# Esports Performance Analysis
  
## Tools, Techniques, and Best Practice Across Game Genres

  

## Introduction

In competitive esports, winning isn't just about reflexes — it's about **understanding the "why" behind performance**. Just like in traditional sports, the best teams and players use data and analysis to:

* Understand what’s working — and what isn’t
* Improve their mechanics and decision-making
* Break down opponents’ strategies
* Support feedback with clear evidence

This guide explores **the different methods of performance analysis** in esports across various genres. You’ll also learn how to collect, interpret, and use this data to provide meaningful feedback that leads to real improvements.

  

## Why Analysis Matters in Esports

Whether you're a coach, a team leader, or a solo player, analysis helps you:

* Break down **mechanical errors** or **tactical mistakes**
* Compare performance over time
* Scout opponents
* Make **informed decisions** on strategy or team roles
* Support coaching with **visual and statistical feedback**

  

## 1. Different Types of Analysis Software in Esports

Esports has its own ecosystem of specialised tools for **statistical tracking**, **game recording**, and **tactical review**. Many of these tools are genre- or title-specific.

### Game-Specific Tools

| Tool | Game/Genre | Key Features |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Shadow\.GG** | *CS2* / FPS | Heatmaps, utility usage, map control, demo breakdown |
| **BallChasing.com** | *Rocket League* | Speed, boost usage, pathing, shot accuracy, rotations |
| **Mobalytics** | *League of Legends* | GPI (Gamer Performance Index), post-match analysis |
| **U.GG** | *League of Legends* | Win rates, build stats, counters, meta tracking |
| **ProGuides** | Various | Video guides, coaching, ranked performance tracking |
| **Omnicoach** | *Valorant*, *Overwatch* | AI-based VOD breakdowns, personalised metrics |
| **AnalysisPro** / **Nacsport** | Multi-game | Advanced video tagging, custom dashboards, coaching software |

### General Use Tools

| Tool | Function |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **OBS Studio** | Game recording (manual/auto capture) |
| **Medal.tv** | Instant replays and highlight capture |
| **Google Sheets / Excel** | Custom stat tracking |
| **Notion** | Organised coaching notes, VOD logs, team analysis |

> **Activity Idea**: Have students compare two analysis tools for the same game and present pros/cons in a classroom review.

  

## 2. Analysis of Specific Game Mechanics

High-performing players focus on **refining core mechanics** through targeted analysis.

### Examples by Genre

| Genre | Mechanics Analyzed |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **FPS (Valorant, CS2)** | Crosshair placement, aim tracking, recoil control, peek timing, utility usage |
| **MOBA (LoL, Dota 2)** | CS/min, skill usage, cooldown management, wave control, warding |
| **Fighting (Street Fighter, Smash Bros)** | Frame data, combo execution, spacing, punish efficiency |
| **Battle Royale (Fortnite, Apex)** | Movement, looting speed, building (Fortnite), positioning, 3rd-party awareness |
| **Sports Sim (FIFA, Rocket League)** | Passing accuracy, goal conversion, boost management, defensive rotations |

> Tip: Record short clips of repeated mechanics (e.g. failed smokes, missed combos) and build mini-libraries to train from.

  

## 3. Zone and Positional Analysis

Understanding **where** players move, fight, and make decisions is critical in strategy-heavy games.

### A. Zone Analysis

This involves tracking **hot zones**, **rotation paths**, or **site control areas** across the map.

| Tool | Use Case |
| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Shadow\.GG** | Heatmaps of kills/deaths, bomb plants |
| **BallChasing** | Boost pad collection zones, ball touches |
| **Overwolf Overlays** | Track vision in MOBAs or ability zones |
| **Nacsport / Coach Paint** | Custom field overlays and telestration tools |

**Examples**:

* In *CS2*, A-site take zones with smokes and flashes
* In *Rocket League*, high boost spawn zones vs shot locations
* In *LoL*, jungle pathing and vision zones

> **Fun Fact**: Pro analysts often overlay **heatmaps from multiple games** to spot consistent habits and weaknesses.

  

## 4. Methods of Analysis Capture

Capturing the right footage is vital. Depending on your goal, you might analyse:

### A. Full Game Analysis

* Best for reviewing overall strategy, teamwork, and pacing
* Helps identify **macro decisions**, such as rotations and timing
* Time-consuming, but ideal for **team coaching**

### B. Action Sequence Analysis

* Focuses on **specific teamfights, 1v1s, clutches, or retakes**
* Ideal for mechanics coaching or reaction improvement
* Allows repeated micro-analysis of one situation

**Example**: Reviewing only 3v3 bombsite retakes in Valorant to improve synergy

### C. End Game Review

* Useful for summarising win/loss conditions
* Look at **gold graphs, stats, post-match summaries**
* Ideal for **quick feedback or self-reflection**

| Capture Type | Best For |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| Full Game | Macro decisions, team synergy |
| Sequences | Micro analysis, individual mistakes |
| End Game | Win/loss conditions, quick stats |

> **Classroom Tip**: Assign each learner a 2-minute sequence to analyse and present their findings to the group.

