FlyQuest coach: “We feel we can go to Worlds 2020 with these players”

Despite dropping a crucial match against Team SoloMid during the weekend, FlyQuest maintains a solid 8-6 record that keeps them positioned among the LCS Spring Split’s elite contenders.

In an exclusive discussion with WIN.gg, head coach Anand “Curry” Agarwal detailed the team’s current competitive mindset, his distinctive coaching methodology, and the strategic roadmap toward securing a Worlds 2020 qualification.

Were you anticipating this specific match result?

Curry: We never enter competitions expecting defeat. Our preparation always includes comprehensive strategic planning and unwavering self-belief. While we engaged in all the favorable engagements we sought with confidence, the outcome ultimately didn’t align with our projections.

What strategic elements contributed to the unfavorable outcome?

The decisive factor was our inability to establish priority around major objectives. TSM consistently secured positional advantages, claiming the first three dragon takes and the second Rift Herald. This created optimal conditions for their composition’s flanking maneuvers, whereas our champion selections demanded vision superiority and setup initiation.

How did the mid-game pause affect team mentality and performance?

Competitive pauses inevitably introduce psychological tension. During these interruptions, players attempt to forecast subsequent developments, but the uncertainty generates anxiety during the waiting period. I consistently advocate for resuming play to assess our adaptive capabilities and execution under pressure.

Given TSM’s inconsistent performance, including their recent CLG defeat, how do you evaluate their current standing?

TSM frequently utilizes Spring Split matches for experimental approaches. While their fundamental quality remains unquestionable, their draft strategies often incorporate multiple unconventional elements simultaneously rather than gradual innovation.

However, when they commit to their established strengths and comfort picks, their status as a premier organization becomes immediately apparent.

Do you maintain confidence in FlyQuest’s position as the LCS’s second-best team currently?

Our internal evaluation methodology avoids conventional power rankings. We categorize teams into competitive tiers, placing ourselves alongside Cloud9 and TSM in the upper echelon, while considering other organizations demonstrate greater performance volatility from week to week.

How has the veteran-heavy roster composition influenced practice quality and team development?

Collaborating with experienced competitors provides tremendous developmental advantages. The balanced veteran presence we’ve established this season significantly enhances our organizational structure. We benefit from pronounced vocal leadership and well-defined strategic perspectives.

Previous FlyQuest iterations lacked this density of assertive voices and distinctive playstyles.

My coaching responsibilities become substantially more manageable when players actively articulate their intentions and preferences. Whether consensus emerges or not, these exchanges foster superior analytical discussions regarding gameplay methodology and situational response protocols.

What distinguishes LCS-level practice environments from Academy team development?

Academy environments focus primarily on foundational education. Participants engage in learning processes where coaches provide extensive explanation and directive guidance. Core mechanical techniques and fundamental concepts receive primary emphasis.

At the LCS tier, particularly among leading organizations, the dynamic shifts toward collaborative problem-solving. Players collectively analyze scenarios and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through structured dialogue.

Which players demonstrate the most pronounced vocal leadership during competitions?

PowerOfEvil and Santorin typically emerge as our most assertive strategic voices, though every member maintains significant input capacity.

What foundational elements contribute to FlyQuest’s competitive dominance this season?

Our primary competitive advantage stems from exceptional teamfighting coordination and lane phase proficiency. This straightforward assessment accurately reflects our current competitive reality.

Within the current metagame emphasizing objective-centric teamfighting around dragon and herald control, we excel at securing positional advantages and executing decisive engagements, which directly translates into match victories.

What specific improvements are necessary to maintain playoff positioning and championship contention?

Sustaining elite performance requires rediscovering our optimal form. Compared to our peak condition several weeks prior, we’ve experienced slight performance degradation. We must regain command over our in-game decision-making processes. Our strategic planning previously extended multiple phases ahead, whereas currently our foresight has diminished slightly. When competing against world-class opposition, even minor execution deviations create significant competitive disadvantages.

Reestablishing initiative in engagements will restore our competitive standing.

