Dallas Fuel Coach Aero Explains How to Handle Non-Starting Players

Aaron "Aero" Atkins is the current head coach of the Dallas Fuel Overwatch League team and Team USA for the 2018 Overwatch World Cup. Aero has quickly become regarded as one of the top coaches in professional Overwatch, as he was an integral part of helping a Dallas Fuel team who had struggled mightily in the first three stages of the Overwatch League secure a playoff spot in Stage 4. 

As with any professional sport, Aero is tasked with putting the players on his team in the best possible positions to succeed and this can lead to players being removed from the starting lineup if it is what he feels is the best possible scenario for the team to see success in their matches. 

During a recent stream, Aero was asked the following question and if it should be applied to Overwatch.

"One of the big post-Moneyball realisations in baseball has been that the role of the manager is still incredibly important. Not necessarily in terms of tactical innovation/individual skill training, but in keeping the team collectively pulling in the same direction - making sure they feel involved and important, even if they aren't a starter, let alone a star. Do you think that applies to Overwatch coaching as well?"

The Dallas Fuel head coach agreed with the viewer and gave his thoughts on why non-starting players on Overwatch teams still need to be extremely involved with their teams. 

"Absolutely. Absolutely. One of the things that I made our players do, the ones that were not starting. This is something I would recommend if you aren't starting, if you are a bench player on any team, if you are a sub, if you are a specialist. If you are not starting, show up to every practice. Spectate every scrim. Do your research. Do Your homework," said Aero. "On gameday, show up in your uniform. Show up with your gear ready to play because it shows that you are still working with the team. You are still learning with the team. You are still apart of the team. It doesn't matter if you are starting or not. I always allow all of our subs to bring forth concepts. 

Aero then went on to explain how he encourages his sub players to bring forth their ideas that they have in regards to how the team can improve overall. He also stated that as a coach he looks for players who show they are still heavily invested in the success of the team even when they are not starting, such as Christain "cocco" Jonsson who did not start much for the Dllas Fuel in Stage 4 but worked hard with starting player Min-seok "OGE" Son. 

Finally, Aero gave his thoughts on players making sure they are at the games even if they are not likely to play, such as what the Dallas Fuel sub players on the roster did during Stage 4. 

While the Dallas Fuel did not have the expected success throughout the entirety of Season 1 of the Overwatch League, Aero was able to play a major part in helping the team show what they were truly capable of in Stage 4 and will now be looking to utilize his skills as a coach to have the Dallas Fuel at the top of the standings in Season 2 of the Overwatch League. 

(cover photo courtesy of Aero and Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment)