How does a former Danish special forces officer help Astralis and Vitality win majors without ever playing Counter-Strike? Lars Robl did exactly that. He worked as a sports psychologist with Astralis, Vitality and Falcons, and he has never played CS himself.
His story is interesting because it shows that top results in esports depend on more than aim and tactics. Teams also need trust, honest talks and healthy habits. Robl brought methods from the military into this world, and the results speak for themselves.
From Special Operations to Esports
Robl worked with Zonic at all three organizations. Before joining esports, he spent about 20 years in the Danish special operations forces. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and took part in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Recently, Robl gave a long interview to Thorin for the Reflections podcast. In it, he explained how he transferred his military experience to professional CS teams. He also shared several stories from his time with Astralis, Vitality and Falcons.
A Frigate Instead of a Gaming Room
One of the most unusual stories comes from Astralis. The team was sent to live on an old frigate in Copenhagen for three days. There were no computers and no CS practice. Instead, the players discussed shared goals and relationships inside the team. They also completed communication tasks. According to Robl, this is how the team integrated Magisk into the lineup.
Capture and the Paris Major
Vitality had a different challenge. At one point, players cried after matches because of built-up frustration. In Robl’s teams, a procedure called Capture helped with this. Right after a match, before leaving the arena, every player shared his emotions and thoughts about the game.
Vitality kept this routine even after winning the Paris Major. Despite the celebrations, the team still gathered for its usual talk.
In addition, the teams used a practice called “Unload the Backpack.” It focused on envy, rivalry and old grievances. Instead of keeping complaints about teammates to themselves, players had to discuss problems openly.
Individual Work With the Players
Robl also worked with players one by one. For example, ZywOo had to learn to be more demanding. Robl describes the Frenchman as naturally calm and easygoing. Therefore, Zonic worked with him to show more initiative, take control and speak openly about his needs.
The situation with apEX was the opposite. Robl described his early leadership style as “either my way or the highway.” After the Danish specialists arrived, they worked with him on his leadership skills for a long time. Today, Robl considers apEX one of the best leaders he has worked with.
Meanwhile, Monesy had a different task. Robl wanted him to follow a steady sleep routine and wake up and go to bed at about the same time, whatever the match schedule. However, this was not about early mornings at any cost. The goal was full sleep and recovery.
Problems at Falcons
At Falcons, introducing similar methods was harder. Robl believes that, after public criticism, the organization’s management began to doubt his program. He also admits that some players may have had the same doubts.
Why This Story Matters
Robl has never played Counter-Strike. In his view, knowing the game could only distract him from his main job, which is psychology and creating conditions where players can perform at their best.
As a result, his story offers a clear lesson. Astralis, Vitality and Falcons all gave attention to communication, emotions, leadership and rest, and Robl’s work with them shows how much those areas matter in a professional CS team.
