Introducing esports coaching to sport coaching (not as sport coaching)

The popularity of electronic sports (esports) has increased over the last decade, and knowledge has been shared between sports and esports. Yet, research on esports coaching remains conspicuously absent. From this position, sport coaching researchers and practitioners lack an evidenced base to inform their critical consideration of esports coaching. In response, this study describes the experiences and contexts of 14 head coaches in professional teams competing in “League of Legends”. Analysis identified themes including; 1) uncodified career and education pathways for coaches; 2) coaches practice by a review-plan-do cycle shaped by the pressure to win; 3) coaches practice in a complex, technological and global environment; and 4) coaches practice amongst challenges and paradoxes. The findings present an original analysis of esports coaching and provide a platform for sport coaching researchers and practitioners to critically consider the relevance, development, practice and context of esports coaching in relation to their own work.