Some people think that the coach is not even needed in eSports because they do not make direct contributions to the match results. Esports coach will be completely separate from the player while the match takes place.
The coaches in eSports will not have the right to interfere directly in the match, instead they will be the one who prepares the tactics and the squad before the match, watches the players and makes feedback after the game ends. The coach will have a period of preparation before the game begins. After that, they will be taken to the waiting room with a direct monitor, where they can observe the happenings in the match.
Playing without a coach by his side, therefore, the role of the captain, or the person who gave in to the match is extremely important for eSports games. In some cases, although it rarely happens, the coaches can still give direct directions into the match. However, these options have not been able to effectively apply to eSports.
Instead, the coach will use headphones to communicate with the players through the Discord or through the game chat system. In this way, the coach will not sit in the waiting room but will stand behind the players, can communicate and directly direct each path to the country. The coach will observe the match through the screen of the players instead of the general match screen.
There is no perfect plan. Support Kim “Olleh” Joo-sung of the League of Legends Golden Guardians once expressed concern about this method: “I am afraid that this method will turn players into a chess, always have to follow the direction of the coaches. In the context, I don't think I am playing Games but just a body.”
Typically in 2021, the Alliance's use of coaches during the competition at Season 2 Dota Pro Circuit 2021 is creating a fierce controversy in the community. OG members believe that the coach in the game not only brings unjustity:
Ceb sarcastically: “In my knowledge, Alliance is the only team doing this because it is always banned. For me, it is simply that you do everything you can to have an advantage. And that is fair that even if I don't respect those ways.”
Like basketball or volleyball, at the time of time-out, the coaches can use the right to meet the tactics and if they receive the consent of the referee, the match will be paused for the coaches to talk to the players. In a short period of time, the coaches can convey the tactics or simply let the players have a small rest time.
However, this method is even criticized by the coaches. Reapered, who led Cloud9 and 100T LCS championship:
“For games with a fast pace, the matches that take place in a short time like Valorant, Time-Out will work, and for games like League of Legends, a situation that can also last and time-out times will damage the pace of the match. Not only the players, fans will also be bored because the time is boring when the Italians.”
The former League of Legends players used to play at LCK, LPL, LEC – Yoo “Ryu” Sang -Wook expressed his view of disagreement about raising the coach's influence in the match:
“It sounds quite interesting, but I object to this idea. For the players, they will be difficult to accept being controlled. If the coaches have the right to intervene, I think their powers should be as low as possible.”
In 2016, Valve launched a law, thereby limiting the “power” to interfere in the match of the coaches in the match. Specifically, the coach will not be able to talk to gamers in the following periods: The time of starting before the match, the time Timeout tactics is 30 seconds, as well as while the Round is taking place:
“With the coach with the right to talk freely with 5 players during the competition, they are as strong as a 6th player in the team, with many roles from monitoring the financial situation after each round, tactical call as well as warning the risks for gamers sitting in front of the computer screen. We consider anyone doing those jobs as players.
The goal of Valve is to create a game where the 5 best players must have both tactical skills and observation, so the coach's participation in our tournaments currently does not match the set goals. Therefore, future tournaments organized by Valve will be closer to the coach's issue through new laws. “
It is undeniable that the decision to limit the coach's authority in the Esports match is the main purpose is to improve the importance of the players, while ensuring fairness among teams. Therefore, the players will have to practice many different skills to deserve to become a professional eSports player.
