How You Can Supplement VOD Reviews with Esports Broadcasts

We all know the drill… if you want to get better, you’ve got to watch your own VODs. You analyze every peek, misplay, and misclick like a crime scene, but sometimes it helps to watch high-tier players so you have something to model your own gameplay around. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find direct VODs from Pro players unless they stream their gameplay themselves, so at times, we have to make do with the available broadcasts. It’s not a 1:1 replacement for a POV VOD, but you make due if you know what to look for.

Take VALORANT, for example. Watching pro teams like T1 or G2 isn’t just entertaining, it’s a crash course in team coordination and utility usage. When you see a perfectly layered execute on Ascent, you’re not just watching cool plays. You’re seeing how pros time their flashes, smokes, and swings down to the second. You can absorb these habits passively and later notice yourself delaying a peek just long enough to sync up with your teammate’s flash, something you might not have caught reviewing only your solo ranked games.

The same goes for Counter-Strike 2, where utility and positioning are king. Watch for players who are specifically playing the positions that you play on a map. Even if you’re not watching their direct POV in a round, you can see how they are handling pressure for a team pushing into their site or the angle that a CT is holding that is giving them trouble as they enter the site. Try to put yourself into the scenario you are watching unfold, and extrapolate how that round would have impacted you the best that you can.

Now let’s talk hero-based shooters like Overwatch 2 or Marvel Rivals. These games can be chaotic, and it’s tempting to tunnel-vision on your own hero, but there is a macro dynamic you want to examine in hero shooter gameplay. Watch how teams are playing around each other, watch how they are coordinating their ults, and using them economically. Now look for those players that are playing the heroes you main. Are they using their ults and abilities proactive or reactively? What are the situations that force them to use their ults? It may seem obvious at a glance but there is a lot to learn here.

Of course, passively watching isn’t a silver bullet. But approaching esports with a curious, analytical eye: “Why did they rotate here?” or “How did they break that setup?”, turns your favorite tournament stream into an informal coaching session. No pause button needed. It’s not as tailored as a demo review, but it can still unlock useful insights if you’re paying attention and applying the appropriate mindset.

So next time you’re vegging out to a VCT match or a CS Major, remember: you’re not just a viewer… you’re a student. With a little focus, every tournament becomes an opportunity to level up.