What primary objectives guided your transition to FlyQuest’s head coaching position?

Our organizational paramount goal remains World Championship qualification. This objective drove our offseason roster construction decisions, as we firmly believe this player combination possesses the capability to compete internationally.

My fundamental coaching philosophy prioritizes cultivating environments where comprehensive strategic discourse flourishes. We intentionally create spaces where individuals feel empowered to express perspectives without reservation, particularly when providing constructive feedback to teammates.

Worlds-caliber organizations recognize the imperative of addressing conflicts proactively. Allowing issues to accumulate unresolved inevitably leads to early tournament elimination due to compounded strategic weaknesses. We proactively confront challenges immediately upon identification.

Which developmental milestones during the Spring Split generate the most professional satisfaction?

Our most significant cohesion development occurred following our initial defeat against Golden Guardians. Every team member demonstrated measurable performance improvement during this period.

WildTurtle’s progression particularly impressed me. Having previously collaborated during my TSM tenure three years prior, his current development trajectory exceeds all prior observed growth patterns. He exhibits renewed competitive passion, clearly understanding his developmental requirements and improvement pathways. His current performance level substantially surpasses previous competitive seasons.

How does the head coaching role differ from your previous positions?

The position inherently carries substantial psychological pressure. Transitioning from assistant or academy coaching roles involves adjusting to increased responsibility thresholds. Following competitive losses, the stress intensifies considerably.

However, the heightened demands correlate with significantly amplified professional fulfillment. When the team achieves success through effective performance, the sense of contribution and accomplishment becomes profoundly more meaningful.

Exploring my coaching capabilities has proven exceptionally rewarding. Previously contemplating “if I were head coach” scenarios, I now implement those strategic concepts. This opportunity to actualize my coaching methodology and identify professional strengths represents the role’s most valuable aspect.

What specific attributes contribute to your coaching effectiveness with FlyQuest?

My most valuable coaching asset involves establishing genuine connections with players. I dedicate considerable effort toward comprehending their competitive approaches and personal preferences, extending beyond gameplay into lifestyle considerations.

I maintain active awareness of player wellbeing and satisfaction metrics. When individuals experience difficulties, I facilitate supportive interventions whether through meals, fitness activities, or non-gaming interactions. Maintaining mental clarity represents a critical component of athletic performance optimization.

Cohesive team performance requires integrating diverse perspectives while applying professional judgment to determine optimal strategic directions.

Does your absence of professional League of Legends playing experience create coaching advantages or obstacles?

Evaluating the player experience perspective presents challenges without firsthand competitive background. However, my exclusive coaching career provides comprehensive understanding of competitive ecosystem dynamics.

My coaching focus emphasizes overarching strategic frameworks rather than granular mechanical details. I delegate matchup analysis, trading patterns, and macro strategic elements to specialized analysts and players themselves. Maintaining strategic altitude prevents entanglement in minutiae, while ensuring staff coverage addresses potential knowledge gaps.

What aspects of FlyQuest’s organizational culture provide the greatest professional satisfaction?

The player roster represents my primary source of professional fulfillment. Every individual demonstrates exceptional collaborative compatibility. Additionally, the management structure operates with remarkable effectiveness.

Previous experiences with Clutch Gaming and TSM provided valuable learning opportunities, though FlyQuest has established itself as my professional home. Interactions with GM Nicholas Phan and CEO Tricia Sugita feel authentically natural and professionally aligned.

What driving motivations propel the team throughout the competitive season?

Our roster comprises competitors who have previously achieved significant success, including Worlds appearances and championship experiences, yet encountered competitive challenges in recent seasons. During our initial collaborative sessions, even during offseason preparation, we recognized our collective potential for significant achievement.

This shared recognition fuels our competitive drive. We’ve identified our performance ceiling and competitive potential. World Championship qualification dominates our collective focus, with every member demonstrating intense motivation toward returning to international competition.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » FlyQuest coach: “We feel we can go to Worlds 2020 with these players” FlyQuest coach Curry reveals team dynamics, Worlds ambitions, and veteran leadership strategies