Have you ever wondered why a team favored to win a match will occasionally lose to the underdog team, despite the seemingly overwhelming odds against the underdog team? Or maybe you asked the question in reverse, instead wondering how an underdog team occasionally manages to win a match that, according to theory and odds, was already lost. While it may seem "random" either way, many factors exist that can easily result in such outcomes. In fact, the factors often can be viewed much like the question, viewing each from multiple viewpoints in order to explain a particular scenario. While the factors vary a great deal, we can divide the factors into two main groups: in-game factors and out-of-game factors. Some examples of in-game factors that might influence a match outcome are ping differences, computer settings, etc. Some examples of out-of-game factors that might influence a match outcome are nervousness, pressure, and adrenaline. For example, the pressure of playing against a powerhouse team, such as SK or EYE, can affect a team enough that the match is lost before it ever starts. In another instance, the adrenaline created by winning a clutch round might provide a mental boost for a team, propelling its members with enough momentum to take back the match.

While I have not covered each and every influential factor possible in a match below, I have broken down several key factors that we see affect match outcomes regularly. I have also focused solely on out-of-game factors, as out-of-game factors more often and more drastically affect matches than do in-game factors. The pressure that comes along with playing great teams such as SK or EYE can affect you so much that you lose the match before it even starts. But adrenaline can also impact your game and give you the confidence needed to make a huge comeback. Here I’m going to discuss some important points about real situations in which pressure can affect you and how to overcome it.

Factor: Down for the Count

More than once I have seen a team lose important rounds, for example, first and fourth round in MR12, and it seems as if the team morale instantly fails. Teammates begin asking questions and accusing one another for various errors in play; the whole squad is knocked down a notch. It’s like a swamp: the more you move, the more you sink. You must find an answer to the many questions to survive. You must look at the weaknesses of your opponents, not the weaknesses of your own. Stay calm and focus; the rounds will come. Remember that this is a game that switches your team between defense and offense each half. Even if you are terrible on the defensive side of the map, there’s still the offensive side to play. You may be losing 12-3 (MR15), but there is always hope that you can take 13 rounds on the offensive side of the map. Just like in any sport, don't throw the towel until the match is finished. Remember, nothing is impossible.

Factor: The Off-Day

Although CS is a team-based game, teams often have a personal one-man army. Impact players often aid teams in reaching goals that might otherwise seem impossible. However, everyone has good days, and everyone has bad days, including the impact players. Let’s face it: the real impact player is he or she who can carry the team in the most difficult situations. Even if you’re not on top of your game, your team is depending on you; stay calm. The average person cannot be successful if he or she is always nervous or worried about how he or she will play. When you’re worried about playing, you make stupid mistakes and miss shots. Ultimately, you bring your team down. Remember: it doesn’t matter how tall the waves are, just stay calm and focused.

Factor: The Final Match

Playing the in finals of a tournament is complicated and difficult. The pressure on both teams is immense, especially at LAN events with spectators, friends, rivals, and your team watching you. All of these factors lead to nervousness, which could be the difference between winning and losing. The trick is not to fall to nervousness. How? Hype yourself. Whatever the situation may be, good or bad, supporting your teammates and shouting like crazy whenever someone makes a clutch play is the best way to defeat nervousness. It makes the team stronger and gives everyone the confidence they need to play their best.

If you look in a dictionary. The word “pressure” is defined as, “a compelling or constraining influence, such as a moral force, on the mind or will.” So, technically, it is all in your head. Trust your aim, skill, and your teammates. Stay calm, and you will never be beaten by pressure.

Factor: Clutch Players and Plays

On the flip side of the coin, we have the one and only adrenaline. Anyone who has watched zouzou's “That was ESWC 2004” might be aware of the scene in which Dominator screams crazily during a match. Well, that's exactly what adrenaline is all about. When you can spread the adrenaline through your emotions, it gives your friends around you some of the energy. Often times, it's enough to aid in pulling off a difficult game or to return your team’s morale. Adrenaline returns what pressure steals: confidence.

Factor: The Impossible

Again, I would like to refer back to ESWC 2004, specifically the SK vs. Virtus.Pro match. Schroet Kommando is a team at a completely separate level from most teams. The members are like neutrons: they do not give way for one or for another. The team has a great deal of experience, which helps in overcoming pressure. On the other side, we have Virtus.Pro. The members of Virtus were facing a monster, but they stayed so calm that pressure was not allowed to shape the outcome of the match. We saw several clutch plays from both teams during the match. For example, we saw Viktor F. taking down four members of SK through smoke. Clutch plays such as Viktor's ultimately imbued Virtus with greater strength than SK could handle, allowing Virtus to overcome the giant and win the match. Want another example? Just watch TAU vs. NoA and feel the energy.

As you can see, Counter-Strike isn't only related to aim and teamwork. It has evolved so much that it is almost close enough to be called a sport (at least in regard to certain aspects; the others we'll save for an argument another day). The out-of-game factors surrounding Counter-Strike are very similar to other “real" sports. The moral of the story: be aware of the always-present enemy that is pressure. Remember: “He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious” – Sun Tsu; “The Art of War”.