Communication Verbal and Non-Verbal in Esports Games

# Communication in Esports

## Introduction

In the world of competitive gaming, victory often hinges not just on mechanical skill, but on how effectively players **communicate**—both **verbally** and **non-verbally**—in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s a coordinated push in *Valorant*, a team fight in *League of Legends*, or a last-second goal save in *Rocket League*, communication binds a team together and sharpens their execution.

This guide explores:

* The difference between **verbal and non-verbal communication**
* The specific **skills and techniques** required
* **Tactical uses** of communication in high-level esports
* How players and teams **train** and develop these communication methods



## What Is Communication in Esports?

Communication in esports refers to the transmission of **game-critical information** between teammates during gameplay to support:

* **Strategic decision-making**
* **Real-time coordination**
* **Team cohesion**

It takes two main forms:

* **Verbal Communication**: Spoken information via voice chat or in person
* **Non-Verbal Communication**: Pings, animations, player movement, body language (in LAN/team settings)

Understanding and mastering both forms is essential in games where reaction speed, team synergy, and adaptability make the difference between winning and losing.



## Verbal Communication in Esports

### What It Is

Verbal communication involves the **spoken exchange of information**, usually over voice platforms such as:

* Discord
* TeamSpeak
* In-game VOIP systems (e.g., *CS2*, *Valorant*, *Overwatch*)

### Core Skills

| Skill | Description | Example |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Clarity** | Speaking clearly under pressure | "Enemy top side jungle, low health" |
| **Brevity** | Using as few words as possible | “Rotate B. Sage no wall.” |
| **Timing** | Communicating *when* it matters | Calling "flash now!" just before initiating |
| **Tone Control** | Staying calm and assertive | Keeping composure after a mistake |
| **Prioritisation** | Sharing only the most relevant info | Not overloading with unnecessary chatter |
| **Callouts** | Knowing map names/positions accurately | “One heaven, one elbow” in *Valorant* |

### Tactical Use Cases

#### 1. **Coordinating a Push or Play**

In FPS titles like *Valorant* or *Call of Duty*, verbal cues guide when to execute a team strategy:

* “I’m flashing on 3, 2, 1—go!”
* “You take heaven, I’ll smoke elbow.”

#### 2. **Reacting to Changing Situations**

Quick, precise calls during chaos help teams adapt:

* “Two mid rotating.”
* “Don’t peek, play time.”

#### 3. **Shotcalling and IGLs**

Many teams designate a shotcaller or In-Game Leader (IGL) to centralise decision-making. For example, in *CS2*, IGLs like **karrigan** or **cadiaN** are known for calm, structured team guidance.

### Real-World Example

* **Interview with karrigan** (FaZe Clan, CS2):
[https://esports.gg/news/cs-go/faze-karrigan-csgo-igl-interview/](https://esports.gg/news/cs-go/faze-karrigan-csgo-igl-interview/)
He explains how voice clarity and assertiveness are crucial to his leadership.



## Training Verbal Communication

### 1. **Scrims (Practice Matches)**

Teams regularly practice communication structure during scrims. Coaches observe and may record team comms for review.

### 2. **Communication Drills**

* “Callout Only” rounds where every player must give callouts before acting
* “Silent Round” drills to highlight importance of necessary info
* “Role Swap Comms” where players take over IGLing to build empathy

### 3. **VoD Review with Audio**

Watching gameplay recordings with voice comms helps players:

* Identify over-talking or missing calls
* Improve timing and prioritisation
* Eliminate "clutter" talk (off-topic chatter)

### 4. **Mental Performance Coaching**

Teams work with sports psychologists or performance coaches to:

* Improve tone control under stress
* Practice de-escalation when team tension rises

### Fun Fact

> Some top-tier teams like **G2 Esports** and **Team Liquid** employ communication coaches just as they do aim or strategy coaches.



## Non-Verbal Communication in Esports

### What It Is

Non-verbal communication includes all **non-spoken cues** used during gameplay to convey information. This includes:

* In-game tools (pings, signals, pings wheels)
* Character positioning/movement
* Camera control
* Body language and eye contact (in team houses or LAN settings)

It’s **crucial** when voice chat is limited, distracting, or when rapid responses are needed.

### Core Skills

| Skill | Description | Example |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Efficient Pinging** | Using map pings to alert locations | Danger ping on bomb site |
| **Movement Cues** | Intentional moves to indicate plan | Jumping or shifting before peeking |
| **Line of Sight Control** | Using vision and angles to signal focus | Holding crossfires or flanks |
| **Gesture Language (LAN)** | Body/facial cues between teammates | Head nods, eye contact for setup timing |

### Tactical Use Cases

#### 1. **Using Ping Systems**

* In *League of Legends*, players use:

* "On My Way"
* "Danger"
* "Enemy Missing"
* In *Apex Legends*, players use a **ping wheel** that allows:

* Ammo requests
* Location marking
* Strategic suggestions without talking

#### 2. **Silent Strategy Execution**

Non-verbal cues are critical during **silent or stealth rounds**—especially in LAN finals where ambient noise is high.

