Winning Rocket League games comes down to fundamentals, but adding a bit of flash can make things more exciting. Created by NRG content creator Musty, the Musty Flick is a powerful shot that often catches defenders off guard typically set up after a flip reset.

With the help of RLCS pro player Stizzy, we’ll break down what a Musty Flick is, why it’s worth learning, and how to pull it off. Keep in mind, though, the Musty Flick is more of a flashy mechanic. It takes a lot of practice to execute consistently and isn’t really essential for ranking up.

What is a Musty Flick?

A Musty Flick is a special type of high-powered flick where you lean your car backward while dribbling, then front flip to launch the ball forward in a strong, arcing shot. Mechanically speaking, the musty is basically a backflip while moving forward. So how does that work? When the hood of your car dips past a 90-degree angle toward the ground, your car’s orientation flips. That means a front flip will actually send you backward, while a backflip will launch you forward into the ball. Here’s an example of Stizzy pulling off a Musty in training mode.

Why Should I Learn How to Musty?

While the Musty Flick isn’t the most practical mechanic for ranking up, it is a great way to add unpredictability to your game. The flick generates surprising power that forces defenders to pre-read to stop it. That said, it’s tricky to pull off in the air, so always have a backup plan in case things go wrong. The Musty is also perfect for mixing up your offense—fake a low shot, then boom it over defenders, or land one flick and use the threat of it to go low next time. And let’s be real: from a fun perspective, the Musty is just a sick mechanic to flex in your Rocket League montage.

Stizzy: “There aren’t really any massive benefits, it’s more about the feeling. If you want to do a Musty, you just go for it. If the ball’s above your car, you can pull it off for some extra power, but honestly, a regular ground flick is probably better. The Musty is mostly just for flash.”

How to Perform the Musty?

Before you can pull off a Musty Flick, there are a few key mechanics you’ll need to know. The setup is the most important. Learning how to pop the ball into a spot where only you can reach it. Hit it too hard and you’ll give your opponent a chance; hit it too soft and you won’t have the space to execute the flick. On top of that, being able to save your flip off the wall or ceiling, or even pull off a flip reset, is essential if you want to get the absolute most out of a Musty. If you’re still working on flip resets, check out our article with Stizzy that covers them in detail.

The Musty Flick’s movement is actually pretty simple. The challenge is using it in the right situation. Start by popping the ball up, either from a dribble or a front-facing hit. Next, tilt your car so its nose points down past a 90-degree angle. At that point, your car’s orientation flips, which means a “backflip” will now act like a front flip, sending the ball flying forward.

On the ground, pulling off a Musty is fairly straightforward: you already have a flip, and the ball is right in front of you. But the reward is much lower compared to landing one off the wall or after a flip reset, where the power and surprise factor really shine.

Stizzy: “You’ve got to know the movement. Jump, roll your car to the left, point the nose down, and you’ve got it. If you want to make it harder, you can even cancel the flip. Just make sure your joystick puts your car at that 90-degree angle, then flick it. Simple as that.”

Common Mistakes

There are a few big mistakes that can ruin the quality of your Musty Flicks, and sometimes even hand your opponent an easy goal on the counter.

One common mistake is not tilting your car back far enough. Your car needs to flip its orientation for the “backflip” front flip to work. If you don’t pass that 90-degree mark, you’ll just do a normal backflip, killing your momentum and missing the ball entirely.

Another issue is flipping too close to the ground. This usually causes your nose to slam into the floor, taking all the power out of the shot and setting up your opponent for an easy clear.

Finally, the simplest mistake, but maybe the most common, is overusing the mechanic. The Musty is fun to pull off, but if you spam it too often, it becomes predictable and easy to defend. Keep defenders guessing by mixing in standard shots and fakes.

Stizzy: “I didn’t make too many mistakes when learning the Musty since I was already a pro, so most of the movement felt natural. If I had to pick one challenge, it’d be controlling my car in the air. The move itself isn’t unnatural, but you need a really good setup and that feeling that you can actually pull it off.”

Training

A good Freeplay routine is essential for learning any mechanic, but using your practice time wisely is just as important. Start on the ground, getting comfortable with the angle you need to perform the Musty. Then practice hitting the ball while it’s grounded. Once you understand the movement, work on launching the ball into the air and practicing the flick off a single jump. Finally, when you’ve mastered the right car angle for maximum power, move on to practicing Musty Flicks off flip resets.

Conclusion

Musty Flicks are flashy, powerful, and incredibly satisfying to pull off. They take practice and patience, but once mastered, they become a potent tool in your Rocket League arsenal. A big thanks to Stizzy for helping us break down the art of the Musty Flick. To see more of his gameplay, follow him on Twitter @StizzyRL.