# A Guide to Planning, Analysing, and Supporting Esports Player Development

  

## Introduction

In esports, improving individual or team performance doesn’t just happen through playing more. It requires structured, data-driven **performance analysis**, where players:

* Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses
* Reflect on their progress
* Set realistic goals
* Receive clear feedback based on in-game evidence

This guide takes you through the full process of planning and conducting performance analysis for a player or team, including:

* Planning for individual development
* Success criteria
* Tools and techniques for performance analysis
* How to give effective feedback
* How to use insights to drive improvement

  

## Why Performance Analysis Matters

Performance analysis supports:

* **Player development** — Identifies gaps and tracks growth
* **Team success** — Ensures everyone is aligned with strategy
* **Coaching and mentoring** — Offers measurable feedback
* **Confidence building** — Helps players reflect and take control of their progress

> 🔍 Fun fact: Top teams like T1 (LoL), Team Liquid (Valorant), and Fnatic (multi-title) employ full-time analysts to break down every performance aspect — including individual mechanics, team synergy, and post-game decisions.

  

## Step 1: Planning for Individual Performance

Before analysing a match, you need a **clear plan** for what success looks like for a player. This includes:

### A. Setting Success Criteria

Success criteria should be:

* **Specific** – e.g. “land 3 successful smokes per game”
* **Measurable** – e.g. “achieve 80% accuracy on skillshots”
* **Realistic** – based on player skill and game context
* **Time-bound** – apply across a match or a series of games

### B. Player-Centric Performance Planning

When working with a player, consider:

| Area | Examples |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Aims & Objectives** | “Improve early rotations,” “Increase CS/min,” “Win more duels on defense” |
| **Player Limits** | Do they struggle with vision placement, decision-making, or consistency? |
| **Learning & Development** | Do they use VODs? Coaching? Are they self-reflective? |
| **Personal Strengths** | Good communicator? Shot-caller? Clutch player? High aim accuracy? |

> Tip: Ask the player to write a self-reflection first — compare it with your findings for a deeper discussion.

---

## Step 2: Games and Equipment

Performance is influenced by:

### A. Technical Equipment

| Equipment | Considerations |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mouse & Sensitivity** | Low vs high DPI, consistency in aim |
| **Monitor & Refresh Rate** | 60Hz vs 144Hz or 240Hz impacts response time |
| **Keyboard & Keybinds** | Comfort, accessibility, ergonomics |
| **Network Stability** | Packet loss and ping can drastically affect gameplay |
| **Recording Software** | OBS, Medal.tv, ShadowPlay — for capturing footage |

### B. Game Settings

* **Crosshair placement** and colour
* **Graphics settings** for visibility
* **Audio settings** for footsteps and cues
* **Interface** customisation (minimap size, agent outlines, etc.)

> Activity: Ask learners to check and document their equipment setup and settings. Discuss what could improve their performance (e.g. increasing frame rate).

  

## Step 3: Skills and Activities to Develop Techniques

To address areas for improvement, tailor a **training routine** using drills and games-specific practice.

### Example Skill Areas (by Genre)

| Genre | Skill | Practice Methods |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **FPS (Valorant/CS2)** | Aim tracking, utility timing | Aim Lab, The Range (Valorant), dry runs |
| **MOBA (LoL/Dota 2)** | Last hitting, jungle pathing, vision | Practice tool, custom games |
| **Rocket League** | Air dribbles, rotations, passes | Free play, training packs |
| **Battle Royale** | Drop location, looting, tracking enemies | Arena mode, replay review |
| **Fighting Games** | Combos, blocking, reactions | Lab sessions, hitbox trainers |

### Activities

* **Warm-up routines** (10-15 min aim practice, skill combo drills)
* **Micro sessions** (repeat one scenario over and over — e.g. 1v1 retakes)
* **In-game tasks** (place 3 wards in first 5 minutes; get 70+ CS by 10 minutes)

  

## Step 4: Performance Analysis Methods

### A. How to Capture Gameplay

| Method | Tool |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Full Match Recording** | OBS Studio, ShadowPlay |
| **Highlight Reels** | Medal.tv, Xbox Game Bar |
| **Stat Overlays** | Blitz.gg, Mobalytics, U.GG |
| **Heatmaps & Zone Control** | Shadow\.GG, BallChasing.com |
| **Stat Sheets & Scoreboards** | In-game APIs or manual logs |

### B. What to Analyse

| Focus Area | Questions to Ask |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Positioning** | Was the player in the right spot at the right time? |
| **Decision Making** | Did they push alone? Did they rotate early or late? |
| **Utility Use** | Were abilities used effectively and efficiently? |
| **Awareness** | Did the player track cooldowns and enemy movement? |
| **Mechanical Execution** | Was aim precise? Were combos consistent? |
| **Mental Focus** | Were there tilt moments or dropped focus late game? |

> Tip: Analyse 3–5 key moments, not the entire match — this allows time for deeper discussion and learning.

