So, you've got your eyes set on the dynamic and exhilarating world of competitive gaming? Whether you're a passionate gamer or looking to explore a new frontier, becoming an esports coach is an exciting journey that can lead to a fulfilling career. In this article, we'll delve into the steps you can take to kickstart your path to becoming an esports coach.
Esports at a Glance
Despite its infancy, esports is a high-growth billion-dollar global industry poised to continue growing. This growth creates many opportunities for people who want to get involved in the industry. Esports coaching is one of those areas that is gaining traction and will continue to grow in popularity.
According to Indeed, the salary of an esports coach can range between 30,000 - 80,000 USD per year. But, if you have aspirations to make more money one way to do so is by starting your own business like an esports center. The Esports Coaching Academy works with esports centers, teams and clubs, schools, and entrepreneurs to provide them with tools, resources, and knowledge to operate their esports training programs. If starting your own esports center is a path you are considering, you can read our guide Getting Started: How to Successfully Launch a Youth Esports Center to learn more.
So, what does it take to get started as an esports coach?
Step 1: Embrace Your Love for Coaching
As an aspiring esports coach, you do not have to be a gamer or a professional esports player, you should however be passionate about coaching and developing others. While understanding the intricacies of different games is beneficial, coaching goes beyond simply being a skilled player. Coaching is about inspiring, motivating, and guiding players to reach their full potential. Embrace your love for coaching and focus on developing the skills needed to guide and mentor future esports athletes.
Step 2: Hone Your Skills and Knowledge
To become an effective esports coach, you need to be knowledgeable about coaching in general and in the games you wish to specialize in. At the ECA we offer youth esports coaching certifications, so anyone with a passion for coaching can become an esports coach. We offer a general coaching certification that covers the fundamentals of coaching and esports coaching and game-specific certifications, which take a deeper dive into the nature and techniques of specific games such as Fortnite, Valorant, and more. An esports coaching certification can enhance your credibility, demonstrate your commitment to professional growth, and potentially open doors to opportunities within the esports industry.
It is not necessary to play the games you are going to coach, but it is helpful to get a general understanding of the game and game mechanics. As an ECA-certified esports coach, you will have access to a global community of coaches, where you can tap into their expertise and learn from their experiences.
Step 3: Develop Strong Communication and Leadership Skills
Coaching in esports is no different from coaching in traditional sports, both require exceptional communication and leadership abilities. As an esports coach, you'll be working closely with players of all skill levels, guiding them through strategies, providing feedback, and fostering a positive and motivating environment. Enhance your interpersonal skills, learn effective communication techniques, and develop the ability to provide constructive criticism that helps players grow.
Step 4: Engage and Familiarize Yourself with the Esports Scene
While everyone's journey to becoming an esports is different, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the esports scene. Familiarize yourself with the games, tournaments, teams, and players that dominate the esports landscape. You can do so by following esports news and media, watching professional matches and analyses, and attending local esports events in your community. Your engagement and familiarization with esports will also help you form a connection with your players. Remember, coaching is a continuous learning process, and each opportunity to interact with players and the esports community will contribute to your growth as a coach.
Step 5: Put Your Knowledge into Practice
If you work in a LAN center or gaming cafe, you have a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and gradually transition into a coaching role. You can express your interest in coaching to the management team or owners of the LAN center. Propose the idea of creating coaching programs or services within the center and take the initiative to discuss getting an esports certification through the ECA.
If you are not currently employed in the esports industry and are looking for coaching opportunities, look for LAN centers, gaming cafes, and schools - elementary, middle school, high school, colleges, and universities with esports departments and reach out to them about job opportunities. The ECA works with many individuals and organizations that offer esports coaching job opportunities, contact us and we would be happy to help guide you.
Becoming an esports coach is an exciting and rewarding path for individuals who genuinely love coaching, possess strong communication and leadership skills, and are dedicated to continuous learning. By immersing yourself in the esports community, honing your gameplay skills and knowledge, gaining practical experience, and exploring educational opportunities such as those provided by the ECA, you can unlock your potential as a successful esports coach. Remember, every great coach started with a dream and took the first step towards making it a reality. Good luck on your journey to becoming an esports coach!
