Though a majority of Rocket League relies on the ground and air, the ceiling is a vital tool to high-level gameplay. This article will show you how to use it properly, and the sky’s the limit!
As Rocket League has developed over its eight-year lifespan, players have been pushing the boundaries of the game. Grounded gameplay shifted to aerials, aerial shots switched to flip resets, and the game now is completely different from where it began. One recent development is the increased use of the ceiling in Rocket League, especially at the higher ranks. Though many players do not utilize it, seeing it as an obstacle that can interrupt their air dribbles or lead to unexpected bounces, the ceiling is an immense tool that can help elevate your game.
This article will go over a few essential ways to use the ceiling, some of which you may be able to immediately integrate into your game. The ceiling brings an element of surprise that can give you more mobility and opportunities for creative shots, so learning how to use it to your advantage is a great way to move up in the ranks. Let’s begin our discussion of the ceiling with a classic…
The ceiling shot is what most players immediately consider when they think of the ceiling. It is one of the most recognizable shots in the game: you hit the ball into the air from the wall, drive or jump onto the ceiling, and then use the flip reset you obtained to add extra momentum to the ball at a crucial moment. One of the most notable ceiling shots was hit by Mariano "SquishyMuffinz" Arruda during RLCS Season 4, shown here, leading to a massive increase in popularity:
To begin the shot, you hit the ball off the side wall, and then take yourself to the ceiling. Crucially, you must let your car fall off the ceiling without using your jump; this ensures that you have your flip available to use to hit the ball, passing or scoring. For a more comprehensive guide on ceiling shots, take a look at our guide.
Ceiling shots, although they are not as prevalent in the meta as they used to be, particularly because of the time it takes to perform them, nevertheless remain a solid tool to add to your offensive arsenal. They can change the pace of the game and give you far more liberty with the ball; you can shoot directly, pass, fake, or even let the ball fall to the ground and pinch it into the net. The ceiling is not limited to only ceiling shots, however; this next way to use it is one that remains incredibly popular in pro play.
The ceiling double tap is a mechanic far newer than the ceiling shot, but it is widely considered to be more difficult and more effective than its predecessor. As a double tap, the premise remains quite simple: you hit the ball onto a surface, and then you immediately hit it again following its bounce to score. The only difference with this is that your surface is the ceiling, which adds a whole new dimension to the shot. Here is a demonstration of the ceiling double tap by Slater “Retals” Thomas in a clutch situation against G2 Esports, departing from the ground to hit the ball into the ceiling and redirect it into the opposing goal to secure the series:
The ceiling double tap is valuable due to its versatility. It can be executed from the wall with an air dribble setup, from the ground, or even from a pass! It can be disorienting to quickly move the ball between your car and the ceiling, but the move offers a surprising amount of flexibility in terms of where you can hit the ball and gives it a sudden burst of speed to throw off your opponents. Especially given how its setup may be seen as an air dribble or flip reset instead, the ceiling double tap can be a lethal weapon for your arsenal.
The closer your car is to the ceiling when you perform a ceiling double tap, the faster the ball will go. Once your car is so high that it makes contact with the ball as it touches the ceiling, you have the ceiling pinch, a mechanic which launches the ball at immense speed from the ceiling; if your opponents are unprepared, it is nigh unstoppable. The setup follows the same principles as the ceiling double tap, except you should accelerate alongside the ball to hit it as it is in contact with the ceiling, pinching it just as you would on any other surface. This mechanic is risky if executed incorrectly, as it can leave you on low boost and in an unfavorable situation, but if you can consistently pull it off, it is one of the best options in the air, especially when accompanied by a double tap. Just ask Alexis "zen" Bernier, current World Champion and undisputed best player on the planet. Here is a clip of the phenom securing the World Championship with a ceiling pinch double tap:
Though the ceiling is a remarkable medium for offense, that is far from its only utility. Another way to use the ceiling, albeit less often used, is for defensive purposes. This may seem inherently contradictory with the position of the ceiling. How can you defend if you are so separated from the play? However, especially for aerial plays, the ceiling can extend your defense to challenge a play earlier than you would be able to normally, surprising your opponent.
The key to using the ceiling is driving along it to crush an aerial attack before it fully develops. Consider the example where your opponent is beginning a slow air dribble. With a clear idea of where they will take the ball, you can approach them high from the ceiling and challenge their shot, using the power of your flip to completely turn the tides and possibly lead to your own attack on their net. The ceiling can be used to challenge any shot that goes particularly high, and it’s a surprising option that offenses may not always account for. However, be sure to understand that it is an incredibly committal move; if your opponent is unpredictable with their movement or executing a mechanic at high speed, you may want to stay wary.
Now that you know some of the essential ways to use the ceiling that you can immediately integrate into your gameplay, let’s dive into some of the more niche usages of the ceiling. These are more confined to freestyling typically, so I would advise against relying on these for competitively optimal shots, but integrating these into your games may net you a few cool clips!
The ceiling shuffle is a unique mechanic that involves placing three of your four wheels on the ceiling at a time to extend how long you can drive on it; while normally gravity would lead to you falling off, ceiling shuffling lets you traverse the map for a longer time. This is useful for when you want to receive a pass on the ceiling or perhaps even defend a shot that is a bit too far out, but it mainly serves as a cool way to add some flavor to your shots. Here’s a quick tutorial by freestyler Pulse Faith:
This last mechanic is a fun one that mainly serves to add aesthetic flair. The ground pogo has been rising in popularity recently, with players such as zen pioneering it in professional play. However, on the ceiling, it is an entirely different beast. The principle remains the same; you let your car bounce off of the ceiling by touching it with the corner of your car for a sudden jolt downwards, which can be used to reposition yourself around the ball. Much like the original pogo, this mechanic is slow so it can be punished, especially by pre-jumps and ceiling defense, but in cases where your original option is covered, or you simply want to go for a cool shot, bouncing off the ceiling can be an interesting way to use the roof to your advantage.
The ceiling is a part of the field that many players do not use to its full potential. Though it is out of the way of the rest of the field, it offers immense potential for brutal offenses, surprising defensive maneuvers, and flashy mechanics that are sure to shock and surprise. If you make sure to exercise due caution, the ceiling can elevate your game and raise the ceiling on your rank with its surprising versatility. I hope this article helped you develop more of an understanding of the ceiling and how to use it, and good luck with your ranked games - with a good grasp of the ceiling, the sky’s the limit for you!
