How to Review Your VODs Like a Pro
Whether you’re grinding the ranked ladder or eyeing a spot in competitive play, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is already sitting on your hard drive: your VODs. Reviewing your own gameplay or watching game tape is a habit shared by pros across esports… and even traditional sports. It’s not just a box to check; it’s a critical step in becoming a better player.
Why VOD Review Matters
No matter how skilled you are, there’s always room for improvement. Watching your own gameplay helps you spot things you might miss in the moment. Even the best players in the world review their footage to find those small, fixable mistakes, and stay sharp.
The key? Go into each VOD review with an open mind. You’re not watching to beat yourself up. You’re watching to learn.
Start Simple
When you’re new to VOD reviewing, don’t try to catch everything. That’s a one-way ticket to burnout and reducing your chance of making actual progress. Instead, focus on identifying clear, simple mistakes first. These are usually the low-hanging fruit: positioning errors, poor timing, missed opportunities… all those things that are easy to spot and relatively quick to correct.
Once you’ve built the habit, invite a friend, teammate, or coach to take a look. A second set of eyes can often pick up on patterns or advanced concepts that you might overlook. Plus, it’s a great way to get feedback in a collaborative, constructive way.
Don’t Obsess Over Mechanics
It’s tempting to hyper-analyze every whiffed shot or missed flick, but chances are, you already know your mechanics need work. VOD review is less about raw aim and more about the decisions surrounding those moments.
Aim can be improved through consistent practice (we’ve got you covered there, obviously), but VODs are your chance to dive deeper: Were you positioned correctly? Did you peek at the right time? Was there a better decision available? Use this time to review the why, not just the what.
Keep Your Notes Manageable
Another common trap: over-documenting. You don’t need a spreadsheet of every micro-mistake from a single game. Instead, focus on a few key takeaways per session. Prioritize mistakes that are both clear and actionable.
Ask yourself:
- Why did I make that decision?
- What was my mindset at the time?
- What might my opponent have been thinking?
- Is there a better option I can use next time?
This type of reflection is where real growth happens.
Learn from the Best
If you’re unsure where to start, check out how others review VODs. Many coaches stream or upload VOD reviews on Twitch or YouTube, and there’s a ton to learn just by watching how they break things down. Take note of their approach, the types of mistakes they highlight, and how they frame feedback. Then, adapt what works for your own needs and goals.
Progress Is a Process
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t perfection: it’s progress. Each review helps you fine-tune your awareness, identify patterns, and evolve as a player. As you fix old mistakes, new challenges will emerge. That’s a good thing. It means you’re growing.
So fire up that VOD, grab a notepad, and get reviewing. The next level of your game is waiting… and it starts with hitting “play.”