Throughout my experience in the Counter-Strike LAN scene, I have come across plenty of diverse teams and personalities. While diversity is certainly an expected part of any LAN tournament, there are several standards that all teams and players should take into consideration when attending a LAN tournament. These standards include the following: humbleness, respectfulness, and professionalism. From my own personal experience, most semi-professional and professional teams exhibit all three of these standards. If you have never been to a major tournament, I suggest you take a look at some video footage to fully understand the topics that I am going to go over.


Be Humble

Most of the well-respected teams and players are often the most humble. These humble teams do not allow their egos to get in the way of their goals. Instead of insulting the team they are playing, they remain focused on their goal at all times: win at all costs. In the past, teams like fnatic and complexity exhibited humble characteristics. To be humble is probably the best advice that any up-and-coming player could receive. Although determination and focus are necessary to win on LAN, players cannot allow them to cloud their judgment. They cannot allow themselves to become cocky. When you insult the other team, it makes it all the more difficult for you and your team once your opponent starts winning rounds. Being humble is also a good characteristic to apply universally, both in life and in-game. Allow yourself to be humble to the point where you will not merely insult people because you can. Also, gain the willpower to not talk back to those who may choose to insult you. Ignoring these people only angers them more, and when you remain focused on your own game, you will play even better.


Be Respectful

When it comes to LAN tournaments, there are vastly different players and teams. Everyone must take precautions in order to not be insensitive to other cultures, nationalities, or social classes. When it comes down to it, everyone who attends a LAN tournament has one reason for doing so: to show their skill in an even environment. While other teams may be considered better than others, plenty of upsets have occurred in the professional and local LAN scenes. In this regard, players need to be reverent to other players and teams. Instead of shouting obscenities and attempting to belittle their opponents, players should try respecting their opponent’s decision to come to the LAN, focusing instead on building their own team’s confidence. In the entire community there are a select percentage of teams who choose to go to a LAN. That being said, players must realize that others are in the same situation as you, hoping to be a valued player and an even better teammate. By everyone being respectful persons, this gaming community will only continue to expand. A lack of respect will cause conflicts and, ultimately, the destruction of this virtual sport that we have all grown to love.

Another key aspect along the lines of respect is credibility. When it comes to Counter-Strike, some players have exceedingly more credibility than others. The reason behind this is because of their ingenious way of applying their talents and personality. This application causes them to become a likable player. Names in the community which could be considered credible players include people like Jame^s, naz[Lg], aZn, and tr1p. All of these players have taken steps to insure their team as well as their own play is noticed. They are players who many people look up to, and several of the reasons are outlined in this article already. Gaining credibility in this community can increase your odds of getting on a better team. It can also allow your team to become better, because a credible person is a likable person and likable persons will be listened to.


Be Professional

Probably the most difficult standard to put into action is professionalism. While professionalism encompasses the other categories, it takes them many steps further. Being professional is more than just being paid to play a video game. To consider yourself a professional, you must be on top form at all times. That being said, you should have enough LAN experience to be able to compete with other top teams. To be professional, you should always be humble and respectful. Most of the successful teams become that way by being professional. Professionalism in video games is much like professionalism in other sports. While everyone may enjoy watching for the entertainment value, nobody wants to see anybody Tonya Harding a Nancy Kerrigan. I mean, that’s just pathetic. But seriously, being a professional player requires a lot of self-reservation and humility. If you are going to use any means necessary to win (cheating), then you will never be a true professional player.


Why you should apply these standards

Face the facts: you are not the best player in the world. Although you may consider yourself to be above average or even very good, unless you are consistently winning matches or placing first at all your LAN tournaments, you have work to do. Applying these standards will allow you to evolve into a more focused and better player. In less time than you might think, you may find yourself becoming increasing better and more reliable. This will allow your team to appreciate you as a person and as a player. Application of these standards will allow you to become a more likable player while ignorance of these standards will have a detrimental effect.

Always remember that confidence is vital, but cockiness is unnecessary.