The Psychology of Esports Performance

This is the first book to focus on the psychology of esports and competitive gaming, bridging the gap between traditional sports psychology and the unique demands of digital competition. In doing so, it provides comprehensive insights into cognitive processes, motivation, personality traits, performance enhancement techniques, and the challenges faced by professional esports players.
The book is structured into three distinct sections, addressing the Foundations of Esports Psychology; Mental Optimisation and Strategic Excellence; and Mental Health and Practical Applications. Featuring contributions from over 25 international experts, each chapter provides research insights and evidence-based strategies for competitive gaming environments. Topics include rapid decision-making in FPS/MOBA games, managing "always-on" training schedules, virtual team coordination, coping with online toxicity, and ethical considerations for young professionals. The book also emphasises that esports requires distinct theoretical frameworks, rather than simply adapting traditional sports psychology.
Written accessibly whilst maintaining academic rigour, this is essential reading for sports psychologists, esports coaches, competitive gamers, researchers, students in sports psychology and esports management programmes, and organisations building sustainable gaming ecosystems that prioritise excellence and player well-being.

List of contents

Section 1: Foundations of Esports Psychology 1.Introduction to Esports Psychology 2.Cognitive Processes in Esports Section 2: Mental Optimization and Strategic Excellence in Esports 6.Mental Skills Training in Esports Section 3: Mental Health, Behavioural Dynamics, and Practical Applications in Esports 11.Psychological Impacts of Toxicity in Esports 15.Closing Remarks

About the author

Benjamin T. Sharpe is a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology, and Director of the Human Attention Laboratory, within the Institute of Psychology, Business, and Human Sciences at the University of Chichester, UK.
Dylan R. Poulus is a Senior Research Fellow at Movember, and a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Southern Cross University, Australia.

Product details

• Assisted by: Dylan R. Poulus (Editor), Benjamin T. Sharpe (Editor)
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 29.04.2026
• EAN: 9781041122067
• ISBN: 978-1-041-12206-7
• No. of pages: 304
• Illustrations: schwarz-weiss Illustrationen, Raster,schwarz-weiss, Zeichnungen, schwarz-weiss, Tabellen, schwarz-weiss
• Series: Routledge Research Series in Esports and Video Gaming
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Social sciences, law, business > Media, communication > Media science; History, Media Studies, SPORTS & RECREATION / Sports Psychology, Psychology, The arts, Human-Computer Interaction, Sports psychology, Humanities, Ethical & social aspects of IT, Legal aspects of IT, Human–computer interaction, Sport science, physical education, Games development & programming, GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Video & Mobile, Games development and programming, Digital Animation, Digital and information technologies: Legal aspects