  

## 5. Statistical Analysis in Esports

Stats help translate gameplay into **objective, measurable feedback**. Useful stats differ across genres.

### A. Core Stats by Genre

| Genre | Key Stats |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **FPS (CS2, Valorant)** | ADR (average damage per round), KDA, entry kills, headshot %, clutch win % |
| **MOBA (LoL, Dota 2)** | CS/min, KDA, damage share, vision score, objective participation |
| **Rocket League** | Goals, saves, assists, boost usage, positioning time |
| **Fighting Games** | Hit % on combos, block %, frame traps, reversal success |
| **Battle Royale** | Placement, damage dealt, survival time, kill/death ratio |

### B. Advanced Metrics

Some software tools (like Mobalytics or Shadow\.GG) offer **composite stats** that rate performance across categories:

| Tool | Metric | Meaning |
| ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Mobalytics | GPI (Gamer Performance Index) | Grades mechanics, vision, farming, aggression, etc. |
| Shadow\.GG | Engagement Heatmaps | Where players most commonly fight or die |
| BallChasing | Possession %, average speed, boost efficiency | Team rotation clarity and pressure data |

  

## 6. Using Prior Attainment Data

Looking at **past performance** helps set benchmarks and identify trends.

| Data Type | How to Use It |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Win/Loss Ratios** | Compare across time, players, or teams |
| **Accuracy** | Track aim improvement or inconsistency |
| **Placement History** | See if players consistently improve in tournaments |
| **Match Logs** | Identify patterns of poor teamfights, early throws, or strong openings |

**Example**:
If a player has a 65% win rate with one agent but only 35% with another, that informs **role assignment** and strategy.

> Use spreadsheets to track these metrics over weeks. You’ll be surprised how quickly trends form.

  

## 7. Developing Analytical Skills for Feedback

Data alone isn’t useful unless it’s turned into **actionable feedback**.

### A. Observation Skills

* Watch for **communication gaps**, not just kills
* Notice **positioning errors** or wasted utility
* Highlight positive plays, not just mistakes

### B. Tagging and Note-Taking

Tools like Nacsport and Coach Paint let coaches tag clips with **custom labels**:

* “Bad Peek”
* “Missed Ult”
* “Out of Position”
* “Great Entry”

**Tip**: Use consistent tags so you can search and review patterns over time.

### C. Presenting Feedback

* Use visual aids (screen captures, diagrams, heatmaps)
* Keep feedback **balanced** (highlight strengths too!)
* Turn feedback into a **training plan** (e.g. “do aim warmup 3x/week”)

**Example Feedback**:

> “You consistently rotate 2–3 seconds late after hearing the plant sound on B site. This delay means we lose early post-plant control. Let’s focus on sound cue awareness and practice retake timings.”

  

## 8. Case Study: How Pros Use Analysis

### T1 (LoL)

* Uses **macro coaches** who focus only on team movement and decision trees
* Tracks every **dragon and Baron setup** over the season
* Uses **VOD libraries** for every matchup

### Team Liquid (Valorant)

* Employs **tactical coaches + performance analysts**
* Review every spike plant and retake using **tagged footage**
* Uses software like **Shadow\.GG** and **Nacsport**

### Rocket League Teams (e.g. Moist Esports)

* Use **BallChasing.com** to track player rotation patterns
* Coaches provide **replay codes** to each player with timestamps for self-review
* Sessions focus on **boost economy and recovery mechanics**

  

## Suggested Activities

1. **Stat Sheet Tracker**

* Create a spreadsheet with KPIs for your favourite game
* Update after every game to see your progress

2. **VOD Analysis Assignment**

* Watch a full match, tag key moments (e.g. good flanks, misplays)
* Present a breakdown of one team’s strategy and what they did well/poorly

3. **Feedback Roleplay**

* In pairs: one plays, the other watches and gives constructive, data-based feedback

4. **Zone Map Creation**

* Create a custom heatmap of your team’s positioning and deaths using a top-down screenshot of the game map

  

## Useful Links & Tools

| Tool | Link |
| --------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Shadow\.GG | [https://shadow.gg](https://shadow.gg) |
| BallChasing (Rocket League) | [https://ballchasing.com](https://ballchasing.com) |
| Mobalytics (LoL/Valorant) | [https://mobalytics.gg](https://mobalytics.gg) |
| Omnicoach | [https://www.omnicoach.gg](https://www.omnicoach.gg) |
| AnalysisPro | [https://analysispro.com](https://analysispro.com) |
| U.GG (LoL builds/stats) | [https://u.gg](https://u.gg) |
| ProGuides | [https://proguides.com](https://proguides.com) |
| Notion (Coaching Planner) | [https://notion.so](https://notion.so) |
| NUEL (UK student esports) | [https://nuel.gg](https://nuel.gg) |

  

## Final Thoughts

Data-driven improvement is at the heart of esports — from casual teams to pro organisations. Understanding and applying different analysis methods can lead to **tangible, measurable performance gains**.

To recap:

Use software to collect relevant stats
Break games down by full review, sequence, or end game
Use zone analysis and heatmaps to guide tactics
Track prior results to set development goals
Deliver feedback with clarity, positivity, and purpose