals

A 2023 study found most elite esports players didn’t meet recommended intakes of key nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, zinc, and magnesium. Many weren’t eating enough fruit or veg either – but those who did eat well performed significantly better on cognitive tasks (Stark et al., 2023).

For example, higher vegetable intake was linked with improved performance on a complex attention test (Stark et al., 2023).

Practical Tips for Eating Well

To support peak performance:

• Don’t skip meals on long training days

• Avoid sugar-heavy snacks that cause crashes

• Choose steady-energy foods like:

  • Breakfast: oatmeal, eggs, whole-grain toast

  • Lunch: chicken, tofu, or legumes with vegetables

  • Snacks: banana with peanut butter, yogurt with berries, trail mix, or hummus with carrot sticks (ELO Esports, n.d.).

Hydration Matters Too

Even mild dehydration reduces reaction speed and mental clarity. Pro tip: take small sips of water between matches or during loading screens. Try to:

• Keep a water bottle at your setup

• Limit high-caffeine energy drinks

• If using caffeine, time it strategically (e.g., avoid late-night use)

Supplements like nootropics are popular, but research is still emerging. Most experts agree: good sleep, proper hydration, and a nutrient-rich diet are more effective than any pill (Stark et al., 2023).

Don’t Forget Sleep

Nutrition and sleep go hand-in-hand. Eating well helps you sleep better, and better sleep improves performance. In the same nutrition study, players who reported feeling sleepy scored lower on cognitive resilience – a reminder that good sleep and good food work together (PsyPost, 2023).

The Takeaway

Treat your body like a high-performance machine: give it the fuel it needs to thrive. Eat balanced meals, stay hydrated, and get your sleep. You’ll not only play better – you’ll feel better.

References

ELO Esports. (n.d.). Nutrition tips for gamers. https://eloesports.com
PsyPost. (2023, July 25). Study finds nutrition and sleep linked to esports performance. https://www.psypost.org
Stark, M., Snuggs, S., & Stockdale, L. (2023). Nutritional habits and cognitive performance of elite esports athletes. Frontiers in Nutrition. https://www.frontiersin.org

At the top level of play, everyone has sharp reflexes and solid mechanics — what sets champions apart is their mindset. Focus, emotional control, and resilience are what keep players consistent under pressure.

That’s why mental training is a crucial part of esports development.

Mindfulness: Staying Present in High-Pressure Moments

Mindfulness is the skill of staying focused on the present without spiralling into distraction or frustration. Pro teams now regularly use mindfulness meditation, like guided breathing exercises, to help players stay calm and centred (Activision Blizzard, 2022).

Even just 5–10 minutes a day of mindful breathing can improve focus and reduce anxiety.

Benefits of mindfulness in esports:

• Better concentration

• Less tilt and frustration

• Quicker recovery after mistakes

A mindful gamer can pause, reset, and move on — a critical skill in high-stakes matches.

Managing Stress and Building Resilience

Esports will test your mental strength — trash talk, mistakes, or performance pressure can throw you off. That’s why many players use:

• Visualization – imagining success before it happens

• Positive self-talk – short, affirming phrases like “focus on the next play” or “I’ve got this”

These techniques are proven in traditional sports and are increasingly used in esports by sports psychologists and mental coaches (CSLABEZ, n.d.; LinkedIn, 2023).

Mental Games and Brain Training

Training your mind also includes cognitive drills outside of your main game. These can sharpen focus, memory, and adaptability:

• Use apps like Lumosity or Gwoop to target attention, reaction time, and decision-making (Gwoop, n.d.)

• Play strategic games like chess, Sudoku, or Wordle to keep your brain flexible (Verywell Mind, 2023)

Even short sessions can improve:

• Pattern recognition

• Tactical thinking

• Mental stamina during long gaming sessions

Skill-Specific Mental Drills

Some mental training overlaps directly with mechanical skill:

• Aim trainers (like Aim Lab or Kovaak’s) let FPS players isolate and refine reflexes (TryHavocEnergy, n.d.)

