50/50s are one of the most overlooked parts of the game. Most players see 50/50s as random, hence the name. It could go either player's way, right? That is not necessarily true. Over Rocket League's progression, players have begun to look at different aspects of the 50/50 in order to change their 50/50 chances to 70/30 or 80/20. Professional players like Jayson "Fireburner" Nunez are known in the pro scene as 50/50 masters.

The Most Important Tips

Here are some tips you should know to help you improve your 50/50 chances:

1. Make your car as BIG as possible.

What does that even mean? This seems simple, but in practice, it's much more complicated. Making your car big means giving your car the largest hitbox possible, as well as getting as much force going through the ball as possible. The simplest way to do this in the split second you have to hit the ball is to aim for the center of the ball. If your opponent does anything other than put his car through the center of the ball, his hitbox is going to be smaller than yours. Thus, the ball will most likely bounce out onto your opponent's side!

You can also try flipping sideways into the ball. This will increase the surface area of your car and your opponent will have a harder time forcing the ball onto your side.

Hit the center! Make your car big!

2. Read your opponent's line of attack!

Reading your opponents is also very important. A 50/50 is all about you and your opponent hitting the ball at the same time. If you match your opponent's angle to the ball, but you power through the center, nine times out of ten, you will win the 50/50. By reading your opponent, you can time your challenge as well. Sometimes, playing a 50/50 with complete aggression may not be the best course of action. It depends on the circumstance.

Here are some circumstances you might find yourself in:

Circumstance 1: You know your opponent is going to lunge his car at the ball like a madman. He's been doing the same 50/50 all game. Slow it down! If he lunges at the ball, there will be a low chance that he can get multiple touches to the ball in a 50/50. Let him hit the ball into you! It will go flying into his half.

Circumstance 2: You're out of boost, but you have possession of the ball. The balls just rolling and your opponent is charging at you. At that point, you have no option but to try for a 50/50. Wait for your opponent to come for you. At the last second, try flipping into the center of the ball. Most often, a still object can block better than a moving one.

Circumstance 3: You're late to the challenge. You know your opponent is going to get to the ball before you. What can you do? Firstly, don't flip over the line of the ball. Your opponent might be smart enough to fake and slow down before hitting the ball, and you'll just fly right on over the ball. Try your best to either predict the line that your opponent might hit the ball, or just make your car is big as possible by cutting off possible angles by your opponent and flipping to block those off.

There are a lot more circumstances, but these are just a few of the most common. The main point is to try and read your opponent and how he has been playing the whole game. Does he go for every 50/50? Is he hesitant? Which way does he usually flip when he goes for a 50/50?

Here is a 1v1 video from Mariano "SquishyMuffinz" Arruda against Jayson "Fireburner" Nunez, in which Squishy highlights a lot of tips about 50/50s:

Try to notice the situation that Squishy is in when he talks about a 50/50.

3. Understand the mechanics that come along with winning a 50/50.

This tip is more of an encompassing idea. Most often, players approach 50/50s thinking that they need to be the fastest and most powerful to the ball. This isn't always true.

Take all the mechanical tips that you have learned to win 50/50s, analyze the situation that you are in, and apply it!

Here is a video from Niels "Nielskok" Kok from exceL Esports where he highlights mechanical tips to win 50/50s:

Community Content

I have already mentioned several sources of content that can help you improve your 50/50 chances, but here are a few more that I found to be helpful:

Conclusions

50/50s are the most common types of challenges, no matter what rank you play at. In order to win a majority of the 50/50s that you encounter, the main thing you need to remember is to read your opponent's trajectory to the ball, play opposite of it, and make your car as big as possible. If your opponent tries to force every 50/50, play with a reactive approach. If your opponent keeps trying to fake a shot, read where the ball will be and cut off any angles your opponent has. With these tips, you'll be a 50/50 god in no time!

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