Getting into Rocket League isn't as simple today. The game has been out for nearly a decade, and so many players know the ins and outs, the best defensive tactics, and the clever ways to set up goals. But this skill difference overwhelms new players and leaves them wondering whether it's possible to get into Rocket League at this stage. Well, the answer is that if you know which things to focus on first, you can rapidly learn the intricacies of Rocket League, too.

This page serves as a guide that clues you in on the best pathways to becoming a pro in Rocket League. The best tricks to learn, areas of your game to develop first, as well as top players to follow, are all coming up ahead. Normally, there aren't any shortcuts to success. But since Rocket League is a game, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to get better.

Tips & Tricks to Get Better at Rocket League

One thing you can't compromise on is learning. Whether you're a novice or a pro player, the more you practice and learn new skills, the better you'll become inside the arena. That said, there are plenty of tips on how to progressively do so.

1. Select the Best Settings for You

Before you even jump into the arena, tinker around with the settings. Small tweaks can lead to big changes. For example, the default field of view is set to 90. All Rocket League pros unanimously agree that turning it up to 110 is the best decision, as it allows you to see a lot more of the arena.

Similarly, turning off the Camera Shake, setting a dedicated input for Air Roll Right and Left, and adjusting the camera angle to something like -3 or -5 substantially boosts your experience. For a more detailed understanding of the best camera settings for Rocket League, you can refer to this guide.

2. Figuring Out Your Weaknesses

The number one part of your game you should improve upon is your fundamentals. Rocket League features a plethora of modes. However, most players jump right into the 3v3 or 4v4 modes without having a solid grasp of their skill set.

In the path to getting better in Rocket League, you need to see where you're lacking. If it's difficult for you to score goals in a 1v1 game, then it's doubtful you'll perform any better in a 4v4. So, if you lack a strong offense, first become a better attacker and defender by dominating in 1v1 and 2v2 modes.

1v1 is perfect for learning how to control the ball, and 2v2 for decision-making. Once you get better, crank up the chaos to 3v3. This mode is rotation-heavy, so your target should be to learn how to set up plays, pass the ball, and capitalize on the smallest chances.

3. Develop Your Reflexes

Once you have an understanding of the game, it's time to develop your reflexes. This is the point at which you need to learn basic maneuvers like half-flips, air rolls, and backflips. All of these are basic skills that can be performed by tapping two or three buttons. Since timing isn’t too crucial to their execution, perfecting them will help you build confidence in your skill set.

This stage of getting better at Rocket League is also where you must understand how to absorb arena information during a game. Checking and remembering your teammates' positions, knowing when to retreat to defend, or when to leave the goal empty, are all things you should master now to succeed in ranked mode later.

4. Learn Advanced Skills (When Ready)

After a couple of dozen hours of playing Quick Matches or Ranked, start dabbling with your hands at advanced skills. Some of the most famous tricks pros use in Rocket League include the Musty Flick and the Breezi Flick.

Both flicks have a technical setup and can be used to score goals swiftly from afar. For an elaborate breakdown of all flicks, here is a guide by Dignitas’ former Rocket League player Joreuz. There's also the Speed Flip, through which your car can quickly gain momentum. And then there's Wavedashing, which is another essential Rocket League mechanic all pros incorporate in their game.

You stop getting better the moment you stop learning anything new. Once you master the Breezi Flick, learn the Musty Flick. If you're bored with offense, switch to practicing defensive mechanics. And the best way to learn is by watching and doing everything yourself again and again. If you need any pros to learn from, then Stizzy and Zen from Team Vitality are your best friends.

Practice Makes Perfect

Saying that it takes over a thousand hours to become a pro in Rocket League wouldn't be a stretch. The best teams in the world and tournament winners all have several thousand hours logged into the game individually. Rocket League is nearly a decade-old game after all. So, if you want to be just as good as players like Zen or Stizzy, you'll need to hone your skills for hours on end like them.

Be that as it may, more time spent doesn't necessarily mean you'll become a better player. The main trick behind getting better is being aware of your plays and always thinking about how best to score. Sure, you can have fun in quick matches and not pay much attention. But when you feel you have stagnated growth as a player, then it's time to learn new tricks and implement them in Rocket League's ranked mode. And if you keep sticking to this routine of identifying your weaknesses, learning new skills, and making smart plays, you'll definitely catch up with veteran players in a quarter of the time.