Over the span of these last seven years, the meta of Rocket League has been slowly evolving. Beginning with the ground game and moving on to an aerial focus, now Rocket League gameplay is far different from what anybody could have imagined. The rise of demolitions, flip resets, wavedashes, and more have all improved the game, allowing for more optimal play. One of the newer developments in Rocket League has combined two more subtle mechanics, the air dribble and the bump, in order to create a play that is brutally effective. Aptly named the “air-dribble bump,” this mechanic takes the best parts of each individual play and combines them.

We will cover how exactly air-dribble bumps work, when you should utilize them, and why they work so well! There are numerous examples of professional players utilizing such tactics in their own games to great effect, which will be given as examples.

The Air-Dribble Bump

Let us start from the beginning. The air dribble, in its simplest form, is carrying the ball through the air with multiple touches. It is versatile and can be used on offense or defense. At the highest level of gameplay, air dribbles are notably used for attacks, though they are occasionally used for clears and passes as well. The bump is simply making contact with the opponent's car, changing their trajectory or, with enough speed, removing them from the field with a demolition. This mechanic, as you might guess, is a combination of both of these. The air-dribble bump involves starting an air dribble, either from the air or the ground, and then, rather than continuing the dribble until you reach the goal, you focus your car on bumping your opponent instead, making your shot nearly unsaveable. You may already feel frustrated at the thought of such a play; it seems impossible to block the shot and avoid a perfect bump, and you would be right. I am certain that is how Team BDS felt in this clip, where Joe “Joyo” Young of Moist Esports, formerly Team Queso, utilized an air-dribble bump against the current world champions:

The air dribble itself is quite simple, at the professional level, but the bump makes it nearly impossible for the last defender to do anything. Here, the power of the mechanic is obvious, and when executed perfectly, even professionals will struggle to counteract it.

How to Air-Dribble Bump

Let us break down the mechanics of the air-dribble bump into a few distinct steps.

• Gain possession of the ball, with no or minimal contention.
  
• Lightly hit the ball from the wall or ground, whichever you prefer.
  
• Follow the ball using your boost, feathering to maintain a consistent height and to carry the ball.

The above is exactly what you would do in a typical air-dribble, but the steps that you take afterwards are what really make the difference:

• After you have changed the trajectory of the ball to go towards the net, stop holding the ball up.
  
• Identify the most potent defender and angle your car towards them.
  
• Boost towards them and eliminate the possibility of them blocking your shot.

These steps are the fundamental ideas behind the air-dribble bump, and though there are quite a few of them, they become second nature as you execute them more and more. You may notice that I only mentioned a single defender, and that was for a reason; the air-dribble bump is incredibly effective against one player, but multiple defenders can make it significantly harder to execute the mechanic. Of course, it can be done, as Landon “BeastMode” Konerman of Version1 demonstrates here in a 2v2 tournament.

The Perfect Opportunities

Just as with most mechanics, the air-dribble bump has a time and place to use it, and it varies depending on the game mode. I will detail some common scenarios where this mechanic can be put to best use; however, thanks to the easy setup, there are a multitude of options available.

The first, obvious chance to use the air-dribble bump is nearly any situation in a 1v1. This mode is a perfect playground for mechanics of all sorts, and the air-dribble bump is no exception. Consider that the 1v1 mode gives you possession frequently, lots of boost, and only a single defender; there is no better opportunity to start an air dribble, and then shift to a physical play to secure an easy goal. There is no chance of salvation since your opponent has no backup, and the impact of this mechanic is irreplaceable. Professional players such as Jack “ApparentlyJack” Benton, formerly of Dignitas and now on Stormtroopers, have made names for themselves in the 1v1 scene due to the sheer efficiency of their execution of the air-dribble bump; even if you see it coming, there is not much that can be done if it's executed optimally. However, you should be wary of the fact that you also have no safety net in a 1v1. Since the air-dribble bump is an all-in play, and blunders on your part can quickly lead to a goal, and your opponent may find a way to counteract your bumps should you repeat them enough.

Game modes within which you play with a team, such as 2v2 or 3v3, still make great use of the air-dribble bump, though not as much as a duel. More players on the field reduces the effectiveness of this mechanic, but numerous 1v1 scenarios effect a rise in the prevalence of air-dribble bumps. An air-dribble bump can allow you to remove a defender while pressing on offense, or score outright if only one player is covering your path. The most important consequence may be to set your teammates up for brilliant scoring opportunities, due to the disruption caused on the goal line. Though not as effective as in 1v1, you will rarely go wrong with an air-dribble bump on offense.

There are also niche uses of the air-dribble bump on defense and transitions, though I doubt that they appear to such a great extent; I have seen such strategies, but not consistently. Defensive uses include trying to clear and demolish a player who attempts to block it, and similarly players can bump players who are trying to keep the ball from transitioning to offense.

Keep in mind that that air-dribble bump works best against shadow defense and low-boost opponents, as they cannot threaten your setup, leading to a nearly unstoppable shot. Higher-boost opponents and early challenges may bump you into the ball, which may prove to be a great annoyance.

A Few Remarks

There are a few ways you can enhance your air-dribble bumps, and they will greatly increase your chances of pulling off a successful attack. Firstly, you should focus on blocking your opponent while bumping them, putting yourself between them and the ball. This ensures that they cannot reach the ball by going past you, and allows your bump to connect more easily, as if your opponent dodges it, they have no chance to recover the ball before it reaches their goal.

Another possibility, though more complex, is the usage of mechanics such as flip resets, which can give you far more dynamic movement. This extra mobility can be used to secure a more powerful bump, or to redirect a ball towards the net. This option should be used with caution though, as a flip reset may propel the ball far beyond you, making it impossible to bump your opponent before they reach it.

Finally, make sure that your team is aware that you are making a solo play, and that you have enough boost. As I said earlier, there is a substantial amount of risk involved, and it is far better to have a line of defense. The boost is an important aspect, as you want to make sure that you have enough boost to completely cover your opponent's options. If you do not, they may simply clear the ball, resulting in a net negative result.

This video, by YouTuber Wayton Pilkin, covers a few more nuances of the topic, in addition to more scenarios and defensive options. I recommend this to gather an intuitive understanding of when to air-dribble bump and why, and how you can defend against it:

Closing Remarks

That's about it for the air-dribble bump, thank you for reading! As a great proponent of demolitions, I think that their integration into aerial plays is an immense step forwards, and this mechanic is an important way to ensure that you can convert attacks into goals. Make sure to use this mechanic in moderation. I know it is satisfying to completely obliterate your opponent as they try to defend their goal, but it becomes predictable eventually. However, this is a critical technique to keep in your pocket, to convert critical opportunities. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your games! Have fun demonstrating the power of the air-dribble bump!