  

## Step 5: Giving Effective Feedback

The goal of analysis is to deliver **constructive, actionable feedback** that helps the player grow.

### A. Feedback Models

| Model | Description |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **WWW / EBI** | What Went Well / Even Better If |
| **Start / Stop / Continue** | Start doing, stop doing, continue doing |
| **BOOST** | Balanced, Objective, Observed, Specific, Timely |

### B. Feedback Dos and Don’ts

Do:

* Be **specific** — e.g. “Your smoke on B delayed the push by 3 seconds and bought time for rotation.”
* Give **balanced feedback** (strengths and improvements)
* Provide **evidence** — timestamps, stats, visuals
* Invite **player input** and reflection

Don’t:

* Only focus on mistakes
* Use vague terms like “just play better”
* Criticise without offering solutions

  

## Step 6: Evaluating the Quality of Player Performance

To measure improvement, track both **qualitative and quantitative** metrics.

### A. Quantitative Metrics

| Area | Examples |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Stats** | KDA, accuracy, CS/min, win rate |
| **Game Outcomes** | Round wins, match wins, clutch success |
| **Tracking Over Time** | Compare month 1 vs month 3 |

> Use tools like **Google Sheets**, **Notion**, or apps like **Mobalytics** or **BallChasing** to track trends.

### B. Qualitative Assessment

| Trait | Evaluation Method |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Communication** | Replay audio logs, team feedback |
| **Decision-making** | Coach feedback, VOD review |
| **Mental Resilience** | Self-reflection logs, consistency across games |
| **Team Synergy** | Evaluate role performance and positioning with team goals |

  

## Case Study Example: Valorant Player Performance Review

### Player: Kayla (Duelist Main)

#### Pre-Analysis Plan

* **Objective**: Improve early round duels on attack
* **Success Criteria**: Win 60% of entry duels, flash before pushing, stay alive to site plant

#### Tools Used

* OBS for full VOD
* Shadow\.GG for heatmaps and utility stats
* Mobalytics for team synergy score

#### Key Findings

* Often pushed alone without teammate support
* Aimed consistently well (72% headshot rate in close-range fights)
* Used abilities early but didn’t follow them up effectively

#### Feedback Given

* **Continue**: Entry frag role is appropriate — solid aim, quick reactions
* **Stop**: Isolating without backup
* **Start**: Communicating flashes and pushes to teammates before entry

#### Improvement Plan

* Daily aim warmups (Aim Lab, KovaaK's)
* 3v3 drills with team to practice push timings
* Review 2 duels per game with coach for feedback

  

## Activities for Learners

1. **Self-Reflection Journal**

* After every match, write: 1 thing done well, 1 mistake, 1 goal for next time

2. **Performance Analysis Project**

* Choose a teammate or streamer
* Record gameplay, analyse 3 moments, give structured feedback using BOOST model

3. **Stat Tracker Sheet**

* Log your KPIs weekly and present data at the end of the unit

4. **Mini Coaching Session**

* In pairs, one plays while the other analyses
* Swap roles and give 2-minute verbal feedback

5. **Team Improvement Plan**

* Identify team-wide weaknesses (e.g. slow rotations, no communication)
* Create a week-long practice plan with goals

  

## Tools & Resources

| Tool | Link |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| OBS Studio (Recording) | [https://obsproject.com](https://obsproject.com) |
| Shadow\.GG (Strategy + Heatmaps) | [https://shadow.gg](https://shadow.gg) |
| Mobalytics (LoL/Valorant) | [https://mobalytics.gg](https://mobalytics.gg) |
| U.GG (Stats and Builds) | [https://u.gg](https://u.gg) |
| ProGuides | [https://www.proguides.com](https://www.proguides.com) |
| BallChasing (Rocket League) | [https://ballchasing.com](https://ballchasing.com) |
| Aim Lab (FPS Practice) | [https://aimlab.gg](https://aimlab.gg) |
| KovaaK’s (FPS Training) | [https://www.kovaak.com](https://www.kovaak.com) |
| NUEL (UK Student Esports) | [https://nuel.gg](https://nuel.gg) |

  

## Final Checklist

Before delivering your analysis:

* Do you have a clear **objective** and **success criteria**?
* Have you **captured and reviewed gameplay footage**?
* Have you used **metrics and tools** to gather data?
* Are your **feedback points evidence-based**?
* Have you suggested **training methods** to address weaknesses?

  

## Final Thoughts

Performance analysis is **not about blame** — it’s about progress. Whether you’re coaching a friend, analysing your own game, or helping your team, your aim is to turn mistakes into learning, and strengths into winning habits.

The best players aren’t perfect. They’re just **honest about their weaknesses** — and always looking for ways to improve.