TL;DR
- Valorant’s coaching bug reveals enemy positions through random red dots on spectator mini-maps
- The glitch has existed since January 2022 and resurfaced with new visual characteristics
- Competitive integrity is threatened due to lack of replay system for investigation
- Coaches must immediately report occurrences through official TOS channels
- Riot’s response strategy will determine the bug’s long-term competitive impact

Riot Games’ premier tactical shooter faces a critical competitive integrity challenge with a newly resurfaced spectator bug that grants coaches unfair tactical advantages. This exploit represents one of the most serious technical issues to threaten Valorant’s esports ecosystem since its launch.
Mini-map anomalies represent common vulnerabilities across competitive shooters, typically receiving immediate developer attention due to their game-breaking potential. However, certain glitches manage to evade detection for extended periods, creating systemic competitive disadvantages. The notorious coaching bug scandal in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive demonstrates how such issues can persist undetected for years before public exposure. Valorant now confronts a parallel situation where spectator-level mini-map corruption provides unauthorized intelligence access.
Multiple professional coaches and verified players have documented evidence showing anomalous red indicators appearing on radar displays. This spectator-exclusive mini-map corruption in Valorant activates exclusively for coaching perspectives, according to industry experts.
Hey @penguinVALORANT – is this one you might be interested in?
Talked to @Prainexx a bit more about it as was interested if any overlap with observing – but seems to just be a coach bug as not seen it myself while doing obs. pic.twitter.com/MPCtC1e3ka
— Luke (@xilvobs) January 14, 2022
What’s the new coaching bug in Valorant?
The coaching exploit in Valorant operates similarly to unauthorized radar enhancement software, where unexpected markers materialize on the tactical display revealing opponent positioning data. This represents a fundamental breach of competitive fairness principles.
While the precise technical cause remains unidentified, extensive video documentation confirms the bug’s random activation nature and enemy location disclosure capabilities. The radar anomaly enables coaching staff to monitor real-time mini-map data and acquire strategic intelligence about opposing teams through illegitimate means. Activation occurs unpredictably when crimson indicators begin appearing on the radar interface. These markers may exhibit movement patterns in some instances, though stationary appearances are also documented.
Competitive participants assert this vulnerability isn’t recently discovered. In reality, the coaching exploit has persisted within Valorant’s codebase for an extended duration, with numerous reports submitted to Riot’s development team. Initial public documentation occurred in January 2022, and according to coaching professionals, frequency diminished across subsequent updates. However, the coaching bug in Valorant has recently reappeared with visual indicators matching opponent highlight colors.

Competitive authenticity forms the foundation of professional esports, and Riot has consistently prioritized maintaining fair competitive environments. The development team has presumably been addressing this concern internally. However, the absence of comprehensive match replay functionality significantly complicates forensic analysis since concrete evidence of exploitation in high-pressure competitive scenarios remains scarce.
Fortunately, most Valorant coaching staff maintain they’ve properly documented incidents through Terms of Service reporting channels whenever bug activation occurred. The competitive community remains optimistic that the coaching vulnerability never substantially influenced major tournament outcomes. Nevertheless, this represents a critical game-breaking defect requiring immediate resolution.
Riot Games has not yet issued official statements regarding this technical malfunction. The development team’s approach remains uncertain—whether they’ll initiate transparent investigative procedures or implement corrective measures while considering historical exploitation circumstances.
Professional coaches should implement systematic monitoring protocols for mini-map anomalies during competitive matches. Immediate documentation through screen recording and official reporting represents the most effective countermeasure against potential exploitation accusations. Understanding proper competitive protocols helps establish baseline expectations for ethical coaching conduct.
When anomalous radar indicators appear, coaches must immediately cease using any derived intelligence and notify tournament administrators. This proactive approach mirrors established competitive integrity frameworks used across major esports titles. The absence of systematic detection methods increases reliance on individual accountability.
Advanced spectators should familiarize themselves with technical monitoring techniques to identify suspicious mini-map behavior during broadcasts. Tournament organizers could implement additional spectator delay periods to mitigate real-time exploitation risks while maintaining broadcast quality.
Riot’s development priorities should include implementing robust replay system functionality to facilitate proper investigation of such technical issues. The current evidence collection limitations create unnecessary vulnerabilities within Valorant’s competitive infrastructure that require architectural addressing.
Action Checklist
- Immediately document any mini-map anomalies with screen recording evidence
- Cease using any intelligence derived from bug activation immediately
- Submit official report through Riot’s Terms of Service portal
- Notify tournament administrators of occurrence for match documentation
- Maintain detailed records of all bug occurrences for future reference
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Players highlight a game-breaking coaching bug in Valorant Understanding Valorant's coaching bug: detection methods, competitive impact, and prevention strategies
