What are the roles in an esports team?

Each player in a team has a role depending on an esports discipline: each position has its responsibilities and tactics. Without knowing the part of a player, it will be challenging for an ordinary viewer to understand the logic of his actions.

CS:GO has five main roles: entry fragger, in-game leader, lurker, support, AWPer, and a coach, which is a vital option in any team. Such dividing helps players focus on a specific aspect of the game. However, they often switch roles (except coach) depending on the unique situations presented. 

Entry fragger

The main goal of the fragger (or tank) is to provide the best positions for his teammates, diverting the opponent's attention by active movement around the map and attacks. Entry fragger focuses enemy fire on himself thanks to his high level of shooting, knowledge of positions, and excellent reaction. As a rule, this role has the opportunity of the first kill on the map, which will help bring his team forward from the first round. It is suitable for a strong-willed player who loves fast and aggressive gameplay and, at the same time, is ready to sacrifice individual statistics in the name of the victory of his team.

In-game leader

The objectives of this role are the coordination of the team's actions, the analysis of the opponent's play, and the selection of the necessary tactical basis. The in-game leader (or captain) plays an essential role in the team's morale, along with the coach. However, he is behind the team most of the game, concentrating on the map and making changes in tactics according to the course of the round. The in-game leader must command clearly and coordinate the players with his voice while keeping cool-headed and self-control. In addition, he must be well versed in the match's economy. A good understanding of maps is also a prerequisite for this role.

Lurker

This role is often called the "silent player" or "rat" because the main task is to gather information on the map for the team to retreat or attack, based on shadows, sounds, and environment. The players of this role are distinguished by the skills of transparent monitoring of actions and calculations taking place on the map, when the enemy may attack, and to provide information to their teammates on time. As a result, players in this position can significantly influence the outcome of the round.

Support

As the name suggests, the main goal is to help and support teammates. The task of the support is to move along with the entry fragger in the first seconds of the round, to cover, and then stay in position (on the bombsite) and wait. Its task doesn't include bursting in or entering the enemy's homefront. Instead, he sits and waits, giving information on the opponent's attack vector.

The support must be adept at handling smoke bombs to blind the opponent or hide the direction of his team's advance. Each map has several points that can consistently throw grenades at a specific point on the map, and support players must remember most of them to be effective.

AWPer

AWPer or sniper is a player who uses the AWP sniper rifle. The sniper's task is to eliminate the opponent at a distance, to cover the teammates. The sniper often plays with the AWP for the defense side, but in the attack on many maps, this weapon is very effective. Some active snipers often change their position, can operate with a rifle at close range. Others prefer a more closed style of play. In modern CS:GO, snipers are the best players in their team. The captain often builds his economy around getting an expensive AWP for the sniper, and if the AWP is in the right hands, the course of the whole round could change dramatically. 

The sniper must be flexible because he may be required to play static in one round and to move around the map actively in the other. A patient and experienced player will be suitable for this role. Moreover, the sniper must know where to expect the enemy to appear, where to hide.

Coach

The coach's primary goal is to set up and prepare the team for the match during boot camps or immediately before the game. The team's style of play, tactics, and mood depend on the coach.

The coach does prepare the players before the game and analyzes the opponent's play, tactics, and strategy. But, unfortunately, during the game, coaches only have 30-second time-outs, during which they can make adjustments or a point.

Today the industry is so developed that we can find psychologists, analysts, assistants, and others who reduce the coach's responsibilities. However, the coach's actions and professionalism remain the main base and course of the team's play.