There’s a cause that an increasing number of 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 will not be simply paying video video games, however they’re changing into staff house owners 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 staff supervisor for Staff Vitality since 2019.
His squad makes a speciality of on-line Counter Strike tournaments. CS is, for the uninitiated, a well-liked collection of first-person tactical shooter video games, however Péché brings his real-world sporting success into the combo for getting one of the 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 staff ranges above the remainder.
When did you first get enthusiastic about gaming?
Matthieu Péché: Although I’ve spent my complete profession in sport, I’ve at all times loved video video games. I joined Staff Vitality as Staff Supervisor of the Counter-Strike staff in 2019. From there, I actually started to immerse myself on this planet of Esport efficiency. Although Counter Strike is without doubt one of the most mature and superior scenes, there have been numerous 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 staff and the remainder of the world. This implies guaranteeing that gamers’ schedules are balanced and managed right down to the minute, to create one of the best situations for them to carry out. For that, I attempt to put my expertise as a top-level sportsman to work every single day to develop the staff’s efficiency and well-being.
What are a number of the greatest prizes that the staff has gained?
Because the creation of the worldwide roster of Staff Vitality on CS, the 12 months 2023 was one in all triumph for the membership. Our staff 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 Could, profitable $500k within the prize pool, the Gamers8 Saudi Arabia within the August, profitable $400,000 in prize pool, the BLAST Premier Fall Remaining Copenhagen within the November, profitable $200,000 in prize pool, and the BLAST Premier World Remaining Abu Dhabi within the December, all again in 2023, profitable $500k in prize pool.
How necessary is it to carry an athletes mindset to gaming, given your personal expertise in sports activities?
As in conventional sport, gamers need to carry out on a excessive degree in order that they have to be prepared and on time as a staff. It means every particular person participant has to extend their very own degree after which sync with different staff members to play as a unit. Throughout the entire preparation exterior the sport, elements which are necessary embrace 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 staff work remotely, or are the gamers altogether every single day on the membership in Paris?
We practice and play remotely exterior of tournaments and collectively throughout competitions or whereas boot-camping earlier than occasions. We journey collectively as a staff for six months all year long roughly.
What sorts of guidelines or practices do you anticipate from the staff?
I’ve a powerful work ethic and values equivalent to respect, teamwork, inclusion and perseverance. My staff and I’ve a single aim: to realize excellence.
Do you assume that bodily health is crucial for being an amazing gamer?
Bodily health is the important thing for me. The mind is one factor, but it surely gained’t be environment friendly with no 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 fitness center coaching a minimum of a couple of hours per week.
What sorts of workout routines would you suggest 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 a number of different workout routines 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 address the demanding tempo of
competitions all around the world. Stamina is crucial all through play, all avid gamers within the staff have hundreds of hours of play on Counter Strike.
Thanks a lot in your time and better of luck in future tournaments! What are your hopes for the way forward for the staff?
I’d wish to see our staff’s efforts rewarded on the upcoming tournaments within the second half of the 12 months. To date, we haven’t managed to go all the best way. 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 possibly can observe Staff Vitality’s progress on Instagram!