#### 3. **Body Language in LANs**

In physical settings (bootcamps, tournaments), **non-verbal cues replace voice** during tense moments:

* Eye flicks to screens
* Posture shifts (ready posture vs passive lean)
* Hand signs (e.g. finger circles for ult tracking)

### Real-World Example

* **TSM's comms and non-verbal synergy in Apex Legends**:
[TSM Apex Comms Breakdown](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KKL8REKiw)
Shows how voice and pings combine in high-level play.


## Training Non-Verbal Communication

### 1. **Silent Practice Sessions**

* Players scrim using only pings and movement to encourage awareness
* Forces players to rely on cues and map signals

### 2. **Ping Mapping Exercises**

* Create scenarios where players must navigate or strategize using only pings
* Builds map knowledge and instinctive communication

### 3. **LAN Body Language Training**

* Practiced during bootcamps or in-person meetups
* Exercises in maintaining **non-verbal synergy**: posture, readiness, eye contact

### 4. **Awareness Drills**

* Players watch footage with comms *muted* and must deduce team intent through positioning and pings



## Combining Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Elite teams seamlessly blend both methods. Consider this example:

> In *Valorant*, a team wants to fake a site hit. The entry player calls "Flashing A," throws utility to draw attention, then everyone rotates silently using the ping wheel and minimap indicators.

This tactic uses:

* **Verbal decoy** to mislead opponents
* **Non-verbal movement and pings** to execute the real plan

### Game-Specific Examples

| Game | Verbal Use | Non-Verbal Use |
| ------------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| *Overwatch 2* | Coordinated ult timings | Visual cues like glowing ult indicators |
| *Rocket League* | “I’ve got it!” | Car boost movement and camera angles |
| *League of Legends* | “All-in at dragon” | Ping ultimates and danger zones |
| *CS2* | “Hold short” | Peeking angles and footstep discipline |



## The Role of Coaches and Analysts

Coaches don’t just focus on strategy—they often lead **communication refinement**:

* **Audio reviews**: Identifying who talks too much or too little
* **Role responsibility**: Assigning team members as primary callers for each round stage (entry, mid-round, post-plant)
* **Comms sheets**: Teams build documentation of preferred terminology to reduce confusion (e.g., “Window = mid ledge”)

### Real-World Coaching Insight

**Interview with Mac “Mac” Spencer**, coach for MAD Lions (*League of Legends*):
[https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/interview-with-mad-lions-coach/](https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/interview-with-mad-lions-coach/)
He talks about how players need to “talk less and say more.”



## Why Communication Training Is Essential in Esports

| Benefit | Explanation |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Reduces Tilt** | Good comms help players stay focused and reduce frustration |
| **Improves Decision-Making** | Shared info lets teams make informed tactical choices |
| **Builds Team Trust** | Knowing teammates will call or signal builds confidence |
| **Saves Time** | Faster, accurate info reduces misplays and hesitation |
| **Prepares for LANs** | Non-verbal synergy is critical in offline play |


## Fun and Interesting Facts

* **Astralis (CS\:GO)** became famous not just for their aim, but for *flawless comms structure*, with every player contributing based on role.
* In *F1 Esports*, racers have **spotters** who feed live information—similar to real-world racing teams.
* Some teams now train using **AI tools** that transcribe and analyse voice comms for patterns and flaws.



## Useful Resources and Interviews

* **British Esports Communication Guide**:
[https://britishesports.org/education/](https://britishesports.org/education/)

* **Team Liquid – "Mic Check" Series**:
[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhUB\_gU6Xf5OqRRzWvO0iGvEmjWjl7IvS](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhUB_gU6Xf5OqRRzWvO0iGvEmjWjl7IvS)
Behind-the-scenes team comms in real matches

* **G2 Esports Comms Breakdown (Valorant)**:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3A4GNd2uOw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3A4GNd2uOw)

* **Esports Coaching Academy UK**:
[https://esportscoaching.academy](https://esportscoaching.academy)



## Final Thoughts

Communication in esports is not just about shouting callouts—it's about:

* Sharing the right information
* In the right way
* At the right time

Whether it's a whisper into the mic during a clutch or a carefully timed ping during a stealth play, communication builds the bridge between strategy and execution. Teams that **train communication like any other skill** gain a massive edge in competitive gaming.