Mechanics are the way many players quantify their success in Rocket League - often, flip resets and double taps can garner a few “Nice Shot!”s in online matches. However, the mechanics that are highlighted in most players’ minds have an offensive focus, and those which are held with a defensive focus in mind are less often in the limelight. Defensive mechanics are just as important, if not more important, than attacking mechanics; as the offensive meta evolves, your defense also needs to level up to prevent games from turning into non-stop clip-fests. Let’s go over some of the most important defensive mechanics that the game has to offer, helping level up your game on both ends of the field.

The Squishy Save

The first defensive mechanic we will be covering is also one of the flashiest: the Squishy save. Named after Rocket League legend Mariano "SquishyMuffinz" Arruda, the Squishy save involves driving up the inside of the net and coming off of the roof of the goal to secure a save, as seen here by Dignitas’s own Tshaka "Arsenal" Lateef Taylor Jr :

The key advantage of the Squishy save is that it allows for a surprising amount of mobility with low boost, and also helps you maintain speed in situations where you may otherwise have to slow down to save the ball. By going inside of the goal, you can keep momentum to ensure a strong clear, and either falling or jumping off of the roof of the goal means that you have a flip to use for a strong defense. While the Squishy save helps stave off goals when you’re in the net, this next defensive mechanic helps cut off plays as they build up.

Shadow Defense

Shadow defense is one of the most essential defensive skills to master in Rocket League. Instead of directly challenging the opponent’s possession on the ball, which can be exploited through flicks and fakes, shadow defense involves staying on the side and slightly in front of your opponent like their shadow, ready to jump whenever the ball leaves their car to intercept passes and shots. Shadow defense, though it may sound complicated, just involves keeping yourself in a position to immediately cut off an opponent’s play when it develops - it is an essential skill that only becomes more important as you rank up and encounter opponents who have enough ball-handling skills to make you look silly when you go for a direct challenge.

A graphic depicting optimal shadowing positions, from our article on shadow defense.

Shadow defense can be learned through a variety of videos and training packs, and also through one of our previous articles, linked here. Shadow defense is an essential skill to have when defending on the ground, but there is a whole other arsenal of skills to learn to defend attacks that come from the air.

Backboard Defense

One of the most important areas for defensive play, especially at the high ranks and professional level, is the backboard. It provides a higher leverage point that can be used to defend the high aerial plays that are a hallmark of the meta. Especially considering that the backboard is a key point of interest for offensive plays like double taps and general rebounding, being able to defend it properly can stifle plays before they are able to fully develop. When on the backboard, there are a few ways to deal with a ball that comes towards you. Firstly, you can attempt to touch it softly and take possession to hopefully remove it from your end of the field; this can be with an off-the-wall air dribble or a pinch, and can prove to be a safe option to eliminate threats. However, another method, which I find to be my favorite, is to launch the ball from the backboard by hitting it as it bounces, analogous to a powershot. This can instantly launch the ball downfield, and if you have a teammate in the correct position, your opponents may not even be able to react before you score a goal. Next time your opponent aims a shot at your backboard, make sure to be positioned there to perhaps start a counteroffensive of your own.

Prejumps

This next mechanic is one that players find to be incredibly flashy, but despite its risk it can be a massive boon on the defensive half of the field. Prejumps are self-explanatory: you jump before a play completes, hoping that you can anticipate where the ball will go to redirect it for either a goal, pass, or save. Prejumps are impressive because they are fully committal, so if they go wrong, they can be disastrous, but if they go correctly, they show a tremendous amount of foresight and just… look impressive! The key to a prejump is to stay calm; if you calculate and consider a prejump only when the opponent has a viable offensive option that cannot be saved otherwise, you can ensure that you can shut down those plays and force them to take other means. I would recommend that you not prejump unless you have teammates supporting you, however; if your opponent reads you, your defensive hopes will be dashed. However, if you can pressure a play through your mere presence with a prejump, you can squash sudden attacks on the mental side and prevent them from forming in the first place.

Pinches

The final defensive mechanic on this list is one that has been rapidly growing in popularity: the pinch. Although traditionally associated with offensive use - key examples include the Kuxir pinch and the ground pinch - these mechanics can just as easily be appropriated for defensive uses, primarily clearing the ball with an astounding amount of power. Pinches are incredibly useful through their unpredictability; they can be disastrous if executed incorrectly, leading the ball to stay in a danger zone or even move back towards your net, but a proper pinch can lead the ball to rocket to your opponent’s half, relieving pressure instantly, and maybe even resulting in a lucky goal!

Conclusion

Defensive mechanics, though often neglected, are crucially important to a well-rounded skill set in Rocket League; they may not be as flashy as typical mechanics players like to focus on, but having an increased proficiency can turn the tides in any game, or rather prevent the tides of victory from being turned against you from a sudden comeback. Good luck with using these mechanics to keep up an impenetrable wall of defense, and go get and defend your MMR!