The thing about Rocket League is that it only has a single set piece: the kickoff. Once that happens, it's all mayhem on the field. Winning a kickoff is crucial to scoring a goal, especially since it has been proven time and again that teams who play well end up losing because their opponents score every goal from a kickoff. This feels even more apparent when you're playing solo in the 1v1 mode.

As for scoring them yourself, you can't just blindly boost towards the ball. Depending on your spawn position, you need to hit the ball using a different trick. There are all sorts of things you need to consider during a kickoff, and this guide lists the most important ones. From hitting the ball at the right angle to maximizing the use of hitboxes, here are some of the biggest tips and tricks to winning kickoffs in Rocket League like a pro.

Know Which Flip to Use at Spawn

Blindly flipping will get you nowhere. Instead, learn different variations and which one is the most ideal in each given scenario. For example, boosting straight ahead and Front Flipping is a great way to reach the ball first compared to an opponent who doesn't do that. Front Flipping is nice for beginners to win kickoffs since it's the easiest trick in Rocket League.

When you're at a more intermediate stage, use the Diagonal Flip since that brings you closer to the ball faster than a Front Flip. Later, learn how to Speed Flip because that's the fastest and strongest flip from a spawn point, albeit it's also difficult to master. Using these different variations not only helps you consistently get ball control, but you also end up confusing the enemy team.

In this way, you can rotate techniques and keep enemy players on their toes. Faking a flick right after scoring or cheating up after a teammate gets the first touch would be another effective strategy to confuse opponents.

Secure Boost Immediately

You won't win kickoffs without securing a boost or simply flipping. Effectively utilizing boost is just about mandatory to secure first touch, so that's the first thing that should be on your mind. The best way to do that is by simply grabbing the pad directly ahead of you. Going to the corner pad is a terrible idea and will cost you dearly. Instead, always go for the one that's directly ahead of you since turning your car in any different directions will lose you distance on the ball.

In the same way, it's also just as important to get a pad and be ready to cheat up. If your teammate gets the team ball control, get a pad and take a shot at the enemy net. Otherwise, if you had first touch and now possess the ball, get ready for follow-up pressure or defense.

Make The Most of Hitboxes

Another surefire way to consistently reproduce kickoff wins in Rocket League is to use the Octane class hitbox. Hitbox, as in the invisible collider assigned to every object in the game. There are several types of hitboxes in Rocket League. Out of all of them, the Octane hitbox is considered to be the best one as it is really tall and prevents the ball from going over your car in 50/50s, which is a priceless strategy to win kickoffs more.

The Octane class hitbox is assigned to many of the in-game car bodies, with the Octane car body and Fennec car body being the most popular. That's why all the pros in Rocket League use them. It's proven that hitboxes do indeed matter quite a lot since one hitbox may be better for flicking while another for aerial ball control. Simply put, just using the Octane class hitbox makes a massive difference in 50/50s. For a detailed guide on Rocket League hitboxes, you can refer to this guide.

Hit Ball Center Mass

Another important aspect of winning kickoffs in Rocket League is when and how to hit the ball. Hitting the ball in the right place is essential, and that's actually near the center. Aiming at the center prevents the ball from going over your car and almost always gives you ball control directly after the first touch.

In the initial 1v1 or 2v2 at the kickoff spot, the car that hits the ball right at the center always wins ball control. Landing anywhere else weakens the shot as well as sends it flying away in an unwanted direction. This makes the recovery slow and leads to a missed opportunity to score.

Similarly, when to hit the ball is just as important. Usually, that's as soon as possible, but there can be times when you should fake the shot too. And another thing is that if you're flipping towards the ball, just make sure to jump when you enter the final kickoff circle, as that also produces consistent results.

Conclusion

Everything from flip variations to hitting the ball at the center is crucial to winning kickoffs in Rocket League. When you spawn, quickly decide how you'll approach the ball. If you're going to be the one to get ball control, Speed Flip, and let your teammates cheat up. If it's the other way around, secure a boost and align yourself towards the goal.

At the same time, pick a car from the “Octane” class hitbox since you'll get ball control easier. The quicker you engrave these tips into your game, the better you'll become at scoring goals from the kickoff. Other than that, spend ample time in Rocket League’s 1v1 mode practicing all your tricks. Once you've finally improved your game, the final step is to communicate with your teammates on whether you want to go in for first touch or cheat up.