Riot Games said on the 3rd it will pilot a "Coach Voice" system at the LCK Cup, which opens in Jan., allowing coaching staff to share tactics with players in real time during matches.
Coach Voice is a system that, unlike previous rules in LoL esports that limited coaching staff involvement after the ban-pick phase before a set, allows real-time strategic adjustments to match situations. This could make shifts in the flow of a game more evident and offer fans a new viewing element.
Coach Voice will operate on an opt-in basis for teams. Up to two members of the coaching staff—among the head coach, coach, and analyst registered on the roster—may participate, and they can communicate with players up to three times per set for 45 seconds per instance. The match will not be paused, and the coaching staff will receive only the same team vision as the players. Communication with external parties is not allowed until the match ends.
Coach Voice will apply only to group play at the LCK Cup, excluding play-in and playoffs, and will be piloted only in two Asia-Pacific regional leagues, LCP and LCK. It will not apply to global tournaments or other regional leagues.
Riot Games said it will comprehensively review team operating strategies, player feedback, fan reactions, and operational stability during the pilot period to decide whether to expand adoption.