There’s a purpose that increasingly elite athletes are throwing themselves into Esports. Whether or not it’s retired NFL stars like Kenny Vaccaro or present premier league soccer gamers equivalent to Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, these athletes should not simply paying video video games, however they’re turning into crew homeowners and managers who’re essential to their friends’ success. And, with severe prize cash up for grabs in leagues equivalent to BLAST Premier and others, profitable is a profitable enterprise. Matthieu Péché has labored because the crew supervisor for Staff Vitality since 2019.
His squad focuses on on-line Counter Strike tournaments. CS is, for the uninitiated, a preferred sequence of first-person tactical shooter video games, however Péché brings his real-world sporting success into the combo for getting the very best out of his gamers. As a canoeist, the Frenchman earned bronze on the 2016 Olympic Video games and a world championship in 2017 in doubles races. Right here, Péché tells M&F how his work ethic and important values equivalent to respect, teamwork, and being bodily energetic are placing his crew ranges above the remaining.
When did you first get enthusiastic about gaming?
Matthieu Péché: Despite the fact that I’ve spent my complete profession in sport, I’ve all the time loved video video games. I joined Staff Vitality as Staff Supervisor of the Counter-Strike crew in 2019. From there, I actually started to immerse myself on this planet of Esport efficiency. Despite the fact that Counter Strike is likely one of the most mature and superior scenes, there have been loads of methods and reflexes to place in place.
How would you describe your function as Counter-Strike 2 supervisor?
My function is to be the gatekeeper between my crew and the remainder of the world. This implies making certain that gamers’ schedules are balanced and managed all the way down to the minute, to create the very best circumstances for them to carry out. For that, I attempt to put my expertise as a top-level sportsman to work day-after-day to develop the crew’s efficiency and well-being.
What are among the largest prizes that the crew has gained?
For the reason that creation of the worldwide roster of Staff Vitality on CS, the 12 months 2023 was one in all triumph for the membership. Our crew managed to win 5 main circuit trophies, together with the IEM Rio within the April, profitable $100,000 within the prize pool, the BLAST.television Main Paris within the Might, profitable $500k within the prize pool, the Gamers8 Saudi Arabia within the August, profitable $400,000 in prize pool, the BLAST Premier Fall Last Copenhagen within the November, profitable $200,000 in prize pool, and the BLAST Premier World Last Abu Dhabi within the December, all again in 2023, profitable $500k in prize pool.
How essential is it to deliver an athletes mindset to gaming, given your personal expertise in sports activities?
As in conventional sport, gamers should carry out on a excessive stage so that they must be prepared and on time as a crew. It means every particular person participant has to extend their very own stage after which sync with different crew members to play as a unit. Throughout the entire preparation outdoors the sport, elements which are essential embody good well being, good sleep, good motion. I’m making an attempt to push them past the restrict to make them mirror on what they’re able to doing.
Does the crew work remotely, or are the gamers altogether day-after-day on the membership in Paris?
We prepare and play remotely outdoors of tournaments and collectively throughout competitions or whereas boot-camping earlier than occasions. We journey collectively as a crew for six months all year long roughly.
What sorts of guidelines or practices do you count on from the crew?
I’ve a powerful work ethic and values equivalent to respect, teamwork, inclusion and perseverance. My crew and I’ve a single aim: to attain excellence.
Do you suppose that bodily health is important for being an awesome gamer?
Bodily health is the important thing for me. The mind is one factor, however it gained’t be environment friendly with out a good bodily situation. Every participant wants to seek out his path and his routine and the bodily health to carry out.
How usually do some particular person gaming classes final?
General, it’s 6-8 hours per day of recreation coaching and observe. We additionally encourage gamers to incorporate gymnasium coaching at the least just a few hours per week.
What sorts of workouts would you advocate for engaged on our reflexes to turn into extra superior avid gamers?
Tennis response ball drills earlier than a recreation actually wakeup and check the reflexes, much like the coaching in tennis and System 1. We additionally incorporate numerous different workouts for reactivity and coordination equivalent to ping pong, soccer and different balls video games for warming up.
You talked about that some gaming classes are lengthy. Do you’re employed on stamina?
Any cardio exercise helps gamers to maintain up throughout lengthy video games however this additionally helps them to maintain their our bodies in form and deal with the demanding tempo of
competitions everywhere in the world. Stamina is important all through play, all avid gamers within the crew have hundreds of hours of play on Counter Strike.
Thanks a lot to your time and better of luck in future tournaments! What are your hopes for the way forward for the crew?
I’d wish to see our crew’s efforts rewarded on the upcoming tournaments within the second half of the 12 months. Thus far, we haven’t managed to go all the way in which. Initially, I’d wish to see them shine on the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, on the BLAST Premier Fall Teams Copenhagen in July, and in IEM Cologne in August.
You’ll be able to comply with Staff Vitality’s progress on Instagram!
