Rocket League is a unique game when it comes to meta-development. No one would doubt that there is one as over the years the meta has switched from air dribbles all the way to flip resets and more as the community continues to evolve. However, what determines the meta? There are no new patch notes every week determining which cars will gain double boost from now on or be twice as fast when touching the ball. So today, let's discuss three ways that you can use the meta to improve as well as help form the meta yourself.

1) Analyze the Pros

We study professionals in everything in order to improve, from baseball to art to cooking. These guys are the best of the best for a reason. They put in the hours every day to be the best at what they do. This means if they are doing it, they are probably doing it for a reason. That's when it falls on you to do some homework and think about it. Why are they doing what they do? When they are messing around in ranked, is that the same as what they do in RLCS? For example, a player keeps trying crazy freeplay mechanics in ranked. It's still a win-lose situation, so why isn't he doing that in the RLCS? Perhaps it is because he has found it is not an efficient play to make when trying to play optimal Rocket League. Think through that process for every play and apply it to your own game as you learn why the pros do what they do.

2) Analyze the Different Ranks

As you improve, Rocket League rapidly becomes a different game. Just from silver to platinum, the difference in play is immense, and the meta will vary for each rank. It is important to note what you are capable of and not. You should constantly work on developing those next skills, but it is important to know your own shortcomings when trying to win that one match you just queued for. When you come across someone who is a higher rank than you, save the replay and analyze it. How the professionals play is obviously the ideal goal but working one step at a time is crucial for improvement. Learning why you are in gold while your opponent is in platinum can bring light to what you need to add to your own game. The meta shifts drastically between ranks, and that is one of the reasons it takes so long to get a grasp on a new rank. Not only do you have to mechanically improve, but the flow of the game is different, and it is important to remember that.

3) Experiment Yourself

The meta is formed from the collective efforts of thousands of players grinding the game and experimenting. Take the time to experiment not only in free play but in game as well. Trying new things is the only way to find out what works and what doesn't. For example, the flip reset, a staple of Rocket League now, would not have been developed to the state it is now if players didn't experiment. It is important to study the pros but learning firsthand is the best way to figure out what the meta is and how you can develop it. Every time you score a goal, make a save, or even position your car, you are contributing to the current feel of what the meta is.

The meta is constantly changing, despite Rocket League remaining relatively the same compared to other games that have weekly patches that evolve the game in a different way than we have. For an example of this, pick some RLCS games from the past few seasons and compare how they "feel" with one another. Even just a few months ago, gameplay of my favorite pros looked so different than it does today. Sometimes it feels like the game has reached new heights, and this is the epitome of Rocket League! But remember, the entire Rocket League community is always developing new ways to score and win. Take the time to think about what the top tier of the game looks like right now and how you can put your own twist into your gameplay to change the meta.

Thank you all so much for reading. I hope this was a thought provoking article that could inspire you to get creative and add some flair to your own game as we all try to improve. Best of luck as you grind out some freeplay!