Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) and multiple network coding devices may communicate to reduce multiple network coding devices accepting a same take over request message from the UE for a given data packet. In some examples, the multiple network coding devices may determine respective backoff periods to wait before accepting the take over request message such that each backoff period is different for each network coding device. In some examples, the UE may receive respective broadcast messages from each of the multiple network coding devices that indicate a network coding capability parameter, and the UE may select a network coding device based on the received capability parameter. In some examples, a network coding device may transmit an indication of packet overload and refrain from accepting a take over request message.