EPTWhat is TheSandbox?
TheSandbox is a non-exclusive practice group that focuses on a professional, holistic approach to training in Starcraft 2 through deliberate practice.
What is Deliberate Practice?
The term Deliberate Practice was popularized and in a way defined by the scholarly article “The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance” which is free to read and has been linked in the description of this video. For an easier read try Josh Waitzkin’s “The Art of Learning” which is not free but also linked in the description. Deliberate is, and has been utilized by the greatest experts in the world, from musicians and martial artists to athletes and teams in conventional sports, for decades.
In short, deliberate practice is the repetition of a particular task, done with as close to 100% mental focus and exertion as possible. Ideally, involving immediate, accurate, and measurable feedback. Focusing on specific aspects of play rather than mindless laddering, conditions the mind to be able to enter a competitive state of mind or ‘flow’ state much more consistently than ladder training can provide.
This is the reason why expert musicians don’t just play a piece in its entirety over and over again all day. It is the reason why football teams don’t constantly scrimmage every practice. Its the reason why professional players stick to one race. It is the reason why the advice sticking to a single build per matchup delivers as well as it does. It is the reason why the players who only play on the ladder on average get defeated by the players that train in a professional team house that makes use of deliberate practice.
Let’s say a Terran player will play 2100 games this year. Randomly practicing the 7 maps, 3 matchups, and 10 or so builds available to each player would mean that only once per year would that player run into a particular opponent build, versus their particular build, on a particular map, in a particular matchup. By the time that scenario comes around again next year it is very unlikely that the player will remember the adjustments they decided would be best to make. Creating a cycle where the player makes the same mistakes over and over again. This is commonly referred to as Plateauing.
Instead of laddering, we can practice deliberately, minimizing as many variables as possible and playing only one matchup, one map, and one strategy for each player in a day of practice. This allows us not only to learn from our mistakes, but to apply the solutions and adjustments in repetition so that they become automatic. When this scenario appears in competition the player who practiced deliberately will have a depth of strategy and mastery of execution that the ladder only player would take years to develop.
Coaches/Services/Tools
TheSandbox Coaching Staff is made up of experts from a wide variety of fields, including:
Strength and Conditioning
Posture and Ergonomics
Performance Psychology
Cognitive Science
Music
Martial Arts
Neuroscience
Attention and Multitasking
Structure and Regimentation
Replay Analysis and Statistics
Mechanics and Hotkeys
Watch the Coach Introduction Videos in TheSandbox Playlist to learn more.
Application Process
A big part of the success of TheSandbox is due to our extremely strict and refined recruitment and vetting process.
- To begin, applicants send an email to jakataktv@gmail.com with their answer to the question: How is Deliberate Practice more effective than ladder?
- Applicants who successfully demonstrate a minimum understanding of deliberate practice and an ability to communicate complex ideas in the english language are brought into The Proving Grounds skype group.
- In the Proving Grounds, players train and discuss Starcraft with each other while the Coaching Staff monitor, moderate, and occasionally offer constructive feedback to help each player reach the minimum standards required to be accepted into TheSandbox.
- Once accepted into TheSandbox the player will leave The Proving Grounds and gain full access to all the coaches, analysis, and in-House training events and workshops that are a part of TheSandbox.
Sandboxers:
commit to Deliberate Practice
mutually seek truth in discussion
respect all people and cultures
invest in loss
are open to change
take responsibility for their losses
accept what is outside their sphere of influence
Sandboxers do not:
ignore or react defensively to criticism
care about being right or wrong in an argument
blame coin flips, build order losses, david kim, balance or other scapegoats for their losses
speak in absolutes
judge ideas by the League of their author
feel entitled to improvement or attention
act superior toward others for any reason (including but not limited to their in-game League).
FAQ
What is TheSandbox?
Mission
TheSandbox is an organization that applies proven practices of traditional sports to the training of Starcraft.
Vision
All players of Starcraft have access to the resources necessary for them improve themselves physically as well as mentally in the most optimal way possible.
Target Group
Starcraft 2 Players that have a desire to take a professional approach to Starcraft.
How do I apply to join TheSandbox?
Send an email to jakataktv@gmail.com with your answer to the question “How is Deliberate Practice more effective than ladder?”
What are the minimum requirements for joining TheSandbox?
A basic understanding of Deliberate Practice
A mastery of the English Language
A minimum of once per week commitment to Deliberate Practice
Do I have to leave my clan to join TheSandbox?
Absolutely not. TheSandbox is a not a clan or a team, we do not require your allegiance, only your constructive attitude and commitment to deliberate practice.
Is there a minimum amount of time per week required to join/remain in TheSandbox?
You are expected to practice deliberately at least one time per week (aside from vacations etc)
Is there a League requirement?
Nope. There are sandboxers are in every league. It’s about attitude, not in-game skill.
Is this AM server only?
Nope. This is an English speaking training group, as long as you can communicate complex ideas in English the place you sit down to play Starcraft and the server you connect to are up to you.
Are TheSandbox applications competitive/ Are there a limited number of slots?
Nope. Everyone that meets the minimum requirements will be admitted into TheSandbox.
How long does it take to get accepted into TheSandbox?
I can be as fast as 1 day, as long as never. The factors that determine this are 100% within your control. Don’t know about deliberate practice? Google it, do research, read articles and books, watch videos. Don’t have strong communications skills in English, train them and practice them with deliberate practice. Act like you are entitled to be in TheSandbox because you are GM and you think that you’re better than everyone else? Knock it the fuck off.
If I fail my application, can I reapply?
Absolutely. We strongly encourage players not yet at the minimum requirements necessary to move into The Proving Grounds to reapply after doing some work to improve the areas in which they are currently below parity.
Why is it called “TheSandbox”?
TheSandbox is a metaphor. Left unused a sandbox is a glorified outdoor litterbox for stray cats. Used incorrectly it is a bunch of kids sitting around eating sand. But, when someone uses all the resources provided within a sandbox, and puts in the time and effort required, amazing creations can result. In the same way, TheSandbox is nothing without the players inside it. It doesn’t guarantee improvement, because not all Sandboxers will make use of the tools available to them. What it does provide is guidance and a very tangible path of mastery for those who enter with open minds, and a strong work ethic.
Meet The Coaches
Austin "Neuro" Filsinger - Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Mentality, Zerg Sandboxer Captain
JaKaTaK - Mechanics, Hotkeys Settings
Robert Yip - Strength and Conditioning, Performance Psychology, Structure and Regimentation
Brandon "Synastren" Bailey - Cognitive Science, Attention and Multi-tasking, Information Processing
Felipe "Bombs" Malta Prado - Terran Sandboxer Captain
David "Gowerly" Gower - Replay Analysis and Statistics
Scott "Deadzerg" Ross-Molyneux - Protoss Sandboxer Captain
Frank Maas - Ergonmics
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