• Practice tools in MOBAs help build combo timing and muscle memory — freeing up mental space for strategy

As one top League of Legends player put it:

“Going into practice tool and just learning all their combos… that’s super valuable.”

This kind of automation helps you think tactically during matches instead of focusing on basic mechanics.

Mental Health: The Foundation

You can’t perform your best if your mental health is suffering. Anxiety, burnout, or depression can undercut all your efforts. It’s important to:

• Take regular breaks

• Maintain real-world relationships

• Seek help if you’re struggling

Some orgs now employ sports psychologists to help players with motivation and emotional regulation (CSLABEZ, n.d.). But even if you don’t have access to one, using tools like mindfulness, self-talk, and perspective-taking can help build a healthy competitive mindset.

Final Thought

Mental training isn’t optional – it’s essential. Just like physical fitness, your mind needs practice to perform under pressure. By developing mental routines, managing stress, and strengthening focus, you’ll not only play better — you’ll feel better, too.

References

Activision Blizzard. (2022). Mindfulness in esports training. https://newsroom.activisionblizzard.com
CSLABEZ. (n.d.). Mental performance in esports. https://cslabez.com
Gwoop. (n.d.). Train your brain like a gamer. https://gwoop.com
LinkedIn. (2023). Esports psychology: Inside the pro mindset. https://www.linkedin.com
TryHavocEnergy. (n.d.). The science behind esports performance. https://info.tryhavocenergy.com
Verywell Mind. (2023). Do brain games actually work?. https://www.verywellmind.com

In esports, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “more is better”. But veteran players and coaches know that quality practice – supported by rest – beats endless grinding. Burnout is real. It shows up as:

• Mental and physical fatigue

• Declining performance

• A loss of motivation or love for the game

And it’s often caused by pushing too hard for too long without enough recovery.

The Cost of Overtraining

Top pros might train 8–12 hours a day before major tournaments. But ask yourself — would you do a mentally demanding task (like chess or puzzles) for 12 hours straight? Chances are, your performance would decline. Esports psychologist Mia Stellberg puts it clearly: “Your mental side is very different when you’re playing five hours a day with a break versus ten hours straight… Why would you practice being sloppy, frustrated, or unfocused?”.

In short: long, unfocused sessions can reinforce bad habits, not good ones.

What Good Recovery Looks Like

Smart training schedules include:

• Short breaks during practice – 5-minute walks or stretches every 1–2 hours

• Longer breaks between scrim blocks

• Rest days – 1–2 days a week with no gaming

During off-days, players are encouraged to relax, socialise, or explore non-gaming hobbies. Far from setting them back, these breaks often improve performance once training resumes.

Sleep: The Ultimate Cheat Code

Sleep isn’t optional – it’s one of the most powerful performance enhancers available:

• Boosts focus, reaction time, and memory

• Helps the brain consolidate skills learned during the day

• Supports emotional stability and decision-making

Most players need 7–9 hours a night. But esports athletes often have poor sleep habits — irregular hours, too much screen time, or overstimulation at night. Improving sleep hygiene can pay off fast. Try:

• Sticking to regular sleep and wake times

• Avoiding screens and intense games before bed

• Creating a sleep-friendly space: dark, quiet, and cool

Mind Breaks and Life Outside the Game

Taking mental breaks throughout the day helps your brain process new skills. Even stepping away from the screen for a few minutes can help you return with more clarity and less frustration.

Try:

• Going outside for fresh air

• Doing a non-screen activity (drawing, walking, music)

• Reading or journaling to unwind

Having interests outside of gaming also keeps your relationship with your game healthy. It prevents your hobby from becoming a chore.

Managing the Emotional Side of Competition

Losses and setbacks are inevitable. Part of training is learning to detach, reset, and relax after a tough match. Watching a show, spending time with friends, or just zoning out for a while isn’t “wasted time” — it’s how you stay mentally balanced. “Quality trumps quantity.” A focused 6-hour session with breaks and rest beats a 12-hour marathon filled with stress and fatigue.

Final Thoughts

Respecting rest and recovery protects your passion for gaming. It helps you stay consistent and avoid burnout — something many talented players face too soon. Train smart, rest well, and you’ll go further.