Optimizing Esports scrims: What are the best practices for meaningful team improvement?

The Scrimmage Imperative: Beyond Just Playing Games

In the high-stakes world of esports, practice is the bedrock of success. While ranked play hones individual mechanics, it’s the structured environment of scrimmages (scrims) that truly fosters team synergy, strategic depth, and collective improvement. However, merely queuing up against another team isn’t enough; for scrims to yield meaningful growth, they must be approached with intention, discipline, and a robust framework for learning.

Many teams fall into the trap of treating scrims like glorified public matches, losing sight of their primary purpose: targeted improvement. This article will outline best practices to transform your team’s scrims from time-fillers into powerful engines for competitive development.

Phase 1: Pre-Scrim Preparation – Setting the Stage for Success

The groundwork for an effective scrim is laid long before the first pick-ban phase. A well-prepared team enters a scrim with clear objectives, maximizing the value of every minute played.

Define Clear Objectives

• Targeted Goals: Instead of “win the scrim,” specific goals might be “practice this new composition,” “improve early game map control on specific maps,” or “focus on better objective trades.”
• Individual Focus: Players should also have personal objectives, such as “work on my lane timing,” or “improve communication during rotations.”

Strategic Planning and Research

• Meta Analysis: Understand current strong compositions and counter-strategies.
• Opponent Research (if possible): If you’re scrimming a regular partner, review their tendencies.
• Composition & Strategy Development: Plan specific picks, bans, and execute strategies to test.

Documenting these objectives ensures everyone is aligned and provides a benchmark for post-scrim review.

Phase 2: During the Scrim – Execution and Controlled Experimentation

Once the game begins, it’s about maintaining focus, executing plans, and knowing when to deviate for learning purposes.

Focused Mindset & Communication

• Treat it Seriously: Approach each game as if it were a tournament match. Maintain composure, avoid tilt, and uphold professional communication.
• Clear Communication: Practice concise, relevant comms. Distinguish between critical shot-calling and post-game discussion.

Balance Experimentation with Execution

While scrims are for practice, not every game should be a wild experiment. Decide beforehand if a game is for solidifying a known strategy or for trying something entirely new. If experimenting, understand that outcomes might be skewed, and focus on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘win/loss’.

Phase 3: Post-Scrim Analysis – The Crucible of Improvement

This is arguably the most critical phase. Without thorough analysis, scrims are just games played; with it, they become profound learning experiences.

Immediate Debriefing

Immediately after a set of scrims, conduct a brief, high-level debrief. Focus on:

• Overall Feelings: What felt good? What felt bad?
• Major Takeaways: One or two critical points that stood out to each player.

In-Depth VOD Review

The cornerstone of post-scrim analysis is the VOD (Video On Demand) review. This should be a dedicated session, ideally with a coach, where the team meticulously dissects gameplay.

• Objective Review: Focus on objective facts from the gameplay rather than subjective feelings.
• Key Moments: Analyze team fights, objective contests, rotations, individual mistakes, and moments of exceptional play.
• Address Objectives: Revisit the pre-scrim objectives. Were they met? Why or why not?

Actionable Feedback and Documentation

VOD review isn’t just about identifying problems; it’s about finding solutions. For every identified issue, there should be an actionable step for improvement.

• Assign Responsibilities: Who is responsible for implementing the change?
• Document Learnings: Maintain a shared document or strategy guide that evolves with your team’s learnings. This builds a knowledge base and prevents repeating mistakes.

Phase 4: Cultivating a Growth Mindset & Consistency

Beyond individual scrim sessions, a team’s overall approach to learning determines its long-term trajectory.

Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Not every scrim will be a win. In fact, sometimes losing against stronger opponents or while experimenting yields the most valuable lessons. Frame losses as data points for improvement, not as failures.

Foster Openness and Trust

Team members must feel comfortable giving and receiving constructive criticism. A healthy team environment encourages honest feedback without personal attacks.

Consistency is Key

Regularly scheduled scrims, followed by consistent and thorough review, are non-negotiable for sustained improvement. Sporadic practice with no follow-up is largely ineffective.

Conclusion: The Path to Meaningful Improvement

Optimizing esports scrims is an art and a science. It demands discipline, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous learning. By implementing clear pre-scrim objectives, maintaining a focused in-game approach, and dedicating significant time to post-scrim analysis and VOD review, teams can transform their practice sessions into powerful catalysts for meaningful improvement. The path to competitive excellence isn’t just about playing more; it’s about practicing smarter, together.