Adaptive Tactical Decision Making in Ice Hockey: Integrating Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning Framework With Advanced Computer Vision Techniques



Author Information

Boyang Zhang, University of Turku, Finland

Abstract

This study proposes an integrated framework that combines with Multi Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) with advanced computer vision techniques, including pose recognition via MMaction2, object detection with Yolov11, and multi-object tracking using ByteTrack. The McGill Hockey Player Tracking Dataset (MHPTD) is used to analysis the ice hockey team sport. In building the framework with MARL, each player is modeled as an autonomous agent whose observation space encompasses self-position, puck state, and the spatial locations of teammates and opponents. By incorporating inputs from the MHPTD dataset, the framework dynamically adapts strategic behaviors, like defending, attacking. When simulating realistic ice hockey scenarios, the framework can be used for strategy optimization using the group object detection, play behavior modeling by pose recognition and positional data tracking, advanced AI opponents’ strategic analysis in future games. Reward function is setup to encourage agents to move towards the puck and getting rewards when shooting to the opponents’ door. Multi-agent setup can simulate full team sport. The framework can enhance the simulation of complex player interactions, bridge the gap between MARL simulation and real-world fix-field team sports, provide insight in coaching and sport education.


Paper Information

Conference: ECE2025
Stream: Design

This paper is part of the ECE2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Zhang B. (2025) Adaptive Tactical Decision Making in Ice Hockey: Integrating Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning Framework With Advanced Computer Vision Techniques ISSN: 2188-1162 The European Conference on Education 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 251-259) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1162.2025.21
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1162.2025.21


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Posted by James Alexander Gordon