In any sport, the ability to quickly make the right decision is one of the biggest differences between an average player and a great one. However, it is also one of the most difficult to learn. “Decisions” are intangible, and it’s difficult to measure improvement in mental aspects of the game. Even with the obstacles that face the development of decision-making skills, they are crucial to improving as a Rocket League player.

In the fast-flowing, fluid game of Rocket League, hundreds of decisions are made each match. On the ball, these include “Should I flick here?” and “What will happen if I try to hit the ball at this angle?” Off the ball, even minute decisions such as which boost path to take or whether to stay back past or go up the backboard. Not only do you have to learn which decision would be correct, such as “Should I flick here?”, the situational awareness comes into play as well. Let’s look at an example of this.

You have thirty-two boost, and you are set up past your back left boost for a flick to midfield. Your opponent has zero boost and is coming at you from in front of the middle boost on your side. Should you flick here, take it up the wall, force a fifty-fifty? A flick would be effective here, as you would easily be able to beat the zero-boost opponent. Perhaps a teammate would be available to receive the pass, or you could chase down a well-placed flick. Let’s change it a bit.

You have zero boost, and you are in the exact same position. Your opponent, however, has the thirty-two boost and is coming at you at supersonic speed. The decision you must make changes, doesn’t it? Now if you try to flick, you put yourself in a risky challenge when the opponent comes and may dunk you, sending the ball mid for one of his teammates or even a shot on goal. So instead of trying to flick and hitting it right into his car, you might force a fifty-fifty that kills him momentum, since you don’t have any either. See how your decision-making must adjust based on your situational awareness?

With all this in mind, it isn’t impossible to develop strong decision-making skills. The most important advice to think about when improving this skill set is to remember that consistent practice will be the greatest asset to your improvement. The sheer number of decisions you have to make will help you as you think about “Why did that go right?” or “What could I have done differently?” and learning what works in different situations. Now, let’s discuss some more general scenarios that you can apply to your game.

When to Flick

Flicks are one of the most crucial skills in Rocket League as they can be used to handle a wide variety of situations. In general, they are great for slowing down the game as you dribble to set them up. This second or two will buy your teammates enough time to get in position or get enough boost for the next play. Flicks are a great option when transitioning from offense to defense. Instead of hitting a strong clear to the opposition, taking control of the ball gives you several options that forces the opposition to make a play in order to get the ball, instead of getting it free. Use flicks when you can use it to get the ball over an on-rushing opponent that would otherwise force a fifty-fifty. Flicks are also an easy way to force boost out of opponents. Instead of, say, going for an aerial using thirty boost to hit the ball to a position that the opponent uses thirty boost to get to, you go for a flick. This flick costs you ten boost, while the opponent still needs thirty. This creates a small boost advantage for your team that you can use to take control of the pitch.

Flicks should generally be avoided when you know the opponent will be able to get a touch on the ball. Even if you have a clear path to goal, sometimes it is worth it to sacrifice the shot when you know the opponent will hit the ball as soon as it leaves your car. When you give the ball that upwards momentum and the opponent gets the next hit, the ball will rocket towards your side of the field and initiate a dangerous counterattack for your opponent. You also need to be careful of where you are placing your flicks. Just because you have a flick set up does not mean you should go through with it if you are only going to give away possession.

When to Power Hit

Long clears and hard shots can be extremely effective when used well, but these are some of the most poorly used techniques I see in the game. They can release a lot of pressure, and create strong counterattacks, but when used incorrectly, they give your opponent free possession and make it more difficult for your team.

Hitting the ball hard can be great for giving your team to recover from a long stint on defense. When you place the ball into an area of the pitch that the opponent isn’t in, even if they take possession back, it can buy you and your teammates time to grab some boost pads necessary for your to break the chokehold and initiate your own counterattack. These hits are also extremely effective when on offense. Hitting the ball off of the backboard can create a difficult read for the defense and create a solid pass for your teammates. The harder you hit the ball, the less time your opponent has to react and could result in a poor touch from them. Hitting high and hard also forces a lot of boost out of your opponents which you can use to dominate pitch control and have more time on the offensive half of the field.

The negatives for this approach come in the form of losing possession frequently. If you cannot hit the ball into a position where a teammate can get there first, you are surrendering possession for free. You had to spend boost to get enough momentum to hit the ball hard, but now that the opponent hasn’t had to work to get the ball back, they can continue their attack with little cost to them. Specifically, on defense, it is hard to hit the ball down to the opponent’s defensive third of the field. Even when you do hit the ball this far, if the opponent’s rotation is in order, their third man will easily be able to get there first. At this point, your team either has to waste most of your available boost to chase down a challenge you might not get to in time or give the opponent time on the ball for free. Either way, it’s a lose-lose. Power hits can create large advantages for your team, but it’s all about the placement.

When to Pass

Passing plays are difficult to stop when executed well due to the quick redirection of the ball. When used correctly, passes can help retain possession and generate dangerous offensive opportunities. Passes are most effective when your teammate can receive the ball before the opponent, sometimes even drawing out an opponent into a useless position if they fail at intercepting the play. Passes are also a strong option when a shot onto net or the backboard would result in an easy save or clear by the opponent. As far as on defense, passing to a corner or a teammate on the side walls is an efficient way to relieve pressure.

While passing is an aesthetically pleasing, and often efficient, way to move the ball upfield, if performed incorrectly, they can generate an easy opportunity for your opponent. When going for a pass, it is almost always too much of a risk to pass across your own goal on defense. An interception or challenge from the opponent will almost always result in a negative play for your team, and sometimes a goal. For defense, it is crucial to play the ball to the corners or side wall for a pass. Passing anywhere though, specifically on offense, is dangerous if you do not have strong situational awareness. Always pay close attention to where your teammate is in relation to the opponents. If the opponent is blocking the passing lane or will be able to reach the pass destination first, a counterattack where both you and your teammate are out of the play will create a dangerous situation.

Conclusion

As always, Rocket League is very situational and exposure to a variety of situations will help you learn how to be efficient in all scenarios. When you learn to make quick, smart decisions, you will see your on-field speed increase as well as your win rate. It takes time to master decision making, but every smart play you make will feel rewarding as well as give your team that edge to win the game. Remember, it isn’t always about mechanics! Strong mechanics combined with a solid mental game will elevate your game to the next level. Good luck!