> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cyball.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cyball.com/game-mechanics-and-features/match-engine-mechanics/strategies-and-goalkeepers.md).

# Strategies and Goalkeepers

## Strategies

![Strategy Selection](/files/p2IU8DOVNc60VYuadVfr)

A team’s Strategy affects how likely the goalkeepers (GKs) on both teams are able to stop goals during that half.

Before the start of each half, both users are prompted to choose their team’s Strategy.

There are 5 Strategies to choose from: Ultra Defensive, Defensive, Balanced, Offensive, and Ultra Offensive.

## Goalkeepers and Match Balance

The combination of both users’ Strategies (and associated Individual Match Balances) determines the Total Match Balance, which sets the max RNG range for Goalkeeper Shot-Stopping  Rating(i.e. the likelihood of either goalkeeper stopping a goal).

| **Strategy Type** | **Individual Match Balance** |
| :---------------: | :--------------------------: |
|  Ultra Defensive  |              -2              |
|     Defensive     |              -1              |
|      Balanced     |               0              |
|     Offensive     |               1              |
|  Ultra Offensive  |               2              |

**Total Match Balance** = Team A’s Individual Match Balance + Team B’s Individual Match Balance

| **Total Match Balance** | **Max GK Shot-Stopping Rating (RNG Range)** |
| :---------------------: | :-----------------------------------------: |
|            -4           |                      20                     |
|            -3           |                      18                     |
|            -2           |                      16                     |
|            -1           |                      14                     |
|            0            |                      12                     |
|            1            |                      10                     |
|            2            |                      8                      |
|            3            |                      6                      |
|            4            |                      4                      |