Best Rocket League Tips for Beginners
By Arlo on Jan 8th, 2026, 04:35
With our best 5 beginner tips, you’ll rank up in Rocket League effortlessly.
Mastering car control is the most essential skill every new player needs to learn in Rocket League. Before attempting advanced moves, you should understand how your car moves and responds to your inputs.
Car control means knowing how to turn smoothly into better positions, how to boost at the right time, how to jump properly, and how to move around the field. When you master controlling your car, you play more consistently and avoid random mistakes like overshooting the ball, missing easy shots, or scoring in your opponent's goal.
A good way to start is to go through the tutorial and play freeplay to drive around the field. Practice simple movements to further improve your mechanics. Boost forward, stop, turn, try to keep your speed under control, and utilize boost pads.
You can also practice dribbling by placing the ball on top of your car and trying to balance it. Even though dribbling is not required for newbies, it helps you understand how your car behaves when you move slowly or quickly.
You can practice other skills such as powerslide, double jump, air roll left and right, and rebound.
Another helpful thing is learning how to strike the ball properly. Many beginners rush toward the ball without planning their approach, but with better control of their car, they can move in a straight line, angle their car properly, and strike the ball with more power. The more you master controlling your car, the better you get, and the easier every other basic mechanic gets.
Using your speed wisely is a top-tier habit when you play Rocket League. Many beginners waste boost by holding it too long or using it at the wrong moment. Being smart with your speed means activating it only when you need extra power, reach, or a better position.
This also involves relying less on the big pads and more on the small pads scattered around the field. Each small pad restores 12 units, helping you maintain enough acceleration to challenge, defend, or control the game.
During fast plays, stop chasing the ball at full speed, which leaves you stuck playing defensively. You can practice moving full speed when necessary and saving the speed boost when the ball is rolling slowly. Grabbing small pads while rotating back helps you intercept faster and keeps your team balanced.
Learning how to be smart with your charges will help you understand Rocket League better. When you accelerate correctly and avoid wasting your resources, you stay in control of the game.
Positioning is a key part of Rocket League that beginners often overlook. It’s about staying in the right spot on the field based on the flow of play. Proper teamwork involves smart positioning, rotations, and taking turns with your teammate so the goal isn’t left unguarded.
Many new players chase the ball nonstop, leaving the field poorly covered and making coordinated play difficult. When you understand where you need to be, you can decide the best moments to attack or fall back on defense.
One simple rule is that if your teammate goes for the ball, you rotate behind and prepare for the next play. If you strike the ball, you can move out of the way so your teammate can retake your spot. This strategy keeps your team safe and balanced and is used by the best players in the world.
Your location also affects how well you strike the ball. Being in the right field lets you strike the ball with more accuracy and power. Instead of reacting late, you move early, read the bounce, and challenge at the right moment.
Rotation also connects to the boost management we previously mentioned. When you move with your team, you have time to collect pads and reset your movements. If you do this correctly, you'll have a ton of opportunities to challenge the ball and reach the ball faster. When needed, you can return to a defensive field placement. Improving this aspect of your gameplay makes you a better player and helps you understand the flow of Rocket League, rather than playing chaotically.
Camera settings might look like a small detail, but they make a big difference for rookies. Adjust settings so that you can see more of the field and keep track of the ball and your opponents.
The default settings for your camera are not always the best for learning, so many players change distance, camera angle, stiffness, and field of view to get a clearer view. When you adjust your settings to something comfortable, your movements become easier, and you can react faster.
A wider FOV (Field of View) helps you see what's happening around you, especially when multiple players go chasing the ball. Adjust camera settings until you feel comfortable. Try moving around the field, checking your ball camera, and checking the camera shake to further improve your gameplay.
Teamwork is crucial in Rocket League. Smart teamwork gives a major advantage and prevents you from losing the match.
Mastering car control, smartly accelerating, waiting for the appropriate time, making a good pass, and understanding your field placements helps, but coordinating with your teammate is key to further elevating your competitive play.
Use quick chat for simple messages like "I got it" or "Defending" to maintain structure and avoid chasing the ball in the kickoff.
Hit the ball thoughtfully.
Aim for open space and use tricks such as aerial shots and air rolls.
Effective touches, combined with clear communication, reduce chaos, prevent double-commits, and ensure someone is ready to defend or continue plays.
