Laning Mistakes in League: What You’re Doing Wrong and How to Fix It

1. Overextending Without Vision

The Problem:
Pushing too far into the enemy’s side of the map without vision leaves you vulnerable to ganks from the enemy jungler or roams from mid-laners and supports. Overextending is one of the most common mistakes players make, especially when they feel confident after gaining a small lead.

The Fix:

• Invest in Wards: Use trinket wards early game and buy Control Wards regularly. Place them in bushes and key areas like the river to track enemy movements.
• Track the Enemy Jungler: Pay attention to where the enemy jungler starts. If they were seen on the bot side of the map, you can play slightly more aggressively early.
• Respect Missing Pings: If an enemy champion is missing and their location is unknown, play cautiously until they reappear on the map.
• Freeze the Wave: If you’re ahead, consider freezing the wave closer to your turret rather than pushing deep into enemy territory. This allows you to farm safely and deny the enemy laner gold and experience.

2. Poor Wave Management

The Problem:
Improper handling of minion waves can result in lost gold, experience, and pressure. Mismanaging waves can also open you up to freezes, ganks, or being zoned out of farm.

The Fix:

• Understand the Types of Waves:some text
  • Freezing: Keep the wave near your turret to farm safely or deny farm to your opponent.
  • Slow Pushing: Build up a large wave that will crash into the enemy tower, giving you time to roam or recall.
  • Fast Pushing: Shove the wave quickly to force the enemy to respond, setting up opportunities for objectives or dives.
• Plan Ahead: Think about the wave’s position relative to upcoming objectives. If Dragon or Rift Herald is about to spawn, push the wave to create pressure before grouping with your team.
• Learn to Farm Under Tower: For melee minions, let the turret hit them twice before you last-hit. For ranged minions, auto-attack once before or after the turret shot, depending on your champion’s base damage.

3. Ignoring Map Awareness

The Problem:
Many players focus entirely on their lane and neglect the minimap. This tunnel vision leaves you blind to potential enemy ganks or opportunities to make impactful plays elsewhere on the map.

The Fix:

• Minimap Habits: Make a habit of glancing at the minimap every few seconds, especially after clearing a wave or trading with your opponent.
• Use Pings Effectively: If you notice the enemy jungler or a roamer approaching, ping their location to warn your team. Likewise, alert your teammates if the enemy laner is missing.
• Place Deep Wards: Control Wards and trinket wards in the enemy jungle or river entrances can give you valuable information about the enemy’s movements.

4. Bad Back Timings

The Problem:
Staying in lane too long or backing at inopportune moments can leave you without resources or the ability to contest objectives. Alternatively, backing too often disrupts your tempo, allowing your opponent to gain an advantage.

The Fix:

• Back After Securing a Push: Always push the wave to the enemy turret before recalling to minimize lost CS.
• Back on Power Spikes: Know when your champion hits key power spikes (e.g., after purchasing a Mythic item or reaching level 6) and back strategically to maximize your advantage.
• Don’t Stay Without Resources: If you’re out of health, mana, or have significant gold to spend, it’s often better to back rather than risk losing a fight or farm.

5. Overstaying After a Kill

The Problem:
Many players overstay after securing a kill, trying to push the wave or damage the turret. This often leaves them overextended and vulnerable to a counter-gank or a full-health enemy returning to lane.

The Fix:

• Prioritize Resetting: After securing a kill, recall to spend your gold and return stronger.
• Be Mindful of Respawn Timers: Calculate how much time you have before the enemy respawns and returns to lane.
• Secure Plates Safely: If you do decide to push for turret plates, ensure you have vision and an escape plan in case the enemy jungler rotates to your lane.

Advanced Tips for a Stronger Laning Phase

1. Master CSing: Aim for consistent last-hits to maintain a gold advantage. Practicing in custom games can help improve this skill.
2. Adapt to Matchups: Know your champion’s strengths and weaknesses against your opponent and play accordingly.
3. Use Abilities Wisely: Avoid wasting mana on unnecessary trades or wave pushes unless it’s advantageous.
4. Deny Farm: If you’re ahead, use wave control to zone your opponent from CS and experience.
5. Coordinate With Your Jungler: Communicate with your jungler about opportunities for ganks or objectives, especially when the wave is pushing towards your turret.

Why Fixing These Mistakes Matters

Improving your laning phase isn’t just about surviving—it’s about setting yourself up for success in the mid and late game. A strong laning phase can lead to better map control, faster item spikes, and greater team influence. On the flip side, correcting these mistakes can help minimize the impact of a bad matchup or an aggressive opponent.

By developing better habits, such as proper wave management, map awareness, and strategic back timings, you’ll not only win more lanes but also contribute more effectively to your team’s overall success.

Conclusion

The laning phase in League of Legends is about more than just farming and trading—it’s a delicate balance of decision-making, strategy, and execution. Avoiding these common mistakes can elevate your gameplay and help you climb the ranks. Start by focusing on one or two of these areas at a time, and gradually incorporate more as you improve. With consistent practice and a mindful approach, you’ll soon find yourself dominating the lane and leading your team to victory.

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