There is nothing like scoring that winning goal in Rocket League. That clutch shot with zero seconds left or maybe even in overtime. But those scenarios can go in the opponent's favor as much as yours, so being able to dominate games will increase your win rate even more. The key to accomplishing this is keeping the ball in the opponent's half. Dominating possession is going to make your team concede less by controlling the boost game, increase your goals scored by keeping pressure on the opponent's net, and develop your ability to challenge opponents when they do have the ball.

First, let's discuss the importance of taking control of the boost available in the attacking third of the field. When you are able to limit the opponent's boost, it obviously makes it easier to score. Your teammates can get to the ball quicker, chase down clears faster, and force the opponents into awkward defensive situations. This all leads to more opportunities to score, but controlling the boost provides a valuable defensive boost. If the opponents do take control of the ball and begin a counterattack, having a boost advantage will allow you and your teammates to shut down any opportunity they have. When they are low on boost, their offensive options are extremely limited which allows you to quickly take back the ball and go on the attack. When you have control of the boost, use it to create a cycle of boost stealing. Every time you are crossing through the goal after a center or shot, snagging those corner boosts will allow you to continue that pressure while the opponents either sit in net on low boost or get caught out of position trying to find some boost.

When executed well, keeping the ball in the opponent's half should always lead to more goals. Simply, the more time you are on offense, the more opportunities to score will be generated. It's important to make these opportunities count though. Do not just throw the ball away and give the opponent the chance to counterattack. Developing the situational awareness to learn the difference between when a shot on goal would actually be dangerous or would just be giving away possession is key. Simple things like hitting the ball high on the backboard instead of a low, harmless shot on target can increase the quality of your team's offensive opportunities. As you continue to pressure the opponent's net and backboard, they will be forced into mistakes and awkward situations as they try to manage their boost, rotation, and try to take control of the ball. Learning to capitalize on these awkward situations is going to be key for your team. When you can force a 50/50 while pressuring in the attacking third will win your team possession more than letting your opponent's control the ball while they try to initiate a counterattack.

As far as actually learning how to establish this pressure, it all comes down to pushing yourself. Learning to read the play better and react to plays faster will come with time and practice. This kind of situation involves reading the wall bounce that split second before your opponent or challenging them before they can take close control of the ball. When you are able to establish pressure on the other team, their clears are your opportunity to strike. When they try to get a clear to midfield or high on their own corner wall, if you have taken control of the boost game, you can get to these balls before your boost starved opponents can hope to take it for themselves. Learning to be intentional with your hits on aerials or plays off of the wall when your opponent tries to clear is the biggest key though. If you react to the ball in time but end up just hitting it on top of an opponent's car, you have given them possession at no cost to them while taking yourself out of the game for several seconds. However, mistakes are a part of learning. When these opportunities come, challenge yourself to make those hits dangerous. When it doesn't work out, think about where you could have hit it differently. Pushing yourself will not only help you in this scenario of establishing offensive pressure, but help you learn to read the game faster in all other areas of your game, even when others are pressuring you.

Rocket League is a fluid, fast paced game and every second counts. Every second you can keep your opponents on the backfoot will make your chances of winning even higher. By dominating possession and keeping the ball in your attacking third, you can make the difference between a 3-1 victory or a 2-2 overtime nailbiter. Remember that pushing yourself is how you improve and going faster only benefits your team if you are intentional with your hits and positioning. Using these tactics will help you limit the goals your opponents score while you continue to rack up some impressive stats. As always, improving your abilities in one aspect of the game can help you in others, so constantly push yourself to improve everything you practice. I hope this advice can prove useful for you as the new competitive season has just kicked off and you pursue your dream rank. Best of luck! Thanks for reading.