UPDATE: I have created an instructional page for nootropics (Cognitive Enhancing Supplements) for esport. Check it out here to optimize your game WITHOUT the use of illegal stimulants! Learn More about Nootropics “I witnessed doping a lot. It was lying around, like aspirin. The most common was Ritalin. The first time we took it was […]
Tag Archives: Starcraft 2
What is eSport psychology?
Athletes strive to be the best. Whether that means beating others in competition or besting themselves, they are constantly training to achieve victory. At the end of the day, however, one athlete or one team is the ultimate victor. Coaches and other athletes examine the training methods used by the winners to determine what the […]
Performance profiling
Performance profiling is a way to assess where one stands in their mental strengths and weaknesses. It is a good way to plan what areas to focus on as well as to gauge growth. Usually a self-assessment is suitable enough, but in a team with excellent relationships a more thorough assessment involving coaches or teammates […]
Multi-Action Plan
Mind games consulting recommends the Multi-Action Plan (MAP) developed recently and trialled relatively successfully with Italian Olympic shooters.1 The MAP combines theoretical elements from many previous successful models of intervention, notably the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach,2,3 the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model,4,5,6,7,8 and the Identification-Control-Correction (ICC) programme.9 In the MAP model, the ideal state for […]
Throwing the game – how to avoid choking under pressure
This past month marked the 6th season of the IEM world championships and brought many of the world’s best Starcraft 2 athletes together in Hannover to compete for the Intel Masters 2011 trophy. The finals were, in many peoples’ minds, a dream rematch of the IEM Cologne finals between the fantastic protoss player SK Gaming’s […]
Relaxation technique – progressive relaxation
The idea behind progessive relaxation (PR) exercises is to eventually be able to automatically release tension from the muscles. A relaxed body then leads to a relaxed mind. When doing PR it is helpful to have good breathing technique and to incorporate stretching or physical activity of some sort, such as walking or yoga. There […]
Arousal in eSports
Today I want to discuss arousal in eSports, although it’s probably a different kind of arousal than most people are expecting. No, I don’t mean Sona or PMantheon’s chest; nor do I mean Jim Raynor’s rugged good looks or Kerrigan’s naked-bug get-up. What I mean is the activation of the body and the mind, which […]
Relaxation and performance in eSport
Two ends of the spectrum One of the biggest joys and frustrations in my life is that I coach a special needs team of competitive swimmers. One boy loves to compete; he gets really, super excited about it. In fact every time he dives in for a race he spins his arms like a windmill, and […]
Relaxation Technique – proper breathing
Breathing correctly is nature’s automatic relaxant. When a person takes a deep, diaphragmatic breath the muscles along the back involuntarily relax as part of the movement. Since the shoulder muscles are largely tied into the lumbar support muscles of the spine this effect cascades throughout the upper torso. Additionally, the amount of oxygen in the […]
Getting your head in the game
Conversation leads to collaboration Last week there was a fantastic discussion in the comments after I posted my article on pre-performance. One of the topics that came up was simply, “Where do I start?” That’s a good question to ask, because on a site that is filled with new information it is hard to find […]