So, you've got your eyes set on the dynamic and exhilarating world of competitive gaming? Whether you're a passionate gamer or looking to explore a new frontier, becoming an esports coach is an exciting journey that can lead to a fulfilling career. In this article, we'll delve into the steps you can take to kickstart your path to becoming an esports coach.
Esports at a Glance
Despite its infancy, esports is a high-growth billion-dollar global industry poised to continue growing. This growth creates many opportunities for people who want to get involved in the industry. Esports coaching is one of those areas that is gaining traction and will continue to grow in popularity.
According to Indeed, the salary of an esports coach can range between 30,000 - 80,000 USD per year. But, if you have aspirations to make more money one way to do so is by starting your own business like an esports center. The Esports Coaching Academy works with esports centers, teams and clubs, schools, and entrepreneurs to provide them with tools, resources, and knowledge to operate their esports training programs. If starting your own esports center is a path you are considering, you can read our guide Getting Started: How to Successfully Launch a Youth Esports Center to learn more.
So, what does it take to get started as an esports coach?
Step 1: Embrace Your Love for Coaching
As an aspiring esports coach, you do not have to be a gamer or a professional esports player, you should however be passionate about coaching and developing others. While understanding the intricacies of different games is beneficial, coaching goes beyond simply being a skilled player. Coaching is about inspiring, motivating, and guiding players to reach their full potential. Embrace your love for coaching and focus on developing the skills needed to guide and mentor future esports athletes.
Step 2: Hone Your Skills and Knowledge
To become an effective esports coach, you need to be knowledgeable about coaching in general and in the games you wish to specialize in. At the ECA we offer youth esports coaching certifications, so anyone with a passion for coaching can become an esports coach. We offer a general coaching certification that covers the fundamentals of coaching and esports coaching and game-specific certifications, which take a deeper dive into the nature and techniques of specific games such as Fortnite, Valorant, and more. An esports coaching certification can enhance your credibility, demonstrate your commitment to professional growth, and potentially open doors to opportunities within the esports industry.
It is not necessary to play the games you are going to coach, but it is helpful to get a general understanding of the game and game mechanics. As an ECA-certified esports coach, you will have access to a global community of coaches, where you can tap into their expertise and learn from their experiences.
Step 3: Develop Strong Communication and Leadership Skills
Coaching in esports is no different from coaching in traditional sports, both require exceptional communication and leadership abilities. As an esports coach, you'll be working closely with players of all skill levels, guiding them through strategies, providing feedback, and fostering a positive and motivating environment. Enhance your interpersonal skills, learn effective communication techniques, and develop the ability to provide constructive criticism that helps players grow.
Step 4: Engage and Familiarize Yourself with the Esports Scene
While everyone's journey to becoming an esports is different, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the esports scene. Familiarize yourself with the games, tournaments, teams, and players that dominate the esports landscape. You can do so by following esports news and media, watching professional matches and analyses, and attending local esports events in your community. Your engagement and familiarization with esports will also help you form a connection with your players. Remember, coaching is a continuous learning process, and each opportunity to interact with players and the esports community will contribute to your growth as a coach.
Step 5: Put Your Knowledge into Practice
If you work in a LAN center or gaming cafe, you have a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and gradually transition into a coaching role. You can express your interest in coaching to the management team or owners of the LAN center. Propose the idea of creating coaching programs or services within the center and take the initiative to discuss getting an esports certification through the ECA.
If you are not currently employed in the esports industry and are looking for coaching opportunities, look for LAN centers, gaming cafes, and schools - elementary, middle school, high school, colleges, and universities with esports departments and reach out to them about job opportunities. The ECA works with many individuals and organizations that offer esports coaching job opportunities, contact us and we would be happy to help guide you.
Becoming an esports coach is an exciting and rewarding path for individuals who genuinely love coaching, possess strong communication and leadership skills, and are dedicated to continuous learning. By immersing yourself in the esports community, honing your gameplay skills and knowledge, gaining practical experience, and exploring educational opportunities such as those provided by the ECA, you can unlock your potential as a successful esports coach. Remember, every great coach started with a dream and took the first step towards making it a reality. Good luck on your journey to becoming an esports coach!