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 reminiscent of Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, these athletes usually are not simply paying video video games, however they’re changing into group homeowners and managers who’re essential to their friends’ success. And, with critical prize cash up for grabs in leagues reminiscent of BLAST Premier and others, successful is a profitable enterprise. Matthieu Péché has labored because the group supervisor for Crew 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 combination 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 reminiscent of respect, teamwork, and being bodily lively are placing his group ranges above the remainder.
When did you first get enthusiastic about gaming?
Matthieu Péché: Although I’ve spent my total profession in sport, I’ve all the time loved video video games. I joined Crew Vitality as Crew Supervisor of the Counter-Strike group in 2019. From there, I actually started to immerse myself on the earth of Esport efficiency. Although Counter Strike is among 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 group 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 one of the best circumstances for them to carry out. For that, I attempt to put my expertise as a top-level sportsman to work each day to develop the group’s efficiency and well-being.
What are among the largest prizes that the group has received?
For the reason that creation of the worldwide roster of Crew Vitality on CS, the yr 2023 was certainly one of triumph for the membership. Our group managed to win 5 main circuit trophies, together with the IEM Rio within the April, successful $100,000 within the prize pool, the BLAST.television Main Paris within the Might, successful $500k within the prize pool, the Gamers8 Saudi Arabia within the August, successful $400,000 in prize pool, the BLAST Premier Fall Ultimate Copenhagen within the November, successful $200,000 in prize pool, and the BLAST Premier World Ultimate Abu Dhabi within the December, all again in 2023, successful $500k in prize pool.
How necessary is it to carry an athletes mindset to gaming, given your individual expertise in sports activities?
As in conventional sport, gamers should carry out on a excessive stage in order that they should be prepared and on time as a group. It means every particular person participant has to extend their very own stage after which sync with different group members to play as a unit. Throughout the entire preparation exterior the sport, points which might be necessary embody good well being, good sleep, good motion. I’m attempting to push them past the restrict to make them mirror on what they’re able to doing.
Does the group work remotely, or are the gamers altogether each 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 group for six months all year long roughly.
What sorts of guidelines or practices do you count on from the group?
I’ve a robust work ethic and values reminiscent of respect, teamwork, inclusion and perseverance. My group and I’ve a single objective: to realize excellence.
Do you suppose that bodily health is crucial for being a terrific gamer?
Bodily health is the important thing for me. The mind is one factor, but it surely received’t be environment friendly and not using a good bodily situation. Every participant wants to seek out his path and his routine and the bodily health to carry out.
How typically do some particular person gaming periods final?
General, it’s 6-8 hours per day of recreation coaching and observe. We additionally encourage gamers to incorporate health club coaching no less than a number of hours per week.
What sorts of workouts would you suggest for engaged on our reflexes to change into extra superior players?
Tennis response ball drills earlier than a recreation actually wakeup and take a look at the reflexes, just like the coaching in tennis and Formulation 1. We additionally incorporate numerous different workouts for reactivity and coordination reminiscent of ping pong, soccer and different balls video games for warming up.
You talked about that some gaming periods 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 everywhere in the world. Stamina is crucial all through play, all players within the group have 1000’s of hours of play on Counter Strike.
Thanks a lot on your time and better of luck in future tournaments! What are your hopes for the way forward for the group?
I’d wish to see our group’s efforts rewarded on the upcoming tournaments within the second half of the yr. 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.
