How do you mentor esports players?

1 Assess their skills

The first step to mentor esports players is to assess their current level of skills, knowledge, and performance. You can use various tools and methods to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, such as game analytics, feedback surveys, self-reports, or observation. You should also consider their role, position, and game genre, as different esports require different skills and strategies. Based on your assessment, you can identify their skill gaps, areas of improvement, and potential.

2 Set SMART goals

The next step to mentor esports players is to set SMART goals with them. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals help your mentees focus on what they want to achieve, how they will measure their progress, and when they will reach their desired outcomes. You should also help them prioritize their goals and align them with their personal and team objectives. SMART goals provide direction, motivation, and accountability for your mentees.

3 Provide feedback and support

The third step to mentor esports players is to provide feedback and support throughout their learning process. Feedback is essential for your mentees to improve their skills, correct their mistakes, and celebrate their achievements. You should give feedback that is timely, constructive, specific, and balanced. You should also encourage your mentees to seek feedback from others, such as peers, coaches, or experts. Support is also important for your mentees to overcome challenges, cope with stress, and maintain their confidence. You should offer support that is empathetic, respectful, and flexible.

4 Facilitate learning opportunities

The fourth step to mentor esports players is to facilitate learning opportunities for them. Learning opportunities are activities or experiences that help your mentees acquire new skills, knowledge, or insights. You can facilitate learning opportunities by suggesting resources, recommending courses, organizing workshops, or arranging mentoring sessions. You can also create learning opportunities by exposing your mentees to different situations, challenges, or perspectives. You should tailor the learning opportunities to your mentees' needs, interests, and goals.

5 Model best practices

The fifth step to mentor esports players is to model best practices for them. Best practices are the standards or norms that reflect excellence, professionalism, and ethics in esports. You can model best practices by demonstrating your own skills, knowledge, and performance in esports. You can also model best practices by sharing your stories, insights, or tips with your mentees. You should also model best practices by following the rules, respecting the opponents, and collaborating with the teammates.

6 Empower their autonomy

The sixth step to mentor esports players is to empower their autonomy. Autonomy is the ability and willingness to make decisions and take actions independently. You can empower your mentees' autonomy by giving them choices, options, and responsibilities. You can also empower their autonomy by encouraging them to explore, experiment, and innovate. You should also empower their autonomy by trusting them, acknowledging them, and letting them go. Autonomy fosters your mentees' self-reliance, creativity, and ownership in esports.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?