In the adrenaline-fueled arena of esports, where victory can hinge on split-second decisions and seamless teamwork, scrims have become an essential part of the training process. These behind-the-scenes practice games form the foundation of competitive gaming by helping teams sharpen their abilities, trial new strategies, and build the chemistry needed to win on the big stage. As the esports industry expands, scrims not only influence gameplay but also enhance fan engagement and grow the community. This article delves into what scrims are, how they elevate performance, the steps taken before and during scrims, and the larger role they play in the industry.
Defining Scrims
Scrims, short for scrimmages, are informal practice matches between competitive esports teams. These games, held privately and without impact on rankings, provide a structured environment for teams to experiment and grow. Borrowed from traditional sports, the concept has been adapted to the online gaming space in titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO).
Unlike public games where the goal is to win, scrims prioritize learning. They offer a safe space for teams to test tactics, make mistakes, and evaluate performance without the pressure of an audience or competition results. Emma ‘Listo ’ Liston of Alva Alliance explains that scrims simulate real match conditions, giving teams a better testing ground than public ranked matches (Scrim Etiquette - Valorant).
Why Scrims Matter for Esports Performance?
Scrims are invaluable for enhancing various facets of esports gameplay:
Skill Improvement: Helps players fine-tune mechanics like aim, spatial awareness, and quick decision-making. In FPS games like Valorant, this means practicing precise shots under stress.
Team Coordination: Promotes teamwork and communication—critical in games such as League of Legends where timing and cooperation are vital.
Strategy Development: Lets teams try new approaches and refine tactics ahead of real tournaments.
Versatility: Exposes players to different team styles, improving their adaptability in competitive play.
These advantages make scrims the preferred training method over public matches. As one coach put it, “Scrims are where you can afford to fail and learn from it” (What is Scrimmage in eSports?).
The Broader Impact of Scrims on Esports
Scrims are beginning to influence the larger esports ecosystem, especially through streaming. Initiatives like League of Legends’ scrim broadcasts show how these sessions can captivate fans. Data from Esports Charts revealed that teams such as Los Ratones saw a 12-fold increase in average viewership during NLC scrim streams, with a peak of 360,545 viewers. Similarly, FlyQuest’s Bwipo reached a personal Twitch record of 18,026 viewers during scrim streams.
The benefits of scrim streaming include:
Fan Connection: Offers a look behind the curtain at how teams operate and strategize.
Content Opportunities: Provides fresh material during breaks in the tournament calendar.
Learning Across Teams: Teams can study each other’s methods—though this may risk giving away tactics.
Yet, challenges remain. Streaming scrims can expose a team’s playbook to rivals, especially those with better analytical resources. There’s also a risk of overloading audiences with content, potentially diluting the value of major events. Even so, the upside is clear, as seen in the upcoming LEC scrim streaming test from March 14 to 23, 2025 (Esports Charts).
Pre-Scrim Preparation
To get the most out of a scrim, teams go through several preparation steps:
Strategy Planning: Aligning team roles and discussing game plans and counters.
Player Warmups: Individuals sharpen specific skills like last-hitting or aiming through drills or solo queue.
Technical Readiness: Checking for smooth internet and game settings to prevent interruptions.
Scheduling: Coordinating with the opposing team to find a suitable time.
Some coaches also assign exercises, like collecting a specific number of CS in League of Legends, to boost performance before scrims (Inven Global).
What Happens During a Scrim?
Live scrims emphasize execution and learning:
Tactical Execution: Teams run their game plans and see how they hold up in real-time.
Real-Time Communication: Voice chat is essential for sharing enemy positions, coordinating moves, and adjusting on the fly.
Studying Rivals: Though scrims are for practice, they also provide insight into the other team’s methods.
Trial and Error: With no ranking pressure, teams can take risks and learn from their mistakes. As Fnatic’s Boaster said, “We have lost so many scrims in preparation for this game so we are feeling really confident” (Scrim Etiquette - Valorant).
After scrims, teams typically watch VODs (video-on-demand) to break down their performance and identify what to improve (Scrim Etiquette - League of Legends).
How Teams Find Scrim Partners?
Finding the right team to scrim against is key for effective practice. Teams use several methods:
Specialized Platforms: Sites like esportscrim.com help teams schedule and filter scrims by game, skill level, and location.
Discord Servers: Communities like the British Esports Student Champs offer a place to arrange or join scrims (Scrim Etiquette - League of Legends).
Direct Outreach: High-level teams often set up scrims with peers directly to ensure strong competition (What is Scrimmage in eSports?).
Educational Tools: Platforms like NASEF’s Scrimfinder+ connect student and community teams.
While amateur teams benefit from open-access tools like esportscrim.com, professional teams usually rely on closed networks to maintain a competitive edge (What is Scrimmage in eSports?).
Final Thoughts
Scrims may operate behind the curtain, but they play a central role in shaping elite esports play. They help teams improve, test strategies, and bond—all without the spotlight. With new streaming efforts and accessible platforms like esportscrim.com and NASEF’s Scrimfinder+, scrims are becoming more visible and impactful across the industry.
Looking ahead, scrims could expand into more games like Dota 2 and Valorant, especially if current streaming efforts prove effective. Despite potential pitfalls such as exposing tactics, the many upsides—for both teams and fans—confirm scrims as a vital pillar of competitive gaming. As esports continues to mature, scrims will remain a key part of the journey to victory.