Micro Teach

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST LEARNING & SKILLS TEACHER L5

How many can you name?

STARTER ACTIVITY

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

• Define what an esport is, understanding how it's classified in the UK when compared to other countries.

• Compare and contrast a competitive video game with a traditional sport, to highlight similarities and differences.

• Assess whether or not you consider esports to be a sport.

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

ST L&S TEACHER L5

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5

Esports is a term to describe competitive video gaming. Like traditional sports, it usually has an engaging spectator element and is often incentivised with rewards for placing well. Similar to traditional sports, esports as an industry has players, coaches, teams, tournaments, broadcasts, regulatory bodies, national and government departments. Esports is global, even featured as part of the Olympics! The main difference to a traditional sport, beyond virtual versus physical, is that the games played by esports professionals are constantly changing and evolving. What do you think we mean by constantly changing and evolving?

WHAT ARE ESPORTS?

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5

That's not to say traditional sport doesn't change or evolve, it just happens at a much slower rate.

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5

Esports today:

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5

14,500 attended the League of Legends Worlds event in London!

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

The definition of a game according to the Oxford English Dictionary:

• An activity that one engages in for amusement or fun.​

The definition of a sport according to the Oxford English Dictionary:

• An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

Despite talking positively of esports, did you know that the UK Government do not officially recognise esports as a sport? This is in contrast to other countries like France, Sweden, Netherlands, Russia, Poland, South Korea and the USA that have done for years. Professional esports players can even get a dedicated VISA in some of these countries too due to its recognition. Does it need to be classified as a sport? Why or why not?

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ESPORTS IN THE UK

ST L&S TEACHER L5

Macro skills encompass broader strategies, team coordination, and decision-making e.g. game strategy and positioning on the map.

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5

MICROSKILLS

• Reaction time
• Precision
• Situational Awareness
• Hand-eye coordination
• Strategic Thinking
• Communication
• Focus and Endurance
• Adaptability
• Emotional Regulation
• Practice and Repetition

In groups, using what you've learnt, your own knowledge and the power of the internet; create a table that lists the Reasons For and Reasons Against esports being a sport. This could also transpire as Similarities and Differences. You can use the following to guide your thoughts:

• Physical skill and demands
• Teamwork and strategy
• Audience and popularity
• Training and practice
• Cultural perception and acceptance

Esports not being recognised as an official sport by the UK government means it receives no support from that public sector in terms of funding. Funding has been instrumental, through departments such as the DCMS, in building and supporting regional sport.

TASK - DO YOU CONSIDER ESPORTS TO BE A SPORT

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

05:00

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5

MICRO-TEACH | DECEMBER 2024

SO WHAT'S THE POINT?

ESPORTS AS A SPORT

ST L&S TEACHER L5