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skills and techniques. Perhaps the most im- portant aspect is the book review since the rules and concepts can change as frequent- ly as every two weeks, unlike other sports where the rules are for the entire season. “As an example, League of Legends cur- rently has 175 items that kids need to know and memorize what they do, when to get them, who to get them for, and what they counter and are countered by,” Sarmiento explained. “These items are adjusted every two weeks in game, as well as many of the characters are changed slightly to make them either less or more effective depend- ing on what the team at Riot Games decides they want to change to effect the ‘meta’ – the overall status of the game.” Sarmiento said his players must practice every day, have lightning-fast reflexes, com- municate effectively, and possess the ability to anticipate moves before they happen. Each team has a “shot-caller” similar to a point guard in basketball or quarterback in football. The individual is not only play- ing the game, but is responsible for tracking everyone on the screen while reacting to everything that is happening to their char- acter and offering strategies to each of his teammates. “The shot-caller is my coach on the field as we try to take a step back once the game has started,” Sarmiento said. “That prepares them for what Esports is like in the profes- sional and collegiate manner, where coach- es cannot offer instruction or communicate once the match begins.” Last school year, approximately 40 Louisa County High School students participated in the pilot program. The regular season lasts an average of eight weeks of play and com- WWW.LAKEANNACONNECTIONS.COM 64